Des Plaines, Illinois Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Des Plaines, Illinois had a total population of 59,156, the 20th largest city in Illinois, with a median household income of $97,875, which is 17% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 6.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Des Plaines Quick Facts
How Des Plaines 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 | 59,408 | 59,156 | -0.4% |
| Median household income | $94,303 | $97,875 | +3.8% |
| Median home value | $318,200 | $335,600 | +5.5% |
How Des Plaines 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 diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 61 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Des Plaines Rankings in Illinois
Explore Illinois Rankings
Other Cities in Cook County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago | 2,711,226 | $77,902 | 16.8% | $334,100 |
| 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 |
| Orland Park | 57,916 | $98,910 | 7.3% | $367,200 |
| Oak Lawn | 56,861 | $83,911 | 9.6% | $281,200 |
Cities Similar to Des Plaines
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Orland Park | 57,916 | $98,910 | $367,200 | 45.4% | 7.3% |
| Mount Prospect | 55,472 | $101,720 | $397,400 | 48.5% | 6.6% |
| Tinley Park | 54,842 | $105,189 | $299,900 | 37.0% | 5.0% |
| Palatine | 66,293 | $97,819 | $355,600 | 51.1% | 8.2% |
| Oak Lawn | 56,861 | $83,911 | $281,200 | 31.6% | 9.6% |
Population Overview
Des Plaines is a mid-sized community located in Illinois, within Cook County. The total population is 59,156. It ranks as the 20th most populous out of 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois.
Age Demographics
The median age in Des Plaines is 42.3 years. This is 8% higher than the state median of 39.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Des Plaines is $97,875. This is 17% higher than the state median of $83,390. It is also 21% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 6.0%. This is 49% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.8%. The unemployment rate is 4.1%. This is 29% lower than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $335,600. Housing costs are 27% higher than the state median of $263,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.4x. 78.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 17% higher than the state average of 67.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Des Plaines is White (non-Hispanic), making up 54.8% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 23.1%. The Black or African American population (3.7%) is well below the state average of 13.3%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (14.9% vs 5.9%).
Education
38.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 3% 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 90.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Des Plaines, 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 Des Plaines, Illinois?
Des Plaines, Illinois has a population of 59,156 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Des Plaines, IL?
The median household income in Des Plaines is $97,875, which is 21% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Des Plaines, IL?
The poverty rate in Des Plaines is 6.0%. This means approximately 3,515 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Des Plaines, Illinois?
Des Plaines's population is 54.8% White, 3.7% Black, 23.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 14.9% Asian.
What is the median home value in Des Plaines, IL?
The median home value in Des Plaines is $335,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.4x.
How educated is Des Plaines, Illinois?
38.9% of adults (25+) in Des Plaines hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 13.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.