City profile · Illinois · Census ACS 2023

Palos Park, IL

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

4,832
Residents
$126,263
Median income
$469,900
Median home
$1,781
Median rent (state)

Palos Park - the verdict

Measured against every US city with at least 1,000 residents, Palos Park lands in the 89th percentile for household income and the 84th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

89th
percentile, household income
83rd
percentile, home value
72nd
percentile, median rent
84th
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: Palos Park, IL

Census ACS 2023 estimates count 4,832 residents in Palos Park, a small town within Illinois. Palos Park households earn a median of $126,263 annually, placing it in the top quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 2.2%. Palos Park's housing stock carries a median value of $469,900, and the median resident age is 60.6 years. 49.0% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 48.4% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The Census Building Permit Survey recorded 2 residential units authorized here in 2024 (Construction Slowdown), down 87% from five years earlier. Palos Park reports a comparatively low crime rate: per-100,000 total crime stands at 529.7 in FBI UCR data, below the national average (a voluntary reporting program, read this as 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). Statewide, HUD pegs Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit at $1,781 monthly. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts Illinois's average monthly utility costs around $240 (state average). Natural-hazard exposure scores 97.3 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Very High).

Population

4,832 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Illinois

Median Household Income

$126,263 /yr

Poverty 2.2%

Cost of Living Index (state)

100.0 (US=100)

Near Average - BEA RPP 2024, Illinois average

How does Palos Park compare to other US cities?

Palos Park measured against every US city with 1,000+ residents, computed live from the same Census and FBI data shown throughout this page.

Household income 89% higher than other cities
Home value 83% pricier than other cities
Median rent 72% pricier than other cities
Safety 84% safer than other cities

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

A national percentile can hide a lot of local variation: narrowed to Illinois alone, Palos Park ranks #117 of 455 Illinois cities by lowest crime rate - a different, more locally useful comparison than stacking it against the entire country.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares Palos Park 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 Palos Park's strongest outlier among Illinois cities

Among the 1,315 Illinois cities PlainCities tracks with reported median home value data, Palos Park ranks #47 - the 96th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Palos Park only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#92 of 1,311
93rd percentile in Illinois
Median Gross Rent
#17 of 1,336
77th percentile in Illinois
Median Home Value
#47 of 1,315
96th percentile in Illinois
Poverty Rate
#1,099 of 1,335
17th percentile in Illinois
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#117 of 1,336
91st 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.

89thIncome percentile
84thSafety percentile

89th percentile nationally for median household income · 84th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Palos Park's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Palos Park'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 65 Avg. percentile National median
Palos Park'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 Palos Park's home value compares nationally

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

$469,900 17th percentile more affordable than 17% 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%). Below this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). This entry sits in this band. $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. Palos Park $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 - Palos Park, IL Palos Park, IL's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Palos Park, 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 Palos Park, IL median $126,263/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%
Palos Park, 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 Palos Park, IL. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 49.0%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 2.2%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 48.4%

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

Population
4,832
Median Income
$126,263
Median Home Value
$469,900
Median Age
60.6
Poverty Rate
2.2%
Labor force participation
48.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
49.0%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
529.7
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
0.0
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
529.7
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
2
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
4,750 residents4,800 residents4,850 residents4,900 residents 202020212022202320242025 4,872 residents 4,805 residents ▼ -1.4%
Palos Park's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📉 Construction Slowdown
Total Permits (2024)
2
housing units authorized
Single-Family
2
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
0.4
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 16
2020 16
2021 7
2022 7
2023 3
2024 2

Permit volume decreased 87% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
61.5%
Carpool
4.8%
Public Transit
2.3%
Walk
0.5%
Work from Home
29.9%
Other
1.0%

Based on 2,023 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 Palos Park 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
97.3 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Illinois

Beecher
4,837 people
Flora
4,860 people
Carmi
4,879 people
Robbins
4,956 people
Lakewood
4,699 people
Tuscola
4,675 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Palos Park's 4,832 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Glendive, MT
4,831 people
South Bound Brook, NJ
4,833 people
King George, VA
4,833 people
Wauna, WA
4,831 people
Holbrook, AZ
4,834 people
Indian Wells, CA
4,830 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Palos Park's $126,263 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Sewall's Point, FL
$126,268 median income
Freedom Acres, AZ
$126,250 median income
Platte Woods, MO
$126,250 median income
Thiells, NY
$126,250 median income
Tioga Terrace, NY
$126,250 median income
Plain City, UT
$126,250 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Palos Park, 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 Palos Park, IL - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 89.1% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 4.0% White 89.1% Black or African American 3.9% Asian 1.5% American Indian 0.0% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 2.8% Two or more races 2.7% 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 Palos Park 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
Palos Park (this city) 4,832 $126,263
Beecher 4,837 $101,957
Flora 4,860 $50,588
Carmi 4,879 $47,051
Census ACS 5-year FIPS IL FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Palos Park, IL?

What is the population of Palos Park, IL? +

Palos Park, IL has a population of 4,832 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Palos Park, IL? +

Median annual household income in Palos Park runs $126,263, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Palos Park? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Palos Park; 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 Palos Park, IL safe? +

Palos Park has a total crime rate of 529.7 per 100,000 residents, which is below 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 Palos Park, IL? +

A typical home in Palos Park is worth $469,900, 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.