NEIGHBORHOOD
West
Illinois · Chicago · 26,076 residents · 2.012 sq mi
The short version
West is significantly wealthier than the US average, with a median household income of $134,313. Population has held roughly steady since 2024. 70% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national rate of 36%. Median home value is $615,589. Households here earn about 72% more than the Chicago median. These figures are approximated by combining the 10 census tracts that make up West; 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 35.1
US median: 38.9
More educated
70% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Renter-heavy
39% owner-occupied
US average: 65%
Section 01
Population & growth
Total population
26,076
Population density
12,960 / sq mi
US average: 281
Median age
35.1
US average: 38.9
Section 02
Income & economy
Median household income
$134,313
US average: $82,259
Per capita income
$92,972
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
70.2%
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
10.1%
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.463
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Other services15.7%
Public administration11.2%
Information6.5%
Retail trade6.5%
Arts, entertainment, food3.5%
Finance & insurance3.3%
Professional, scientific, technical3.1%
Wholesale trade2.3%
Transportation & warehousing2%
Education & health services0.2%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0%
Construction0%
Manufacturing0%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03
Housing
Median home value
$615,589
US average: $376,019
Median gross rent
$2,108
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
39.2%
60.8% rent
Vacancy rate
4.9%
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
24.5%
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
36.3%
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
4.6
RELATED:See current rent listings in West on RentDataNow
Section 04
Race & ethnicity
2024
White, non-Hispanic54.9%(14,305)
Black15.2%(3,966)
Hispanic / Latino17.3%(4,507)
Asian7.5%(1,956)
Other5.1%(1,342)
Diversity Score79.7%(20,788)
2024
White, non-Hispanic54.9%(14,305)
Black15.2%(3,966)
Hispanic / Latino17.3%(4,507)
Asian7.5%(1,956)
Other5.1%(1,342)
Diversity Score79.7%(20,788)
Diversity Score
80
Section 05
Education
Bachelor's degree or higher
70.4%
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
94.8%
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
28.9%
US average: 14.0%
Section 06
Commute & transportation
Average commute
27.3 min
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
35.2%
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
3.3%
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
18.4%
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
30.5%
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
7.4%
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
2.8%
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
21.9%
US average: 8.3%
Section 07
Work & employment
Unemployment rate
4.9%
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
84.3%
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
10.0%
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
64.2%
US average: 42.5%
Section 08
People & community
Male
51.1%
Female
48.9%
Foreign born
13.6%
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
2.7%
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
7.7%
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
5.6%
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
91.4%
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
75.8%
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
13.6%
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 LoopSouth ShoreStreetervilleThe BushThe LoopTri-TaylorUkrainianUniversity Village - Little ItalyUptownWashington HeightsWashington ParkWest 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 West
Head to head
Compare West side by side
WEST VS
Central Richmond
Income$135,627+1%
Home value$1,560,242+153%
Population25,635−2%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
WEST VS
Alum Rock-East Foothills
Income$133,650same
Home value$1,021,959+66%
Population25,259−3%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
WEST VS
Eagle River
Income$141,768+6%
Home value$432,834−30%
Population25,986same
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WEST VS
Central Sunset
Income$134,982same
Home value$1,516,968+146%
Population23,017−12%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked
How many people live in West Town, Chicago, Illinois?
West Town, Chicago, Illinois has about 26,076 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.
What is the median household income in West Town, Chicago, Illinois?
The typical household in West Town, Chicago, Illinois earns about $134,313 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.
Is West Town, Chicago, Illinois expensive?
In West Town, Chicago, Illinois, the median home is worth about $615,589, and the typical rent is about $2,108 a month.
How educated are people in West Town, Chicago, Illinois?
About 70.4% of adults age 25 and over in West Town, Chicago, Illinois hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the poverty rate in West Town, Chicago, Illinois?
About 10.1% of people in West Town, Chicago, Illinois live below the federal poverty line.
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ChicagoDATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024