Wheaton, Illinois Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Wheaton, Illinois had a total population of 53,557, the 27th largest city in Illinois, with a median household income of $120,008, which is 44% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 5.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 44% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in Illinois.
- 64.5% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Illinois.
Wheaton Quick Facts
How Wheaton 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 | 53,453 | 53,557 | +0.2% |
| Median household income | $119,566 | $120,008 | +0.4% |
| Median home value | $447,700 | $455,700 | +1.8% |
How Wheaton 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+)
Wheaton Rankings in Illinois
Explore Illinois Rankings
Other Cities in DuPage County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aurora | 179,898 | $93,633 | 9.5% | $274,800 |
| Naperville | 150,692 | $155,105 | 4.5% | $540,200 |
| Bolingbrook | 74,096 | $108,400 | 9.2% | $314,700 |
| Downers Grove | 50,054 | $115,114 | 5.5% | $449,800 |
| Lombard | 43,619 | $100,362 | 7.2% | $335,700 |
| Carol Stream | 39,460 | $102,309 | 6.4% | $335,000 |
| Addison | 35,489 | $90,431 | 8.7% | $341,300 |
| St. Charles | 32,854 | $114,300 | 4.5% | $377,400 |
| Glendale Heights | 32,808 | $86,545 | 10.3% | $261,700 |
| Glen Ellyn | 28,390 | $140,938 | 6.3% | $544,000 |
Cities Similar to Wheaton
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oak Park | 53,292 | $110,820 | $465,500 | 72.5% | 7.4% |
| Downers Grove | 50,054 | $115,114 | $449,800 | 58.2% | 5.5% |
| Tinley Park | 54,842 | $105,189 | $299,900 | 37.0% | 5.0% |
| Hoffman Estates | 51,175 | $106,806 | $351,900 | 48.5% | 7.1% |
| Mount Prospect | 55,472 | $101,720 | $397,400 | 48.5% | 6.6% |
Population Overview
Wheaton is a mid-sized community located in Illinois, within DuPage County. The total population is 53,557. It ranks as the 27th most populous out of 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois.
Age Demographics
The median age in Wheaton is 36.8 years. This is 6% lower than the state median of 39.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Wheaton is $120,008. This is 44% higher than the state median of $83,390. It is also 49% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 5.6%. This is 53% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.8%. The unemployment rate is 3.7%. This is 36% lower than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $455,700. Housing costs are 73% higher than the state median of $263,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.8x. 71.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 7% higher than the state average of 67.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Wheaton is White (non-Hispanic), making up 76.3% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 8.9%. The Black or African American population (4.1%) is well below the state average of 13.3%. The Hispanic or Latino population (8.9%) is well below the state average of 18.8%.
Education
64.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Wheaton in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 70% 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 96.2%. Notably, 28.1% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Wheaton, 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 Wheaton, Illinois?
Wheaton, Illinois has a population of 53,557 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Wheaton, IL?
The median household income in Wheaton is $120,008, which is 49% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Wheaton, IL?
The poverty rate in Wheaton is 5.6%. This means approximately 2,785 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Wheaton, Illinois?
Wheaton's population is 76.3% White, 4.1% Black, 8.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 5.8% Asian.
What is the median home value in Wheaton, IL?
The median home value in Wheaton is $455,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.8x.
How educated is Wheaton, Illinois?
64.5% of adults (25+) in Wheaton hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 28.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.