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CITY

Dolton

Illinois · 20,671 residents (2025 est.) · 4.571 sq mi
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Notable rankings
#278Fastest shrinkingof 6,642-7.5%
The short version

Dolton has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $57,887. Population has fallen 19% since 2000, a loss of 4,789 residents. 23% 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 $151,300. The poverty rate of 21.7% is well above the national figure. Households here earn about 31% less than the Illinois median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Mid-age
median age 40.3
US median: 38.9
Less educated
23% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
More affordable
home values down 11%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
20,825
−19%since 2000
from 25,614 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
4,556 / sq mi
−19%since 2000
from 5,604 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
40.3
+21%since 2000
from 33.3 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:20,671 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
20K22K23K25K26K1990201020202024Dolton
202421K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$57,887
−34%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $48,020 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$27,432
+52%since 2000
from $18,102 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
37.2%
+8.7 ptssince 2009
from 28.5% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
21.7%
+13.4 ptssince 2000
from 8.4% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.449
+13%since 2010
from 0.398 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Finance & insurance18.7%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical18.2%
US avg: 5.1%
Information14.3%
US avg: 10.8%
Retail trade7.5%
US avg: 9.9%
Other services5.3%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration3.7%
US avg: 4.8%
Arts, entertainment, food1.2%
US avg: 1.9%
Transportation & warehousing1.1%
US avg: 2.2%
Education & health services0.5%
US avg: 0.9%
Wholesale trade0.2%
US avg: 6.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.1%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction0.1%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$151,300
−11%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $92,900 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,384
+11%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $686 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
72.6%
−9.0 ptssince 2000
from 81.6% in 2000
27.4% rent
Vacancy rate
11.5%
+2.5 ptssince 2009
from 9.0% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
36.8%
−5.0 ptssince 2009
from 41.8% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
68.7%
+21.1 ptssince 2009
from 47.6% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
2.6
+35%since 2000
from 1.9 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
25
RELATED:See current rent listings in Dolton on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic13.2%(3,390)
Black81.9%(20,973)
Hispanic / Latino3.1%(791)
Asian0.6%(144)
Other0%
Diversity Score36.7%(9,404)
2024
White, non-Hispanic5.1%(1,070)
Black89.7%(18,687)
Hispanic / Latino1.9%(386)
Asian0.2%(46)
Other3.1%(636)
Diversity Score23.9%(4,969)
Diversity Score
24
−35%since 2000
from 37 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
22.7%
+7.3 ptssince 2000
from 15.4% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
93.9%
+11.3 ptssince 2000
from 82.6% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
7.2%
+4.0 ptssince 2000
from 3.2% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
30.7 min
−2%since 2000
from 31.4 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
68.1%
−7.6 ptssince 2009
from 75.7% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
8.3%
−1.5 ptssince 2009
from 9.8% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
8.1%
−3.5 ptssince 2009
from 11.6% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
11.0%
+8.9 ptssince 2009
from 2.1% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
2.6%
+2.3 ptssince 2009
from 0.3% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
13.6%
+6.1 ptssince 2009
from 7.5% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
12.8%
−5.4 ptssince 2011
from 18.2% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
57.2%
−9.6 ptssince 2011
from 66.9% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
18.3%
+2.5 ptssince 2009
from 15.8% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
29.6%
−35.4 ptssince 2009
from 65.0% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
49.1%
+3.0 ptssince 2009
from 46.1% in 2009
Female
50.9%
−3.0 ptssince 2009
from 53.9% in 2009
Foreign born
3.4%
+1.1 ptssince 2009
from 2.3% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
4.7%
−39.1 ptssince 2009
from 43.8% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
16.0%
+4.2 ptssince 2012
from 11.8% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
8.6%
−72.5 ptssince 2013
from 81.1% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
91.3%
+20.2 ptssince 2017
from 71.1% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
94.4%
−0.4 ptssince 2016
from 94.8% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
1.3%
−1.9 ptssince 2016
from 3.3% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

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DOLTON VS
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DOLTON VS
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Dolton, Illinois?

Dolton, Illinois has about 20,825 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Dolton, Illinois?

The typical household in Dolton, Illinois earns about $57,887 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Dolton, Illinois expensive?

In Dolton, Illinois, the median home is worth about $151,300, and the typical rent is about $1,384 a month.

How educated are people in Dolton, Illinois?

About 22.7% of adults age 25 and over in Dolton, Illinois hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Dolton, Illinois?

About 21.7% of people in Dolton, Illinois live below the federal poverty line.

Has Dolton, Illinois grown since 1990?

Yes, Dolton, Illinois has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 3,105 residents, a change of about -13 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 →