Joliet city, Illinois Demographics & Population 2026

Population Overview

Joliet city is a major urban center located in Illinois. The total population is 149,785. It ranks as the 3rd most populous out of 1,445 cities and towns in Illinois.

Age Demographics

The median age in Joliet city is 35.3 years. This is 9% lower than the state median of 38.9 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Joliet city is $88,026. This is 8% higher than the state median of $81,702. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 12% higher. The poverty rate stands at 11.0%. This is 6% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.7%. The unemployment rate is 5.8%. The median home value is $248,600. Housing costs are about average than the state median of $250,500. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.8x, Joliet city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 73.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 9% higher than the state average of 66.8%.

Race & Ethnicity

Joliet city is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 34.7%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (34.7% vs 18.5%). The Asian population (2.0%) is well below the state average of 5.8%.

Education

25.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 33% lower 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 84.9%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Joliet 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.