Bellwood, Illinois Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Bellwood, Illinois had a total population of 18,256, the 138th largest village in Illinois, with a median household income of $79,513, which is 5% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 11.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Bellwood Quick Facts
How Bellwood Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 18,373 | 18,256 | -0.6% |
| Median household income | $76,990 | $79,513 | +3.3% |
| Median home value | $219,600 | $230,000 | +4.7% |
How Bellwood Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 61 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Bellwood Rankings in Illinois
Explore Illinois Rankings
Other Cities in Cook County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago | 2,711,226 | $77,902 | 16.8% | $334,100 |
| Elgin | 114,934 | $90,282 | 9.8% | $273,000 |
| Cicero | 82,797 | $70,842 | 14.6% | $249,400 |
| Schaumburg | 76,868 | $97,514 | 5.7% | $330,400 |
| Evanston | 76,340 | $96,434 | 11.8% | $481,200 |
| Arlington Heights | 76,005 | $116,723 | 6.0% | $414,500 |
| Palatine | 66,293 | $97,819 | 8.2% | $355,600 |
| Skokie | 66,219 | $95,337 | 9.7% | $387,200 |
| Des Plaines | 59,156 | $97,875 | 6.0% | $335,600 |
| Orland Park | 57,916 | $98,910 | 7.3% | $367,200 |
Cities Similar to Bellwood
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bensenville | 18,603 | $79,515 | $272,000 | 19.4% | 7.6% |
| Franklin Park | 18,197 | $76,519 | $287,000 | 19.7% | 9.4% |
| Bourbonnais | 18,078 | $81,708 | $253,100 | 34.1% | 9.5% |
| Palos Hills | 18,081 | $83,533 | $279,200 | 27.6% | 8.4% |
| Sycamore | 18,559 | $84,120 | $265,700 | 46.0% | 8.1% |
Population Overview
Bellwood is a small city located in Illinois, within Cook County. The total population is 18,256. It ranks as the 138th most populous out of 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois.
Age Demographics
The median age in Bellwood is 38.7 years. This is about the same as the state median of 39.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Bellwood is $79,513. This is 5% lower than the state median of $83,390. It is also 2% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 11.7%. This is 1% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.8%. The unemployment rate is 6.3%. This is 8% higher than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $230,000. Housing costs are 13% lower than the state median of $263,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.9x, Bellwood is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 78.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 17% higher than the state average of 67.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Bellwood is Black or African American, making up 67.6% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 27.0%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (2.6%) is well below the state average of 58.1%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (67.6% vs 13.3%). The Asian population (1.1%) is well below the state average of 5.9%.
Education
17.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 55% lower than the state rate of 37.9%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 84.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Bellwood, Illinois is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Illinois state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Bellwood, Illinois?
Bellwood, Illinois has a population of 18,256 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Bellwood, IL?
The median household income in Bellwood is $79,513, which is 2% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Bellwood, IL?
The poverty rate in Bellwood is 11.7%. This means approximately 2,111 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Bellwood, Illinois?
Bellwood's population is 2.6% White, 67.6% Black, 27.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in Bellwood, IL?
The median home value in Bellwood is $230,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.9x.
How educated is Bellwood, Illinois?
17.2% of adults (25+) in Bellwood hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.