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CITY

Blue Island

Illinois · 21,805 residents (2025 est.) · 4.071 sq mi
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The short version

Blue Island has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $59,489. Population has declined 7% since 2000. 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 36%. Median home value has risen by half since 2000, reaching $178,700. Households here earn about 29% less than the Illinois median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Mid-age
median age 38.1
US median: 38.9
Less educated
21% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
21,741
−7%since 2000
from 23,463 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
5,340 / sq mi
−7%since 2000
from 5,763 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
38.1
+25%since 2000
from 30.4 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:21,805 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
21K22K22K23K24K1990201020202024Blue Island
202422K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$59,489
−11%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $36,520 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$28,709
+78%since 2000
from $16,156 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
36.9%
+15.8 ptssince 2009
from 21.2% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
17.1%
+3.8 ptssince 2000
from 13.3% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.456
+20%since 2010
from 0.380 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Retail trade13.6%
US avg: 9.9%
Information12.7%
US avg: 10.8%
Finance & insurance8.7%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical8.7%
US avg: 5.1%
Wholesale trade8.7%
US avg: 6.9%
Other services3.7%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration3.2%
US avg: 4.8%
Arts, entertainment, food1.3%
US avg: 1.9%
Transportation & warehousing0.9%
US avg: 2.2%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.2%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction0.2%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.9%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$178,700
−4%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $102,200 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,072
+2%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $578 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
51.8%
−2.5 ptssince 2000
from 54.3% in 2000
48.2% rent
Vacancy rate
5.9%
−5.0 ptssince 2009
from 10.9% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
23.1%
−18.1 ptssince 2009
from 41.1% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
47.9%
+7.2 ptssince 2009
from 40.6% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
3.0
+7%since 2000
from 2.8 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
38
RELATED:See current rent listings in Blue Island on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic36.2%(8,498)
Black23.9%(5,599)
Hispanic / Latino37.9%(8,899)
Asian0.3%(78)
Other0%
Diversity Score82.1%(19,261)
2024
White, non-Hispanic18%(3,909)
Black30.7%(6,681)
Hispanic / Latino47.5%(10,326)
Asian0.6%(136)
Other3.2%(689)
Diversity Score80.8%(17,573)
Diversity Score
81
−2%since 2000
from 82 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
20.7%
+8.9 ptssince 2000
from 11.7% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
80.7%
+14.8 ptssince 2000
from 66.0% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
7.4%
+4.0 ptssince 2000
from 3.5% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
29.0 min
+17%since 2000
from 24.8 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
68.6%
−0.3 ptssince 2009
from 68.8% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
11.9%
−0.7 ptssince 2009
from 12.7% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
7.5%
−4.3 ptssince 2009
from 11.8% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
8.2%
+6.7 ptssince 2009
from 1.6% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
1.2%
−3.0 ptssince 2009
from 4.3% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.7%
+0.7 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
16.8%
+6.8 ptssince 2009
from 10.1% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
15.5%
+0.4 ptssince 2011
from 15.1% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
63.9%
−2.9 ptssince 2011
from 66.8% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
8.6%
−0.4 ptssince 2009
from 9.0% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
25.0%
−32.9 ptssince 2009
from 57.9% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
50.8%
+0.2 ptssince 2009
from 50.6% in 2009
Female
49.2%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 49.4% in 2009
Foreign born
22.0%
+1.8 ptssince 2009
from 20.2% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
3.9%
−43.6 ptssince 2009
from 47.5% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
14.4%
+3.1 ptssince 2012
from 11.3% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
13.3%
−66.4 ptssince 2013
from 79.7% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
89.6%
+31.8 ptssince 2017
from 57.8% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
60.7%
+1.4 ptssince 2016
from 59.3% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
37.2%
−1.2 ptssince 2016
from 38.5% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

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Compare Blue Island to nearby cities

BLUE ISLAND VS
Riverdale
Income$39,833−33%
Home value$113,800−36%
Population10,280−53%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
BLUE ISLAND VS
Alsip
Income$66,585+12%
Home value$225,000+26%
Population18,483−15%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
BLUE ISLAND VS
Midlothian
Income$70,000+18%
Home value$207,000+16%
Population13,841−37%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
BLUE ISLAND VS
Crestwood
Income$75,752+27%
Home value$195,200+9%
Population10,529−52%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Blue Island, Illinois?

Blue Island, Illinois has about 21,741 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Blue Island, Illinois?

The typical household in Blue Island, Illinois earns about $59,489 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Blue Island, Illinois expensive?

In Blue Island, Illinois, the median home is worth about $178,700, and the typical rent is about $1,072 a month.

How educated are people in Blue Island, Illinois?

About 20.7% of adults age 25 and over in Blue Island, Illinois hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Blue Island, Illinois?

About 17.1% of people in Blue Island, Illinois live below the federal poverty line.

Has Blue Island, Illinois grown since 1990?

Yes, Blue Island, Illinois has grown since 1990. The population has added about 538 residents, a change of about 3 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

How we source and harmonize this data →