Riverdale, Illinois Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Riverdale, Illinois had a total population of 10,340, the 221st largest village in Illinois, with a median household income of $39,833, which is 52% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 41.5%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 52% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (41.5%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Unemployment rate of 16.1% is notably above the national average.
Riverdale Quick Facts
How Riverdale 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 | 10,515 | 10,340 | -1.7% |
| Median household income | $45,709 | $39,833 | -12.9% |
| Median home value | $104,800 | $113,800 | +8.6% |
How Riverdale 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+)
Riverdale 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 Riverdale
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Worth | 10,700 | $56,288 | $215,000 | 18.7% | 21.1% |
| Taylorville | 10,646 | $57,552 | $104,100 | 15.8% | 12.4% |
| Centralia | 11,856 | $47,807 | $89,600 | 16.4% | 24.3% |
| Wood River | 10,279 | $62,703 | $108,100 | 15.5% | 13.9% |
| Harrisburg | 8,372 | $43,415 | $84,100 | 15.8% | 29.0% |
Population Overview
Riverdale is a small city located in Illinois, within Cook County. The total population is 10,340. It ranks as the 221st most populous out of 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois.
Age Demographics
The median age in Riverdale is 32.8 years. This is 16% lower than the state median of 39.0 years. With 32.2% of the population under 18, Riverdale has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Riverdale is $39,833. This is 52% lower than the state median of $83,390. It is also 51% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 41.5%. This is 251% 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 16.1%. This is 176% higher than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $113,800. Housing costs are 57% lower than the state median of $263,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.9x, Riverdale is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 51.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 23% lower than the state average of 67.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
Riverdale has a predominantly Black or African American population, comprising 89.9% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 7.1%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (0.6%) is well below the state average of 58.1%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (89.9% vs 13.3%). The Hispanic or Latino population (7.1%) is well below the state average of 18.8%. The Asian population (0.1%) is well below the state average of 5.9%.
Education
17.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 55% 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 89.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Riverdale, 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 Riverdale, Illinois?
Riverdale, Illinois has a population of 10,340 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Riverdale, IL?
The median household income in Riverdale is $39,833, which is 51% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Riverdale, IL?
The poverty rate in Riverdale is 41.5%. This means approximately 4,278 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Riverdale, Illinois?
Riverdale's population is 0.6% White, 89.9% Black, 7.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in Riverdale, IL?
The median home value in Riverdale is $113,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.9x.
How educated is Riverdale, Illinois?
17.0% of adults (25+) in Riverdale hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.