Wheeling, Illinois Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Wheeling, Illinois had a total population of 38,433, the 47th largest village in Illinois, with a median household income of $85,205, which is 2% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 10.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Wheeling Quick Facts
How Wheeling 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 | 38,495 | 38,433 | -0.2% |
| Median household income | $83,251 | $85,205 | +2.3% |
| Median home value | $244,600 | $266,200 | +8.8% |
How Wheeling 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 diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 61 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Wheeling 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 Wheeling
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carpentersville | 37,346 | $86,917 | $234,100 | 24.3% | 10.3% |
| Hanover Park | 36,732 | $91,763 | $274,200 | 28.9% | 12.5% |
| Streamwood | 39,001 | $101,218 | $271,200 | 27.8% | 10.2% |
| Addison | 35,489 | $90,431 | $341,300 | 23.7% | 8.7% |
| Carol Stream | 39,460 | $102,309 | $335,000 | 42.8% | 6.4% |
Population Overview
Wheeling is a mid-sized community located in Illinois, within Cook County. The total population is 38,433. It ranks as the 47th most populous out of 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois.
Age Demographics
The median age in Wheeling is 39.9 years. This is 2% higher than the state median of 39.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Wheeling is $85,205. This is 2% higher than the state median of $83,390. It is also 6% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 10.0%. This is 15% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.8%. The unemployment rate is 4.8%. This is 18% lower than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $266,200. Housing costs are 1% higher than the state median of $263,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.1x. 62.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 7% lower than the state average of 67.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Wheeling is White (non-Hispanic), making up 49.1% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 28.1%. The Black or African American population (3.8%) is well below the state average of 13.3%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (15.3% vs 5.9%).
Education
40.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 8% 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 87.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Wheeling, 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 Wheeling, Illinois?
Wheeling, Illinois has a population of 38,433 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Wheeling, IL?
The median household income in Wheeling is $85,205, which is 6% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Wheeling, IL?
The poverty rate in Wheeling is 10.0%. This means approximately 3,781 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Wheeling, Illinois?
Wheeling's population is 49.1% White, 3.8% Black, 28.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 15.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in Wheeling, IL?
The median home value in Wheeling is $266,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.1x.
How educated is Wheeling, Illinois?
40.8% of adults (25+) in Wheeling hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 13.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.