Chicago, IL

Census Place

Add Comparison

2021 Population

2.74M

1.58% 1-year growth

US Senator

Dick Durbin

Democratic Party

US Senator

Tammy Duckworth

Democratic Party

2021 Median Age

35.1

0.862% 1-year increase

2021 Poverty Rate

17.1%

1.44% 1-year decrease

2021 Median Household Income

$65,781

5.93% 1-year growth

2021 Median Property Value

$277,600

3.74% 1-year growth

2021 Employed Population

1.38M

1.45% 1-year growth

About

In 2021, Chicago, IL had a population of 2.74M people with a median age of 35.1 and a median household income of $65,781. Between 2020 and 2021 the population of Chicago, IL grew from 2.7M to 2.74M, a 1.58% increase and its median household income grew from $62,097 to $65,781, a 5.93% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Chicago, IL are White (Non-Hispanic) (33.1%), Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (28.8%), White (Hispanic) (12.2%), Other (Hispanic) (10.3%), and Asian (Non-Hispanic) (6.75%).

None of the households in Chicago, IL reported speaking a non-English language at home as their primary shared language. This does not consider the potential multi-lingual nature of households, but only the primary self-reported language spoken by all members of the household.

89.4% of the residents in Chicago, IL are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Chicago, IL are University of Illinois Chicago (8,910 degrees awarded in 2021), University of Chicago (6,805 degrees), and DePaul University (6,382 degrees).

In 2021, the median property value in Chicago, IL was $277,600, and the homeownership rate was 45.6%.

Most people in Chicago, IL drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 34.4 minutes. The average car ownership in Chicago, IL was 1 car per household.

Photo by Sergey Gabdurakhmanov

United States Illinois Cook County, IL DuPage County, IL Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI

Population & Diversity

Chicago, IL is home to a population of 2.74M people, from which 89.4% are citizens. As of 2021, 20.2% of Chicago, IL residents were born outside of the country (553k people).

In 2021, there were 1.15 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (907k people) in Chicago, IL than any other race or ethnicity. There were 789k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) and 335k White (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

89.4%

2021 Citizenship

89.3%

2020 Citizenship

As of 2021, 89.4% of Chicago, IL residents were US citizens, which is lower than the national average of 93.4%. In 2020, the percentage of US citizens in Chicago, IL was 89.3%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been increasing.

The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in Chicago, IL compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Chicago, IL

White (Non-Hispanic)
907k ± 5.85k
Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
789k ± 5.74k
White (Hispanic)
335k ± 7.57k

28.7%

Hispanic Population

788k people

28.7% of the people in Chicago, IL are hispanic (788k people).

The following chart shows the 7 races represented in Chicago, IL as a share of the total population.

Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the Place level, so we are showing data for Illinois.

Most Common Origin

Mexico
630,004 ± 19,002 people
India
162,094 ± 9,822 people
Poland
126,931 ± 8,704 people

In 2021, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Illinois was Mexico, the natal country of 630,004 Illinois residents, followed by India with 162,094 and Poland with 126,931.

Foreign-Born Population

20.2%

2021 Foreign-Born Population

553k people

20.3%

2020 Foreign-Born Population

547k people

As of 2021, 20.2% of Chicago, IL residents (553k people) were born outside of the United States, which is higher than the national average of 13.6%. In 2020, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Chicago, IL was 20.3%, meaning that the rate has been decreasing.

The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in Chicago, IL compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
21,129 ± 928
Gulf War (2001-)
13,965 ± 1,181
Gulf War (1990s)
8,280 ± 753

Chicago, IL has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 1.51 times greater than any other conflict.

Economy

The economy of Chicago, IL employs 1.38M people. The largest industries in Chicago, IL are Health Care & Social Assistance (192,358 people), Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services (172,649 people), and Educational Services (136,297 people), and the highest paying industries are Utilities ($87,655), Finance & Insurance ($83,190), and Public Administration ($81,381).

Males in Illinois have an average income that is 1.34 times higher than the average income of females, which is $61,278. The income inequality in Illinois (measured using the Gini index) is 0.478, which is higher than than the national average.

