Is Will County a Good Place to Live?

Will County ranks as the 4th most populous county in Illinois, home to more than 708,000 residents spread across dozens of communities southwest of Chicago. That growth didn't happen by accident. Families, young professionals, and retirees have steadily moved here over the past two decades, drawn by strong schools, relatively affordable housing, and a quality of life that's hard to match this close to a major metro area.

But no place is perfect. High property taxes, rush-hour gridlock on I-55, and ongoing construction from rapid development are real downsides worth weighing. Here's an honest look at what living in Will County actually means day to day.

Why Families Choose Will County

Schools drive most relocation decisions, and Will County delivers. Districts like Frankfort CCSD 157-C and Mokena School District 159 consistently place in the top 10% statewide. Lincoln-Way Community High School District, which serves much of the southwestern corridor, maintains a reputation for strong academics, competitive athletics, and well-funded extracurricular programs.

Niche.com regularly ranks Frankfort, Plainfield, and New Lenox among the best places to live in Illinois. These aren't empty accolades. Walk through any of these towns on a Saturday morning and you'll find packed youth soccer fields, busy farmers markets, and neighbors who actually know each other by name. The park districts run year-round programming, from summer camps to senior fitness classes, and most neighborhoods sit within a short bike ride of trails, playgrounds, or forest preserves.

There's a suburban feel here without the sterile, cookie-cutter atmosphere some people associate with the burbs. Frankfort has a walkable downtown with local restaurants and shops. New Lenox blends newer subdivisions with stretches of open farmland. Plainfield keeps expanding, but its historic village center still anchors community events throughout the year.

Cost of Living Breakdown

The median household income in Will County sits around $107,000, which is substantially higher than the national average and above the Illinois state figure as well. That earning power goes further here than it would in DuPage County, where home prices run 15-25% higher for comparable properties.

A three-bedroom home in Plainfield or Romeoville might list for $290,000 to $350,000. The same house in Naperville or Wheaton could easily cost $400,000 or more. Families relocating from Cook County often find they can upgrade to a larger home with a bigger yard while keeping their mortgage payment roughly the same.

That said, property taxes deserve a hard look. Will County's average effective rate hovers around 2.62%, which ranks among the highest in the country. On a $350,000 home, that translates to roughly $9,100 per year. It stings. But those taxes fund the school districts and park systems that make the area attractive in the first place. For a detailed breakdown, see our Will County property tax guide.

Safety and Community

Crime rates across many Will County towns fall well below state averages. Frankfort, Mokena, and New Lenox report fewer than 1 violent crime per 1,000 residents annually, putting them among the safest communities in the entire Chicago metro. Plainfield appears on multiple "safest suburbs" lists year after year.

Beyond the statistics, there's a genuine sense of community. Block parties are still a thing. Local Facebook groups buzz with recommendations for plumbers, babysitters, and the best pizza in town. Seasonal events like Frankfort's Fall Fest and Joliet's Route 66 celebrations pull thousands of residents together. People tend to stay once they settle here, which creates the kind of neighborhood stability that numbers alone can't capture.

Commuting to Chicago

Most Will County residents who work in Chicago face a 45 to 75 minute commute, depending on where they live and how they get there. The northern communities like Plainfield, Romeoville, and Bolingbrook have direct I-55 access, which typically means a 50 to 65 minute drive to the Loop during morning rush.

Metra offers two rail lines through the county. The Rock Island Line stops in Joliet, New Lenox, and Mokena. The Heritage Corridor runs through Joliet as well. Train commutes to downtown Chicago take 70 to 90 minutes, but many riders prefer the predictability and the chance to read or work during the trip.

I-80 connects the southwestern communities to interstate routes heading east and west, while I-355 provides a toll-road shortcut to the western suburbs for those working in office parks around Naperville, Downers Grove, or Oak Brook. Two-car households are the norm here. Public transit options beyond Metra remain limited.

Things to Consider

Will County isn't for everyone, and it's worth being realistic about the tradeoffs.

• Property taxes are genuinely high. Even with the homestead exemption, you're likely paying $8,000 to $14,000 per year depending on your home's value and location. Budget for it.
• I-55 traffic can be brutal. Morning and evening rush on the Stevenson Expressway tests patience. A 50-minute commute on a good day can balloon to 90 minutes when accidents or construction hit.
• Growth means construction. New subdivisions, road widenings, and commercial developments are constantly underway, particularly in Plainfield and the Route 59 corridor. If you crave a quiet, fully built-out neighborhood, look at Frankfort or Mokena instead.
• Nightlife is limited. Joliet has the Rialto Theatre and a handful of bars and restaurants with evening energy. Beyond that, a night out usually means driving to Chicago or Naperville. Younger residents without kids sometimes find the social scene thin.
• Healthcare facilities are solid but not extensive. Silver Cross Hospital in New Lenox and AMITA Saint Joseph in Joliet handle most needs, though specialized care may require a trip to a Chicago-area medical center.