Chatham, Illinois Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Chatham, Illinois had a total population of 14,639, the 169th largest village in Illinois, with a median household income of $106,773, which is 28% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 3.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- An exceptionally low poverty rate of 3.3% — among the lowest in Illinois.
- 53.3% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Illinois.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.3x.
Chatham Quick Facts
How Chatham 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 | 14,740 | 14,639 | -0.7% |
| Median household income | $106,030 | $106,773 | +0.7% |
| Median home value | $231,900 | $243,200 | +4.9% |
How Chatham 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+)
Chatham Rankings in Illinois
Explore Illinois Rankings
Other Cities in Sangamon County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Springfield | 113,330 | $66,064 | 16.8% | $162,100 |
| Sherman | 4,386 | $148,906 | 2.2% | $297,800 |
| Auburn | 4,306 | $81,411 | 8.1% | $149,600 |
| Rochester | 3,766 | $117,118 | 2.5% | $238,900 |
| Riverton | 3,513 | $80,920 | 0.9% | $152,200 |
| Virden | 3,171 | $80,577 | 10.2% | $101,300 |
| Pawnee | 2,738 | $81,103 | 14.2% | $149,500 |
| Jerome | 1,807 | $65,189 | 6.4% | $127,800 |
| Southern View | 1,751 | $57,270 | 14.9% | $105,300 |
| Leland Grove | 1,517 | $130,833 | 2.9% | $274,300 |
Cities Similar to Chatham
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Antioch | 14,859 | $108,899 | $306,700 | 39.2% | 7.9% |
| Warrenville | 14,718 | $100,321 | $286,100 | 44.9% | 11.3% |
| Shiloh | 14,572 | $99,573 | $274,000 | 43.3% | 6.8% |
| Wauconda | 14,027 | $111,239 | $278,600 | 38.2% | 6.2% |
| Swansea | 14,710 | $91,587 | $223,600 | 42.5% | 8.7% |
Population Overview
Chatham is a small city located in Illinois, within Sangamon County. The total population is 14,639. It ranks as the 169th most populous out of 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois.
Age Demographics
The median age in Chatham is 35.4 years. This is 9% lower than the state median of 39.0 years. With 31.5% of the population under 18, Chatham has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Chatham is $106,773. This is 28% higher than the state median of $83,390. It is also 32% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 3.3%. This is 72% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.8%. This exceptionally low poverty rate indicates strong economic prosperity across the community. The unemployment rate is 3.6%. This is 38% lower than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $243,200. Housing costs are 8% lower than the state median of $263,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.3x, Chatham is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 80.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 20% higher than the state average of 67.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
Chatham has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 88.2% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 3.9%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (88.2% vs 58.1%). The Black or African American population (2.0%) is well below the state average of 13.3%. The Hispanic or Latino population (3.9%) is well below the state average of 18.8%.
Education
53.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Chatham in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 41% 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 98.8%. Notably, 21.9% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Chatham, 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 Chatham, Illinois?
Chatham, Illinois has a population of 14,639 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Chatham, IL?
The median household income in Chatham is $106,773, which is 32% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Chatham, IL?
The poverty rate in Chatham is 3.3%. This means approximately 480 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Chatham, Illinois?
Chatham's population is 88.2% White, 2.0% Black, 3.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 3.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in Chatham, IL?
The median home value in Chatham is $243,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.3x.
How educated is Chatham, Illinois?
53.3% of adults (25+) in Chatham hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 21.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.