Blue Island, Illinois Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Blue Island, Illinois had a total population of 21,741, the 111th largest city in Illinois, with a median household income of $59,489, which is 29% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 17.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Unemployment rate of 15.5% is notably above the national average.
Blue Island Quick Facts
How Blue Island 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 | 23,416 | 21,741 | -7.2% |
| Median household income | $60,965 | $59,489 | -2.4% |
| Median home value | $169,800 | $178,700 | +5.2% |
How Blue Island 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
A diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 61 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Blue Island 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 Blue Island
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Park Forest | 21,156 | $61,072 | $115,300 | 24.3% | 17.6% |
| Dolton | 20,825 | $57,887 | $151,300 | 22.7% | 21.7% |
| East Moline | 20,904 | $61,779 | $134,600 | 21.2% | 19.8% |
| Loves Park | 23,502 | $61,868 | $160,400 | 25.7% | 14.4% |
| East Peoria | 22,324 | $71,833 | $163,500 | 25.2% | 11.8% |
Population Overview
Blue Island is a small city located in Illinois, within Cook County. The total population is 21,741. It ranks as the 111th most populous out of 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois.
Age Demographics
The median age in Blue Island is 38.1 years. This is 2% lower than the state median of 39.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Blue Island is $59,489. This is 29% lower than the state median of $83,390. It is also 26% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 17.1%. This is 45% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.8%. The unemployment rate is 15.5%. This is 165% higher than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $178,700. Housing costs are 32% lower than the state median of $263,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.0x. 51.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 23% lower than the state average of 67.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Blue Island is Hispanic or Latino, making up 47.5% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 30.7%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (18.0%) is well below the state average of 58.1%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (30.7% vs 13.3%). The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (47.5% vs 18.8%). The Asian population (0.6%) is well below the state average of 5.9%.
Education
20.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 45% 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 80.7%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Blue Island, 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 Blue Island, Illinois?
Blue Island, Illinois has a population of 21,741 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Blue Island, IL?
The median household income in Blue Island is $59,489, which is 26% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Blue Island, IL?
The poverty rate in Blue Island is 17.1%. This means approximately 3,706 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Blue Island, Illinois?
Blue Island's population is 18.0% White, 30.7% Black, 47.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.6% Asian.
What is the median home value in Blue Island, IL?
The median home value in Blue Island is $178,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.0x.
How educated is Blue Island, Illinois?
20.7% of adults (25+) in Blue Island hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.