Palatine, Illinois Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Palatine, Illinois had a total population of 66,293, the 18th largest village in Illinois, with a median household income of $97,819, which is 17% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 8.2%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- 51.1% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Illinois.
Palatine Quick Facts
How Palatine 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 | 66,548 | 66,293 | -0.4% |
| Median household income | $95,950 | $97,819 | +1.9% |
| Median home value | $347,900 | $355,600 | +2.2% |
How Palatine 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 diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 61 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Palatine 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 |
| 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 |
| Oak Lawn | 56,861 | $83,911 | 9.6% | $281,200 |
Cities Similar to Palatine
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Skokie | 66,219 | $95,337 | $387,200 | 53.8% | 9.7% |
| Des Plaines | 59,156 | $97,875 | $335,600 | 38.9% | 6.0% |
| Orland Park | 57,916 | $98,910 | $367,200 | 45.4% | 7.3% |
| Evanston | 76,340 | $96,434 | $481,200 | 69.5% | 11.8% |
| Schaumburg | 76,868 | $97,514 | $330,400 | 50.4% | 5.7% |
Population Overview
Palatine is a mid-sized community located in Illinois, within Cook County. The total population is 66,293. It ranks as the 18th most populous out of 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois.
Age Demographics
The median age in Palatine is 40.7 years. This is 4% higher than the state median of 39.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Palatine is $97,819. This is 17% higher than the state median of $83,390. It is also 21% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 8.2%. This is 31% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.8%. The unemployment rate is 4.1%. This is 30% lower than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $355,600. Housing costs are 35% higher than the state median of $263,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.6x. 67.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Palatine is White (non-Hispanic), making up 60.7% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 19.2%. The Black or African American population (4.5%) is well below the state average of 13.3%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (12.6% vs 5.9%).
Education
51.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Palatine in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 35% higher 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 91.8%. Notably, 18.8% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Palatine, 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 Palatine, Illinois?
Palatine, Illinois has a population of 66,293 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Palatine, IL?
The median household income in Palatine is $97,819, which is 21% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Palatine, IL?
The poverty rate in Palatine is 8.2%. This means approximately 5,394 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Palatine, Illinois?
Palatine's population is 60.7% White, 4.5% Black, 19.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 12.6% Asian.
What is the median home value in Palatine, IL?
The median home value in Palatine is $355,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.6x.
How educated is Palatine, Illinois?
51.1% of adults (25+) in Palatine hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 18.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.