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CITY

Ford Heights

Illinois · 1,751 residents (2025 est.) · 1.946 sq mi
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The short version

Ford Heights has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $36,053. Population has fallen 61% since 2000, a loss of 2,125 residents. 10% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 36%. Median home value is $66,300. With a median age of 52.4, the population is older than the US median of 38.9. Households here earn about 57% less than the Illinois median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 52.4
US median: 38.9
Less educated
10% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
More affordable
home values down 22%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
1,331
−61%since 2000
from 3,456 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
684 / sq mi
−61%since 2000
from 1,776 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
52.4
+151%since 2000
from 20.9 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:1,751 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
1K2K3K4K5K1990201020202024Ford Heights
20241K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$36,053
+13%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $17,500 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$19,071
+113%since 2000
from $8,938 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
15.5%
+3.0 ptssince 2009
from 12.5% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
26.6%
−22.5 ptssince 2000
from 49.0% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.434
−18%since 2010
from 0.533 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Information10.5%
US avg: 10.8%
Finance & insurance7.9%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical7.9%
US avg: 5.1%
Retail trade7.5%
US avg: 9.9%
Wholesale trade4.2%
US avg: 6.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction0%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
Transportation & warehousing0%
US avg: 2.2%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.9%
Arts, entertainment, food0%
US avg: 1.9%
Other services0%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration0%
US avg: 4.8%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$66,300
−22%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $46,900 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,056
+25%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $465 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
51.2%
+18.9 ptssince 2000
from 32.3% in 2000
48.8% rent
Vacancy rate
31.1%
+17.8 ptssince 2009
from 13.3% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
27.8%
+2.0 ptssince 2009
from 25.8% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
64.2%
+6.7 ptssince 2009
from 57.5% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
1.8
−31%since 2000
from 2.7 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
40
RELATED:See current rent listings in Ford Heights on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic1.4%(47)
Black95.4%(3,296)
Hispanic / Latino2.5%(87)
Asian0.1%(3)
Other0%
Diversity Score9.7%(334)
2024
White, non-Hispanic3.6%(48)
Black95.3%(1,269)
Hispanic / Latino0%(0)
Asian1.1%(14)
Other0%(0)
Diversity Score11.2%(149)
Diversity Score
11
+16%since 2000
from 10 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
9.6%
+5.3 ptssince 2000
from 4.3% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
85.4%
+15.9 ptssince 2000
from 69.5% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
2.3%
+1.2 ptssince 2000
from 1.1% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
32.4 min
+82%since 2000
from 17.8 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
74.0%
−1.1 ptssince 2009
from 75.1% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
14.3%
+2.8 ptssince 2009
from 11.5% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
11.7%
+6.6 ptssince 2009
from 5.1% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
0.0%
−6.0 ptssince 2009
from 6.0% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
0.0%
−0.9 ptssince 2009
from 0.9% 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
29.0%
+5.2 ptssince 2009
from 23.8% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
13.9%
−19.9 ptssince 2011
from 33.8% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
42.2%
−8.4 ptssince 2011
from 50.6% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
37.8%
+24.4 ptssince 2009
from 13.3% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
25.2%
−34.7 ptssince 2009
from 59.9% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
43.4%
−2.0 ptssince 2009
from 45.4% in 2009
Female
56.6%
+2.0 ptssince 2009
from 54.6% in 2009
Foreign born
1.1%
+0.6 ptssince 2009
from 0.4% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
5.7%
−42.0 ptssince 2009
from 47.7% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
33.1%
+18.1 ptssince 2012
from 15.0% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
8.9%
−64.9 ptssince 2013
from 73.8% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
76.7%
+22.3 ptssince 2017
from 54.4% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
98.9%
+0.7 ptssince 2016
from 98.2% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
0.0%
−0.5 ptssince 2016
from 0.5% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
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FORD HEIGHTS VS
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FORD HEIGHTS VS
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FORD HEIGHTS VS
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Population26,508+1414%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Ford Heights, Illinois?

Ford Heights, Illinois has about 1,331 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Ford Heights, Illinois earns about $36,053 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Ford Heights, Illinois expensive?

In Ford Heights, Illinois, the median home is worth about $66,300, and the typical rent is about $1,056 a month.

How educated are people in Ford Heights, Illinois?

About 9.6% of adults age 25 and over in Ford Heights, Illinois hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Ford Heights, Illinois?

About 26.6% of people in Ford Heights, Illinois live below the federal poverty line.

Has Ford Heights, Illinois grown since 1990?

Yes, Ford Heights, Illinois has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 2,928 residents, a change of about -69 percent over that period.

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

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