Braidwood is a city in Will and Grundy counties, Illinois, United States, approximately 53 miles (85 km) southwest of Chicago and 18 miles (29 km) south of Joliet. As of the 2020 census, Braidwood had a population of 6,194. The Braidwood Nuclear Generating Station, a nuclear power plant owned by Exelon Corporation, is also located in the area (although the plant's address is actually in the nearby village of Braceville). The station is one of the major employers in the area and provides a significant portion of the electricity used in the Chicago area. The plant has been the subject of controversy concerning a series of leaks since 2007.

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How Braidwood ranks

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#18Highest graduation rate in IL #81Most new homes in IL #80Safest in IL All IL rankings →

Town numbers

ZIP code60408

Area codeSign in to add

Living in Braidwood

Housing in Braidwood

$288K▲ 5% in a year Typical home value · Zillow

The typical Braidwood home is worth about $288,000, up 5% in a year, close to the Illinois typical home.

A balanced market

Buyer’sBalancedSeller’s

Days on market58

Sale-to-list99.6%

Sold in May7

Zillow Home Value Index · Redfin Data CenterHousing market →

Safety in Braidwood

A⁻

Safety Grade A-

Braidwood reports less crime per resident than 82% of the U.S. towns and cities we grade.

Violent crime per 1,000

Braidwood 1.3

Illinois 2.6

U.S. 3.3

Property crime per 1,000

Braidwood 4.3

Illinois 15.6

U.S. 15.5

FBI crime data, 2025 · crimes reported to policeCrime & safety →

Work & commute in Braidwood

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Most working residents leave Braidwood for work: only 5% work in town. The top destinations are Joliet (11%), Chicago (9%) and Wilmington (4%). Half commute less than 27 miles.

Joliet

11%

Chicago

Wilmington

Channahon

5%Work in townlive and work in Braidwood 27 miWhere do people commute?the commute map 736Jobs based herea commuter town

Census LEHD 2023 · ACSWork & commute in Braidwood →

Health in Braidwood

B⁻

Health Grade B−

Healthier than 45% of U.S. towns on seven CDC estimates.

Compared with Illinois

3better than IL·5worse

of 32 measures CDC estimates. The other 24 are too close to call.

Conditions 3▼ 9 close Habits 1▼ 3 close Care 1▲ 6 close Mind 1▼ 4 close Everyday needs 2▲ 2 close

BetterToo close to callWorse

What stands out

7.6%Fewer uninsured adultsIL 9.9% · better 12.6%Fewer adults facing food insecurityIL 15.9% · better 15.1%More smokersIL 12.1% · worse

Care nearby

Morris Hospital & Healthcare CentersMorris · 12.6 mi · ER

Will County Community Health CenterJoliet · 18 mi · sliding-scale fees

Primary careNo shortage

DentalNo shortage

Mental healthShortage · county-wide

CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · CDC's estimate for Braidwood · CMS · HRSAHealth in Braidwood →

Natural hazards in Braidwood

Very low

Expected storm and flood damage is higher than in 17% of U.S. communities.

🌊 Inland flooding🥶 Cold waves🌪️ Tornadoes

1Does Braidwood flood?paid flood claims since 2019 7Disasters that paid out herefederal disasters sent FEMA money to Braidwood MapBraidwood vs. its neighborsnearby towns shaded by rating

FEMA National Risk Index December 2025 · OpenFEMANatural hazards in Braidwood →

Climate in Braidwood

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Braidwood has chilly winters and warm summers. A typical July afternoon reaches 85°, a January night drops to 16°, and about 18 inches of snow falls in a normal winter.

35° / 19°Winter

61° / 40°Spring

83° / 62°Summer

64° / 43°Fall