NEIGHBORHOOD
Brainerd
Illinois · Chicago · 11,965 residents · 1.092 sq mi
The short version
Brainerd has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $57,218. Population has held roughly steady since 2024. 22% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 36%. Median home value is $207,622. Households here earn about 27% less than the Chicago median. These figures are approximated by combining the 4 census tracts that make up Brainerd; the Census Bureau does not tabulate data for neighborhoods directly.
At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 41.1
US median: 38.9
Less educated
22% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Owner-heavy
62% owner-occupied
US average: 65%
Section 01
Population & growth
Total population
11,965
Population density
10,957 / sq mi
US average: 281
Median age
41.1
US average: 38.9
Section 02
Income & economy
Median household income
$57,218
US average: $82,259
Per capita income
$28,720
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
42.4%
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
16.0%
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.408
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Finance & insurance11.1%
Professional, scientific, technical11.1%
Information9.8%
Other services6.4%
Public administration4.9%
Arts, entertainment, food4%
Retail trade2.9%
Wholesale trade1.5%
Transportation & warehousing1.1%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0%
Construction0%
Manufacturing0%
Education & health services0%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03
Housing
Median home value
$207,622
US average: $376,019
Median gross rent
$1,461
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
62.2%
37.8% rent
Vacancy rate
9.7%
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
37.2%
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
63.6%
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
3.6
RELATED:See current rent listings in Brainerd on RentDataNow
Section 04
Race & ethnicity
2024
White, non-Hispanic2.2%(265)
Black89.6%(10,717)
Hispanic / Latino6.4%(771)
Asian0%(0)
Other1.8%(212)
Diversity Score24.1%(2,883)
2024
White, non-Hispanic2.2%(265)
Black89.6%(10,717)
Hispanic / Latino6.4%(771)
Asian0%(0)
Other1.8%(212)
Diversity Score24.1%(2,883)
Diversity Score
24
Section 05
Education
Bachelor's degree or higher
21.8%
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
92.1%
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
8.6%
US average: 14.0%
Section 06
Commute & transportation
Average commute
41.2 min
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
58.7%
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
6.7%
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
18.2%
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
13.2%
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
0.2%
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.0%
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
17.4%
US average: 8.3%
Section 07
Work & employment
Unemployment rate
12.7%
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
57.3%
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
22.4%
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
27.7%
US average: 42.5%
Section 08
People & community
Male
41.4%
Female
58.6%
Foreign born
7.3%
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
7.0%
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
15.7%
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
5.6%
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
87.9%
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
90.3%
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
7.4%
US average: 13.6%
Explore
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Drill deeper
Places similar to Brainerd
Logan Heights
Pop 13,365
Terrace
Pop 10,103
Zaferia
Pop 13,180
Westchester Square
Pop 14,680
Places similar to BrainerdHead to head
Compare Brainerd side by side
BRAINERD VS
Logan Heights
Income$57,274same
Home value$596,652+187%
Population13,365+12%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
BRAINERD VS
Terrace
Income$57,900+1%
Home value$246,458+19%
Population10,103−16%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
BRAINERD VS
Zaferia
Income$59,984+5%
Home value$543,431+162%
Population13,180+10%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
BRAINERD VS
Westchester Square
Income$57,503same
Home value$711,362+243%
Population14,680+23%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked
How many people live in Brainerd, Chicago, Illinois?
Brainerd, Chicago, Illinois has about 11,965 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.
What is the median household income in Brainerd, Chicago, Illinois?
The typical household in Brainerd, Chicago, Illinois earns about $57,218 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.
Is Brainerd, Chicago, Illinois expensive?
In Brainerd, Chicago, Illinois, the median home is worth about $207,622, and the typical rent is about $1,461 a month.
How educated are people in Brainerd, Chicago, Illinois?
About 21.8% of adults age 25 and over in Brainerd, Chicago, Illinois hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the poverty rate in Brainerd, Chicago, Illinois?
About 16.0% of people in Brainerd, Chicago, Illinois live below the federal poverty line.
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ChicagoDATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024