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Carol Stream, Illinois Demographics & Population 2026

During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Carol Stream, Illinois had a total population of 39,460, the 42nd largest village in Illinois, with a median household income of $102,309, which is 23% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 6.4%.

Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes

Carol Stream Quick Facts

Population 39,460
Median Household Income $102,309
Median Home Value $335,000
Poverty Rate 6.4%
Unemployment Rate 3.9%
Median Age 40.4 years
Homeownership Rate 67.3%
Affordability Ratio 3.3x
Bachelor's Degree or Higher 42.8%
High School Graduation Rate 89.8%
Diversity Index 67/100
Population 39,460 42nd of 1,445
Median Income $102,309 top 20%
Poverty Rate 6.4% 48% lower than national
Median Home Value $335,000 top 10%

How Carol Stream Changed

Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.

Metric2019–20232020–2024Change
Population39,42739,460+0.1%
Median household income$105,395$102,309-2.9%
Median home value$308,700$335,000+8.5%

How Carol Stream Compares

Economy & Housing

Household Income Distribution

Under $25K 8.3%
$25K-$50K 13.0%
$50K-$100K 27.4%
$100K+ 51.3%
Detailed income brackets
Under $10K
3.2%
$10K-$15K
2.6%
$15K-$20K
1.1%
$20K-$25K
1.5%
$25K-$30K
2.1%
$30K-$35K
3.0%
$35K-$40K
1.4%
$40K-$45K
2.1%
$45K-$50K
4.3%
$50K-$60K
5.9%
$60K-$75K
7.5%
$75K-$100K
14.0%
$100K-$125K
11.3%
$125K-$150K
10.0%
$150K-$200K
13.1%
$200K+
16.9%

Employment

3.9% Unemployment Rate State: 5.8%|National: 5.2%
68.5% Labor Force Participation

Housing Overview

Owner 67.3%
Renter 32.7%
Affordability Index Affordable
3.3x home value to income ratio
Median gross rent $1,529/mo 17.9% of median household income annually

People & Demographics

Diversity Index

67out of 100
High Diversity

A diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.

State average: 61 | National average: 61

Education

Carol Stream Rankings in Illinois

#42 Population of 1,445
#223 Median Income of 1,374
#169 Education of 1,444
#134 Home Value of 1,372

Other Cities in DuPage County

CityPopulationMedian IncomePovertyHome Value
Aurora 179,898 $93,633 9.5% $274,800
Naperville 150,692 $155,105 4.5% $540,200
Bolingbrook 74,096 $108,400 9.2% $314,700
Wheaton 53,557 $120,008 5.6% $455,700
Downers Grove 50,054 $115,114 5.5% $449,800
Lombard 43,619 $100,362 7.2% $335,700
Addison 35,489 $90,431 8.7% $341,300
St. Charles 32,854 $114,300 4.5% $377,400
Glendale Heights 32,808 $86,545 10.3% $261,700
Glen Ellyn 28,390 $140,938 6.3% $544,000

Cities Similar to Carol Stream

These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.

CityPopulationMedian IncomeHome ValueBachelor's+Poverty
Streamwood39,001$101,218$271,20027.8%10.2%
Crystal Lake40,579$108,418$311,40042.0%6.8%
Romeoville41,152$106,325$257,10028.3%5.5%
Lombard43,619$100,362$335,70049.9%7.2%
Wheeling38,433$85,205$266,20040.8%10.0%

Population Overview

Carol Stream is a mid-sized community located in Illinois, within DuPage County. The total population is 39,460. It ranks as the 42nd most populous out of 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois.

Age Demographics

The median age in Carol Stream is 40.4 years. This is 4% higher than the state median of 39.0 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Carol Stream is $102,309. This is 23% higher than the state median of $83,390. It is also 27% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 6.4%. This is 45% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.8%. The unemployment rate is 3.9%. This is 33% lower than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $335,000. Housing costs are 27% higher than the state median of $263,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.3x. 67.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Carol Stream is White (non-Hispanic), making up 50.1% of the population. Asian residents account for 19.3%. The Black or African American population (6.3%) is well below the state average of 13.3%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (19.3% vs 5.9%).

Education

42.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 13% 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 89.8%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Carol Stream, 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 Carol Stream, Illinois?

Carol Stream, Illinois has a population of 39,460 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What is the median household income in Carol Stream, IL?

The median household income in Carol Stream is $102,309, which is 27% higher than the national median of $80,734.

What is the poverty rate in Carol Stream, IL?

The poverty rate in Carol Stream is 6.4%. This means approximately 2,527 residents live below the federal poverty line.

What is the racial makeup of Carol Stream, Illinois?

Carol Stream's population is 50.1% White, 6.3% Black, 18.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 19.3% Asian.

What is the median home value in Carol Stream, IL?

The median home value in Carol Stream is $335,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.3x.

How educated is Carol Stream, Illinois?

42.8% of adults (25+) in Carol Stream hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 13.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.