Melrose Park, Illinois Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Melrose Park, Illinois had a total population of 24,549, the 91st largest village in Illinois, with a median household income of $66,189, which is 21% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 12.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Melrose Park Quick Facts
How Melrose Park 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 | 24,513 | 24,549 | +0.1% |
| Median household income | $64,740 | $66,189 | +2.2% |
| Median home value | $265,000 | $275,800 | +4.1% |
How Melrose Park 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 less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 61 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Melrose Park 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 Melrose Park
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Belvidere | 24,752 | $64,528 | $158,900 | 12.8% | 14.6% |
| Zion | 24,600 | $63,104 | $183,800 | 15.1% | 16.0% |
| Collinsville | 24,031 | $67,612 | $163,600 | 31.0% | 12.0% |
| Maywood | 23,201 | $68,815 | $229,800 | 19.2% | 15.5% |
| Loves Park | 23,502 | $61,868 | $160,400 | 25.7% | 14.4% |
Population Overview
Melrose Park is a small city located in Illinois, within Cook County. The total population is 24,549. It ranks as the 91st most populous out of 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois.
Age Demographics
The median age in Melrose Park is 37.3 years. This is 4% lower than the state median of 39.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Melrose Park is $66,189. This is 21% lower than the state median of $83,390. It is also 18% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 12.3%. This is 4% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.8%. The unemployment rate is 5.7%. This is 3% lower than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $275,800. Housing costs are 5% higher than the state median of $263,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.2x. 56.7% 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 Melrose Park is Hispanic or Latino, making up 77.0% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 15.8%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (15.8%) is well below the state average of 58.1%. The Black or African American population (5.1%) is well below the state average of 13.3%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (77.0% vs 18.8%). The Asian population (1.1%) is well below the state average of 5.9%.
Education
15.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 60% 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 69.7%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Melrose Park, 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 Melrose Park, Illinois?
Melrose Park, Illinois has a population of 24,549 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Melrose Park, IL?
The median household income in Melrose Park is $66,189, which is 18% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Melrose Park, IL?
The poverty rate in Melrose Park is 12.3%. This means approximately 3,007 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Melrose Park, Illinois?
Melrose Park's population is 15.8% White, 5.1% Black, 77.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in Melrose Park, IL?
The median home value in Melrose Park is $275,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.2x.
How educated is Melrose Park, Illinois?
15.0% of adults (25+) in Melrose Park hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.