Employment

Occupations

1.38M

2021 Value

± 10,048

1.45%

1 Year growth

± 1.02%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in Chicago, IL grew at a rate of 1.45%, from 1.36M employees to 1.38M employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Chicago, IL, are Management Occupations (156,505 people), Office & Administrative Support Occupations (140,262 people), and Sales & Related Occupations (125,799 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Chicago, IL.

Unemployment Insurance Claims

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for false.

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in Illinois (not-seasonally adjusted) compared with the four states with the most similar impact.

The most recent data point uses Advance State Claims data, which can be revised in subsequent weeks.

View Full Dashboard

Industries

Employment by Industries

1.38M

2021 Value

± 10,048

1.45%

1 Year growth

± 1.02%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in Chicago, IL grew at a rate of 1.45%, from 1.36M employees to 1.38M employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Chicago, IL, are Health Care & Social Assistance (192,358 people), Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services (172,649 people), and Educational Services (136,297 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Chicago, IL, though some of these residents may live in Chicago, IL and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Median Earnings by Industry

$51,343

Median earning men ± $602

$41,916

Median earning women ± $518

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2021 are Public Administration ($89,983), Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($88,140), and Information ($73,099).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2021 are Public Administration ($66,839), Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($63,857), and Information ($63,712).

Employment by Industry Sector

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for false.

Y-Axis

2.75%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

As of February 2023, there are 155M people employed in Illinois. This represents a 2.75% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

The following chart shows monthly employment numbers for each industry sector in Illinois.

View Full Dashboard

Domestic Trade

Domestic Production & Consumption

Domestic production and consumption consists of products and services shipped from Illinois to other states, or from other states to Illinois.

Top Domestic Production in Dollars

In 2020, the top outbound Illinois product (by dollars) was Electronics with $134B, followed by Pharmaceuticals ($110B) and Mixed freight ($86.9B).

The following chart shows the share of these products in relation to all outbound Illinois products.

Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for Illinois.

$1T

2020 Value in Illinois

$1.94T

Projected 2050 Value in Illinois

93.1% growth

In 2020, total outbound Illinois trade was $1T. This is expected to increase 93.1% to $1.94T by 2050.

The following chart shows how the domestic outbound Illinois trade is projected to change in comparison to its neighboring states.

Interstate Trade

Interstate trade consists of products and services shipped from Illinois to other states, or from other states to Illinois.

Most Common Trade Partners

Indiana
$79.7B
Wisconsin
$55.8B
Michigan
$41.4B

In 2020, the top outbound Illinois domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was Indiana with $79.7B, followed by Wisconsin with $55.8B and Michigan and $41.4B.

The following map shows the amount of trade that Illinois shares with each state (excluding itself).

Civics

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in Illinois went to Joseph R Biden Jr. with 57.5% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (40.6%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (1.1%).

Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth are the senators currently representing the state of Illinois. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

Illinois is currently represented by 17 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

Presidential Elections

Presidential Popular Vote Over Time

Voting results are not available for Chicago, IL. Showing the available data for Illinois.

2020 Election Results

Joseph R Biden Jr. (57.5%)
Democratic Party
Donald J. Trump (40.6%)
Republican Party
Jo Jorgensen (1.1%)
Libertarian Party

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in Illinois went to Joseph R Biden Jr. with 57.5% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (40.6%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (1.1%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in Illinois for each registered party from 1976 to 2020.

Senator Elections

US Senators from Illinois

Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for Illinois.

Dick Durbin

Senator from Illinois

Assumed office on January 3, 1997

Tammy Duckworth

Senator from Illinois

Assumed office on January 3, 2017

Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth are the senators currently representing Illinois.

In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

The following chart shows elected senators in Illinois over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

US Representative Elections

US Representatives from Illinois

Illinois is currently represented by 17 members in the U.S. house.

Members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms, and the following chart shows the how the members for Illinois have changed over time starting in 2008.

