Kankakee, IL Demographics

A map of Kankakee's Population by Race

Kankakee, Illinois has an estimated population of 23,996, a less than 1% change from the 24,052 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 39.8% Black, 31.3% White, 24.5% Hispanic, 3.4% Multiracial, 0.9% Asian, and 0.1% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Kankakee, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Kankakee is about as racially diverse as it was in the 2020 Census. It is considerably more diverse than Illinois overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In Kankakee, that probability was 68.5% in 2020 and 68.2% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Kankakee is ranked the 96th most populous place in Illinois, out of 1,461 places. This ranking is based on the Census definition of a place, which includes incorporated places like cities, towns, and villages, as well as unincorporated census-designated places (CDPs). Kankakee was ranked the 98th most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Kankakee's White Population

7,515 residents of Kankakee, or 31.3% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Kankakee is significantly lower than in Illinois overall, where 58.1% of the population is White. Kankakee ranks 1398th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 1,461 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Kankakee's White population has declined by an estimated 7.2%. White residents' share of Kankakee's population has decreased from 33.7% to 31.3%.

Kankakee is less White than neighboring Bradley (76.9% White), Aroma Park (74.8% White), Sammons Point (55.6% White), Bourbonnais (73.5% White), and Limestone (94.6% White).

Kankakee's Black Population

9,556 residents of Kankakee, or 39.8% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Kankakee is significantly higher than in Illinois overall, where 13.3% of the population is Black. Kankakee ranks 52nd statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 1,461 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Kankakee's Black population has grown by an estimated 3.5%. Black residents' share of Kankakee's population has increased from 38.4% to 39.8%.

Kankakee is more Black than neighboring Bradley (6.9% Black), Aroma Park (0.6% Black), Sammons Point (0% Black), Bourbonnais (9.3% Black), and Limestone (0% Black).

Kankakee's Asian Population

209 residents of Kankakee, or 0.9% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Kankakee is slightly lower than in Illinois overall, where 5.9% of the population is Asian. Kankakee ranks 652nd statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 1,461 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Kankakee's Asian population has grown by an estimated 80.2%. Asian residents' share of Kankakee's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.9%.

Kankakee is more Asian than neighboring Bradley (0.3% Asian), Aroma Park (0% Asian), Sammons Point (0% Asian), and Limestone (0% Asian). Kankakee is less Asian than neighboring Bourbonnais (3.7% Asian).

Kankakee's Hispanic Population

5,878 residents of Kankakee, or 24.5% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Kankakee is higher than in Illinois overall, where 18.8% of the population is Hispanic. Kankakee ranks 98th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 1,461 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Kankakee's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 6.5%. Hispanic residents' share of Kankakee's population has increased from 22.9% to 24.5%.

Kankakee is more Hispanic than neighboring Bradley (11.5% Hispanic), Aroma Park (17.6% Hispanic), Bourbonnais (7.5% Hispanic), and Limestone (4.7% Hispanic). Kankakee is less Hispanic than neighboring Sammons Point (39% Hispanic).

Kankakee's Native American/Other Population

24 residents of Kankakee, or 0.1% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Kankakee is comparable to the share in Illinois overall, where 0.5% of the population is Native American/Other. Kankakee ranks 269th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 1,461 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Kankakee's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 86.0%. Native American/Other residents' share of Kankakee's population has decreased from 0.7% to 0.1%.

Kankakee is more Native American/Other than neighboring Aroma Park (0% Native American/Other), Sammons Point (0% Native American/Other), and Limestone (0% Native American/Other). Kankakee is less Native American/Other than neighboring Bradley (0.4% Native American/Other), and Bourbonnais (0.4% Native American/Other).

Kankakee's Multiracial Population

814 residents of Kankakee, or 3.4% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Kankakee is comparable to the share in Illinois overall, where 3.4% of the population is Multiracial. Kankakee ranks 591st statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 1,461 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Kankakee's Multiracial population has declined by an estimated 11.1%. Multiracial residents' share of Kankakee's population has remained roughly unchanged at 3.4%.

Kankakee is more Multiracial than neighboring Limestone (0.7% Multiracial). Kankakee is less Multiracial than neighboring Bradley (3.9% Multiracial), Aroma Park (7% Multiracial), Sammons Point (5.4% Multiracial), and Bourbonnais (5.6% Multiracial).

Sources: Most recent population estimates are from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. 2020 population counts and map data are from 2020 Census State Redistricting Data. Geographic data are from Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.