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CITY

Chicago Heights

Illinois · 26,508 residents (2025 est.) · 10.283 sq mi
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Notable rankings
#182Fastest shrinkingof 6,642-9.2%
The short version

Chicago Heights has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $54,798. Population has fallen 18% since 2000, a loss of 6,040 residents. 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 $161,000. The poverty rate of 26.9% is well above the national figure. Households here earn about 34% less than the Illinois median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Younger
median age 35.2
US median: 38.9
Less educated
21% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
More affordable
home values down 6%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
26,736
−18%since 2000
from 32,776 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
2,600 / sq mi
−18%since 2000
from 3,187 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
35.2
+15%since 2000
from 30.6 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:26,508 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
26K28K30K32K34K1990201020202024Chicago Heights
202427K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$54,798
−19%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $36,958 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$26,891
+80%since 2000
from $14,963 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
38.2%
+17.3 ptssince 2009
from 20.9% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
26.9%
+9.4 ptssince 2000
from 17.5% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.488
+11%since 2010
from 0.442 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Information13.8%
US avg: 10.8%
Retail trade13.2%
US avg: 9.9%
Finance & insurance12.9%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical12.1%
US avg: 5.1%
Other services4.6%
US avg: 6.7%
Wholesale trade4.2%
US avg: 6.9%
Public administration3.2%
US avg: 4.8%
Transportation & warehousing1.8%
US avg: 2.2%
Education & health services0.8%
US avg: 0.9%
Arts, entertainment, food0.6%
US avg: 1.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.1%
US avg: 1.6%
Manufacturing0.1%
US avg: 0.4%
Construction0%
US avg: 1.2%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$161,000
−6%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $94,000 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,038
+1%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $566 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
63.4%
+0.5 ptssince 2000
from 62.8% in 2000
36.6% rent
Vacancy rate
13.1%
−1.0 ptssince 2009
from 14.0% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
32.9%
−5.2 ptssince 2009
from 38.0% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
41.7%
−19.2 ptssince 2009
from 60.9% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
2.9
+16%since 2000
from 2.5 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
37
RELATED:See current rent listings in Chicago Heights on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic36.8%(12,062)
Black37.5%(12,305)
Hispanic / Latino23.8%(7,790)
Asian0.4%(138)
Other0%
Diversity Score82.1%(26,922)
2024
White, non-Hispanic21.4%(5,728)
Black40.3%(10,765)
Hispanic / Latino35.5%(9,481)
Asian0.3%(87)
Other2.5%(675)
Diversity Score83.2%(22,244)
Diversity Score
83
+1%since 2000
from 82 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
20.9%
+8.5 ptssince 2000
from 12.3% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
84.8%
+13.1 ptssince 2000
from 71.7% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
6.3%
+2.3 ptssince 2000
from 4.0% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
30.1 min
+56%since 2000
from 19.3 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
72.5%
−4.7 ptssince 2009
from 77.3% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
11.3%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 11.5% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
4.7%
−2.2 ptssince 2009
from 6.9% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
6.7%
+6.1 ptssince 2009
from 0.6% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
0.5%
−0.9 ptssince 2009
from 1.3% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.4%
−0.7 ptssince 2009
from 1.1% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
9.9%
−1.7 ptssince 2009
from 11.7% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
14.6%
−1.5 ptssince 2011
from 16.1% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
60.6%
−0.2 ptssince 2011
from 60.8% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
14.0%
−0.9 ptssince 2009
from 14.9% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
24.7%
−33.3 ptssince 2009
from 58.0% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
48.3%
+0.6 ptssince 2009
from 47.7% in 2009
Female
51.7%
−0.6 ptssince 2009
from 52.3% in 2009
Foreign born
14.7%
+1.8 ptssince 2009
from 12.9% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
4.9%
−41.6 ptssince 2009
from 46.5% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
13.7%
+2.6 ptssince 2012
from 11.1% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
11.8%
−67.5 ptssince 2013
from 79.3% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
87.5%
+22.4 ptssince 2017
from 65.1% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
68.8%
−4.0 ptssince 2016
from 72.9% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
26.9%
+1.6 ptssince 2016
from 25.3% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Chicago Heights

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Head to head

Compare Chicago Heights to nearby cities

CHICAGO HEIGHTS VS
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Income$77,391+41%
Home value$198,100+23%
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CHICAGO HEIGHTS VS
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Home value$156,700−3%
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CHICAGO HEIGHTS VS
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Income$133,663+144%
Home value$344,800+114%
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CHICAGO HEIGHTS VS
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Income$61,072+11%
Home value$115,300−28%
Population21,079−20%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Chicago Heights, Illinois?

Chicago Heights, Illinois has about 26,736 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Chicago Heights, Illinois?

The typical household in Chicago Heights, Illinois earns about $54,798 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Chicago Heights, Illinois expensive?

In Chicago Heights, Illinois, the median home is worth about $161,000, and the typical rent is about $1,038 a month.

How educated are people in Chicago Heights, Illinois?

About 20.9% of adults age 25 and over in Chicago Heights, Illinois hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Chicago Heights, Illinois?

About 26.9% of people in Chicago Heights, Illinois live below the federal poverty line.

Has Chicago Heights, Illinois grown since 1990?

Yes, Chicago Heights, Illinois has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 6,336 residents, a change of about -19 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 →