Education

In 2021, universities in Chicago, IL awarded 53,015 degrees. The student population of Chicago, IL in 2021 is skewed towards women, with 74,084 male students and 110,327 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Chicago, IL are White (19,682 and 41.7%), followed by Hispanic or Latino (11,937 and 25.3%), Black or African American (6,621 and 14%), and Asian (5,392 and 11.4%).

The largest universities in Chicago, IL by number of degrees awarded are University of Illinois Chicago (8,910 and 16.8%), University of Chicago (6,805 and 12.8%), and DePaul University (6,382 and 12%).

The most popular majors in Chicago, IL are Liberal Arts & Sciences (3,851 and 7.26%), General Business Administration & Management (1,925 and 3.63%), and Management Science (1,730 and 3.26%).

The median tuition costs in Chicago, IL are $27,670 for private four year colleges, and $10,091 and $20,182 respectively, for public four year colleges for in-state students and out-of-state students.

Admissions & Enrollments

Applicants, Admissions & Enrolled

University

Measure

In 2021 in Chicago, IL, the percentage of applicants admitted was 60.7%, while the percentage of admitted who enrolled was 16.8%. The number of students enrolled in 2021 was 184,411 (40.2% men and 59.8% women).

The line chart shows the evolution of the percentage of applicants admitted, admitted who enrolled or the number of students enrolled according to the option selected in the upper button.

Enrollments by Gender and Races

Universities

In 2021 there were 184,411 students enrolled in Chicago, IL, 40.2% men and 59.8% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 61,926 records, of which 59.2% were women and 40.8% men.

Completions

Concentrations

Most Common

General Psychology
1,395 degree-majors awarded
General Biological Sciences
1,143 degree-majors awarded
Registered Nursing
1,048 degree-majors awarded

In 2021, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in Chicago, IL was General Psychology with 1,395 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Bachelors Degree from schools in Chicago, IL according to their major.

Universities

Gender

Race

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

University of Illinois Chicago
8,910 degrees awarded
University of Chicago
6,805 degrees awarded
DePaul University
6,382 degrees awarded

In 2021, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was University of Illinois Chicago with 8,910 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

University

In 2021, 21,328 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Chicago, IL, which is 0.673 times less than the 31,687 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2021 the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was White students. These 19,682 degrees mean that there were 1.65 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Hispanic or Latino, with 11,937 degrees awarded.

Awarded Degrees over Time

The graph shows the evolution of awarded degrees by degrees. Under the paragraphs, the average number of awarded degrees by university in each degree is shown.

Tuition

Average Net Price by Sector

Universities

Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above ($27,670) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2021.

Public, 4-year or above ($3,350) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2021.

Public, 2-year ($1,920) is the sector with the highest average net price of books and supplies.

The graph shows the average net price by sector and year.

Working Population

Educational Pyramid

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Illinois.

Measure

In 2021, 0.977% of men over 25 years of age had not completed any academic degree (no schooling), while 0.946% of women were in the same situation.

This visualization shows the gender distribution of the population according to the academic level reached.

Educational Attainment

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Illinois.

Race

The most common educational levels obtained by the working population in 2021 were High School or Equivalent (2.61M), Some college (2.19M), and Bachelors Degree (2.07M).

This visualization illustrates the percentage distribution of the population according to the highest educational level reached. You can filter the data by race by using the selector above.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Chicago, IL was $277,600 in 2021, which is 1.13 times larger than the national average of $244,900. Between 2020 and 2021 the median property value increased from $267,600 to $277,600, a 3.74% increase. The homeownership rate in Chicago, IL is 45.6%, which is approximately the same as the national average of 64.6%.

People in Chicago, IL have an average commute time of 34.4 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Chicago, IL is lower than the national average, with an average of 1 car per household.

Median household income in Chicago, IL is $65,781. In 2021, the place with the highest median household income in Chicago, IL was Census Tract 706 with a value of $250,001, followed by Census Tract 704 and Census Tract 710, with respective values of $210,147 and $203,491.

