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CITY

West Chicago

Illinois · 25,296 residents (2025 est.) · 15.392 sq mi
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The short version

West Chicago is wealthier than most US places, with a median household income of $99,927. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $336,800. It sits in the top 10% of US cities for household income.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $82,259
Younger
median age 36.3
US median: 38.9
Average education
32% 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
25,395
+8%since 2000
from 23,469 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,650 / sq mi
+8%since 2000
from 1,525 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
36.3
+31%since 2000
from 27.8 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:25,296 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
14K17K21K25K29K1990201020202024West Chicago
202425K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$99,927
−14%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $63,424 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$38,037
+97%since 2000
from $19,287 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
62.4%
+17.8 ptssince 2009
from 44.6% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
13.0%
+3.6 ptssince 2000
from 9.3% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.424
+2%since 2010
from 0.415 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Retail trade18.6%
US avg: 9.9%
Information10.6%
US avg: 10.8%
Other services6.7%
US avg: 6.7%
Finance & insurance6.6%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical6.4%
US avg: 5.1%
Wholesale trade5.8%
US avg: 6.9%
Transportation & warehousing4.8%
US avg: 2.2%
Public administration4.2%
US avg: 4.8%
Arts, entertainment, food2.4%
US avg: 1.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing1.4%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction1.4%
US avg: 1.2%
Education & health services0.2%
US avg: 0.9%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$336,800
+15%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $160,200 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,469
+3%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $785 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
70.9%
+3.1 ptssince 2000
from 67.8% in 2000
29.1% rent
Vacancy rate
3.7%
−3.3 ptssince 2009
from 7.0% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
22.1%
−17.3 ptssince 2009
from 39.4% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
60.2%
+17.7 ptssince 2009
from 42.4% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
3.4
+33%since 2000
from 2.5 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
40
RELATED:See current rent listings in West Chicago on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic47.1%(11,052)
Black1.4%(326)
Hispanic / Latino48.6%(11,405)
Asian1.9%(448)
Other0%
Diversity Score66.5%(15,609)
2024
White, non-Hispanic35.3%(8,962)
Black3%(764)
Hispanic / Latino47.8%(12,134)
Asian10.3%(2,628)
Other3.6%(907)
Diversity Score79.3%(20,134)
Diversity Score
79
+19%since 2000
from 67 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
32.2%
+10.3 ptssince 2000
from 21.9% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
78.8%
+11.8 ptssince 2000
from 67.0% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
13.2%
+8.0 ptssince 2000
from 5.2% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
26.3 min
+52%since 2000
from 17.3 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
65.2%
−9.5 ptssince 2009
from 74.7% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
18.7%
+1.9 ptssince 2009
from 16.8% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
1.1%
−0.7 ptssince 2009
from 1.9% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
11.7%
+9.7 ptssince 2009
from 2.0% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
0.9%
−2.2 ptssince 2009
from 3.0% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.3%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 0.5% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
6.3%
+3.1 ptssince 2009
from 3.3% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
9.5%
+1.1 ptssince 2011
from 8.4% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
72.3%
−4.3 ptssince 2011
from 76.6% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
9.2%
+0.4 ptssince 2009
from 8.8% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
33.8%
−18.1 ptssince 2009
from 51.9% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
51.1%
−2.7 ptssince 2009
from 53.8% in 2009
Female
48.9%
+2.7 ptssince 2009
from 46.2% in 2009
Foreign born
32.9%
−2.9 ptssince 2009
from 35.8% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
2.7%
−52.0 ptssince 2009
from 54.8% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
9.2%
+3.2 ptssince 2012
from 6.0% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
12.0%
−69.8 ptssince 2013
from 81.8% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
93.7%
+11.7 ptssince 2017
from 82.0% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
49.0%
+3.5 ptssince 2016
from 45.5% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
40.9%
−5.2 ptssince 2016
from 46.1% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

Places similar to West Chicago

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Head to head

Compare West Chicago to nearby cities

WEST CHICAGO VS
Winfield
Income$135,795+36%
Home value$386,300+15%
Population10,146−60%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
WEST CHICAGO VS
Carol Stream
Income$102,309+2%
Home value$335,000−1%
Population39,315+55%
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WEST CHICAGO VS
St. Charles
Income$114,300+14%
Home value$377,400+12%
Population33,594+33%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
WEST CHICAGO VS
Bartlett
Income$133,240+33%
Home value$375,700+12%
Population40,855+62%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in West Chicago, Illinois?

West Chicago, Illinois has about 25,395 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in West Chicago, Illinois?

The typical household in West Chicago, Illinois earns about $99,927 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is West Chicago, Illinois expensive?

In West Chicago, Illinois, the median home is worth about $336,800, and the typical rent is about $1,469 a month.

How educated are people in West Chicago, Illinois?

About 32.2% of adults age 25 and over in West Chicago, Illinois hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in West Chicago, Illinois?

About 13.0% of people in West Chicago, Illinois live below the federal poverty line.

Has West Chicago, Illinois grown since 1990?

Yes, West Chicago, Illinois has grown since 1990. The population has added about 10,599 residents, a change of about 72 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 →