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, IL Population, Income & Demographics 2026

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Demographics — 2024 ACS 5-Year Estimatesi

Census

Populationi

2,711,226

Median Agei

35.8

Race & Ethnicityi

White

32.1%870,127

Hispanic/Latino

29.7%805,318

Black

27.4%743,710

Asian

7.2%196,435

Two or More

3%81,438

Other

0.4%11,051

American Indian/Alaska Native

0.1%2,271

Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander

0%876

Educational Attainment (Age 25+)i

GED/Alternative

3.2%62,462

High School Diploma

17.8%342,786

Some College (<1 yr)

5.1%98,858

Some College (1+ yr)

10.9%210,211

Associate's Degree

5.8%110,842

Bachelor's Degree

25.4%488,467

Master's Degree

13.2%254,454

Professional Degree

3.6%69,123

Doctorate

2.2%41,440

HS or Higher

87.2%

BA or Higher

44.3%

Graduate+

19%

Housingi

Median Home Valuei

$334,100

Median Renti

$1,440

Tenure

Owner-Occupied

46%534,012

Renter-Occupied

54%626,193

Total Units

1,277,054

Homeownership

46%

Vacancy Rate

9.1%

Economyi

Median Household Incomei

$77,902

Mean Household Incomei

$116,016

Per Capita Incomei

$50,086

Poverty Ratei

16.5%

Unemploymenti

Labor Forcei

1,518,251

Household Income Distribution

Under $10K

7.2%83,530

$10K–$15K

4.8%55,379

$15K–$20K

3.2%37,584

$20K–$25K

3.6%41,403

$25K–$30K

3.4%39,017

$30K–$35K

3.1%36,214

$35K–$40K

3.3%38,271

$40K–$45K

3%34,927

$45K–$50K

3.2%36,975

$50K–$60K

5.5%64,255

$60K–$75K

8.2%95,184

$75K–$100K

11.7%135,667

$100K–$125K

9.5%109,727

$125K–$150K

7%80,969

$150K–$200K

8.9%103,130

$200K+

14.5%167,973

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

106,578

Residentsi

179,752

Avg. Tenant Renti

$389/mo

Avg. Waitlisti

45 months

Programs in this community

Public Housing14,721 homes83% occupied$407/mo rent

Government-owned housing managed by local housing authorities

Housing Choice Vouchers136 homes93% occupied$550/mo rent

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

Mod Rehab349 homes128% occupied$258/mo rent

Rehabilitated buildings with project-based rental assistance

Project Based Section 827,383 homes93% occupied$383/mo rent

Privately owned apartments with rent subsidies tied to the building

S236/BMIR218 homes

202/PRAC2,508 homes96% occupied$374/mo rent

811/PRAC489 homes92% occupied$339/mo rent

Household Incomei

Based on area median of $77,902/yr

Extremely low incomeUnder $23K/yr

84.8%

Very low income$23K–$39K/yr

11.4%

Low income$39K–$62K/yr

3.5%

Moderate / aboveOver $62K/yr

0.3%

Who Receives This Housing

70.7% of subsidized households are headed by a single mother

90.3% of subsidized households are minority

17.2% of subsidized households include someone with a disability

50.8% of subsidized households include a senior (62+)

Ancestry & Heritage

Self-reported ancestry groups. Residents may report multiple ancestries, so totals may exceed 100%.

Social Characteristicsi

Marital Status (15+)i

Veteransi

60,766(2.8% of civilian adults)