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CITY

Palos Heights

Illinois · 12,084 residents (2025 est.) · 3.774 sq mi
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Notable rankings
#230Highest homeownership rateof 6,82393.4%#340Oldest by median ageof 6,82650.2
The short version

Palos Heights is significantly wealthier than the US average, with a median household income of $108,740. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. Median home value has risen by half since 2000, reaching $367,100. With a median age of 50.2, the population is older than the US median of 38.9. Poverty is rare here, at 5.2% of residents. It sits in the top 10% of US cities for household income.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 50.2
US median: 38.9
More educated
44% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
12,152
+8%since 2000
from 11,260 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
3,220 / sq mi
+8%since 2000
from 2,984 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
50.2
+7%since 2000
from 46.8 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:12,084 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
11K12K12K12K13K1990201020202024Palos Heights
202412K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$108,740
−15%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $69,907 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$57,205
+74%since 2000
from $32,895 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
67.2%
+13.7 ptssince 2009
from 53.5% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
5.2%
+2.1 ptssince 2000
from 3.2% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.419
−1%since 2010
from 0.423 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Other services10.1%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration7.5%
US avg: 4.8%
Retail trade7.4%
US avg: 9.9%
Information6.4%
US avg: 10.8%
Finance & insurance6.1%
US avg: 5.9%
Wholesale trade6%
US avg: 6.9%
Professional, scientific, technical5.6%
US avg: 5.1%
Transportation & warehousing2%
US avg: 2.2%
Arts, entertainment, food0.6%
US avg: 1.9%
Education & health services0.5%
US avg: 0.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.2%
US avg: 1.6%
Manufacturing0.2%
US avg: 0.4%
Construction0%
US avg: 1.2%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$367,100
−4%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $210,500 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$2,558
+33%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $1,053 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
93.4%
−4.0 ptssince 2000
from 97.4% in 2000
6.6% rent
Vacancy rate
5.2%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 5.3% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
24.8%
−4.0 ptssince 2009
from 28.8% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
49.5%
+37.6 ptssince 2009
from 12.0% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
3.4
+12%since 2000
from 3.0 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
19
RELATED:See current rent listings in Palos Heights on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic95.3%(10,727)
Black0.4%(47)
Hispanic / Latino1.4%(161)
Asian2.1%(232)
Other0%
Diversity Score9.6%(1,078)
2024
White, non-Hispanic87.2%(10,599)
Black2.2%(262)
Hispanic / Latino8.6%(1,044)
Asian0.5%(58)
Other1.6%(189)
Diversity Score28.9%(3,511)
Diversity Score
29
+202%since 2000
from 10 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
43.6%
+4.8 ptssince 2000
from 38.8% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
96.7%
+6.2 ptssince 2000
from 90.5% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
18.9%
+2.8 ptssince 2000
from 16.1% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
29.9 min
+20%since 2000
from 24.9 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
73.6%
−3.6 ptssince 2009
from 77.2% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
5.2%
−2.1 ptssince 2009
from 7.3% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
3.7%
−2.9 ptssince 2009
from 6.6% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
14.3%
+8.4 ptssince 2009
from 5.9% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
1.8%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 1.9% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.0%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 0.2% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
5.2%
+2.5 ptssince 2009
from 2.7% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
3.6%
−6.0 ptssince 2011
from 9.6% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
54.4%
+1.1 ptssince 2011
from 53.3% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
15.2%
+1.4 ptssince 2009
from 13.8% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
54.8%
−18.6 ptssince 2009
from 73.4% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
50.0%
+2.8 ptssince 2009
from 47.3% in 2009
Female
50.0%
−2.8 ptssince 2009
from 52.7% in 2009
Foreign born
8.5%
+0.2 ptssince 2009
from 8.3% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
6.2%
−40.4 ptssince 2009
from 46.6% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
15.0%
+3.3 ptssince 2012
from 11.7% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
2.8%
−91.4 ptssince 2013
from 94.2% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
94.1%
+12.3 ptssince 2017
from 81.8% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
83.1%
−2.4 ptssince 2016
from 85.5% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
5.5%
+2.2 ptssince 2016
from 3.3% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
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PALOS HEIGHTS VS
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PALOS HEIGHTS VS
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PALOS HEIGHTS VS
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Palos Heights, Illinois?

Palos Heights, Illinois has about 12,152 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Palos Heights, Illinois earns about $108,740 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Palos Heights, Illinois expensive?

In Palos Heights, Illinois, the median home is worth about $367,100, and the typical rent is about $2,558 a month.

How educated are people in Palos Heights, Illinois?

About 43.6% of adults age 25 and over in Palos Heights, Illinois hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Palos Heights, Illinois?

About 5.2% of people in Palos Heights, Illinois live below the federal poverty line.

Has Palos Heights, Illinois grown since 1990?

Yes, Palos Heights, Illinois has grown since 1990. The population has added about 674 residents, a change of about 6 percent over that period.

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

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