Housing

Property

$277,600

Median Property Value 2021

±$1,951

$507,809

Median Property Taxes

±$5,344

The following chart display owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Chicago, IL the largest share of households pay taxes in the $3k+ range.

The chart underneath the paragraph shows the property taxes in Chicago, IL compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies.

Rent vs Own

45.6%

Homeownership

2021

62.2%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2021

In 2021, 45.6% of the housing units in Chicago, IL were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 45.3%.

This chart shows the percentage of owner in Chicago, IL compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Equity

Income by Location

Use the dropdown to filter by race/ethnicity.

Race/Ethnicity

Highest Median Household Income (Total)

Census Tract 706
Census Tract 704
Census Tract 710

In 2021, the place with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Chicago, IL was Census Tract 706 with a value of $250,001, followed by Census Tract 704 and Census Tract 710, with respective values of $210,147 and $203,491.

The following map shows all of the places in Chicago, IL colored by their Median Household Income (Total).

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.

$65,781

Median Household Income

± $622

1.11M

Number of Households

± 9,206

In 2021, the median household income of the 1.11M households in Chicago, IL grew to $65,781 from the previous year's value of $62,097.

The following chart displays the households in Chicago, IL distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the $75k - $100k range.

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Chicago, IL is from Illinois.

0.478

2021 Wage GINI in Illinois

0.479

2020 Wage GINI in Illinois

In 2021, the income inequality in Illinois was 0.478 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.0522% decline from 2020 to 2021, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for Illinois was higher than than the national average of 0.478. In other words, wages are distributed less evenly in Illinois in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in Illinois across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

Transportation

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2021

Drove Alone (47.4%)
Public Transit (23.4%)
Worked At Home (12.3%)

In 2021, 47.4% of workers in Chicago, IL drove alone to work, followed by those who used public transit to get to work (23.4%) and those who worked at home (12.3%).

The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

Commute Time

34.4 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Chicago, IL have a longer commute time (34.4 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.8 minutes). Additionally, 3.14% of the workforce in Chicago, IL have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in Chicago, IL compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Car Ownership

1 car

Average Number

The following chart displays the households in Chicago, IL distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Chicago, IL have 1 car.

Poverty

Poverty & Diversity

17.1% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Chicago, IL (459k out of 2.69M people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 12.6%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 25 - 34, followed by Females 18 - 24 and then Females 35 - 44.

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Chicago, IL is Black, followed by White and Hispanic.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

Social Needs

Data only available at the state level.

Most prevalent states

California
35,798 individuals
New York
5,087 individuals
Florida
4,915 individuals

In 2017, California had the highest estimated number of chronically homeless individuals in the nation, at 35,798. New York has the second highest (5,087), followed by Florida (4,915).

The following map shows the estimated number of chronically homeless individuals by state over multiple years.

Health

90.2% of the population of Chicago, IL has health coverage, with 49.1% on employee plans, 22.5% on Medicaid, 9.39% on Medicare, 8.62% on non-group plans, and 0.607% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in Cook County, IL see 1046 patients per year on average, which represents a 0.853% decrease from the previous year (1055 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1046 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 314 patients per year.

Coverage

Patient to Clinician Ratios

Data is only available at the country level. Showing data for Cook County, IL.

1,046 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Cook County, IL

Primary care physicians in Cook County, IL see an average of 1,046 patients per year. This represents a 0.853% decrease from the previous year (1,055 patients).

The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in Cook County, IL in comparison to its neighboring geographies.

Health Care Diversity

In 2021, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 21.8% under 18 years, 28.2% between 18 and 34 years, 37.4% between 35 and 64 years, and 12.6% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 47.7% were men and 52.3% were women.

The following chart shows the number of people with health coverage by gender.

Uninsured People

9.77%

Uninsured

49.1%

Employer Coverage

22.5%

Medicaid

9.39%

Medicare

8.62%

Non-Group

0.607%

Military or VA

Between 2020 and 2021, the percent of uninsured citizens in Chicago, IL grew by 2.29% from 9.56% to 9.77%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Chicago, IL changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.