NEIGHBORHOOD
Fernwood
Illinois · Chicago · 10,623 residents · 1.266 sq mi
The short version
Fernwood has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $66,991. Population has held roughly steady since 2024. Median home value is $178,981. With a median age of 44.9, the population is older than the US median of 38.9. These figures are approximated by combining the 3 census tracts that make up Fernwood; 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 44.9
US median: 38.9
Less educated
28% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Owner-heavy
83% owner-occupied
US average: 65%
Section 01
Population & growth
Total population
10,623
Population density
8,391 / sq mi
US average: 281
Median age
44.9
US average: 38.9
Section 02
Income & economy
Median household income
$66,991
US average: $82,259
Per capita income
$31,527
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
42.5%
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
14.4%
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.394
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Finance & insurance21.7%
Professional, scientific, technical21.7%
Other services6.9%
Information6.4%
Public administration5.2%
Retail trade3.8%
Wholesale trade2.2%
Transportation & warehousing2.1%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing1.9%
Construction1.9%
Manufacturing0%
Education & health services0%
Arts, entertainment, food0%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03
Housing
Median home value
$178,981
US average: $376,019
Median gross rent
$969
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
83.5%
16.5% rent
Vacancy rate
8.7%
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
25.9%
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
59.2%
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
2.7
RELATED:See current rent listings in Fernwood on RentDataNow
Section 04
Race & ethnicity
2024
White, non-Hispanic0.5%(49)
Black94%(9,987)
Hispanic / Latino1.3%(141)
Asian0.1%(7)
Other4.1%(439)
Diversity Score14.3%(1,517)
2024
White, non-Hispanic0.5%(49)
Black94%(9,987)
Hispanic / Latino1.3%(141)
Asian0.1%(7)
Other4.1%(439)
Diversity Score14.3%(1,517)
Diversity Score
14
Section 05
Education
Bachelor's degree or higher
28.2%
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
88.5%
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
13.2%
US average: 14.0%
Section 06
Commute & transportation
Average commute
39.3 min
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
56.2%
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
15.2%
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
17.7%
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
8.3%
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
0.4%
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.0%
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
13.8%
US average: 8.3%
Section 07
Work & employment
Unemployment rate
12.5%
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
55.6%
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
15.6%
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
37.0%
US average: 42.5%
Section 08
People & community
Male
47.3%
Female
52.7%
Foreign born
0.5%
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
8.3%
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
15.4%
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
8.0%
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
81.5%
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
99.3%
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
0.4%
US average: 13.6%
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Drill deeper
Places similar to Fernwood
East
Pop 10,334
Stonestown
Pop 10,027
Escalante
Pop 9,851
Airport Heights
Pop 11,744
Places similar to FernwoodHead to head
Compare Fernwood side by side
FERNWOOD VS
East
Income$65,309−3%
Home value$731,526+309%
Population10,334−3%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
FERNWOOD VS
Stonestown
Income$66,228−1%
Home value$1,455,900+713%
Population10,027−6%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
FERNWOOD VS
Escalante
Income$67,253same
Home value$266,344+49%
Population9,851−7%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
FERNWOOD VS
Airport Heights
Income$67,339+1%
Home value$249,622+39%
Population11,744+11%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked
How many people live in Fernwood, Chicago, Illinois?
Fernwood, Chicago, Illinois has about 10,623 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.
What is the median household income in Fernwood, Chicago, Illinois?
The typical household in Fernwood, Chicago, Illinois earns about $66,991 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.
Is Fernwood, Chicago, Illinois expensive?
In Fernwood, Chicago, Illinois, the median home is worth about $178,981, and the typical rent is about $969 a month.
How educated are people in Fernwood, Chicago, Illinois?
About 28.2% of adults age 25 and over in Fernwood, Chicago, Illinois hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the poverty rate in Fernwood, Chicago, Illinois?
About 14.4% of people in Fernwood, Chicago, Illinois live below the federal poverty line.
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ChicagoDATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024