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CITY · 2020 ACS

Ford Heights

Illinois · 1,813 residents · 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 $37,083. Population has fallen 48% since 2000, a loss of 1,643 residents. 6% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 33%. Median home value is $44,700. The poverty rate of 37.8% is well above the national figure. Households here earn about 46% less than the Illinois median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Younger
median age 35.6
US median: 38.8
Less educated
6% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
More affordable
home values down 37%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
1,813
−48%since 2000
from 3,456 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
932 / sq mi
−48%since 2000
from 1,776 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
35.6
+70%since 2000
from 20.9 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
1K2K3K4K5K1990201020202024Ford Heights
20241K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$37,083
+41%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $17,500 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$17,494
+96%since 2000
from $8,938 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
12.5%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 12.5% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
37.8%
−11.3 ptssince 2000
from 49.0% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Retail trade12.7%
US avg: 10%
Information8.6%
US avg: 11.1%
Finance & insurance5.3%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical5.3%
US avg: 4.7%
Wholesale trade4.1%
US avg: 6.7%
Arts, entertainment, food3.6%
US avg: 2%
Transportation & warehousing0.8%
US avg: 2.5%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction0%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.8%
Other services0%
US avg: 6.6%
Public administration0%
US avg: 4.7%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$44,700
−37%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $46,900 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$849
+21%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $465 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
40.6%
+8.3 ptssince 2000
from 32.3% in 2000
59.4% rent
Afford Score
1.2
−55%since 2000
from 2.7 in 2000
1990 – 2024
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)
2020
White, non-Hispanic2.4%(44)
Black91.1%(1,651)
Hispanic / Latino3.7%(67)
Asian0.2%(4)
Other5.3%(96)
Diversity Score26.1%(474)
Diversity Score
26
+170%since 2000
from 10 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
6.2%
+1.9 ptssince 2000
from 4.3% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
91.9%
+22.4 ptssince 2000
from 69.5% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
2.8%
+1.7 ptssince 2000
from 1.1% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
23.5 min
+32%since 2000
from 17.8 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
56.0%
−19.2 ptssince 2009
from 75.1% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
24.4%
+0.6 ptssince 2009
from 23.8% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
22.6%
−11.2 ptssince 2011
from 33.8% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
51.1%
+0.5 ptssince 2011
from 50.6% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
25.8%
−34.1 ptssince 2009
from 59.9% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
46.8%
+1.3 ptssince 2009
from 45.4% in 2009
Female
53.2%
−1.3 ptssince 2009
from 54.6% in 2009
Foreign born
0.0%
−0.4 ptssince 2009
from 0.4% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
13.6%
−60.2 ptssince 2013
from 73.8% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

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Compare Ford Heights to nearby cities

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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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Home value$161,000+260%
Population26,508+1414%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Ford Heights, Illinois?

Ford Heights, Illinois has about 1,813 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Ford Heights, Illinois earns about $37,083 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 $44,700, and the typical rent is about $849 a month.

How educated are people in Ford Heights, Illinois?

About 6.2% 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 37.8% 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 2,446 residents, a change of about -57 percent over that period.

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

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