Where does this demographic data come from?

All demographic data comes from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, which samples about 3.5 million households annually. The 5-year estimates provide the most reliable data for small geographies like municipalities.

What is the difference between Census data and ACS data?

The decennial Census (conducted every 10 years) is a full population count focusing on basic demographics. The ACS is an ongoing survey that collects detailed data on income, education, housing, commute patterns, and more. ACS data is updated annually but represents averages over a 5-year period.

How accurate is this data for small towns?

For smaller municipalities, ACS estimates have wider margins of error because fewer residents are sampled. The 5-year estimates reduce this uncertainty by averaging over a longer period. For towns under 5,000 people, treat specific numbers as approximations rather than precise counts.

Chicago, IL

CSAChicago-Naperville MSAChicago-Naperville-Elgin#1/341 Population

Census

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Demographicsi2024 ACS 5-Year EstimatesCensus

2,711,226population

35.8median age

This community is a community of 2,711,226 with a median age of 35.8. The population is predominantly White (32.1%) with a significant Hispanic/Latino community (29.7%). Median household income is $77,902. 87.2% of adults hold a high school diploma or higher, and 44.3% have a bachelor's degree. The homeownership rate is 46%, with a median home value of $334,100.

Race & Ethnicityi

White

32.1%870,127

Hispanic/Latino

29.7%805,318

Black

27.4%743,710

Asian

7.2%196,435

Two or More

3%81,438

Other

0.4%11,051

American Indian/Alaska Native

0.1%2,271

Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander

0%876

Educational Attainment (Age 25+)i

GED/Alternative

3.2%62,462

High School Diploma

17.8%342,786

Some College (<1 yr)

5.1%98,858

Some College (1+ yr)

10.9%210,211

Associate's Degree

5.8%110,842

Bachelor's Degree

25.4%488,467

Master's Degree

13.2%254,454

Professional Degree

3.6%69,123

Doctorate

2.2%41,440

HS or Higher

87.2%

BA or Higher

44.3%

Graduate+

19%

Housingi

$334,100median home value

$1,440median rent

46%homeownership

1,277,054total units

9.1%vacancy

Tenure

Owner 46%

Renter 54%

Home Values

Under $50K

3.5%18,919

$50K–$100K

3%16,134

$100K–$150K

5.4%28,899

$150K–$200K

8.9%47,461

$200K–$300K

22.5%120,210

$300K–$500K

31.9%170,406

$500K–$1M

18.8%100,588

$1M+

5.9%31,395

Rent Distribution

Under $500

41,922

$500–$750

25,625

$750–$1,000

67,395

$1,000–$1,250

101,883

$1,250–$1,500

88,900

$1,500–$2,000

127,868

$2,000+

155,526

Year Built

2020 or later

0.8%10,820

2010–2019

5.5%69,821

2000–2009

8.6%109,627

1990–1999

4.7%59,723

1980–1989

5.2%66,324

1970–1979

7.7%98,293

1960–1969

9.5%121,006

1950–1959

11.5%147,483

1940–1949

7.7%98,242

1939 or earlier

38.8%495,715

Heating Fuel

Utility Gas

77.5%899,664

Electricity

18%208,938

Bottled/LP Gas

1.7%19,593

No Fuel

1.6%18,776

Other

0.9%10,484

Fuel Oil

0.1%1,655

Solar

0.1%792

Wood

0%245

Coal

0%58

Household Economyi

$77,902median household income

$50,086per capita income

16.5%poverty rate

8%unemployment

1,518,251labor force

Household Income Distribution

Under $10K

7.2%83,530

$10K–$15K

4.8%55,379

$15K–$20K

3.2%37,584

$20K–$25K

3.6%41,403

$25K–$30K

3.4%39,017

$30K–$35K

3.1%36,214

$35K–$40K

3.3%38,271

$40K–$45K

3%34,927

$45K–$50K

3.2%36,975

$50K–$60K

5.5%64,255

$60K–$75K

8.2%95,184

$75K–$100K

11.7%135,667

$100K–$125K

9.5%109,727

$125K–$150K

7%80,969

$150K–$200K

8.9%103,130

$200K+

14.5%167,973

Federally Subsidized Housingi

HUD

The federal government helps low-income families, seniors, and people with disabilities afford housing through several programs. Residents typically pay about 30% of their income toward rent, with the government covering the rest. This data shows how many households in this community receive that assistance.

Subsidized Homesi

106,578

Residentsi

179,752

Avg. Tenant Renti

$389/mo

Avg. Waitlisti

45 months

Programs in this community

Public Housing14,721 homes83% occupied$407/mo rent

Government-owned housing managed by local housing authorities

Housing Choice Vouchers136 homes93% occupied$550/mo rent

Rental vouchers (Section 8) that help tenants pay for private-market housing

Mod Rehab349 homes128% occupied$258/mo rent

Rehabilitated buildings with project-based rental assistance

Project Based Section 827,383 homes93% occupied$383/mo rent

Privately owned apartments with rent subsidies tied to the building

S236/BMIR218 homes

202/PRAC2,508 homes96% occupied$374/mo rent

811/PRAC489 homes92% occupied$339/mo rent

Household Incomei

Based on area median of $77,902/yr

Extremely low incomeUnder $23K/yr

84.8%

Very low income$23K–$39K/yr

11.4%

Low income$39K–$62K/yr

3.5%

Moderate / aboveOver $62K/yr

0.3%

Who Receives This Housing

70.7% of subsidized households are headed by a single mother

90.3% of subsidized households are minority

17.2% of subsidized households include someone with a disability

50.8% of subsidized households include a senior (62+)

Ancestry & Heritage

Self-reported ancestry groups. Residents may report multiple ancestries, so totals may exceed 100%.

Foreign-Born Populationi

Foreign-Borni

566,88320.9%

By Region

Top Countries

Mexico

222,978

China

35,481

India

28,235

Poland

26,188

Philippines

21,740

Guatemala

11,016

Korea

7,987

Canada

5,991

Commute & Transportationi

Workersi

1,364,366

Avg. Commutei

33.1 min

How People Get to Work

Travel Time to Work

Workforce

Total Employed

1,395,899

Occupations

Industries

Social Characteristicsi

Marital Status (15+)i

Veteransi

60,766(2.8% of civilian adults)

Health Insurancei

90.2%Insured

9.8%Uninsured