Bradley, Illinois Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Bradley, Illinois had a total population of 15,325, the 161st largest village in Illinois, with a median household income of $67,420, which is 19% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 7.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Bradley Quick Facts
How Bradley 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 | 15,331 | 15,325 | -0.0% |
| Median household income | $62,940 | $67,420 | +7.1% |
| Median home value | $164,400 | $173,400 | +5.5% |
How Bradley 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 less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 61 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Bradley Rankings in Illinois
Explore Illinois Rankings
Other Cities in Kankakee County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kankakee | 23,996 | $47,514 | 25.5% | $104,900 |
| Bourbonnais | 18,078 | $81,708 | 9.5% | $253,100 |
| Manteno | 9,030 | $97,634 | 3.5% | $248,400 |
| Momence | 3,291 | $58,365 | 10.1% | $154,800 |
| Grant Park | 1,449 | $78,385 | 9.0% | $215,800 |
| Limestone | 1,419 | $103,906 | 4.7% | $212,200 |
| Herscher | 1,246 | $91,667 | 12.2% | $197,600 |
| St. Anne | 1,104 | $83,077 | 5.3% | $154,900 |
| Essex | 1,026 | $108,250 | 3.8% | $228,200 |
| Chebanse | 920 | $65,278 | 1.5% | $161,500 |
Cities Similar to Bradley
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dixon | 14,910 | $59,406 | $120,800 | 16.9% | 17.8% |
| Morris | 14,898 | $76,711 | $247,400 | 23.6% | 7.7% |
| Chicago Ridge | 14,099 | $68,964 | $226,900 | 28.6% | 20.4% |
| Bridgeview | 16,849 | $66,655 | $236,400 | 18.1% | 12.8% |
| Hazel Crest | 13,792 | $68,393 | $185,300 | 23.2% | 23.9% |
Population Overview
Bradley is a small city located in Illinois, within Kankakee County. The total population is 15,325. It ranks as the 161st most populous out of 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois.
Age Demographics
The median age in Bradley is 34.7 years. This is 11% lower than the state median of 39.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Bradley is $67,420. This is 19% lower than the state median of $83,390. It is also 16% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 7.7%. This is 35% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.8%. The unemployment rate is 2.9%. This is 50% lower than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $173,400. Housing costs are 34% lower than the state median of $263,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.6x, Bradley is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 64.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 4% lower than the state average of 67.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Bradley is White (non-Hispanic), making up 76.8% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 11.6%. The Asian population (0.3%) 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 94.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Bradley, 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 Bradley, Illinois?
Bradley, Illinois has a population of 15,325 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Bradley, IL?
The median household income in Bradley is $67,420, which is 16% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Bradley, IL?
The poverty rate in Bradley is 7.7%. This means approximately 1,168 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Bradley, Illinois?
Bradley's population is 76.8% White, 6.9% Black, 11.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in Bradley, IL?
The median home value in Bradley is $173,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.6x.
How educated is Bradley, Illinois?
20.7% of adults (25+) in Bradley hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 8.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.