Census: Kane, Kendall, Will still booming

March 22, 2007

By Heather Gillers, Beacon News Staff Writer

YORKVILLE -- Census data released today shows Kendall County has regained its 2005 title as the nation's second fastest-growing county, with a 61.7 percent population jump from 54,520 residents to 88,158 in the past six years.

More established Kane County grew 22.2 percent when it gained 89,613 residents during the same period, and Will County's population, recorded at 668,217 in 2006, increased by a third.

"I think we've tried to do the planning the best we could," said Kendall County Board President John Church. "Whether it's the county or schools or whatever, it's challenging them to certainly be more strategic in their decision-making and budgeting."

About 90 percent of Kendall County's population growth occurs inside city limits, officials agreed, and most new residents are moving into newly built homes.

Yorkville, a town of nearly 12,000 according to a 2006 special census, issued 753 building permits last year.

In Oswego, where census-takers found 19,956 residents in 2004, Village President Craig Weber estimates that the population already has reached 25,000.

"In the big picture of Aurora, Elgin, Naperville, 25,000 is not very much," Weber said.

But in smaller areas, rapid growth can strain roads and infrastructure, and stretch budgets thin. Last fall, Kendall voters approved a sales tax increase to pay for the county's increasing traffic demands. The tax will pay for more than 100 road and bridge projects over the next 25 years.

Last year, Kendall County's growth rate ranked third in the nation.

Will County was the only other county in the Fox Valley area to land on the list of the nation's 100 fastest-growing counties this year.

Will gained 165,950 residents since April 2000, making it the nation's 36th fastest-growing county.

Kane County, meanwhile, ranked 40th on the list of counties that have gained the most people since 2000. With a July population of 493,735, the county has already reached its 2012 population projections, said Kane County Board Chairman Karen McConnaughay.

While Kendall County and towns like Oswego and Yorkville are trying to prepare for growth with land-use plans, Kane County, which now expects to reach the 1 million mark by 2030, is looking further ahead.

The county last year completed a strategic plan that takes into account long-range issues like transportation and government services and facilities.

"Strategic planning has become a necessity in fast-growing communities," McConnaughay said. "We're reactionary by nature to the forces we face, so it's vital to create a road map."

Staff writer Steve Lord contributed to this story.