Preston Heights, Illinois Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Preston Heights, Illinois had a total population of 2,449, the 466th largest community in Illinois, with a median household income of $51,625, which is 38% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 22.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 38% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Only 8.2% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
Preston Heights Quick Facts
How Preston Heights 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 | 2,318 | 2,449 | +5.7% |
| Median household income | $51,970 | $51,625 | -0.7% |
| Median home value | $141,400 | $144,100 | +1.9% |
How Preston Heights 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+)
Preston Heights Rankings in Illinois
Explore Illinois Rankings
Other Cities in Will County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joliet | 150,445 | $92,201 | 11.1% | $265,800 |
| 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 |
Cities Similar to Preston Heights
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Galva | 2,454 | $52,470 | $83,700 | 19.7% | 18.8% |
| Tilton | 2,453 | $55,697 | $70,400 | 10.8% | 17.3% |
| Fairmont City | 2,492 | $48,147 | $71,200 | 13.2% | 33.8% |
| Christopher | 2,570 | $48,247 | $66,600 | 13.9% | 20.8% |
| Merrionette Park | 2,354 | $56,515 | $173,400 | 25.0% | 8.0% |
Population Overview
Preston Heights is a small community located in Illinois, within Will County. The total population is 2,449. It ranks as the 466th most populous out of 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois.
Age Demographics
The median age in Preston Heights is 39.4 years. This is 1% higher than the state median of 39.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Preston Heights is $51,625. This is 38% lower than the state median of $83,390. It is also 36% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 22.8%. This is 93% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.8%. 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 7.2%. This is 23% higher than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $144,100. Housing costs are 45% lower than the state median of $263,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.8x, Preston Heights is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 58.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 14% lower than the state average of 67.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Preston Heights is Black or African American, making up 48.2% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 25.0%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (25.0%) is well below the state average of 58.1%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (48.2% vs 13.3%).
Education
8.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 78% 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 77.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Preston Heights, 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 Preston Heights, Illinois?
Preston Heights, Illinois has a population of 2,449 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Preston Heights, IL?
The median household income in Preston Heights is $51,625, which is 36% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Preston Heights, IL?
The poverty rate in Preston Heights is 22.8%. This means approximately 552 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Preston Heights, Illinois?
Preston Heights's population is 25.0% White, 48.2% Black, 23.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Preston Heights, IL?
The median home value in Preston Heights is $144,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.8x.
How educated is Preston Heights, Illinois?
8.2% of adults (25+) in Preston Heights hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 2.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.