City profile · Illinois · Census ACS 2023

Prospect Heights, IL

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

15,681
Residents
$91,599
Median income
$347,500
Median home
$1,781
Median rent (state)

Prospect Heights - the verdict

Nationally, Prospect Heights sits in the 72nd percentile for household income and the 74th percentile for safety among US cities with a population of 1,000 or more. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

72nd
percentile, household income
72nd
percentile, home value
72nd
percentile, median rent
74th
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: Prospect Heights, IL

Census ACS 2023 estimates count 15,681 residents in Prospect Heights, a small town within Illinois. Median household income here is $91,599 per year, above the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 2.9%. Home values in Prospect Heights run a median of $347,500, and the median resident age is 41.0 years. About 36.3% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 69.3% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

In 2024, 3 residential building permits were authorized in Prospect Heights (Slowing), down 25% from five years earlier, per Census BPS data. Prospect Heights reports a comparatively low crime rate: FBI UCR figures show 747.2 crimes per 100,000 residents, below the national average (reporting is voluntary across agencies, so treat this as reporting activity rather than a definitive danger score).

Illinois tracks close to the national cost-of-living baseline: on BEA's 100-equals-national-average cost index, Illinois scores 100.0 (Near Average), per the 2024 Regional Price Parities release. A typical two-bedroom carries a HUD Fair Market Rent of $1,781 per month statewide. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts Illinois's average monthly utility costs around $240 (state average). Natural-hazard exposure scores 96.0 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Very High).

Population

15,681 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Illinois

Median Household Income

$91,599 /yr

Poverty 2.9%

Cost of Living Index (state)

100.0 (US=100)

Near Average - BEA RPP 2024, Illinois average

How does Prospect Heights compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 72% higher than other cities
Home value 72% pricier than other cities
Median rent 72% pricier than other cities
Safety 74% 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: Prospect Heights ranks #183 of 455 Illinois cities by lowest crime rate, a different read than the national percentile above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

For each metric we count every US city with population 1,000+ and a non-null value, then compute what share of them fall below Prospect Heights's value: round(cities-below ÷ total × 100). Safety is inverted (percentile = share of cities with a higher crime rate) so a higher number always means safer. The in-state rank narrows that same crime-rate comparison to only the cities PlainCities tracks in Illinois, breaking ties alphabetically. See the methodology page for the full source-to-figure lineage.

72ndIncome percentile
74thSafety percentile

72nd percentile nationally for median household income · 74th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Prospect Heights's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Prospect Heights'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 58 Avg. percentile National median
Prospect Heights'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 Prospect Heights's home value compares nationally

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

$347,500 28th percentile more affordable than 28% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $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. Prospect Heights $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 - Prospect Heights, IL Prospect Heights, IL's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Prospect Heights, 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 Prospect Heights, IL median $91,599/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%
Prospect Heights, 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 Prospect Heights, IL. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 36.3%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 2.9%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 69.3%

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

Population
15,681
Median Income
$91,599
Median Home Value
$347,500
Median Age
41.0
Poverty Rate
2.9%
Labor force participation
69.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
36.3%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
747.2
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
158.7
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
588.5
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
4
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
15,400 residents15,600 residents15,800 residents16,000 residents16,200 residents 202020212022202320242025 15,990 residents 15,552 residents ▼ -2.7%
Prospect Heights's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

🏗️ Slowing
Total Permits (2024)
3
housing units authorized
Single-Family
3
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
0.2
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 4
2020 6
2021 4
2022 2
2023 4
2024 3

Permit volume decreased 25% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
70.2%
Carpool
10.5%
Public Transit
1.9%
Walk
0.1%
Work from Home
16.3%
Other
1.0%

Based on 8,764 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 Prospect Heights 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
96.0 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Illinois

Washington
15,946 people
La Grange
15,999 people
Bradley
15,331 people
Norridge
15,177 people
Dixon
15,166 people
Fairview Heights
16,255 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Prospect Heights's 15,681 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Springdale, NJ
15,672 people
Hillcrest Heights, MD
15,670 people
Newton, IA
15,696 people
Opelousas, LA
15,662 people
Whitewater, WI
15,705 people
Bellmore, NY
15,652 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Prospect Heights's $91,599 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Turin, IA
$91,602 median income
Adams Lake, IN
$91,591 median income
Merchantville, NJ
$91,607 median income
Gibraltar, PA
$91,611 median income
Pine Island, MN
$91,612 median income
Lake Lorraine, FL
$91,619 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Prospect Heights, 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 Prospect Heights, IL - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 62.2% 7.2% 20.5% 9.6% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 35.5% White 62.2% Black or African American 0.5% Asian 7.2% American Indian 0.0% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 20.5% Two or more races 9.6% 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 Prospect Heights 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
Prospect Heights (this city) 15,681 $91,599
Washington 15,946 $91,360
La Grange 15,999 $154,556
Bradley 15,331 $62,940
Census ACS 5-year FIPS IL FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Prospect Heights, IL?

What is the population of Prospect Heights, IL? +

Prospect Heights, IL has a population of 15,681 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Prospect Heights, IL? +

The median household income in Prospect Heights is $91,599 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Prospect Heights? +

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

Prospect Heights has a total crime rate of 747.2 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 Prospect Heights, IL? +

Homes in Prospect Heights carry a median value of $347,500, 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 Editorial

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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.