Buffalo Grove, Illinois Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Buffalo Grove, Illinois had a total population of 42,891, the 35th largest village in Illinois, with a median household income of $129,395, which is 55% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 7.2%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 55% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in Illinois.
- 68.7% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Illinois.
Buffalo Grove Quick Facts
How Buffalo Grove 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 | 42,824 | 42,891 | +0.2% |
| Median household income | $129,820 | $129,395 | -0.3% |
| Median home value | $392,900 | $412,300 | +4.9% |
How Buffalo Grove 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+)
Buffalo Grove 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 Buffalo Grove
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bartlett | 40,501 | $133,240 | $375,700 | 49.5% | 4.2% |
| Elmhurst | 45,671 | $149,644 | $545,400 | 64.2% | 3.3% |
| Plainfield | 46,708 | $144,000 | $431,400 | 56.0% | 4.2% |
| Romeoville | 41,152 | $106,325 | $257,100 | 28.3% | 5.5% |
| Crystal Lake | 40,579 | $108,418 | $311,400 | 42.0% | 6.8% |
Population Overview
Buffalo Grove is a mid-sized community located in Illinois, within Cook County. The total population is 42,891. It ranks as the 35th most populous out of 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois.
Age Demographics
The median age in Buffalo Grove is 42.0 years. This is 8% higher than the state median of 39.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Buffalo Grove is $129,395. This is 55% higher than the state median of $83,390. It is also 60% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 7.2%. This is 39% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.8%. The unemployment rate is 2.7%. This is 53% lower than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $412,300. Housing costs are 57% higher than the state median of $263,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.2x. 79.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 19% higher than the state average of 67.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Buffalo Grove is White (non-Hispanic), making up 58.2% of the population. Asian residents account for 29.7%. The Black or African American population (3.4%) is well below the state average of 13.3%. The Hispanic or Latino population (5.8%) is well below the state average of 18.8%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (29.7% vs 5.9%).
Education
68.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Buffalo Grove in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 81% higher 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 96.8%. Notably, 31.1% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Buffalo Grove, 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 Buffalo Grove, Illinois?
Buffalo Grove, Illinois has a population of 42,891 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Buffalo Grove, IL?
The median household income in Buffalo Grove is $129,395, which is 60% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Buffalo Grove, IL?
The poverty rate in Buffalo Grove is 7.2%. This means approximately 3,077 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Buffalo Grove, Illinois?
Buffalo Grove's population is 58.2% White, 3.4% Black, 5.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 29.7% Asian.
What is the median home value in Buffalo Grove, IL?
The median home value in Buffalo Grove is $412,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.2x.
How educated is Buffalo Grove, Illinois?
68.7% of adults (25+) in Buffalo Grove hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 31.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.