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METRO AREA · 1990 CENSUS

Chicago Metro

Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN · 13 counties · 8,053,895 residents · 6,923.142 sq mi
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The short version

Chicago is wealthier than most US places, with a median household income of $35,983. Population has declined 10% since 2000. Median home value is $102,556.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $30,130
Mid-age
median age 32.5
US median: 33.0
More educated
24% 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
8,053,895
−10%vs 2000
vs 8,948,739 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,163 / sq mi
−10%vs 2000
vs 1,293 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 221
Median age
32.5
−4%vs 2000
vs 33.9 in 2000
US average: 33.0
Population, 1990 – 2024
7.9M8.3M8.8M9.2M9.6M1990201020202024Chicago
20249.4M
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$35,983
−8%inflation adjusted, since 2000
vs $51,746 in 2000
US average: $30,130
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$16,395
−34%vs 2000
vs $24,671 in 2000
US average: $14,340
Poverty rate
11.3%
+0.8 ptsvs 2000
vs 10.5% in 2000
US average: 13.2%
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$102,556
−14%inflation adjusted, since 2000
vs $156,535 in 2000
US average: $93,722
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$492
−3%inflation adjusted, since 2000
vs $671 in 2000
US average: $450
Owner-occupied
61.9%
−3.5 ptsvs 2000
vs 65.4% in 2000
38.1% rent
Afford Score
2.9
−6%vs 2000
vs 3.0 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Chicago on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic58.9%(5,270,212)
Black18.6%(1,664,453)
Hispanic / Latino16.6%(1,483,946)
Asian4.3%(383,448)
Other0%
Diversity Score71.9%(6,436,633)
1990
White, non-Hispanic71.6%(5,769,059)
Black19.1%(1,541,579)
Hispanic / Latino10.8%(867,165)
Asian3.2%(256,833)
Other6%(486,424)
Diversity Score67.3%(5,423,247)
Diversity Score
67
−6%vs 2000
vs 72 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
23.6%
−5.5 ptsvs 2000
vs 29.1% in 2000
US average: 20.3%
High school or higher
76.7%
−4.4 ptsvs 2000
vs 81.1% in 2000
US average: 75.2%
Graduate degree
8.4%
−2.3 ptsvs 2000
vs 10.7% in 2000
US average: 7.1%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
26.1 min
+14%vs 2000
vs 22.9 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.

In this metro

Principal cities

ChicagoCENTRAL2,731,585NapervilleCENTRAL153,114ElginCENTRAL115,476SchaumburgCENTRAL77,249EvanstonCENTRAL76,380BolingbrookCENTRAL74,803SkokieCENTRAL66,544Des PlainesCENTRAL58,772Downers GroveCENTRAL50,365
What's inside

13 component counties

Cook CountyCENTRAL5,194,625DuPage CountyCENTRAL934,298Lake CountyCENTRAL719,339Will CountyCENTRAL712,253Kane CountyCENTRAL525,757Lake CountyCENTRAL504,612McHenry CountyCENTRAL317,751Porter CountyCENTRAL176,049Kendall CountyCENTRAL145,470DeKalb County101,835Grundy County54,052Jasper County33,894Newton County14,188
Drill deeper

Metros similar to Chicago

Dallas
Pop 8,477,157
Houston
Pop 7,904,627
Atlanta
Pop 6,482,182
Los Angeles
Pop 12,844,441
Places similar to Chicago
Head to head

Compare Chicago side by side

CHICAGO VS
Dallas
Income$92,044+156%
Home value$353,895+245%
Population8,477,157−10%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
CHICAGO VS
Houston
Income$83,674+133%
Home value$297,128+190%
Population7,904,627−16%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
CHICAGO VS
Atlanta
Income$91,036+153%
Home value$376,129+267%
Population6,482,182−31%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
CHICAGO VS
Los Angeles
Income$96,499+168%
Home value$865,530+744%
Population12,844,441+36%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?

Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN has about 8,053,895 residents according to the 1990 Census.

What is the median household income in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?

The typical household in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN earns about $35,983 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN expensive?

In Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN, the median home is worth about $102,556, and the typical rent is about $492 a month.

How educated are people in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?

About 23.6% of adults age 25 and over in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?

About 11.3% of people in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN live below the federal poverty line.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · METRO ROLLUP OF COMPONENT COUNTIES · UPDATED 2024

How we source and harmonize this data →