Photo: Jauerback, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Kendall County has 131,869 residents (2020 census) and a typical home value of about $395,000 as of Sept. 30, 2026, according to Zillow. It’s a smaller county along the Fox River, just southwest of Kane County and west of Will County.
I’m Dana Gallagher, a Broker with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Starck Real Estate. I help buyers and sellers across the Chicago suburbs, including buyers coming from the Northwest Suburbs who want more room. Here’s my honest look at living in Kendall County in 2026.
Where Is Kendall County?
Kendall County covers about 322 square miles southwest of Aurora. The Fox River runs through Montgomery, Oswego and Yorkville, and the county seat is Yorkville. U.S. Route 34 and Illinois Routes 47 and 71 are the main roads, and I-88 runs just north of the county line.
Growth here has mostly come in the north and east, around Oswego, Montgomery and Yorkville. Farther south and west, you’ll still find farmland and small towns.
Kendall County Home Prices in 2026
| Kendall County, IL | Zillow Home Value Index (Sept. 30, 2026) |
|---|---|
| Typical home value | $395,398 |
| Change from a year earlier | Up 3.2% |
| Typical time to go pending | About 20 days |
With a smaller number of sales each month than the bigger counties, a few new-construction closings can move the median, so I look at sales street by street before we write an offer.
Thinking of selling a home first? Get a free home value report, and read should you sell before or after you buy.
Kendall County Towns Buyers Ask About
Populations are from the 2020 census.
Oswego (34,585)
Oswego is Kendall County’s largest village. It has a historic downtown on the Fox River, plus many subdivisions built from the 1990s on. Oswego Community Unit School District 308 serves most of the village.
Yorkville (21,533)
Yorkville is the county seat. Its downtown sits on both banks of the Fox River, and the city has grown with new subdivisions along Route 47 and Route 34. Yorkville Community Unit School District 115 serves most of the city.
Montgomery (20,262)
Montgomery sits on the Fox River just south of Aurora, and it crosses the line into Kane County. Check which county a Montgomery home is in, because the taxes and schools follow the address.
Plano (11,847)
Plano is a small city on Route 34 with an Amtrak station. It’s known for the Farnsworth House, a modernist home designed by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and now a National Trust Historic Site. Plano Community Unit School District 88 serves the city.
Sandwich (7,221) and Minooka (12,758)
Sandwich sits on the DeKalb County line and hosts the Sandwich Fair each September. Minooka spans Grundy, Kendall and Will counties.
Part of Plainfield
A small part of Plainfield is in Kendall County. Read my Plainfield, IL guide if you’re looking on that edge.
Getting Around From Kendall County
Kendall County has no Metra station. Most commuters drive to the BNSF line in Aurora, the end of that line, or to Route 59 in Aurora. The BNSF runs to Union Station in Chicago through Naperville, Lisle and Downers Grove.
Plano’s Amtrak station serves the Illinois Zephyr and Carl Sandburg trains between Chicago and Quincy. Check amtrak.com and metra.com for current schedules before you count on a train commute.
By car, Route 34 connects Oswego and Yorkville east toward Naperville, and Route 47 runs north to I-88 and the Northwest Suburbs.
Schools in Kendall County
The main unit districts are Oswego CUSD 308, Yorkville CUSD 115 and Plano CUSD 88, plus parts of others like Newark, Lisbon, Minooka, Sandwich and Plainfield 202 near the county edges. Boundaries don’t follow town lines exactly.
Always confirm the schools for the exact address with the district, and look up school data on the Illinois Report Card.
Property Taxes in Kendall County
SmartAsset estimates Kendall County’s average effective property tax rate at about 2.20%, one of the higher rates in the Chicago area. New subdivisions can also carry special service area (SSA) taxes or HOA dues. I check the latest tax bill and any SSA for every home we look at. My post on property taxes in the Northwest Suburbs explains how Illinois tax bills are built.
Parks and Things to Do
- Silver Springs State Fish and Wildlife Area near Yorkville, with trails and fishing.
- The Fox River for kayaking and canoeing through Yorkville and Oswego.
- Farnsworth House in Plano, open for tours.
- Sandwich Fair, held each September.
- Kendall County Forest Preserve District sites, including Hoover Forest Preserve and Ellis House and Equestrian Center.
Is Kendall County Right for You?
Kendall County could fit you if:
- You want newer homes and more space, with room to grow.
- You like being near the Fox River and open land.
- You can drive to the BNSF in Aurora, or you work locally or from home.
Think it over if:
- You want a Metra station in your own town.
- Property tax rates are a big concern; Kendall’s is among the higher ones in the area.
Buying with a smaller down payment? See my posts on first-time homebuyer programs in Illinois and what PMI is and how to remove it.
My Tips for Buying in Kendall County
Compare new construction and resale. Builders in Oswego and Yorkville often offer incentives, but a resale home in an established subdivision may come with a finished basement, fencing, window treatments and mature trees. I’ll help you add up what’s included in each.
Read the HOA and SSA details. Newer subdivisions may have HOA dues, special service area taxes or both. Ask for the HOA budget and rules before you write an offer.
Know your commute. Test-drive Route 34 toward Naperville or Route 47 north to I-88 at the time you’d actually leave for work. If you plan to use Metra, try the park-and-ride at the Aurora station on a weekday.
Check flood maps along the river. Homes near the Fox River or creeks may be in a mapped flood zone, which can affect insurance. You can look up any address on FEMA’s Flood Map Service Center (msc.fema.gov), and I’ll help you ask the right questions.
Plan for growth. Some fields near new subdivisions are zoned for future homes or businesses. Your village’s planning department can tell you what’s approved nearby.
FAQs About Living in Kendall County
What is the median home price in Kendall County, IL?
Zillow’s Home Value Index put the typical home value at $395,398 as of Sept. 30, 2026, up 3.2% from a year earlier.
What is the county seat of Kendall County?
Yorkville is the county seat.
Does Kendall County have a Metra station?
No. Most commuters use the BNSF line stations in Aurora. Plano has an Amtrak station on the Chicago to Quincy route.
What is the largest town in Kendall County?
Oswego, with 34,585 residents in the 2020 census.
What are property taxes like in Kendall County?
SmartAsset estimates the average effective rate at about 2.20%. Newer subdivisions may also have special service area taxes, so check each home’s bill.
Which school districts serve Kendall County?
The main ones are Oswego CUSD 308, Yorkville CUSD 115 and Plano CUSD 88. Always confirm the schools for the exact address.
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.