Evanston, Illinois Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Evanston, Illinois had a total population of 76,340, the 14th largest city in Illinois, with a median household income of $96,434, which is 16% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 11.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- 69.5% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Illinois.
Evanston Quick Facts
How Evanston 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 | 76,552 | 76,340 | -0.3% |
| Median household income | $95,766 | $96,434 | +0.7% |
| Median home value | $472,300 | $481,200 | +1.9% |
How Evanston 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+)
Evanston 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 |
| 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 Evanston
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Schaumburg | 76,868 | $97,514 | $330,400 | 50.4% | 5.7% |
| Bolingbrook | 74,096 | $108,400 | $314,700 | 39.6% | 9.2% |
| Arlington Heights | 76,005 | $116,723 | $414,500 | 60.4% | 6.0% |
| Bloomington | 78,907 | $77,384 | $203,300 | 48.8% | 11.0% |
| Skokie | 66,219 | $95,337 | $387,200 | 53.8% | 9.7% |
Population Overview
Evanston is a mid-sized community located in Illinois, within Cook County. The total population is 76,340. It ranks as the 14th most populous out of 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois.
Age Demographics
The median age in Evanston is 38.4 years. This is 2% lower than the state median of 39.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Evanston is $96,434. This is 16% higher than the state median of $83,390. It is also 19% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 11.8%. This is about the same as the state poverty rate of 11.8%. The unemployment rate is 6.2%. This is 6% higher than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $481,200. Housing costs are 83% higher than the state median of $263,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.0x. 56.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 16% lower than the state average of 67.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Evanston is White (non-Hispanic), making up 58.0% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 14.2%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (9.4% vs 5.9%).
Education
69.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Evanston in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 84% 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 96.5%. Notably, 39.7% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Evanston, 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 Evanston, Illinois?
Evanston, Illinois has a population of 76,340 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Evanston, IL?
The median household income in Evanston is $96,434, which is 19% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Evanston, IL?
The poverty rate in Evanston is 11.8%. This means approximately 8,124 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Evanston, Illinois?
Evanston's population is 58.0% White, 14.2% Black, 12.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 9.4% Asian.
What is the median home value in Evanston, IL?
The median home value in Evanston is $481,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.0x.
How educated is Evanston, Illinois?
69.5% of adults (25+) in Evanston hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 39.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.