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.

Joliet, IL Population, Income & Demographics 2026

CSAChicago-Naperville MSAChicago-Naperville-Elgin#4/341 Population

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Demographics — 2024 ACS 5-Year Estimatesi

Census

Populationi

150,445

Median Agei

35.8

Race & Ethnicityi

White

44%66,250

Hispanic/Latino

34.2%51,435

Black

16%24,069

Two or More

3.1%4,731

Asian

2.4%3,539

Other

0.2%373

American Indian/Alaska Native

0%47

Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander

0%1

Educational Attainment (Age 25+)i

GED/Alternative

4.6%4,510

High School Diploma

24.4%23,803

Some College (<1 yr)

9.3%9,128

Some College (1+ yr)

12.6%12,312

Associate's Degree

8.8%8,612

Bachelor's Degree

15.6%15,211

Master's Degree

8%7,848

Professional Degree

1.3%1,242

Doctorate

0.7%639

HS or Higher

85.3%

BA or Higher

25.5%

Graduate+

10%

Housingi

Median Home Valuei

$265,800

Median Renti

$1,276

Tenure

Owner-Occupied

73.7%37,640

Renter-Occupied

26.3%13,415

Total Units

53,814

Homeownership

73.7%

Vacancy Rate

5.1%

Home Values

Under $50K

2.5%958

$50K–$100K

2.6%971

$100K–$150K

6.6%2,492

$150K–$200K

13.9%5,226

$200K–$300K

37.7%14,200

$300K–$500K

34.2%12,887

$500K–$1M

2%737

$1M+

0.4%169

Rent Distribution

Under $500

1,392

$500–$750

809

$750–$1,000

1,459

$1,000–$1,250

2,576

$1,250–$1,500

2,709

$1,500–$2,000

2,408

$2,000+

1,687

Year Built

2020 or later

0.7%371

2010–2019

5.1%2,766

2000–2009

24%12,913

1990–1999

17.6%9,476

1980–1989

5.5%2,941

1970–1979

8.2%4,428

1960–1969

9%4,831

1950–1959

9.4%5,081

1940–1949

4.7%2,543

1939 or earlier

15.7%8,464

Heating Fuel

Utility Gas

86.1%43,980

Electricity

12.1%6,201

Bottled/LP Gas

0.9%444

No Fuel

0.5%253

Other

0.3%137

Solar

0.1%40

Economyi

Median Household Incomei

$92,201

Mean Household Incomei

$106,289

Per Capita Incomei

$36,812

Poverty Ratei

10.9%

Unemploymenti

5.4%

Labor Forcei

81,718

Household Income Distribution

Under $10K

5.5%2,809

$10K–$15K

2.8%1,421

$15K–$20K

1.9%978

$20K–$25K

3.1%1,575

$25K–$30K

2.1%1,070

$30K–$35K

3%1,525

$35K–$40K

2.9%1,483

$40K–$45K

2.8%1,420

$45K–$50K

2.4%1,245

$50K–$60K

5.5%2,801

$60K–$75K

9.2%4,677

$75K–$100K

13.3%6,782

$100K–$125K

12.1%6,191

$125K–$150K

9.5%4,848

$150K–$200K

14%7,135

$200K+

10%5,095

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

2,357

Residentsi

3,986

Avg. Tenant Renti

$428/mo

Avg. Waitlisti

14 months

Programs in this community

Public Housing395 homes99% occupied$372/mo rent

Government-owned housing managed by local housing authorities

Housing Choice Vouchers1,121 homes87% occupied$542/mo rent

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

Project Based Section 8643 homes93% occupied$265/mo rent

Privately owned apartments with rent subsidies tied to the building

S236/BMIR140 homes

811/PRAC58 homes91% occupied$400/mo rent

Household Incomei

Based on area median of $92,201/yr

Extremely low incomeUnder $28K/yr

81.7%

Very low income$28K–$46K/yr

13.9%

Low income$46K–$74K/yr

3.9%

Moderate / aboveOver $74K/yr

0.5%

Who Receives This Housing

69.4% of subsidized households are headed by a single mother

80.3% of subsidized households are minority

22.5% of subsidized households include someone with a disability

37.1% of subsidized households include a senior (62+)

Commute & Transportationi

Workersi

75,476

Avg. Commutei

28.8 min

How People Get to Work

Travel Time to Work

Workforce

Total Employed

77,092

Occupations

Industries

Social Characteristicsi

Marital Status (15+)i

Veteransi

5,080(4.5% of civilian adults)