South Barrington, Illinois Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, South Barrington, Illinois had a total population of 5,021, the 335th largest village in Illinois, with a median household income of $221,575, which is 166% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 1.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 166% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in Illinois.
- An exceptionally low poverty rate of 1.0% — among the lowest in Illinois.
- 73.6% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Illinois.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 2.0%.
South Barrington Quick Facts
How South Barrington 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 | 5,004 | 5,021 | +0.3% |
| Median household income | $211,083 | $221,575 | +5.0% |
| Median home value | $986,300 | $908,300 | -7.9% |
How South Barrington 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+)
South Barrington 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 South Barrington
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lakewood | 4,707 | $173,625 | $552,600 | 61.3% | 3.5% |
| Kildeer | 4,292 | $250,000+ | $770,700 | 80.9% | 1.0% |
| Lake Bluff | 6,041 | $204,000 | $776,700 | 81.6% | 1.5% |
| Northfield | 5,487 | $161,500 | $878,300 | 80.7% | 3.2% |
| Riverwoods | 4,013 | $249,205 | $800,700 | 76.5% | 0.7% |
Population Overview
South Barrington is a small city located in Illinois, within Cook County. The total population is 5,021. It ranks as the 335th most populous out of 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois.
Age Demographics
The median age in South Barrington is 50.1 years. This is 28% higher than the state median of 39.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in South Barrington is $221,575. This is 166% higher than the state median of $83,390. It is also 174% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 1.0%. This is 91% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.8%. This exceptionally low poverty rate indicates strong economic prosperity across the community. The unemployment rate is 2.0%. This is 66% lower than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $908,300. Housing costs are 245% higher than the state median of $263,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.1x. 98.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 46% higher than the state average of 67.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in South Barrington is White (non-Hispanic), making up 48.4% of the population. Asian residents account for 46.9%. The Black or African American population (0.8%) is well below the state average of 13.3%. The Hispanic or Latino population (0.4%) is well below the state average of 18.8%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (46.9% vs 5.9%).
Education
73.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places South Barrington in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 94% 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 94.9%. Notably, 43.5% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for South Barrington, 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 South Barrington, Illinois?
South Barrington, Illinois has a population of 5,021 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in South Barrington, IL?
The median household income in South Barrington is $221,575, which is 174% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in South Barrington, IL?
The poverty rate in South Barrington is 1.0%. This means approximately 52 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of South Barrington, Illinois?
South Barrington's population is 48.4% White, 0.8% Black, 0.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 46.9% Asian.
What is the median home value in South Barrington, IL?
The median home value in South Barrington is $908,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.1x.
How educated is South Barrington, Illinois?
73.6% of adults (25+) in South Barrington hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 43.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.