The Kankakee metropolitan area has a population of about 120,000. The elevation of Kankakee is a little below 700 feet above Sea Level.
The major industries of the Kankakee area are health care, higher education, manufacturing, and retail trade. The Kankakee Area is the regional retail market center for the Far Southern Chicago suburbs, with a strong reputation as a '''City of Restaurants''' serving Interstate Highway 57 travelers, from Interstate Highway 57 Exit 308, Interstate Highway 57 Exit 312, Interstate Highway 57 Exit 315, and Interstate Highway 57 Exit 322. Suburban Bradley is the retail hub serving Interstate Highway 57 Exit 315.
The Kankakee Area has a hot summer, cold winter climate, typical of the interior Midwest region of the United States of America.
Kankakee is served by the Illinois Central Railroad, a Canadian National Railway subsidiary, which provides '''[http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=Amtrak/am2Station/Station_Page&c=am2Station&cid=1080080552078&ssid=82 Amtrak]''' passenger service to Kankakee Depot and freight service. The Amtrak Station ID is KKI. In addition, one can use the University Park Metra Station, located approximately 18 miles north, on Governor's Highway (Route 50). This station is operated by the Regional Transportation Authority, and facilitates travel to the city of Chicago, terminating at the Randolph Street Subway.
Kankakee is served by '''[http://www.greyhound.com/scripts/ticketcenter/terminal.asp?city=560659 Greyhound Bus Lines]'''.
Kankakee is located on Interstate Highway 57, from South to North served by Exits 308, 312, and 315; United States Highway 45; United States Highway 52; Illinois State Highway 17; Illinois State Highway 50; Illinois State Highway 113; and Illinois State Highway 115.
The Kankakee Area is served by the '''[http://www.kvaa.com Greater Kankakee Airport]''' (IKK).
Kankakee is served by the '''[http://www.rivervalleymetro.com River Valley Metro Transit District]'''.
With its reputation as a '''City of Restaurants''' the Kankakee area has a greater share of restaurants, and of fine restaurants, per capita than its population would suggest. The restaurants are located throughout the city and the adjacent suburban villages. A trip to the nearby city of Momence can also reward the traveler looking for fine dining.
Kankakee is the home of '''[http://olivet.edu Olivet Nazarene University]''', located in the suburban Village of Bourbonnais.
'''[http://www.kcc.cc.il.us Kankakee Community College]''' is located in Kankakee.
The telephone area code 815 serves the Kankakee Area.
The United States Postal Service Zip Code is 60901.
The Kankakee area is served by Provena St. Mary's Hospital, 500 West Court Street, Kankakee, and the Riverside Medical Center, 350 North Wall Street, Kankakee.
The City nearest to Kankakee is Manteno, population about 6,000, also located in Kankakee County. Kankakee suburbs include the Villages of Aroma Park, Bradley, Bourbonnais, [Momence, Limestone and Sun River Terrace. Other nearby Villages include Herscher, Grant Park, Hopkins Park, Bonfield, Union Hill, and St. Anne, all in Kankakee County. Chebanse is located in Kankakee County and neighboring Iroquois County, [Clifton is located in [Iroquois County], as is Gilman; and Reddick is located in Kankakee County and neighboring Livingston County .