NEIGHBORHOOD
Near West Side
Illinois · Chicago · 18,042 residents · 1.245 sq mi
The short version
Near West Side is significantly wealthier than the US average, with a median household income of $116,538. Population has held roughly steady since 2024. 65% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national rate of 36%. Median home value is $445,104. At a median age of 33.2, residents skew younger than the country as a whole. Households here earn about 50% more than the Chicago median. These figures are approximated by combining the 6 census tracts that make up Near West Side; the Census Bureau does not tabulate data for neighborhoods directly.
At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $82,259
Younger
median age 33.2
US median: 38.9
More educated
65% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Renter-heavy
41% owner-occupied
US average: 65%
Section 01
Population & growth
Total population
18,042
Population density
14,492 / sq mi
US average: 281
Median age
33.2
US average: 38.9
Section 02
Income & economy
Median household income
$116,538
US average: $82,259
Per capita income
$94,878
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
57.6%
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
20.9%
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.550
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Other services19%
Public administration15.8%
Retail trade7.1%
Finance & insurance7%
Professional, scientific, technical5.3%
Wholesale trade5%
Information4.1%
Arts, entertainment, food2.5%
Education & health services1.7%
Transportation & warehousing1.1%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.6%
Construction0.6%
Manufacturing0%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03
Housing
Median home value
$445,104
US average: $376,019
Median gross rent
$1,861
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
41.4%
58.6% rent
Vacancy rate
8.6%
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
23.6%
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
33.7%
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
3.8
RELATED:See current rent listings in Near West Side on RentDataNow
Section 04
Race & ethnicity
2024
White, non-Hispanic39.1%(7,052)
Black35.4%(6,387)
Hispanic / Latino8.8%(1,593)
Asian12.8%(2,312)
Other3.9%(698)
Diversity Score87%(15,701)
2024
White, non-Hispanic39.1%(7,052)
Black35.4%(6,387)
Hispanic / Latino8.8%(1,593)
Asian12.8%(2,312)
Other3.9%(698)
Diversity Score87%(15,701)
Diversity Score
87
Section 05
Education
Bachelor's degree or higher
64.8%
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
93.9%
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
30.6%
US average: 14.0%
Section 06
Commute & transportation
Average commute
27.9 min
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
38.1%
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
3.8%
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
14.8%
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
20.5%
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
17.4%
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
3.2%
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
29.7%
US average: 8.3%
Section 07
Work & employment
Unemployment rate
10.8%
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
76.6%
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
12.0%
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
63.2%
US average: 42.5%
Section 08
People & community
Male
48.0%
Female
52.0%
Foreign born
13.2%
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
2.4%
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
12.4%
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
2.7%
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
89.2%
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
78.2%
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
8.0%
US average: 13.6%
Explore
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Drill deeper
Places similar to Near West Side
Mount Washington
Pop 18,692
Bayshore-Klatt
Pop 19,533
Excelsior
Pop 17,745
Van Ness - Civic Center
Pop 16,950
Places similar to Near West SideHead to head
Compare Near West Side side by side
NEAR WEST SIDE VS
Mount Washington
Income$115,428−1%
Home value$1,097,240+147%
Population18,692+4%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
NEAR WEST SIDE VS
Bayshore-Klatt
Income$117,133+1%
Home value$410,393−8%
Population19,533+8%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
NEAR WEST SIDE VS
Excelsior
Income$123,600+6%
Home value$1,151,400+159%
Population17,745−2%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
NEAR WEST SIDE VS
Van Ness - Civic Center
Income$112,021−4%
Home value$1,085,479+144%
Population16,950−6%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked
How many people live in Near West Side, Chicago, Illinois?
Near West Side, Chicago, Illinois has about 18,042 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.
What is the median household income in Near West Side, Chicago, Illinois?
The typical household in Near West Side, Chicago, Illinois earns about $116,538 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.
Is Near West Side, Chicago, Illinois expensive?
In Near West Side, Chicago, Illinois, the median home is worth about $445,104, and the typical rent is about $1,861 a month.
How educated are people in Near West Side, Chicago, Illinois?
About 64.8% of adults age 25 and over in Near West Side, Chicago, Illinois hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the poverty rate in Near West Side, Chicago, Illinois?
About 20.9% of people in Near West Side, Chicago, Illinois live below the federal poverty line.
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ChicagoDATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024