As of the census[4] of 2000, there were 502,266
people, 167,542 households, and 131,017 families residing in the
county. The population density was 600 people per square mile (232/km²).
There were 175,524 housing units at an average density of 210 per
square mile (81/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 81.83%
White, 10.45% Black or African American, 0.21% Native American,
2.21% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 3.63% from other races, and
1.63% from two or more races. 8.71% of the population were Hispanic
or Latino of any race. 18.1% were of German, 12.8% Irish, 10.1%
Polish and 9.8% Italian ancestry according to Census 2000.
There were 167,542 households out of which 42.70% had children
under the age of 18 living with them, 64.80% were married couples
living together, 9.60% had a female householder with no husband
present, and 21.80% were non-families. 17.80% of all households
were made up of individuals and 6.00% had someone living alone who
was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.94
and the average family size was 3.36.
In the county the population was spread out with 30.00% under the
age of 18, 8.10% from 18 to 24, 32.90% from 25 to 44, 20.60% from
45 to 64, and 8.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median
age was 33 years. For every 100 females there were 99.80 males.
For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.40 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $62,238, and
the median income for a family was $69,608 (these figures had risen
to $73,159 and $82,082 respectively as of a 2007 estimate[5]). Males
had a median income of $50,152 versus $31,345 for females. The per
capita income for the county was $24,613. About 3.40% of families
and 4.90% of the population were below the poverty line, including
5.60% of those under age 18 and 5.50% of those age 65 or over.
In the 1980s, Will County was ground zero to an extensive FBI investigation
named Operation Greylord. Ninety-two officials were indicted, including
17 judges, 48 lawyers, 8 policemen, 10 deputy sheriffs, 8 court
officials, and 1 state legislator. Will County is the fifth largest
employer in Chicago.[4]
In March 2008, the Will County Board increased sales tax one percent,
increasing the county sales tax rate from 0.75% to 1.75%. This followed
a recent quarter-cent increase in mass transit taxing coming into
effect in April. In Chicago, the rate increased to 10.25 percent,
the steepest of any major metropolitan area in America[5]. In Evanston,
sales tax reached 10 percent and Oak Lawn residents will pay 9.5
percent.[6] On July 22, 2008, the Will County board voted against
Will County Commissioner's proposal to repeal the tax increase.
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