Three Illinois counties are among the top 40 locations in the nation where young people are moving. American mobility is at its lowest level since 1999. In 2017, the latest reporting year, 32.4 million people moved. Younger people, more footloose than the rest of the population, made up a big chunk of those relocations.
You may be surprised who’s moving to these counties: young people!
And, of all the places they could have moved, three counties in Illinois ranked among the 40 favorite counties for mobile population ages 18 to 34. Common reasons Americans move is for their career and cheaper housing. Typical home cost in these counties is less than $193,500, the median home value nationwide. All three of these Illinois counties also have a college or university as a significant part of community life.
#14: Jackson County, IL
Carbondale is home to Southern Illinois University.
Young adults who arrived in 2017: 10.4% of population
Median age: 38.3 (U.S. averages)
Median home value: $108,600
Unemployment rate: 3.8%
#16: Champaign County, IL
Urbana-Champaign is home to University of Illinois.
Young adults who arrived in 2017: 9.7% of population
Median age: 30.1 years
Median home value: $154,800
Unemployment rate: 3.8%
#32: McDonough County, IL
Macomb is home to Western Illinois University.
Young adults who arrived in 2017: 8.4% of population
Median age: 31.6 years
Median home value: $94,600
Unemployment rate: 5.2%
Also on the list, from Illinois’ neighboring states:
#38 Christian, KY
#25 Tippecanoe, IN
#22 Dunn, WI
#21 Pierce, WI
#12 Johnson, MO
#2 Nodaway, MO
#1 Pulaski, MO