Chester city, Illinois Demographics & Population 2026

Population Overview

Chester city is a small city located in Illinois. The total population is 6,830. It ranks as the 289th most populous out of 1,445 cities and towns in Illinois.

Age Demographics

The median age in Chester city is 43.5 years. This is 12% higher than the state median of 38.9 years. Only 9.5% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Chester city is $74,673. This is 9% lower than the state median of $81,702. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 5% lower. The poverty rate stands at 19.6%. This is 67% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.7%. The unemployment rate is 3.0%. This is 48% lower than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $107,800. Housing costs are 57% lower than the state median of $250,500. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.4x, Chester city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 71.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 6% higher than the state average of 66.8%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Chester city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 69.4% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 25.6%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (25.6% vs 13.6%). The Hispanic or Latino population (4.3%) is well below the state average of 18.5%.

Education

7.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 79% lower than the state rate of 37.2%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 76.4%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Chester city, Illinois is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. 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. For official data, visit data.census.gov.