COUNTY · 1990 CENSUS

Cook County

Illinois · 5,105,067 residents · 944.925 sq mi

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The short version

Cook County has roughly average household income, with a median household income of $32,673. Population has declined 5% since 2000. Median home value is $100,900.

At a glance

Wealthier

above the US median

US median: $30,130

Mid-age

median age 32.8

US median: 33.0

More educated

23% hold a bachelor's degree

US average: 20%

More affordable

home values down 14%, inflation adjusted

US median home: $93,722

Section 01

Population & growth

Total population

5,105,067

−5%vs 2000

vs 5,376,741 in 2000

1990 – 2025

Population density

5,403 / sq mi

−5%vs 2000

vs 5,690 / sq mi in 2000

US average: 221

Median age

32.8

−3%vs 2000

vs 33.6 in 2000

US average: 33.0

Population, 1990 – 2024

20245.2M

Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income

$32,673

−6%inflation adjusted, since 2000

vs $45,922 in 2000

US average: $30,130

1990 – 2024

Per capita income

$15,697

−32%vs 2000

vs $23,227 in 2000

US average: $14,340

Poverty rate

14.2%

+0.7 ptsvs 2000

vs 13.5% in 2000

US average: 13.2%

Section 03

Housing

Median home value

$100,900

−14%inflation adjusted, since 2000

vs $154,300 in 2000

US average: $93,722

1990 – 2024

Median gross rent

$478

−3%inflation adjusted, since 2000

vs $648 in 2000

US average: $450

Owner-occupied

55.5%

−2.4 ptsvs 2000

vs 57.9% in 2000

44.5% rent

Afford Score

3.1

−8%vs 2000

vs 3.4 in 2000

1990 – 2024

RELATED:See current rent listings in Cook County on RentDataNow

Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000

White, non-Hispanic47.6%(2,558,709)

Black25.9%(1,390,448)

Hispanic / Latino19.9%(1,071,740)

Asian4.8%(257,843)

Other0%

Diversity Score81.5%(4,382,431)

1990

White, non-Hispanic62.8%(3,208,115)

Black25.8%(1,314,859)

Hispanic / Latino13.3%(677,949)

Asian3.7%(188,447)

Other7.7%(393,646)

Diversity Score77.6%(3,963,583)

Diversity Score

−5%vs 2000

vs 82 in 2000

1990 – 2024

Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher

22.8%

−5.3 ptsvs 2000

vs 28.0% in 2000

US average: 20.3%

High school or higher

73.4%

−4.3 ptsvs 2000

vs 77.7% in 2000

US average: 75.2%

Graduate degree

8.3%

−2.5 ptsvs 2000

vs 10.8% in 2000

US average: 7.1%

Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute

27.1 min

+14%vs 2000

vs 23.9 min in 2000

US average: 21.9

Section 07

Work & employment

No data for the years selected.

Section 08

People & community

No data for the years selected.

Drill deeper

Places similar to Cook County

Head to head

Compare Cook County to nearby counties

COOK COUNTY VS

Lake County

Income$110,416+238%

Home value$345,700+243%

Population719,339−86%

SEE FULL COMPARISON →

COOK COUNTY VS

DuPage County

Income$112,096+243%

Home value$391,400+288%

Population934,298−82%

SEE FULL COMPARISON →

COOK COUNTY VS

Lake County

Income$71,493+119%

Home value$230,600+129%

Population504,612−90%

SEE FULL COMPARISON →

COOK COUNTY VS

Will County

Income$109,984+237%

Home value$319,600+217%

Population712,253−86%

SEE FULL COMPARISON →

Frequently asked

How many people live in Cook County, Illinois?

Cook County, Illinois has about 5,105,067 residents according to the 1990 Census.

What is the median household income in Cook County, Illinois?

The typical household in Cook County, Illinois earns about $32,673 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Cook County, Illinois expensive?

In Cook County, Illinois, the median home is worth about $100,900, and the typical rent is about $478 a month.

How educated are people in Cook County, Illinois?

About 22.8% of adults age 25 and over in Cook County, Illinois hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Cook County, Illinois?

About 14.2% of people in Cook County, Illinois live below the federal poverty line.

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

How we source and harmonize this data →