City profile · Illinois · Census ACS 2023

Chicago, IL

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Chicago - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

2,707,648
Residents
$75,134
Median income
$315,200
Median home
$1,781
Median rent (state)

Chicago - the verdict

Nationally, Chicago sits in the 56th percentile for household income and the 7th percentile for safety among US cities with a population of 1,000 or more. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

56th
percentile, household income
67th
percentile, home value
72nd
percentile, median rent
7th
percentile, safety
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Chicago, IL

Illinois's Chicago is a major U.S. city, with 2,707,648 residents per the latest Census Bureau ACS figures. The typical household in Chicago brings in $75,134 a year, above the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 13.0%. Typical homes in Chicago are valued around $315,200, and the median resident age is 35.7 years. About 43.3% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 62.0% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Housing supply pressure shows in Census Building Permit Survey data: 4,371 residential units were authorized in 2024 (Construction Slowdown), down 45% from five years earlier. Chicago's reported crime rate runs above the national norm: the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program logs 4012.2 total incidents per 100,000 residents here, above the national average (agency reporting is voluntary, so this measures reporting activity, not a definitive danger score).

Illinois tracks close to the national cost-of-living baseline: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 puts Illinois at 100.0 on a 100-equals-national-average scale (Near Average). HUD Fair Market Rent for a typical two-bedroom in this state is $1,781 per month. Statewide, average monthly utility bills in Illinois run around $240, per EIA 2023 residential energy data. The average commute for Chicago workers runs 27.4 minutes, with 46.0% driving alone and 18.3% working from home. On FEMA's National Risk Index, this area rates 100.0 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (Very High).

Population

2,707,648 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Illinois

Median Household Income

$75,134 /yr

Poverty 13.0%

Cost of Living Index (state)

100.0 (US=100)

Near Average - BEA RPP 2024, Illinois average

How does Chicago compare to other US cities?

Here's how Chicago stacks up against the full field of US cities (population 1,000+), computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 56% higher than other cities
Home value 67% pricier than other cities
Median rent 72% pricier than other cities
Safety 7% safer than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

Zoom in to just Illinois and the picture shifts: Chicago ranks #442 of 455 Illinois cities by lowest crime rate, a different read than the national percentile above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares Chicago against every qualifying US city; each in-state rank narrows that to Illinois only. Full formula and direction notes: methodology.

Illinois-relative analysis

Median Home Value is Chicago's strongest outlier among Illinois cities

Among the 1,315 Illinois cities PlainCities tracks with reported median home value data, Chicago ranks #133 - the 90th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Chicago only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#494 of 1,311
62nd percentile in Illinois
Median Gross Rent
#17 of 1,336
77th percentile in Illinois
Median Home Value
#133 of 1,315
90th percentile in Illinois
Poverty Rate
#319 of 1,335
76th percentile in Illinois
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#156 of 1,336
88th percentile in Illinois

Ranked by raw value (highest first); a higher rank is not automatically "better" for every measure, see each metric's own context above. This is a comparison within Illinois only, not a livability score. See the methodology for the source and calculation.

56thIncome percentile
7thSafety percentile

56th percentile nationally for median household income · 7th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Chicago's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Chicago's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 31 Avg. percentile National median
Chicago's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How Chicago's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$315,200 33rd percentile more affordable than 33% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Below this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). This entry sits in this band. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Chicago $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Chicago, IL Chicago, IL's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Chicago, IL-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Chicago, IL median $75,134/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Chicago, IL's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Chicago, IL. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 43.3%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 13.0%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 62.0%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
2,707,648
Median Income
$75,134
Median Home Value
$315,200
Median Age
35.7
Poverty Rate
13.0%
Labor force participation
62.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
43.3%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
4012.2
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
539.8
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
3472.4
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Schools

Total Schools
633
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
2,660,000 residents2,680,000 residents2,700,000 residents2,720,000 residents2,740,000 residents2,760,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 2,741,640 residents 2,731,585 residents ▼ -0.4%
Chicago's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

📉 Construction Slowdown
Total Permits (2024)
4,371
housing units authorized
Single-Family
325
detached homes
Multifamily
4,046
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
1.6
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 7,914
2020 4,133
2021 5,341
2022 7,124
2023 3,616
2024 4,371

Permit volume decreased 45% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
27.4 minutes
Drive Alone
46.0%
Carpool
7.4%
Public Transit
19.3%
Walk
5.7%
Work from Home
18.3%
Other
3.3%

Based on 1,352,444 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for Illinois - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$100
avg/month
Natural Gas
$90
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$50
avg/month
Total Utilities
$240
estimated/month

Estimates reflect Illinois state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a Illinois state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Chicago sits in

Cost of Living Index
100.0
Near Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,781/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
100.0 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Illinois

Aurora
179,867 people
Joliet
149,785 people
Naperville
149,424 people
Rockford
147,649 people
Elgin
114,106 people
Springfield
113,714 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Chicago's 2,707,648 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Houston, TX
2,300,419 people
Phoenix, AZ
1,624,832 people
Philadelphia, PA
1,582,432 people
Los Angeles, CA
3,857,897 people
San Antonio, TX
1,458,954 people
San Diego, CA
1,385,061 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Chicago's $75,134 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Diggins, MO
$75,125 median income
Gallatin, TX
$75,125 median income
San Marine, OR
$75,123 median income
Sherwood, OH
$75,147 median income
Fletcher, NC
$75,117 median income
Drexel Heights, AZ
$75,152 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Chicago, IL Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Chicago, IL - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 39.0% 28.4% 7.1% 12.4% 12.0% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 29.6% White 39.0% Black or African American 28.4% Asian 7.1% American Indian 0.9% Native Hawaiian 0.1% Some other race 12.4% Two or more races 12.0% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Chicago compares to nearby Illinois cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Chicago (this city) 2,707,648 $75,134
Aurora 179,867 $90,109
Joliet 149,785 $88,026
Naperville 149,424 $150,937
Census ACS 5-year FIPS IL FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Chicago, IL?

What is the population of Chicago, IL? +

The population of Chicago, IL stands at 2,707,648 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Chicago, IL? +

Chicago households earn a median of $75,134 annually, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Chicago? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Chicago; the closest available measure is the Illinois state average, a cost of living index of 100.0 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Near Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within Illinois vary by metro area.

Is Chicago, IL safe? +

Chicago has a total crime rate of 4012.2 per 100,000 residents, which is above the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in Chicago, IL? +

A typical home in Chicago is worth $315,200, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.