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CITY · 2020 ACS

Chester

Illinois · 6,814 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 $51,830. Population has grown 31% since 2000. 8% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 33%. Median home value has risen by half since 2000, reaching $96,800.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Mid-age
median age 40.0
US median: 38.8
Less educated
8% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
6,814
+31%since 2000
from 5,185 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,181 / sq mi
+31%since 2000
from 898 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
40.0
+1%since 2000
from 39.7 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
5K6K7K8K9K1990201020202024Chester
20247K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$51,830
−12%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $39,079 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$18,069
−19%since 2000
from $22,190 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
35.3%
+13.0 ptssince 2009
from 22.3% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
18.2%
+8.5 ptssince 2000
from 9.7% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Retail trade16.9%
US avg: 10%
Information7.6%
US avg: 11.1%
Finance & insurance6.6%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical6%
US avg: 4.7%
Wholesale trade2.1%
US avg: 6.7%
Other services1.4%
US avg: 6.6%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.8%
US avg: 1.7%
Manufacturing0.8%
US avg: 0.5%
Transportation & warehousing0.8%
US avg: 2.5%
Education & health services0.6%
US avg: 0.8%
Public administration0.6%
US avg: 4.7%
Arts, entertainment, food0.4%
US avg: 2%
Construction0%
US avg: 1.2%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$96,800
+9%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $59,200 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$609
+4%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $389 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
69.2%
−5.5 ptssince 2000
from 74.7% in 2000
30.8% rent
Afford Score
1.9
+23%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)
2020
White, non-Hispanic67.1%(4,572)
Black22.9%(1,563)
Hispanic / Latino7.5%(511)
Asian0.2%(16)
Other1.5%(104)
Diversity Score60.5%(4,123)
Diversity Score
61
+449%since 2000
from 11 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
8.3%
−2.9 ptssince 2000
from 11.2% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
70.3%
−2.2 ptssince 2000
from 72.5% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
3.0%
−0.6 ptssince 2000
from 3.5% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
16.0 min
+27%since 2000
from 12.6 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
86.3%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 86.5% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
10.0%
+1.8 ptssince 2009
from 8.2% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
3.6%
−4.7 ptssince 2011
from 8.3% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
31.3%
−3.3 ptssince 2011
from 34.6% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
19.8%
−36.5 ptssince 2009
from 56.3% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
69.4%
−6.7 ptssince 2009
from 76.1% in 2009
Female
30.6%
+6.7 ptssince 2009
from 23.9% in 2009
Foreign born
2.1%
−1.2 ptssince 2009
from 3.3% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
4.0%
−87.8 ptssince 2013
from 91.8% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Chester

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Pop 7,146
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Pop 6,280
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Pop 7,890
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Head to head

Compare Chester to nearby cities

CHESTER VS
Perryville
Income$51,897same
Home value$179,700+86%
Population8,593+26%
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CHESTER VS
Waterloo
Income$98,711+90%
Home value$249,500+158%
Population11,132+63%
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CHESTER VS
Farmington
Income$53,729+4%
Home value$196,500+103%
Population19,226+181%
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CHESTER VS
Carbondale
Income$32,128−38%
Home value$127,900+32%
Population21,811+219%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Chester, Illinois?

Chester, Illinois has about 6,814 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Chester, Illinois?

The typical household in Chester, Illinois earns about $51,830 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 $96,800, and the typical rent is about $609 a month.

How educated are people in Chester, Illinois?

About 8.3% 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 18.2% of people in Chester, Illinois live below the federal poverty line.

Has Chester, Illinois grown since 1990?

Yes, Chester, Illinois has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 1,380 residents, a change of about -17 percent over that period.

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

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