University Park, Illinois Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, University Park, Illinois had a total population of 7,306, the 274th largest village in Illinois, with a median household income of $73,844, which is 11% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 14.4%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.1x.
- Unemployment rate of 15.9% is notably above the national average.
University Park Quick Facts
How University Park 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 | 7,109 | 7,306 | +2.8% |
| Median household income | $65,580 | $73,844 | +12.6% |
| Median home value | $137,800 | $153,200 | +11.2% |
How University Park 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+)
University Park 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 University Park
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jerseyville | 7,445 | $73,529 | $143,900 | 19.1% | 12.3% |
| North Riverside | 7,249 | $77,170 | $297,800 | 42.9% | 7.9% |
| Robinson | 7,084 | $73,993 | $109,100 | 25.4% | 9.6% |
| Marengo | 7,040 | $73,523 | $229,900 | 15.4% | 15.7% |
| Sandwich | 7,219 | $80,768 | $255,700 | 20.3% | 10.3% |
Population Overview
University Park is a small city located in Illinois, within Cook County. The total population is 7,306. It ranks as the 274th most populous out of 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois.
Age Demographics
The median age in University Park is 32.1 years. This is 18% lower than the state median of 39.0 years. With 28.9% of the population under 18, University Park has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in University Park is $73,844. This is 11% lower than the state median of $83,390. It is also 9% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 14.4%. This is 22% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.8%. The unemployment rate is 15.9%. This is 172% higher than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $153,200. Housing costs are 42% lower than the state median of $263,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.1x, University Park is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 63.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 5% lower than the state average of 67.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in University Park is Black or African American, making up 81.8% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 8.4%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (8.4%) is well below the state average of 58.1%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (81.8% vs 13.3%). The Hispanic or Latino population (5.9%) is well below the state average of 18.8%. The Asian population (0.1%) is well below the state average of 5.9%.
Education
26.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 30% 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 94.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for University Park, 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 University Park, Illinois?
University Park, Illinois has a population of 7,306 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in University Park, IL?
The median household income in University Park is $73,844, which is 9% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in University Park, IL?
The poverty rate in University Park is 14.4%. This means approximately 1,045 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of University Park, Illinois?
University Park's population is 8.4% White, 81.8% Black, 5.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in University Park, IL?
The median home value in University Park is $153,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.1x.
How educated is University Park, Illinois?
26.5% of adults (25+) in University Park hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 9.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.