Prospect Heights, Illinois Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Prospect Heights, Illinois had a total population of 15,618, the 159th largest city in Illinois, with a median household income of $85,008, which is 2% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 7.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Prospect Heights Quick Facts
How Prospect 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 | 15,681 | 15,618 | -0.4% |
| Median household income | $91,599 | $85,008 | -7.2% |
| Median home value | $347,500 | $346,500 | -0.3% |
How Prospect 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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 61 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Prospect Heights 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 Prospect Heights
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Norridge | 15,439 | $87,807 | $374,900 | 31.5% | 7.9% |
| Washington | 15,919 | $95,179 | $221,900 | 43.7% | 5.1% |
| Fairview Heights | 16,745 | $80,930 | $177,700 | 34.7% | 8.8% |
| Swansea | 14,710 | $91,587 | $223,600 | 42.5% | 8.7% |
| Morris | 14,898 | $76,711 | $247,400 | 23.6% | 7.7% |
Population Overview
Prospect Heights is a small city located in Illinois, within Cook County. The total population is 15,618. It ranks as the 159th most populous out of 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois.
Age Demographics
The median age in Prospect Heights is 42.8 years. This is 10% higher than the state median of 39.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Prospect Heights is $85,008. This is 2% higher than the state median of $83,390. It is also 5% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 7.3%. This is 38% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.8%. The unemployment rate is 3.5%. This is 40% lower than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $346,500. Housing costs are 32% higher than the state median of $263,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.1x. 66.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Prospect Heights is White (non-Hispanic), making up 62.4% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 25.8%. The Black or African American population (0.6%) is well below the state average of 13.3%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (8.9% vs 5.9%).
Education
41.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 9% 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 83.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Prospect 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 Prospect Heights, Illinois?
Prospect Heights, Illinois has a population of 15,618 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Prospect Heights, IL?
The median household income in Prospect Heights is $85,008, which is 5% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Prospect Heights, IL?
The poverty rate in Prospect Heights is 7.3%. This means approximately 1,131 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Prospect Heights, Illinois?
Prospect Heights's population is 62.4% White, 0.6% Black, 25.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 8.9% Asian.
What is the median home value in Prospect Heights, IL?
The median home value in Prospect Heights is $346,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.1x.
How educated is Prospect Heights, Illinois?
41.3% of adults (25+) in Prospect Heights hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 12.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.