City · Illinois
Chicago, Illinois
Chicago, city, in Cook County, Illinois. Chicago had 2,731,585 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 0.6% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 2,746,388 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 2,711,226 (±63). GEOID 1714000.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
2,731,585
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 2,746,388 · ACS 2020-2024: 2,711,226 ±63
Median household income
$77,902
±$907 (90% margin)
Illinois: $83,390
Median home value
$334,100
±$2,424 (90% margin)
Illinois: $263,300
Median gross rent
$1,440
±$10 (90% margin)
Illinois: $1,274
Where is Chicago and what county is it in?
Chicago is a city in Cook County, Illinois. It covers 227.7 square miles of land, 12,059 residents per square mile in 2020.
Chicago is in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metropolitan statistical area, which takes in 13 counties (Census Bureau delineation, July 2023).
| County | 2020 residents | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Cook County | 2,746,388 | 100.0% |
| DuPage County | land only, no residents | – |
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in Chicago, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 2,731,585 people lived in Chicago on July 1, 2025, down 0.6% since 2020, in line with Illinois (−0.8%). The 2020 Census counted 2,746,388 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 2,711,226 (±63).
| Measure | Chicago | Cook County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 2,711,226 ±63 | 5,182,090 | +1,692 |
| Households | 1,160,205 ±3,944 | 2,100,230 | +93,376 |
| Average household size | 2.29 ±0.01 | 2.43 | −0.19 |
| Housing units | 1,277,054 ±3,651 | 2,276,493 | +62,604 |
Chicago's population since 2000
From 2,896,016 in 2000 to 2,731,585 in 2025: down 5.7%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Chicago as it was drawn that year: a place that annexed land, or a community that has since incorporated, covered a different area then. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); Census PEP Vintage 2025 (SUB-EST2025, CO-EST2025); 2020 Census P.L. 94-171 · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Chicago?
The median resident of Chicago is 35.8 years old; 19.4% are under 18 and 13.8% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 32.1%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 29.7%. 20.9% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Chicago | Cook County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 35.8 ±0.1 | 38.0 | +1.2 |
| Under 18 years | 19.4% ±0.2 pts | 21.1% | – |
| 65 years and over | 13.8% ±0.1 pts | 16.0% | – |
| Male | 48.6% ±0.2 pts | 48.8% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 29.7% ±0.2 pts | 26.8% | +0.9 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 32.1% ±0.2 pts | 40.1% | −1.2 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 27.4% ±0.2 pts | 21.8% | −1.8 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 7.2% ±0.2 pts | 7.9% | +0.7 pts |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.1% ±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.1 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 3.0% ±0.1 pts | 3.0% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.4% ±0.1 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 20.9% ±0.3 pts | 21.7% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 35.4% ±0.3 pts | 35.8% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 2.8% ±0.1 pts | 3.2% | – |
| With a disability | 12.1% ±0.2 pts | 11.4% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 9.8% ±0.2 pts | 8.9% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 87.2% ±0.3 pts | 88.6% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 44.3% ±0.4 pts | 42.7% | +4.8 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 19.0% ±0.3 pts | 18.0% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 86.0% ±0.3 pts | 88.4% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 2.5% ±0.1 pts | 1.8% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Chicago earn?
Half of Chicago's 1,160,205 households earn less than $77,902 a year (±$907), against $83,498 in Cook County and $83,390 in Illinois. In 2015-2019 the median was $71,684 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $6,218 after inflation. 16.8% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Chicago | Cook County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $77,902 ±$907 | $83,498 | +$6,218 |
| Mean household income | $116,016 ±$1,320 | $120,717 | – |
| Per capita income | $50,086 ±$581 | $49,329 | +$4,424 |
| People below the poverty line | 16.8% ±0.4 pts | 13.5% | −1.6 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 23.6% ±1.1 pts | 17.9% | −3.2 pts |
| Households receiving SNAP | 18.9% ±0.4 pts | 15.7% | – |
| Households with a computer | 94.9% ±0.2 pts | 95.2% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 89.1% ±0.3 pts | 90.6% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Chicago?
