NEIGHBORHOOD
Near West Side
Illinois · Chicago · 18,042 residents · 1.24 sq mi
The short version
With 18,042 people, Near West Side is a neighborhood in Chicago. This is an unusually credentialed place: 65% of adults have a four-year degree. Owners hold 41% of the housing stock. Households here earn about 50% more than in Chicago as a whole. This skews young, with a median age of 33.2. There are 14,492 people per square mile. 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
Land area
1.24 sq mi
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%
BAR + DOT: THIS PLACE · TICK: 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%
Persons per household
1.84 people
US average: 2.54
Owner cost-burdened
23.6%
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
33.7%
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-Hispanic39.1%(7,052)
Black35.4%(6,387)
Hispanic / Latino8.8%(1,593)
Asian12.8%(2,312)
Other3.9%(698)
2024
White, non-Hispanic39.1%(7,052)
Black35.4%(6,387)
Hispanic / Latino8.8%(1,593)
Asian12.8%(2,312)
Other3.9%(698)
Diversity Score
87
Our index, 0 to 100. Higher means a more even mix of racial and ethnic groups.
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