CITY · INCORPORATED 1837 · 2000 CENSUS

Chicago

Illinois · 2,896,016 residents · 227.748 sq mi

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The short version

Chicago has roughly average household income, with a median household income of $38,625. Population has held roughly steady since 1990. Median home value has more than doubled since 1990, reaching $144,300.

At a glance

Lower income

below the US median

US median: $42,589

Younger

median age 31.5

US median: 35.2

Average education

25% hold a bachelor's degree

US average: 24%

Less affordable

home values up 41%, inflation adjusted

US median home: $120,530

Section 01

Population & growth

Total population

2,896,016

+4%since 1990

from 2,783,726 in 1990

1990 – 2025

Population density

12,716 / sq mi

+4%since 1990

from 12,223 / sq mi in 1990

US average: 242

Median age

31.5

Unchangedsince 1990

from 31.5 in 1990

US average: 35.2

Population, 1990 – 2024

20242.7M

Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income

$38,625

+11%inflation adjusted, since 1990

from $26,301 in 1990

US average: $42,589

1990 – 2024

Per capita income

$20,175

+56%since 1990

from $12,899 in 1990

US average: $21,522

Poverty rate

19.6%

−2.0 ptssince 1990

from 21.6% in 1990

US average: 12.4%

Section 03

Housing

Median home value

$144,300

+41%inflation adjusted, since 1990

from $77,600 in 1990

US average: $120,530

1990 – 2024

Median gross rent

$616

+5%inflation adjusted, since 1990

from $445 in 1990

US average: $602

Owner-occupied

43.8%

+2.3 ptssince 1990

from 41.5% in 1990

56.2% rent

Afford Score

3.7

+27%since 1990

from 3.0 in 1990

1990 – 2024

RELATED:See current rent listings in Chicago on RentDataNow

Section 04

Race & ethnicity

1990

White, non-Hispanic45.5%(1,265,953)

Black39%(1,086,389)

Hispanic / Latino19.2%(535,315)

Asian3.7%(104,141)

Diversity Score88.8%(2,472,855)

2000

White, non-Hispanic31.3%(907,166)

Black36.4%(1,053,739)

Hispanic / Latino26%(753,644)

Asian4.3%(124,437)

Diversity Score86%(2,489,626)

Diversity Score

−3%since 1990

from 89 in 1990

1990 – 2024

Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher

25.5%

+6.0 ptssince 1990

from 19.5% in 1990

US average: 24.4%

High school or higher

71.8%

+5.8 ptssince 1990

from 66.0% in 1990

US average: 80.3%

Graduate degree

10.0%

+2.5 ptssince 1990

from 7.5% in 1990

US average: 8.8%

Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute

25.6 min

−11%since 1990

from 28.9 min in 1990

US average: 17.6

Section 07

Work & employment

No data for the years selected.

Section 08

People & community

No data for the years selected.

Explore

Neighborhoods in Chicago

Albany Park Andersonville Archer Heights Ashburn Avondale Back of the Yards Belmont Central Belmont Gardens Belmont Heights Beverly Brainerd Bridgeport Brighton Park Bronzeville Bucktown Budlong Woods Buena Park Burnside Calumet Heights Chatham Chicago Lawn Clearing (W)Cragin Douglas Park Dunning East Beverly East Chatham East Garfield Park East Hyde Park East Side East Ukrainian Edgewater Edgewater Beach Edison Park Englewood Fernwood Fifth City Fuller Park Gage Park Galewood Garfield Ridge Gold Coast Goose Island Graceland West Grand Crossing Gresham Heart of Chicago Hegewisch Hermosa Humboldt Park Hyde Park Ida B. Wells - Darrow Homes Illinois Medical District Irving Park Jefferson Park Kelvin Park Kenwood Kilbourn Park Lake Calumet Lake View Lake View East Lincoln Park Little Logan Square Longwood Manor Marquette Park Mayfair McKinley Park Montclare Morgan Park Mount Greenwood Near North Near West Side Noble Square North Austin North Center North Kenwood Norwood Park East O'Hare O'Hare International Airport Oakland Old Old Irving Park Old Town Triangle Palmer Square Park Manor Park West Pilsen Portage Park Prairie Shores Ravenswood River North Rogers Park Roscoe Roseland Rosemoor Scottsdale Sheffield Neighbors South Austin South Chicago South Loop South Shore Streeterville The Bush The Loop Tri-Taylor Ukrainian University Village - Little Italy Uptown Washington Heights Washington Park West West Beverly West Chatham West Chesterfield West Elsdon West Englewood West Garfield Park West Humboldt Park West Lawn West Loop Gate West Pullman West Rogers Park West Woodlawn Wicker Park Woodlawn Wrightwood Wrightwood Neighbors Wrigleyville

Drill deeper

Places similar to Chicago

Head to head

Compare Chicago to nearby cities

CHICAGO VS

Cicero

Income$70,842+83%

Home value$249,400+73%

Population81,858−97%

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CHICAGO VS

Berwyn

Income$78,408+103%

Home value$299,800+108%

Population55,001−98%

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CHICAGO VS

Oak Park

Income$110,820+187%

Home value$465,500+223%

Population52,823−98%

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CHICAGO VS

Riverside

Income$153,686+298%

Home value$491,400+241%

Population8,939−100%

SEE FULL COMPARISON →

Frequently asked

How many people live in Chicago, Illinois?

Chicago, Illinois has about 2,896,016 residents according to the 2000 Census.

What is the median household income in Chicago, Illinois?

The typical household in Chicago, Illinois earns about $38,625 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Chicago, Illinois expensive?

In Chicago, Illinois, the median home is worth about $144,300, and the typical rent is about $616 a month.

How educated are people in Chicago, Illinois?

About 25.5% of adults age 25 and over in Chicago, Illinois hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Chicago, Illinois?

About 19.6% of people in Chicago, Illinois live below the federal poverty line.

Has Chicago, Illinois grown since 1990?

Yes, Chicago, Illinois has grown since 1990. The population has added about 112,290 residents, a change of about 4 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 →