Burnham, Illinois Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Burnham, Illinois had a total population of 3,937, the 381st largest village in Illinois, with a median household income of $57,790, which is 31% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 15.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 31% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Unemployment rate of 10.1% is notably above the national average.
Burnham Quick Facts
How Burnham 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 | 3,978 | 3,937 | -1.0% |
| Median household income | $55,708 | $57,790 | +3.7% |
| Median home value | $146,400 | $161,300 | +10.2% |
How Burnham 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+)
Burnham 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 Burnham
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Chicago Heights | 3,907 | $58,691 | $149,300 | 11.5% | 30.6% |
| Dupo | 3,879 | $61,644 | $113,800 | 17.8% | 8.5% |
| Caseyville | 4,130 | $60,669 | $96,800 | 11.5% | 14.3% |
| Sparta | 4,068 | $52,188 | $111,200 | 18.6% | 24.4% |
| Paxton | 4,131 | $62,386 | $120,400 | 19.7% | 8.6% |
Population Overview
Burnham is a small community located in Illinois, within Cook County. The total population is 3,937. It ranks as the 381st most populous out of 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois.
Age Demographics
The median age in Burnham is 36.2 years. This is 7% lower than the state median of 39.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Burnham is $57,790. This is 31% lower than the state median of $83,390. It is also 28% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 15.7%. This is 33% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.8%. The unemployment rate is 10.1%. This is 73% higher than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $161,300. Housing costs are 39% lower than the state median of $263,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.8x, Burnham is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 58.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 14% lower than the state average of 67.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Burnham is Black or African American, making up 63.6% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 25.8%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (9.4%) is well below the state average of 58.1%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (63.6% vs 13.3%). The Asian population (0.2%) is well below the state average of 5.9%.
Education
15.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 60% 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 83.7%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Burnham, 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 Burnham, Illinois?
Burnham, Illinois has a population of 3,937 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Burnham, IL?
The median household income in Burnham is $57,790, which is 28% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Burnham, IL?
The poverty rate in Burnham is 15.7%. This means approximately 570 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Burnham, Illinois?
Burnham's population is 9.4% White, 63.6% Black, 25.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.2% Asian.
What is the median home value in Burnham, IL?
The median home value in Burnham is $161,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.8x.
How educated is Burnham, Illinois?
15.1% of adults (25+) in Burnham hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.