Kankakee County, Illinois
Kankakee County sits about an hour south of Chicago, but it feels a world away from the big city. The Kankakee River cuts through the county, giving the area its name and providing some decent fishing spots. Kankakee is the biggest town.
You’ve got a mix of farmland and small towns, with some industry thrown in. The state park along the river is popular for canoeing and camping. Corn and soybeans dominate the landscape, broken up by the occasional wind turbine.
Winters are cold, but summer brings dragon boat races on the river. There’s more diversity here than you might expect. The county has a growing Hispanic population that’s changing the local culture.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| County Name | Kankakee County |
| County Seat | Kankakee |
| Etymology | Named after the Kankakee River, which flows through the county |
| Cities, Towns, and Communities | Kankakee, Bourbonnais, Bradley, Manteno, Momence, Grant Park, Herscher, St. Anne, Limestone, Sun River Terrace, Aroma Park, Bonfield, Buckingham, Cabery, and various other communities. |
| Interstates and Highways | Interstate 57, U.S. Highway 45, U.S. Highway 52, Illinois Route 17, Illinois Route 50 |
| FIPS Code | 17-091 |
| Total Area (Land and Water) | 681 square miles (land: 677 sq mi, water: 4 sq mi) |
| Adjacent Counties (and Direction) | Will County (North), Lake County, Indiana (Northeast), Newton County, Indiana (East), Iroquois County (South), Ford County (Southwest), Livingston County (West), Grundy County (Northwest) |
| Time Zone | Central Time Zone (CT) |
| Population | Approximately 105,000 |
| State | Illinois |
| Coordinates | 41.1200° N, 87.8612° W |
| Major Landmarks | Kankakee River State Park, B. Harley Bradley House (Frank Lloyd Wright), Kankakee Railroad Museum, Kankakee County Museum, Exploration Station Children’s Museum |
PHYSICAL MAP
Kankakee County Topographic Map
Kankakee County is mostly flat, with the Kankakee River flowing through it. Marshy areas and farmland are typical features of the landscape. Zoom in to see the details on our map.
SATELLITE IMAGERY
Kankakee County Satellite Map
Farmland covers much of the county, so you’ll mostly see agricultural fields. The Kankakee River stands out as a winding dark line, while urban areas like Kankakee appear as gray clusters.
OUTLINE MAP
Kankakee County Blank Map
Kankakee County has a somewhat rectangular shape without many curved edges. It borders the state of Indiana to the east.
Illinois County Maps
Illinois County Map
Ready to explore Illinois? Discover counties full of surprises, from the energy of Chicago and Cook County to the quiet beauty of Shawnee National Forest. Explore rich history, farmland, natural scenery, and small-town charm with our Illinois county map. Find your next adventure and discover all that Illinois has to offer.