Owners occupy 46.0% of Chicago's occupied homes and renters 54.0%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $334,100 by its owner (±$2,424). The median renter pays $1,440 a month including utilities, and 39.3% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Chicago | Cook County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $334,100 ±$2,424 | $324,500 | +$16,581 |
| Median gross rent | $1,440 ±$10 | $1,435 | +$71 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 39.3% ±0.7 pts | 39.9% | −1.0 pts |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $2,339 ±$17 | $2,270 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 46.0% ±0.4 pts | 57.7% | +1.0 pts |
| Renter-occupied homes | 54.0% ±0.4 pts | 42.3% | – |
| Housing units | 1,277,054 ±3,651 | 2,276,493 | +62,604 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.3% ±0.1 pts | 1.1% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 4.8% ±0.3 pts | 4.5% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 25.6% ±0.3 pts | 39.6% | – |
| Mobile homes | 0.2% ±0.1 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.8% ±0.1 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 5.5% ±0.2 pts | 4.4% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 38.8% ±0.4 pts | 27.8% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 26.6% ±0.4 pts | 18.0% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Chicago building?
Builders took permits for 3,916 new housing units in Chicago in 2025 (371 in single-family houses), 1.4 per 1,000 residents against 1.5 across Illinois.
Counts of units in permits a local office issued; not every permitted unit is built. A year marked with months was reported for part of the year.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual place files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Chicago work and get to work?
44.7% of Chicago's workers drive alone and 21.0% work from home. The average trip to work takes 33.1 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 8.0%.
| Measure | Chicago | Cook County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 67.6% ±0.3 pts | 66.2% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 8.0% ±0.2 pts | 7.0% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 44.7% ±0.4 pts | 54.8% | – |
| Carpooled | 7.3% ±0.2 pts | 7.7% | – |
| Public transportation | 17.7% ±0.4 pts | 11.8% | – |
| Walked | 5.8% ±0.2 pts | 4.0% | – |
| Worked from home | 21.0% ±0.4 pts | 18.9% | +15.8 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 33.1 min ±0.2 | 31.5 min | −2.0 min |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What census tracts are in Chicago?
792 census tracts lie mostly in Chicago, and 9 more reach into it (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $13,585 (Tract 5401.01) to $250,000 or more (Tract 623).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 818Cook County | 13,521 | $147,354 |
| Tract 3301.02Cook County | 11,992 | $120,182 |
| Tract 8390Cook County | 10,391 | $106,650 |
| Tract 8331Cook County | 9,022 | $164,825 |
| Tract 814.03Cook County | 10,291 | $110,327 |
| Tract 3201.01Cook County | 8,972 | $125,862 |
| Tract 208.02Cook County | 8,964 | $68,725 |
| Tract 8435Cook County | 8,706 | $70,625 |
| Tract 2306Cook County | 8,582 | $59,351 |
| Tract 3301.03Cook County | 8,408 | $97,758 |
| Tract 8391Cook County | 8,355 | $132,361 |
| Tract 810Cook County | 8,264 | $79,465 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 block assignment files (tract share = share of the tract's census blocks in Chicago) · Census block assignment files
How does Chicago compare with other places in Illinois?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Chicago is the 3rd-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the most populous of 1,294 in Illinois.
Chicago ranks 680th of 1,380 places in Illinois with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.
| Measure | Rank | Of |
|---|---|---|
| Population, July 2025 estimate | 1st | 1,294 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 368th | 1,347 |
| Residents per square mile | 5th | 1,383 |
| Median household income | 680th | 1,380 |
| Per capita income | 269th | 1,383 |
| Median home value | 189th | 1,379 |
| Median gross rent | 229th | 1,280 |
| Poverty rate | 213th | 1,119 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 210th | 1,369 |
| Median age | 1,213th | 1,383 |
| Owner-occupied share | 1,370th | 1,382 |
| Work from home | 127th | 1,015 |
| Travel time to work | 117th | 1,382 |
Chicago's figures with every place in Illinois (CSV)
Every place in Illinois, sortable · Compare Chicago with other places
Source: PlainCities ranks computed from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How reliable are the figures for Chicago?
2 of the 57 figures for Chicago on this page carry a coefficient of variation over 40% and are marked with a ring: they come from a small sample, so read them as rough.
The American Community Survey samples about one household in eight over five years, so every figure is an estimate with a 90% margin of error (shown under each value). A ring marks an estimate whose coefficient of variation is over 40%. A change is called only when the gap between the two periods is larger than their combined 90% margin (the square root of the sum of the two squared margins), the Census Bureau's test. How to read a margin of error.
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026): margins of error as published · ACS technical documentation
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Chicago are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' public schools in Chicago.