Chicago Heights city, Illinois Demographics & Population 2026

Population Overview

Chicago Heights city is a mid-sized community located in Illinois. The total population is 26,938. It ranks as the 78th most populous out of 1,445 cities and towns in Illinois.

Age Demographics

The median age in Chicago Heights city is 35.6 years. This is 8% lower than the state median of 38.9 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Chicago Heights city is $57,479. This is 30% lower than the state median of $81,702. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 27% lower. The poverty rate stands at 24.7%. This is 111% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.7%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 12.7%. This is 119% higher than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $149,900. Housing costs are 40% lower than the state median of $250,500. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.6x, Chicago Heights city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 63.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 6% lower than the state average of 66.8%.

Race & Ethnicity

Chicago Heights city is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 37.2%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (20.3%) is well below the state average of 58.8%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (39.3% vs 13.6%). The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (37.2% vs 18.5%). The Asian population (0.2%) is well below the state average of 5.8%.

Education

20.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 46% 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 84.9%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Chicago Heights 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.