Wheaton city, Illinois Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Wheaton city, Illinois has a total population of 53,453, the 26th largest city in Illinois, with a median household income of $119,566, which is 46% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 5.9%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 46% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in Illinois.
- 64.1% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Illinois.
Wheaton city Quick Facts
How Wheaton city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
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: 60 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Wheaton city Rankings in Illinois
Explore Illinois Rankings
Cities Similar to Wheaton city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oak Park village | 53,315 | $108,026 | $456,300 | 72.5% | 6.7% |
| Downers Grove village | 49,867 | $119,649 | $439,000 | 58.8% | 4.9% |
| Hoffman Estates village | 51,186 | $109,683 | $340,400 | 46.9% | 5.3% |
| Tinley Park village | 55,007 | $103,819 | $289,000 | 38.4% | 5.2% |
| Mount Prospect village | 55,648 | $103,911 | $377,000 | 48.6% | 5.9% |
Population Overview
Wheaton city is a mid-sized community located in Illinois. The total population is 53,453. It ranks as the 26th most populous out of 1,445 cities and towns in Illinois.
Age Demographics
The median age in Wheaton city is 37.6 years. This is 3% lower than the state median of 38.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Wheaton city is $119,566. This is 46% higher than the state median of $81,702. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 52% higher. The poverty rate stands at 5.9%. This is 50% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.7%. The unemployment rate is 3.5%. This is 41% lower than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $447,700. Housing costs are 79% higher than the state median of $250,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.7x. 72.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 9% higher than the state average of 66.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Wheaton city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 78.0% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 8.0%. The Black or African American population (3.5%) is well below the state average of 13.6%. The Hispanic or Latino population (8.0%) is well below the state average of 18.5%.
Education
64.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Wheaton city in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 72% higher than the state rate of 37.2%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 96.5%. Notably, 26.7% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Wheaton city, Illinois is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. 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. For official data, visit data.census.gov.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Wheaton city, Illinois?
Wheaton city, Illinois has a population of 53,453 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Wheaton city, IL?
The median household income in Wheaton city is $119,566, which is 52% higher the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Wheaton city, IL?
The poverty rate in Wheaton city is 5.9%. This means approximately 2,944 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Wheaton city, Illinois?
Wheaton city's population is 78.0% White, 3.5% Black, 8.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 5.9% Asian.
What is the median home value in Wheaton city, IL?
The median home value in Wheaton city is $447,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.7x.
How educated is Wheaton city, Illinois?
64.1% of adults (25+) in Wheaton city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 26.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.