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CITY

South Chicago Heights

Illinois · 3,884 residents (2025 est.) · 1.581 sq mi
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The short version

South Chicago Heights has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $58,691. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. 11% 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 $149,300. The poverty rate of 30.5% is well above the national figure. Households here earn about 30% less than the Illinois median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 41.1
US median: 38.9
Less educated
11% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
More affordable
home values down 12%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
3,907
−2%since 2000
from 3,970 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
2,471 / sq mi
−2%since 2000
from 2,511 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
41.1
+8%since 2000
from 38.0 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:3,884 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
4K4K4K4K4K1990201020202024South Chicago Heights
20244K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$58,691
−19%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $39,639 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$27,935
+54%since 2000
from $18,179 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
38.7%
+20.3 ptssince 2009
from 18.5% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
30.5%
+23.8 ptssince 2000
from 6.7% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.412
−21%since 2010
from 0.521 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Retail trade15.6%
US avg: 9.9%
Finance & insurance15.5%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical15.5%
US avg: 5.1%
Information10.7%
US avg: 10.8%
Wholesale trade7.2%
US avg: 6.9%
Arts, entertainment, food3.3%
US avg: 1.9%
Other services0.6%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration0.6%
US avg: 4.8%
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%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$149,300
−12%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $93,000 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,196
+20%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $546 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
60.6%
−9.9 ptssince 2000
from 70.5% in 2000
39.4% rent
Vacancy rate
7.6%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 7.4% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
15.8%
−20.5 ptssince 2009
from 36.4% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
68.2%
+31.8 ptssince 2009
from 36.4% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
2.5
+8%since 2000
from 2.3 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
21
RELATED:See current rent listings in South Chicago Heights on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic72%(2,857)
Black6.9%(274)
Hispanic / Latino18.1%(718)
Asian1%(38)
Other0%
Diversity Score52.6%(2,087)
2024
White, non-Hispanic27.9%(1,092)
Black31.8%(1,244)
Hispanic / Latino39.2%(1,533)
Asian0.4%(17)
Other0.5%(21)
Diversity Score83.3%(3,255)
Diversity Score
83
+58%since 2000
from 53 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
11.5%
+4.8 ptssince 2000
from 6.7% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
75.1%
+3.5 ptssince 2000
from 71.6% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
2.3%
−0.4 ptssince 2000
from 2.7% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
21.4 min
+4%since 2000
from 20.6 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
64.6%
−15.3 ptssince 2009
from 79.9% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
19.9%
+8.2 ptssince 2009
from 11.6% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
1.4%
−3.1 ptssince 2009
from 4.6% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
4.9%
+2.1 ptssince 2009
from 2.8% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
1.3%
+0.7 ptssince 2009
from 0.5% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.5%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 0.5% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
13.0%
+1.5 ptssince 2009
from 11.5% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
7.8%
−8.8 ptssince 2011
from 16.6% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
60.3%
Unchangedsince 2011
from 60.3% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
5.9%
+1.1 ptssince 2009
from 4.8% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
15.2%
−30.3 ptssince 2009
from 45.5% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
46.1%
−6.0 ptssince 2009
from 52.1% in 2009
Female
53.9%
+6.0 ptssince 2009
from 47.9% in 2009
Foreign born
17.5%
+7.2 ptssince 2009
from 10.3% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
6.4%
−45.6 ptssince 2009
from 52.1% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
19.0%
+2.5 ptssince 2012
from 16.5% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
24.2%
−56.1 ptssince 2013
from 80.3% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
77.9%
+22.1 ptssince 2017
from 55.8% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
67.1%
+7.6 ptssince 2016
from 59.5% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
31.2%
−6.2 ptssince 2016
from 37.4% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
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Compare South Chicago Heights to nearby cities

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Income$66,575+13%
Home value$156,700+5%
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SOUTH CHICAGO HEIGHTS VS
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SOUTH CHICAGO HEIGHTS VS
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Income$61,072+4%
Home value$115,300−23%
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SOUTH CHICAGO HEIGHTS VS
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Income$97,147+66%
Home value$228,500+53%
Population8,345+115%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in South Chicago Heights, Illinois?

South Chicago Heights, Illinois has about 3,907 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in South Chicago Heights, Illinois?

The typical household in South Chicago Heights, Illinois earns about $58,691 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is South Chicago Heights, Illinois expensive?

In South Chicago Heights, Illinois, the median home is worth about $149,300, and the typical rent is about $1,196 a month.

How educated are people in South Chicago Heights, Illinois?

About 11.5% of adults age 25 and over in South Chicago Heights, Illinois hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in South Chicago Heights, Illinois?

About 30.5% of people in South Chicago Heights, Illinois live below the federal poverty line.

Has South Chicago Heights, Illinois grown since 1990?

Yes, South Chicago Heights, Illinois has grown since 1990. The population has added about 310 residents, a change of about 9 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 →

South Chicago Heights, Illinois: demographics, income & housing data · CensusEasy