Chicago, Illinois Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Chicago, Illinois had a total population of 2,711,226, the 1st largest city in Illinois, with a median household income of $77,902, which is 7% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 16.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Chicago is the 1st largest city in Illinois with a population of 2,711,226.
- One of the most racially diverse communities in Illinois (diversity index: 73/100).
Chicago Quick Facts
How Chicago 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 | 2,707,648 | 2,711,226 | +0.1% |
| Median household income | $75,134 | $77,902 | +3.7% |
| Median home value | $315,200 | $334,100 | +6.0% |
How Chicago 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
This community is exceptionally diverse, with no single racial or ethnic group dominating the population.
State average: 61 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Chicago Rankings in Illinois
Explore Illinois Rankings
Other Cities in Cook County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Oak Lawn | 56,861 | $83,911 | 9.6% | $281,200 |
Cities Similar to Chicago
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aurora | 179,898 | $93,633 | $274,800 | 38.5% | 9.5% |
| Joliet | 150,445 | $92,201 | $265,800 | 25.5% | 11.1% |
| Rockford | 147,521 | $54,752 | $129,000 | 23.5% | 21.3% |
| Naperville | 150,692 | $155,105 | $540,200 | 72.5% | 4.5% |
| Elgin | 114,934 | $90,282 | $273,000 | 27.0% | 9.8% |
Population Overview
Chicago is a major urban center located in Illinois, within Cook County. The total population is 2,711,226. It ranks as the 1st most populous out of 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois.
Age Demographics
The median age in Chicago is 35.8 years. This is 8% lower than the state median of 39.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Chicago is $77,902. This is 7% lower than the state median of $83,390. It is also 4% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 16.8%. This is 43% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.8%. The unemployment rate is 8.0%. This is 37% higher than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $334,100. Housing costs are 27% higher than the state median of $263,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.3x. 46.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 31% lower than the state average of 67.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
Chicago is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 29.7%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (27.4% vs 13.3%). The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (29.7% vs 18.8%).
Education
44.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 17% 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 87.2%. Notably, 19.0% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Chicago, 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.
Free data download: Get all Illinois city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Chicago, Illinois?
Chicago, Illinois has a population of 2,711,226 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Chicago, IL?
The median household income in Chicago is $77,902, which is 4% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Chicago, IL?
The poverty rate in Chicago is 16.8%. This means approximately 447,385 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Chicago, Illinois?
Chicago's population is 32.1% White, 27.4% Black, 29.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 7.2% Asian.
What is the median home value in Chicago, IL?
The median home value in Chicago is $334,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.3x.
How educated is Chicago, Illinois?
44.3% of adults (25+) in Chicago hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 19.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.