NEIGHBORHOOD
Back of the Yards
Illinois · Chicago · 38,556 residents · 4.70 sq mi
The short version
Back of the Yards is a neighborhood of 38,556 people in Chicago. 38% of homes are owner-occupied. Four-year degrees are less common here than nationally, at 13% of adults. The poverty rate is 28.0%, above the 12.5% national rate. The foreign-born share is 30%. There are 8,198 people per square mile. These figures are approximated by combining the 15 census tracts that make up Back of the Yards; the Census Bureau does not tabulate data for neighborhoods directly.
At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Younger
median age 34.8
US median: 38.9
Less educated
13% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Renter-heavy
38% owner-occupied
US average: 65%
Section 01
Population & growth
Total population
38,556
Population density
8,198 / sq mi
US average: 281
Median age
34.8
US average: 38.9
Land area
4.70 sq mi
Section 02
Income & economy
Median household income
$56,087
US average: $82,259
Per capita income
$22,802
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
33.6%
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
28.0%
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.431
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Retail trade13.6%
Finance & insurance11%
Professional, scientific, technical10.9%
Information10.2%
Wholesale trade8.2%
Other services4.8%
Transportation & warehousing2.5%
Public administration2.5%
Arts, entertainment, food2.1%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.3%
Construction0.3%
Education & health services0.1%
Manufacturing0%
BAR + DOT: THIS PLACE · TICK: US AVERAGE
Section 03
Housing
Median home value
$212,932
US average: $376,019
Median gross rent
$1,043
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
37.6%
62.4% rent
Vacancy rate
13.1%
US average: 10.0%
Persons per household
2.97 people
US average: 2.54
Owner cost-burdened
33.0%
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
46.2%
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
3.8
Years of local income it takes to buy a local home, on a scale of about 0 to 15. Lower is more affordable.
Section 04
Race & ethnicity
2024
White, non-Hispanic6.9%(2,644)
Black20.6%(7,935)
Hispanic / Latino69.2%(26,675)
Asian2.8%(1,079)
Other0.6%(223)
2024
White, non-Hispanic6.9%(2,644)
Black20.6%(7,935)
Hispanic / Latino69.2%(26,675)
Asian2.8%(1,079)
Other0.6%(223)
Diversity Score
59
Our index, 0 to 100. Higher means a more even mix of racial and ethnic groups.
Section 05
Education
Bachelor's degree or higher
13.3%
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
70.2%
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
4.5%
US average: 14.0%
Section 06
Commute & transportation
Average commute
33.5 min
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
54.2%
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
14.2%
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
13.6%
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
12.5%
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
2.7%
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.3%
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
19.7%
US average: 8.3%
Section 07
Work & employment
Unemployment rate
12.7%
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
63.9%
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
9.4%
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
22.7%
US average: 42.5%
Section 08
People & community
Male
51.6%
Female
48.4%
Foreign born
29.9%
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
1.9%
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
10.7%
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
18.1%
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
85.2%
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
37.2%
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
59.0%
US average: 13.6%
Explore
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Drill deeper
Places similar to Back of the Yards
Castle Hill-Unionport
Pop 35,838
Norwood
Pop 39,556
Watts
Pop 35,884
East Flatbush-Remsen
Pop 38,240
Places similar to Back of the YardsHead to head
Compare Back of the Yards side by side
BACK OF THE YARDS VS
Castle Hill-Unionport
Income$57,204+2%
Home value$583,142+174%
Population35,838−7%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
BACK OF THE YARDS VS
Norwood
Income$51,566−8%
Home value$295,145+39%
Population39,556+3%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
BACK OF THE YARDS VS
Watts
Income$52,390−7%
Home value$533,510+151%
Population35,884−7%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
BACK OF THE YARDS VS
East Flatbush-Remsen
Income$63,410+13%
Home value$748,682+252%
Population38,240−1%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked
How many people live in Back of the Yards, Chicago, Illinois?
Back of the Yards, Chicago, Illinois has about 38,556 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.
What is the median household income in Back of the Yards, Chicago, Illinois?
The typical household in Back of the Yards, Chicago, Illinois earns about $56,087 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.
Is Back of the Yards, Chicago, Illinois expensive?
In Back of the Yards, Chicago, Illinois, the median home is worth about $212,932, and the typical rent is about $1,043 a month.
How educated are people in Back of the Yards, Chicago, Illinois?
About 13.3% of adults age 25 and over in Back of the Yards, Chicago, Illinois hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the poverty rate in Back of the Yards, Chicago, Illinois?
About 28.0% of people in Back of the Yards, Chicago, Illinois live below the federal poverty line.
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ChicagoDATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024