NEIGHBORHOOD
South Shore
Illinois · Chicago · 45,456 residents · 2.521 sq mi
The short version
South Shore has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $46,996. Population has held roughly steady since 2024. Median home value is $228,873. The poverty rate of 28.1% is well above the national figure. Households here earn about 40% less than the Chicago median. These figures are approximated by combining the 13 census tracts that make up South Shore; the Census Bureau does not tabulate data for neighborhoods directly.
At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Mid-age
median age 40.6
US median: 38.9
Less educated
24% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Renter-heavy
25% owner-occupied
US average: 65%
Section 01
Population & growth
Total population
45,456
Population density
18,031 / sq mi
US average: 281
Median age
40.6
US average: 38.9
Section 02
Income & economy
Median household income
$46,996
US average: $82,259
Per capita income
$31,748
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
27.3%
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
28.1%
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.485
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Finance & insurance14%
Professional, scientific, technical13.3%
Information11.3%
Other services6.7%
Public administration5.4%
Retail trade4%
Wholesale trade1.3%
Transportation & warehousing1.3%
Arts, entertainment, food1%
Education & health services0.7%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.1%
Construction0.1%
Manufacturing0%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03
Housing
Median home value
$228,873
US average: $376,019
Median gross rent
$1,085
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
25.0%
75.0% rent
Vacancy rate
13.2%
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
32.5%
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
50.8%
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
4.9
RELATED:See current rent listings in South Shore on RentDataNow
Section 04
Race & ethnicity
2024
White, non-Hispanic3.4%(1,565)
Black90.5%(41,131)
Hispanic / Latino2.5%(1,142)
Asian0.5%(212)
Other3.1%(1,406)
Diversity Score22.3%(10,139)
2024
White, non-Hispanic3.4%(1,565)
Black90.5%(41,131)
Hispanic / Latino2.5%(1,142)
Asian0.5%(212)
Other3.1%(1,406)
Diversity Score22.3%(10,139)
Diversity Score
22
Section 05
Education
Bachelor's degree or higher
24.2%
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
88.4%
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
11.8%
US average: 14.0%
Section 06
Commute & transportation
Average commute
36.0 min
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
52.1%
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
6.6%
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
23.0%
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
11.5%
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
2.5%
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.0%
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
36.8%
US average: 8.3%
Section 07
Work & employment
Unemployment rate
14.6%
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
64.1%
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
15.5%
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
35.7%
US average: 42.5%
Section 08
People & community
Male
45.4%
Female
54.6%
Foreign born
3.0%
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
4.8%
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
20.1%
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
8.3%
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
87.2%
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
95.4%
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
2.1%
US average: 13.6%
Explore
Neighborhoods in Chicago
Albany ParkAndersonvilleArcher HeightsAshburnAvondaleBack of the YardsBelmont CentralBelmont GardensBelmont HeightsBeverlyBrainerdBridgeportBrighton ParkBronzevilleBucktownBudlong WoodsBuena ParkBurnsideCalumet HeightsChathamChicago LawnClearing (W)CraginDouglas ParkDunningEast BeverlyEast ChathamEast Garfield ParkEast Hyde ParkEast SideEast UkrainianEdgewaterEdgewater BeachEdison ParkEnglewoodFernwoodFifth CityFuller ParkGage ParkGalewoodGarfield RidgeGold CoastGoose IslandGraceland WestGrand CrossingGreshamHeart of ChicagoHegewischHermosaHumboldt ParkHyde ParkIda B. Wells - Darrow HomesIllinois Medical DistrictIrving ParkJefferson ParkKelvin ParkKenwoodKilbourn ParkLake CalumetLake ViewLake View EastLincoln ParkLittleLogan SquareLongwood ManorMarquette ParkMayfairMcKinley ParkMontclareMorgan ParkMount GreenwoodNear NorthNear West SideNoble SquareNorth AustinNorth CenterNorth KenwoodNorwood Park EastO'HareO'Hare International AirportOaklandOldOld Irving ParkOld Town TrianglePalmer SquarePark ManorPark WestPilsenPortage ParkPrairie ShoresRavenswoodRiver NorthRogers ParkRoscoeRoselandRosemoorScottsdaleSheffield NeighborsSouth AustinSouth ChicagoSouth LoopStreetervilleThe BushThe LoopTri-TaylorUkrainianUniversity Village - Little ItalyUptownWashington HeightsWashington ParkWestWest BeverlyWest ChathamWest ChesterfieldWest ElsdonWest EnglewoodWest Garfield ParkWest Humboldt ParkWest LawnWest Loop GateWest PullmanWest Rogers ParkWest WoodlawnWicker ParkWoodlawnWrightwoodWrightwood NeighborsWrigleyvilleNeighborhoods in Chicago
Drill deeper
Places similar to South Shore
Head to head
Compare South Shore side by side
SOUTH SHORE VS
Bedford Park
Income$46,528−1%
Home value$537,530+135%
Population49,148+8%
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SOUTH SHORE VS
University Heights (North)-Fordham
Income$46,024−2%
Home value$319,666+40%
Population42,305−7%
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SOUTH SHORE VS
Coney Island-Sea Gate
Income$46,433−1%
Home value$890,258+289%
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SOUTH SHORE VS
Mount Eden-Claremont (West)
Income$43,561−7%
Home value$413,855+81%
Population48,394+6%
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Frequently asked
How many people live in South Shore, Chicago, Illinois?
South Shore, Chicago, Illinois has about 45,456 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.
What is the median household income in South Shore, Chicago, Illinois?
The typical household in South Shore, Chicago, Illinois earns about $46,996 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.
Is South Shore, Chicago, Illinois expensive?
In South Shore, Chicago, Illinois, the median home is worth about $228,873, and the typical rent is about $1,085 a month.
How educated are people in South Shore, Chicago, Illinois?
About 24.2% of adults age 25 and over in South Shore, Chicago, Illinois hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the poverty rate in South Shore, Chicago, Illinois?
About 28.1% of people in South Shore, Chicago, Illinois live below the federal poverty line.
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ChicagoDATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024