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CITY · 2010 ACS

Chester

Illinois · 8,586 residents · 5.772 sq mi
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The short version

Chester has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $45,168. The city has grown rapidly, with population up 66% since 2000. 6% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 28%. Median home value is $71,600.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $52,703
Mid-age
median age 37.2
US median: 37.2
Less educated
6% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 28%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $225,659
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
8,586
+66%since 2000
from 5,185 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,488 / sq mi
+66%since 2000
from 898 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 261
Median age
37.2
−6%since 2000
from 39.7 in 2000
US average: 37.2
Population, 1990 – 2024
5K6K7K8K9K1990201020202024Chester
20247K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$45,168
−9%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $39,079 in 2000
US average: $52,703
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$12,278
−45%since 2000
from $22,190 in 2000
US average: $27,286
Households earning $100K+
22.7%
+0.4 ptssince 2009
from 22.3% in 2009
US average: 33.3%
Poverty rate
14.7%
+5.0 ptssince 2000
from 9.7% in 2000
US average: 13.8%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.386
US average: 0.461
Workforce by industry, 2010
Retail trade17.2%
US avg: 10.9%
Finance & insurance9.3%
US avg: 5.1%
Professional, scientific, technical8.2%
US avg: 4.2%
Information7.8%
US avg: 11.5%
Other services5.9%
US avg: 7%
Public administration5.9%
US avg: 4.9%
Wholesale trade5.3%
US avg: 7.2%
Transportation & warehousing3%
US avg: 3.1%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing2.4%
US avg: 1.9%
Manufacturing1.3%
US avg: 0.5%
Education & health services1.1%
US avg: 0.9%
Construction1%
US avg: 1.4%
Arts, entertainment, food0.4%
US avg: 2.4%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$71,600
−4%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $59,200 in 2000
US average: $225,659
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$512
+4%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $389 in 2000
US average: $853
Owner-occupied
39.6%
−35.1 ptssince 2000
from 74.7% in 2000
32.2% rent
Vacancy rate
11.4%
−4.9 ptssince 2009
from 16.3% in 2009
US average: 12.1%
Owner cost-burdened
9.8%
−2.3 ptssince 2009
from 12.0% in 2009
US average: 30.9%
Renter cost-burdened
25.4%
+6.0 ptssince 2009
from 19.5% in 2009
US average: 46.8%
Afford Score
1.6
+5%since 2000
from 1.5 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Chester on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic94.4%(4,896)
Black3.6%(185)
Hispanic / Latino0.8%(39)
Asian0.2%(11)
Other0%
Diversity Score11%(571)
2010
White, non-Hispanic65%(5,584)
Black27.8%(2,388)
Hispanic / Latino6.1%(521)
Asian0.3%(26)
Other0.7%(62)
Diversity Score61.9%(5,316)
Diversity Score
62
+462%since 2000
from 11 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
5.7%
−5.5 ptssince 2000
from 11.2% in 2000
US average: 27.9%
High school or higher
59.9%
−12.6 ptssince 2000
from 72.5% in 2000
US average: 84.9%
Graduate degree
1.7%
−1.8 ptssince 2000
from 3.5% in 2000
US average: 10.2%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
15.1 min
+20%since 2000
from 12.6 min in 2000
US average: 25.2
Drive alone to work
86.7%
+0.2 ptssince 2009
from 86.5% in 2009
US average: 76.2%
Carpooled to work
7.0%
−0.7 ptssince 2009
from 7.7% in 2009
US average: 10.4%
Public transit
1.7%
−1.0 ptssince 2009
from 2.7% in 2009
US average: 4.7%
Worked from home
1.0%
+0.3 ptssince 2009
from 0.6% in 2009
US average: 4.1%
Walked to work
3.6%
+1.2 ptssince 2009
from 2.5% in 2009
US average: 2.8%
Biked to work
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 0.5%
No vehicle available
8.6%
+0.4 ptssince 2009
from 8.2% in 2009
US average: 8.7%
Section 07

Work & employment

Self-employed
17.9%
−3.4 ptssince 2009
from 21.3% in 2009
US average: 12.9%
Management & professional
21.8%
−34.6 ptssince 2009
from 56.3% in 2009
US average: 35.2%
Section 08

People & community

Male
76.4%
+0.2 ptssince 2009
from 76.1% in 2009
Female
23.6%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 23.9% in 2009
Foreign born
3.3%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 3.3% in 2009
US average: 12.8%
Veterans
6.4%
−72.2 ptssince 2009
from 78.5% in 2009
US average: 9.9%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Chester

Ormond-by-the-Sea
Pop 7,146
Lauderdale-by-the-Sea
Pop 6,280
Islamorada
Pop 6,955
Millsboro
Pop 7,890
Places similar to Chester
Head to head

Compare Chester to nearby cities

CHESTER VS
Perryville
Income$51,897+15%
Home value$179,700+151%
Population8,593+26%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
CHESTER VS
Waterloo
Income$98,711+119%
Home value$249,500+248%
Population11,132+63%
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CHESTER VS
Farmington
Income$53,729+19%
Home value$196,500+174%
Population19,226+181%
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CHESTER VS
Carbondale
Income$32,128−29%
Home value$127,900+79%
Population21,811+219%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Chester, Illinois?

Chester, Illinois has about 8,586 residents according to the 2010 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Chester, Illinois?

The typical household in Chester, Illinois earns about $45,168 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Chester, Illinois expensive?

In Chester, Illinois, the median home is worth about $71,600, and the typical rent is about $512 a month.

How educated are people in Chester, Illinois?

About 5.7% of adults age 25 and over in Chester, Illinois hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Chester, Illinois?

About 14.7% of people in Chester, Illinois live below the federal poverty line.

Has Chester, Illinois grown since 1990?

Yes, Chester, Illinois has grown since 1990. The population has added about 392 residents, a change of about 5 percent over that period.

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

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