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.

Winnetka, IL Population, Income & Demographics 2026

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Demographics — 2024 ACS 5-Year Estimatesi

Census

Populationi

12,484

Median Agei

41.5

Race & Ethnicityi

White

88.2%11,005

Two or More

4.8%603

Hispanic/Latino

3.6%449

Asian

2.6%319

Other

0.5%59

Black

0.3%41

Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander

0.1%8

Educational Attainment (Age 25+)i

GED/Alternative

0.3%26

High School Diploma

3.5%272

Some College (<1 yr)

1.5%116

Some College (1+ yr)

5.1%398

Associate's Degree

2%151

Bachelor's Degree

35.3%2,732

Master's Degree

33.1%2,561

Professional Degree

14.1%1,090

Doctorate

4.1%316

HS or Higher

99.1%

BA or Higher

86.7%

Graduate+

51.3%

Housingi

Median Home Valuei

$1,337,800

Median Renti

$1,842

Tenure

Owner-Occupied

92%3,837

Renter-Occupied

8%335

Total Units

4,539

Homeownership

92%

Vacancy Rate

8.1%

Home Values

Under $50K

2.3%88

$100K–$150K

0.1%4

$150K–$200K

1.2%45

$200K–$300K

2.3%90

$300K–$500K

3.6%137

$500K–$1M

20.3%777

$1M+

70.3%2,696

Rent Distribution

$1,000–$1,250

$1,250–$1,500

$1,500–$2,000

103

$2,000+

122

Year Built

2020 or later

1.3%59

2010–2019

5.9%267

2000–2009

6.3%284

1990–1999

5.5%251

1980–1989

1.9%87

1970–1979

5.1%231

1960–1969

6.9%313

1950–1959

11.9%542

1940–1949

6.4%289

1939 or earlier

48.8%2,216

Heating Fuel

Utility Gas

87.4%3,648

Electricity

10.9%454

No Fuel

0.7%28

Bottled/LP Gas

0.6%26

Other

0.4%16

Economyi

Median Household Incomei

$250,000+

Mean Household Incomei

$484,635

Per Capita Incomei

$162,186

Poverty Ratei

1.6%

Unemploymenti

3.4%

Labor Forcei

5,108

Household Income Distribution

Under $10K

1.2%48

$10K–$15K

1.3%56

$15K–$20K

0.2%9

$20K–$25K

0.4%18

$25K–$30K

0.9%39

$30K–$35K

2.3%98

$35K–$40K

0.8%33

$40K–$45K

1.4%59

$45K–$50K

1.9%81

$50K–$60K

3.7%154

$60K–$75K

3.3%136

$75K–$100K

4.5%187

$100K–$125K

3.6%151

$125K–$150K

2.6%109

$150K–$200K

5%209

$200K+

66.8%2,785

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

Programs in this community

Housing Choice Vouchers1 homes

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

Commute & Transportationi

Workersi

4,887

Avg. Commutei

32.6 min

How People Get to Work

Travel Time to Work

Workforce

Total Employed

4,933

Occupations

Industries

Social Characteristicsi

Marital Status (15+)i

Veteransi

298(3.6% of civilian adults)