Skip to main content

Joliet, Illinois Demographics & Population 2026

4th Largest4th most populous city in Illinois
Highly DiverseNo single racial/ethnic group makes up a majority of the population

During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Joliet, Illinois had a total population of 150,445, the 4th largest city in Illinois, with a median household income of $92,201, which is 11% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 11.1%.

Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes

Key Takeaways

Joliet Quick Facts

Population 150,445
Median Household Income $92,201
Median Home Value $265,800
Poverty Rate 11.1%
Unemployment Rate 5.5%
Median Age 35.8 years
Homeownership Rate 73.7%
Affordability Ratio 2.9x
Bachelor's Degree or Higher 25.5%
High School Graduation Rate 85.3%
Diversity Index 66/100
Population 150,445 4th of 1,445
Median Income $92,201 top 30%
Poverty Rate 11.1% 11% lower than national
Median Home Value $265,800 top 20%

How Joliet Changed

Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.

Metric2019–20232020–2024Change
Population149,785150,445+0.4%
Median household income$88,026$92,201+4.7%
Median home value$248,600$265,800+6.9%

How Joliet Compares

Economy & Housing

Household Income Distribution

Under $25K 13.3%
$25K-$50K 13.2%
$50K-$100K 27.9%
$100K+ 45.6%
Detailed income brackets
Under $10K
5.5%
$10K-$15K
2.8%
$15K-$20K
1.9%
$20K-$25K
3.1%
$25K-$30K
2.1%
$30K-$35K
3.0%
$35K-$40K
2.9%
$40K-$45K
2.8%
$45K-$50K
2.4%
$50K-$60K
5.5%
$60K-$75K
9.2%
$75K-$100K
13.3%
$100K-$125K
12.1%
$125K-$150K
9.5%
$150K-$200K
14.0%
$200K+
10.0%

Employment

5.5% Unemployment Rate State: 5.8%|National: 5.2%
69.2% Labor Force Participation

Housing Overview

Owner 73.7%
Renter 26.3%
Affordability Index Very Affordable
2.9x home value to income ratio
Median gross rent $1,276/mo 16.6% of median household income annually

People & Demographics

Diversity Index

66out of 100
High Diversity

A diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.

State average: 61 | National average: 61

Education

Joliet Rankings in Illinois

#4 Population of 1,445
#296 Median Income of 1,374
#421 Education of 1,444
#225 Home Value of 1,372

Other Cities in Will County

CityPopulationMedian IncomePovertyHome Value
Plainfield 46,708 $144,000 4.2% $431,400
Romeoville 41,152 $106,325 5.5% $257,100
Oswego 36,375 $123,792 2.6% $344,500
New Lenox 28,006 $140,865 1.5% $399,900
Lockport 26,409 $111,981 6.8% $316,000
Crest Hill 20,628 $73,033 12.0% $232,900
Mokena 20,021 $123,889 4.5% $401,400
Shorewood 18,343 $122,105 5.2% $337,800
Channahon 13,927 $119,494 5.9% $327,900
Minooka 12,891 $115,445 2.6% $315,600

Cities Similar to Joliet

These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.

CityPopulationMedian IncomeHome ValueBachelor's+Poverty
Aurora179,898$93,633$274,80038.5%9.5%
Naperville150,692$155,105$540,20072.5%4.5%
Elgin114,934$90,282$273,00027.0%9.8%
Rockford147,521$54,752$129,00023.5%21.3%
Springfield113,330$66,064$162,10036.3%16.8%

Population Overview

Joliet is a major urban center located in Illinois, within Will County. The total population is 150,445. It ranks as the 4th most populous out of 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois.

Age Demographics

The median age in Joliet is 35.8 years. This is 8% lower than the state median of 39.0 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Joliet is $92,201. This is 11% higher than the state median of $83,390. It is also 14% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 11.1%. This is 6% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.8%. The unemployment rate is 5.5%. This is 7% lower than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $265,800. Housing costs are about the same as the state median of $263,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.9x, Joliet is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 73.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 10% higher than the state average of 67.1%.

Race & Ethnicity

Joliet is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 34.2%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (34.2% vs 18.8%). The Asian population (2.4%) is well below the state average of 5.9%.

Education

25.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 33% 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 85.3%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Joliet, 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.

Free data download: Get all Illinois city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the population of Joliet, Illinois?

Joliet, Illinois has a population of 150,445 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What is the median household income in Joliet, IL?

The median household income in Joliet is $92,201, which is 14% higher than the national median of $80,734.

What is the poverty rate in Joliet, IL?

The poverty rate in Joliet is 11.1%. This means approximately 16,330 residents live below the federal poverty line.

What is the racial makeup of Joliet, Illinois?

Joliet's population is 44.0% White, 16.0% Black, 34.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.4% Asian.

What is the median home value in Joliet, IL?

The median home value in Joliet is $265,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.9x.

How educated is Joliet, Illinois?

25.5% of adults (25+) in Joliet hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 10.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.