Where does this demographic data come from?

All demographic data comes from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, which samples about 3.5 million households annually. The 5-year estimates provide the most reliable data for small geographies like municipalities.

What is the difference between Census data and ACS data?

The decennial Census (conducted every 10 years) is a full population count focusing on basic demographics. The ACS is an ongoing survey that collects detailed data on income, education, housing, commute patterns, and more. ACS data is updated annually but represents averages over a 5-year period.

How accurate is this data for small towns?

For smaller municipalities, ACS estimates have wider margins of error because fewer residents are sampled. The 5-year estimates reduce this uncertainty by averaging over a longer period. For towns under 5,000 people, treat specific numbers as approximations rather than precise counts.

Chicago Heights, IL Population, Income & Demographics 2026

CSAChicago-Naperville MSAChicago-Naperville-Elgin#65/303 Population

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Demographics — 2024 ACS 5-Year Estimatesi

Census

Populationi

26,736

Median Agei

35.2

Race & Ethnicityi

Black

40.3%10,765

Hispanic/Latino

35.5%9,481

White

21.4%5,728

Two or More

1.2%329

Other

1%263

Asian

0.3%87

American Indian/Alaska Native

0.3%83

Educational Attainment (Age 25+)i

GED/Alternative

3%497

High School Diploma

28.9%4,804

Some College (<1 yr)

9.1%1,509

Some College (1+ yr)

14.5%2,417

Associate's Degree

8.5%1,413

Bachelor's Degree

14.5%2,420

Master's Degree

5.3%879

Professional Degree

0.2%32

Doctorate

0.8%138

HS or Higher

84.8%

BA or Higher

20.9%

Graduate+

6.3%

Housingi

Median Home Valuei

$161,000

Median Renti

$1,038

Tenure

Owner-Occupied

63.4%5,846

Renter-Occupied

36.6%3,378

Total Units

10,613

Homeownership

63.4%

Vacancy Rate

13.1%

Home Values

Under $50K

5.5%321

$50K–$100K

15.8%922

$100K–$150K

21.8%1,273

$150K–$200K

28.5%1,669

$200K–$300K

21.1%1,231

$300K–$500K

6.1%355

$500K–$1M

0.7%40

$1M+

0.6%35

Rent Distribution

Under $500

378

$500–$750

257

$750–$1,000

834

$1,000–$1,250

700

$1,250–$1,500

404

$1,500–$2,000

333

$2,000+

242

Year Built

2010–2019

4.3%455

2000–2009

2.7%283

1990–1999

1.3%139

1980–1989

5.4%573

1970–1979

12.7%1,349

1960–1969

20.1%2,137

1950–1959

26%2,758

1940–1949

11.6%1,229

1939 or earlier

15.9%1,690

Heating Fuel

Utility Gas

88.8%8,194

Electricity

9.9%915

Bottled/LP Gas

1%91

Wood

0.3%24

Economyi

Median Household Incomei

$54,798

Mean Household Incomei

$75,717

Per Capita Incomei

$26,891

Poverty Ratei

26.5%

Unemploymenti

14.5%

Labor Forcei

12,355

Household Income Distribution

Under $10K

13.2%1,213

$10K–$15K

3%277

$15K–$20K

6%551

$20K–$25K

3.1%286

$25K–$30K

4%365

$30K–$35K

5.4%495

$35K–$40K

2.4%221

$40K–$45K

4.7%437

$45K–$50K

4.2%383

$50K–$60K

7.6%699

$60K–$75K

8.3%769

$75K–$100K

10.7%988

$100K–$125K

10.3%952

$125K–$150K

5.5%504

$150K–$200K

5.2%482

$200K+

6.5%602

Federally Subsidized Housingi

HUD

The federal government helps low-income families, seniors, and people with disabilities afford housing through several programs. Residents typically pay about 30% of their income toward rent, with the government covering the rest. This data shows how many households in this community receive that assistance.

Subsidized Homesi

1,032

Residentsi

1,772

Avg. Tenant Renti

$388/mo

Avg. Waitlisti

62 months

Programs in this community

Public Housing107 homes61% occupied$368/mo rent

Government-owned housing managed by local housing authorities

Housing Choice Vouchers341 homes93% occupied$415/mo rent

Rental vouchers (Section 8) that help tenants pay for private-market housing

Project Based Section 8484 homes93% occupied$374/mo rent

Privately owned apartments with rent subsidies tied to the building

811/PRAC8 homes

Household Incomei

Based on area median of $54,798/yr

Extremely low incomeUnder $16K/yr

84.2%

Very low income$16K–$27K/yr

13.7%

Low income$27K–$44K/yr

2.1%

Who Receives This Housing

78.9% of subsidized households are headed by a single mother

98.1% of subsidized households are minority

19.7% of subsidized households include someone with a disability

26.2% of subsidized households include a senior (62+)

Commute & Transportationi

Workersi

10,136

Avg. Commutei

30.1 min

How People Get to Work

Travel Time to Work

Workforce

Total Employed

10,527

Occupations

Industries

Social Characteristicsi

Marital Status (15+)i

Veteransi

961(4.9% of civilian adults)