Harvey, Illinois Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Harvey, Illinois had a total population of 20,230, the 122nd largest city in Illinois, with a median household income of $42,429, which is 49% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 22.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 49% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.1x.
- Unemployment rate of 13.4% is notably above the national average.
Harvey Quick Facts
How Harvey 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 | 19,831 | 20,230 | +2.0% |
| Median household income | $41,091 | $42,429 | +3.3% |
| Median home value | $86,100 | $88,100 | +2.3% |
How Harvey 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+)
Harvey 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 Harvey
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dolton | 20,825 | $57,887 | $151,300 | 22.7% | 21.7% |
| East St. Louis | 17,999 | $35,700 | $52,600 | 15.9% | 32.8% |
| East Moline | 20,904 | $61,779 | $134,600 | 21.2% | 19.8% |
| Park Forest | 21,156 | $61,072 | $115,300 | 24.3% | 17.6% |
| Kankakee | 23,996 | $47,514 | $104,900 | 13.0% | 25.5% |
Population Overview
Harvey is a small city located in Illinois, within Cook County. The total population is 20,230. It ranks as the 122nd most populous out of 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois.
Age Demographics
The median age in Harvey is 36.6 years. This is 6% lower than the state median of 39.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Harvey is $42,429. This is 49% lower than the state median of $83,390. It is also 47% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 22.6%. This is 91% 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 13.4%. This is 130% higher than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $88,100. Housing costs are 67% lower than the state median of $263,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.1x, Harvey is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 57.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 14% lower than the state average of 67.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Harvey is Black or African American, making up 53.6% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 39.1%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (2.4%) is well below the state average of 58.1%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (53.6% vs 13.3%). The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (39.1% vs 18.8%). The Asian population (2.3%) is well below the state average of 5.9%.
Education
10.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 71% 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 77.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Harvey, 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 Harvey, Illinois?
Harvey, Illinois has a population of 20,230 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Harvey, IL?
The median household income in Harvey is $42,429, which is 47% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Harvey, IL?
The poverty rate in Harvey is 22.6%. This means approximately 4,510 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Harvey, Illinois?
Harvey's population is 2.4% White, 53.6% Black, 39.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in Harvey, IL?
The median home value in Harvey is $88,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.1x.
How educated is Harvey, Illinois?
10.9% of adults (25+) in Harvey hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 2.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.