Highland Park city, Illinois Demographics & Population 2026

Population Overview

Highland Park city is a mid-sized community located in Illinois. The total population is 30,229. It ranks as the 65th most populous out of 1,445 cities and towns in Illinois.

Age Demographics

The median age in Highland Park city is 46.0 years. This is 18% higher than the state median of 38.9 years. 10.6% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Highland Park city is $161,875. This is 98% higher than the state median of $81,702. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 106% higher. The poverty rate stands at 3.3%. This is 72% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.7%. This exceptionally low poverty rate indicates strong economic prosperity across the community. The unemployment rate is 3.3%. This is 43% lower than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $594,400. Housing costs are 137% higher than the state median of $250,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.7x. 83.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 25% higher than the state average of 66.8%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Highland Park city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 79.7% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 12.0%. The Black or African American population (1.6%) is well below the state average of 13.6%.

Education

76.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Highland Park city in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 105% higher than the state rate of 37.2%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 97.1%. Notably, 37.5% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Highland Park city, Illinois is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. 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. For official data, visit data.census.gov.