Photo: artistmac, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Will County has 696,355 residents (2020 census) and a typical home value of about $376,000 as of Sept. 30, 2026, according to Zillow. It stretches from the edge of the Northwest Suburbs’ neighbor DuPage County all the way south past Joliet, so it gives buyers a lot of choices.
I’m Dana Gallagher, a Broker with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Starck Real Estate. I help buyers and sellers across the Chicago suburbs, from the Northwest Suburbs to Will County, and here’s my honest look at the towns buyers ask me about most.
Where Is Will County?
Will County sits southwest of Chicago, south of DuPage County and west of the Indiana line. It covers about 849 square miles, which makes it one of the largest counties in the Chicago area by land. The county seat is Joliet.
Interstates 55 and 80 cross the county, and I-355 connects it north to DuPage County. That road network is one reason the county has grown into a major logistics and warehouse hub, especially around Joliet and Elwood.
Will County Home Prices in 2026
| Will County, IL | Zillow Home Value Index (Sept. 30, 2026) |
|---|---|
| Typical home value | $376,285 |
| Change from a year earlier | Up 2.8% |
| Typical time to go pending | About 16 days |
Realtor.com showed a median listing price of about $409,900 in October 2026. Different sites measure differently, so I treat these numbers as a direction, not a price tag. A countywide median mixes new construction in Plainfield with older homes in Joliet and rural acreage near Manhattan, so I always pull recent sales on the exact street before we write an offer.
Already own a home and wondering what it’s worth? Start with my free home value report. If you need to sell and buy at the same time, read should you sell before or after you buy.
Best Will County Towns for Buyers
“Best” depends on your commute, budget and the kind of home you want. Here are the towns I get asked about most, with their 2020 census populations.
Plainfield (44,762)
Plainfield grew quickly in the 1990s and 2000s, so much of its housing is newer subdivisions, along with a historic downtown along Lockport Street and the DuPage River. Read my full guide to moving to Plainfield, IL for prices, neighborhoods and schools.
Joliet (150,362)
Joliet is the county seat and one of the largest cities in Illinois. You’ll find older homes near downtown and the historic Rialto Square Theatre, plus newer subdivisions on the west side. It has Metra service on two lines.
Naperville, Will County side
Naperville (149,540) is split between DuPage and Will counties. The southern part of the city is in Will County. If you’re looking there, check which county and school district a home is in, because taxes and schools change at the line.
Bolingbrook (73,922) and Romeoville (39,863)
These two sit near I-55 and I-355, which makes them popular with commuters heading north or toward the city. Romeoville has a Metra Heritage Corridor station.
Lockport (26,094)
Lockport grew up along the Illinois & Michigan Canal, and its historic downtown is part of the I&M Canal National Heritage Area. It has a Heritage Corridor Metra station.
New Lenox (27,214), Mokena (19,887) and Frankfort (20,296)
These eastern Will County towns are near I-80 and Route 30. New Lenox and Mokena have Metra Rock Island stations. Frankfort has a historic downtown and access to the Old Plank Road Trail.
Shorewood (18,186) and Minooka (12,758)
Just west of Joliet, these villages offer newer subdivisions near I-55 and I-80. Minooka crosses into Grundy and Kendall counties too, so verify the county for any address.
Getting Around: Metra in Will County
Will County has three Metra lines:
- Rock Island: Joliet, New Lenox and Mokena to LaSalle Street Station.
- Heritage Corridor: Joliet, Lockport and Romeoville to Union Station. Service is limited, mostly at rush hour, so check the schedule.
- SouthWest Service: Manhattan and Laraway Road in New Lenox, also to Union Station.
Plainfield and Shorewood have no Metra station. Most commuters there drive to a station or use I-55. Check current times at metra.com before you choose a town for the commute.
Schools in Will County
Will County has dozens of school districts, and many towns are split among two or three. Plainfield, for example, is served mostly by Plainfield Community Consolidated School District 202, while parts of Naperville in Will County are in Indian Prairie School District 204.
Always confirm the schools for the exact address with the district, and look up any school on the Illinois Report Card. I’ll help you find the boundary maps.
Property Taxes in Will County
SmartAsset puts Will County’s average effective property tax rate at about 2.12%, based on median home value and median tax paid. Actual bills depend on the township, school district, fire district and exemptions for each home, so I pull the last tax bill for every home we look at. My post on Northwest Suburbs property taxes explains how Illinois bills work.
Parks and Things to Do
- Forest Preserve District of Will County: preserves, trails and nature centers across the county.
- Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie near Wilmington, run by the U.S. Forest Service.
- I&M Canal Trail through Lockport and Joliet.
- Old Plank Road Trail from Joliet east through Frankfort.
- Rialto Square Theatre in downtown Joliet for concerts and shows.
Is Will County Right for You?
Will County could fit you if:
- You want newer construction and more home for the price than closer-in suburbs.
- You commute by I-55, I-80 or I-355, or on the Rock Island line.
- You’d like to be near trails and forest preserves.
Think it over if:
- You want a fast train ride from any town; Metra coverage is uneven.
- You’d rather keep property taxes low; Will County’s rate is above the state average.
Moving with a mortgage? Read about first-time homebuyer programs in Illinois and why you need a pre-approval before you buy.
My Tips for Buying in Will County
Check the county line. Naperville, Bolingbrook, Minooka and a few other towns cross into neighboring counties. The county changes who assesses the home, which tax bill you get and sometimes which school district serves the address.
Ask about special service areas. Many newer Plainfield, Shorewood and Joliet subdivisions were built with special service area (SSA) taxes that show up as a separate line on the tax bill. I check the bill for every home so there are no surprises.
Look at the drive at rush hour. I-55 and I-80 can back up near Joliet and Bolingbrook. Before you commit, drive your commute on a weekday morning, or plan a test ride on Metra from the station you’d use.
Don’t stop at the median. A $375,000 county median includes everything from townhomes to large new builds. Tell me your monthly budget, and I’ll show you which towns line up with it.
FAQs About Living in Will County
What is the median home price in Will County, IL?
Zillow’s Home Value Index put the typical home value at $376,285 as of Sept. 30, 2026, up 2.8% from a year earlier.
What is the county seat of Will County?
Joliet is the county seat of Will County.
Which Will County towns have Metra stations?
Joliet, New Lenox and Mokena are on the Rock Island line; Joliet, Lockport and Romeoville are on the Heritage Corridor; and Manhattan and New Lenox are on the SouthWest Service. Plainfield has no Metra station.
What are property taxes like in Will County?
SmartAsset estimates Will County’s average effective property tax rate at about 2.12%. Actual bills vary by township and school district, so check the last bill for each home.
Is Naperville in Will County?
Part of it is. Naperville is split between DuPage and Will counties, so check the county and school district for each address.
How do I check schools for a Will County address?
Confirm boundaries with the school district for the exact address, and look up school data on the Illinois Report Card.
Let’s Talk About Your Move
Tell me what you’re looking for, and I’ll send you current homes that fit. Call or text me at 224-858-0022, email mybrokerdana@gmail.com, or contact me here. You can also search homes for sale or get a free home value report.
Dana Gallagher, Broker (SRES®, CBR, CSR, ABR®, SRS) | Certified Luxury Home agent | BHHS Luxury Collection Specialist | Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Starck Real Estate | ★★★★★ 5.0 on Google (40 reviews)
Last updated October 2026. Market figures come from public sources and change often.