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.

Carol Stream, IL

CSAChicago-Naperville MSAChicago-Naperville-Elgin#35/341 Population

Census

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Demographicsi2024 ACS 5-Year EstimatesCensus

39,460population

40.4median age

This community is a community of 39,460 with a median age of 40.4. The population is predominantly White (50.1%) with a significant Asian community (19.3%). Median household income is $102,309. 89.8% of adults hold a high school diploma or higher, and 42.8% have a bachelor's degree. The homeownership rate is 67.3%, with a median home value of $335,000.

Race & Ethnicityi

White

50.1%19,782

Asian

19.3%7,618

Hispanic/Latino

18.5%7,281

Black

6.3%2,501

Two or More

4.9%1,944

Other

0.4%144

American Indian/Alaska Native

0.3%105

Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander

0.2%85

Educational Attainment (Age 25+)i

GED/Alternative

1.7%481

High School Diploma

19%5,276

Some College (<1 yr)

6%1,654

Some College (1+ yr)

12.4%3,442

Associate's Degree

7.9%2,177

Bachelor's Degree

29.3%8,129

Master's Degree

11.3%3,120

Professional Degree

1.4%385

Doctorate

0.8%219

HS or Higher

89.8%

BA or Higher

42.8%

Graduate+

13.4%

Housingi

$335,000median home value

$1,529median rent

67.3%homeownership

15,052total units

3.8%vacancy

Tenure

Owner 67.3%

Renter 32.7%

Home Values

Under $50K

1.7%166

$50K–$100K

1.8%172

$100K–$150K

2.7%260

$150K–$200K

4.6%452

$200K–$300K

25.6%2,499

$300K–$500K

56%5,458

$500K–$1M

7.4%718

$1M+

0.2%19

Rent Distribution

Under $500

386

$500–$750

197

$750–$1,000

$1,000–$1,250

663

$1,250–$1,500

889

$1,500–$2,000

1,511

$2,000+

869

Year Built

2020 or later

0.5%81

2010–2019

1.3%193

2000–2009

8%1,202

1990–1999

20.4%3,077

1980–1989

31.9%4,809

1970–1979

22.8%3,428

1960–1969

8.9%1,336

1950–1959

3.9%582

1940–1949

0.7%107

1939 or earlier

1.6%237

Heating Fuel

Utility Gas

78.8%11,420

Electricity

18.7%2,708

Bottled/LP Gas

0.9%127

No Fuel

0.7%105

Other

0.5%75

Wood

0.2%29

Fuel Oil

0.2%23

Household Economyi

$102,309median household income

$45,625per capita income

6.4%poverty rate

3.9%unemployment

22,211labor force

Household Income Distribution

Under $10K

3.2%458

$10K–$15K

2.6%372

$15K–$20K

1.1%162

$20K–$25K

1.5%216

$25K–$30K

2.1%307

$30K–$35K

3%441

$35K–$40K

1.4%205

$40K–$45K

2.1%298

$45K–$50K

4.3%626

$50K–$60K

5.9%859

$60K–$75K

7.5%1,090

$75K–$100K

14%2,022

$100K–$125K

11.3%1,639

$125K–$150K

10%1,447

$150K–$200K

13.1%1,893

$200K+

16.9%2,452

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

800

Residentsi

991

Avg. Tenant Renti

$478/mo

Avg. Waitlisti

29 months

Programs in this community

Housing Choice Vouchers312 homes84% occupied$487/mo rent

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

Project Based Section 8280 homes73% occupied$467/mo rent

Privately owned apartments with rent subsidies tied to the building

S236/BMIR42 homes

Household Incomei

Based on area median of $102,309/yr

Extremely low incomeUnder $31K/yr

71.9%

Very low income$31K–$51K/yr

24.1%

Low income$51K–$82K/yr

3.5%

Moderate / aboveOver $82K/yr

0.5%

Who Receives This Housing

66.9% of subsidized households are headed by a single mother

47.2% of subsidized households are minority

17.6% of subsidized households include someone with a disability

65.9% 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

11,11328.2%

By Region

Top Countries

India

2,276

Mexico

1,817

Philippines

707

Poland

448

Guatemala

190

Canada

171

Germany

143

China

Commute & Transportationi

Workersi

20,893

Avg. Commutei

28.1 min

How People Get to Work

Travel Time to Work

Workforce

Total Employed

21,342

Occupations

Industries

Social Characteristicsi

Marital Status (15+)i

Veteransi

1,008(3.2% of civilian adults)

Health Insurancei

94.5%Insured

5.5%Uninsured