North Chicago city, Illinois Demographics & Population 2026

Population Overview

North Chicago city is a mid-sized community located in Illinois, within DuPage County. The total population is 30,772. It ranks as the 62nd most populous out of 1,445 cities and towns in Illinois.

Age Demographics

The median age in North Chicago city is 23.6 years. This is 39% lower than the state median of 38.9 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in North Chicago city is $56,815. This is 30% lower than the state median of $81,702. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 28% lower. The poverty rate stands at 21.9%. This is 87% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.7%. 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 8.7%. This is 51% higher than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $147,800. Housing costs are 41% lower than the state median of $250,500. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.6x, North Chicago city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 33.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 50% lower than the state average of 66.8%.

Race & Ethnicity

North Chicago city is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 28.4%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (28.4%) is well below the state average of 58.8%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (23.3% vs 13.6%). The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (38.6% vs 18.5%).

Education

19.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 49% 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 81.1%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for North Chicago 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.