Dolton, Illinois Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Dolton, Illinois had a total population of 20,825, the 118th largest village in Illinois, with a median household income of $57,887, which is 31% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 21.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 31% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Unemployment rate of 12.8% is notably above the national average.
Dolton Quick Facts
How Dolton 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 | 20,979 | 20,825 | -0.7% |
| Median household income | $58,706 | $57,887 | -1.4% |
| Median home value | $140,500 | $151,300 | +7.7% |
How Dolton 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+)
Dolton 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 |
| Des Plaines | 59,156 | $97,875 | 6.0% | $335,600 |
| Orland Park | 57,916 | $98,910 | 7.3% | $367,200 |
Cities Similar to Dolton
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| East Moline | 20,904 | $61,779 | $134,600 | 21.2% | 19.8% |
| Park Forest | 21,156 | $61,072 | $115,300 | 24.3% | 17.6% |
| Blue Island | 21,741 | $59,489 | $178,700 | 20.7% | 17.1% |
| Crest Hill | 20,628 | $73,033 | $232,900 | 23.9% | 12.0% |
| Loves Park | 23,502 | $61,868 | $160,400 | 25.7% | 14.4% |
Population Overview
Dolton is a small city located in Illinois, within Cook County. The total population is 20,825. It ranks as the 118th most populous out of 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois.
Age Demographics
The median age in Dolton is 40.3 years. This is 3% higher than the state median of 39.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Dolton is $57,887. This is 31% lower than the state median of $83,390. It is also 28% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 21.7%. This is 84% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.8%. 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 12.8%. This is 119% higher than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $151,300. Housing costs are 43% lower than the state median of $263,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.6x, Dolton is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 72.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 8% higher than the state average of 67.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
Dolton has a predominantly Black or African American population, comprising 89.7% of all residents. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 5.1%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (5.1%) is well below the state average of 58.1%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (89.7% vs 13.3%). The Hispanic or Latino population (1.8%) is well below the state average of 18.8%. The Asian population (0.2%) is well below the state average of 5.9%.
Education
22.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 40% lower 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 93.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Dolton, 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 Dolton, Illinois?
Dolton, Illinois has a population of 20,825 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Dolton, IL?
The median household income in Dolton is $57,887, which is 28% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Dolton, IL?
The poverty rate in Dolton is 21.7%. This means approximately 4,412 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Dolton, Illinois?
Dolton's population is 5.1% White, 89.7% Black, 1.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.2% Asian.
What is the median home value in Dolton, IL?
The median home value in Dolton is $151,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.6x.
How educated is Dolton, Illinois?
22.7% of adults (25+) in Dolton hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.