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GEDC presents economic snapshot showing steady growth in Grundy County
Summary
The Grundy Economic Development Council presented a county economic snapshot showing population and job growth, rising home prices, and overall increases in equalized assessed value and household income compared with state and national medians.
At the start of the meeting the Grundy Economic Development Council presented its annual economic snapshot for Grundy County, highlighting population growth, employment gains, and rising residential property values. Ethan Scroggum, economic development associate at the GEDC, delivered the data summary prepared for the council.
Scroggum told the board that Grundy’s estimated 2024 population was about 54,124 and that the county ranked second of 102 Illinois counties in percentage growth between 2010 and 2024, increasing roughly 8.1 percent (about 4,061 residents). He said the county’s population is projected to grow about 11 percent between 2019 and 2029.
On household income, Scroggum reported Grundy County’s 2023 median household income was “just over $91,000,” which he said is roughly 17 percent above the state median and 14 percent above the national median; he noted median household income fell modestly (about 2.8 percent) from 2022 to 2023. On employment, he reported a May 2025 unemployment rate near 4.6 percent and a labor‑force participation rate of about 68 percent in 2024, up from about 62 percent in 2023. Jobs in the county increased about 7.9 percent from 2019 to 2024 with growth concentrated in general merchandise retailing, truck transportation, health and personal care retailing, oil and gas extraction, and construction.
Residential real‑estate indicators included an increase in building permits in 2024 versus 2023 (137 residential permits countywide; 50 in Channahon, 40 in Morris, eight in Menooka and 17 in unincorporated Grundy), falling active-listing counts and rising median listing prices. Scroggum cited a realtor.com June 2025 listing median of about $369,000 and a median sold price of about $349,000, and said houses were on the market about 29 days on average.
On property values Scroggum reported total equalized assessed value (EAV) topped roughly $3.5 billion in 2024, up about 11 percent year over year, with residential property accounting for the largest component of EAV and industrial property the second largest. He also said educational-attainment metrics have improved while still lagging some surrounding counties.
Nancy Norton, GEDC president and CEO, and board members praised the snapshot during discussion. The board chair framed the report as helpful background for anticipating growth and planning public services and infrastructure, noting the county’s ongoing focus on preparing for future development.
The presentation drew no formal board action other than acceptance of the briefing and a public‑records retention of the GEDC materials included in the meeting packet.
