City · Illinois
West Chicago, Illinois
West Chicago, city, in DuPage County, Illinois. West Chicago had 25,296 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 1.3% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 25,614 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 25,395 (±51). GEOID 1780060.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
25,296
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 25,614 · ACS 2020-2024: 25,395 ±51
Median household income
$99,927
±$8,600 (90% margin)
Illinois: $83,390
Median home value
$336,800
±$20,808 (90% margin)
Illinois: $263,300
Median gross rent
$1,469
±$118 (90% margin)
Illinois: $1,274
Where is West Chicago and what county is it in?
West Chicago is a city in DuPage County, Illinois. It covers 15.4 square miles of land, 1,663 residents per square mile in 2020.
West Chicago is in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metropolitan statistical area, which takes in 13 counties (Census Bureau delineation, July 2023).
West Chicago lies mostly within Winfield Township and reaches into Wayne Township, towns or townships with their own local government (2020 census blocks).
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in West Chicago, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 25,296 people lived in West Chicago on July 1, 2025, down 1.3% since 2020, in line with Illinois (−0.8%). The 2020 Census counted 25,614 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 25,395 (±51).
| Measure | West Chicago | DuPage County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 25,395 ±51 | 930,024 | −1,785 |
| Households | 7,459 ±349 | 350,758 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 3.35 ±0.16 | 2.61 | −0.23 |
| Housing units | 7,745 ±350 | 367,152 | no clear change |
West Chicago's population since 2000
From 23,469 in 2000 to 25,296 in 2025: up 7.8%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for West 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 West Chicago?
The median resident of West Chicago is 36.3 years old; 26.2% are under 18 and 11.1% are 65 or older. The largest group is Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 47.8%, then non-Hispanic white residents at 35.3%. 32.9% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | West Chicago | DuPage County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 36.3 ±2.3 | 40.2 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 26.2% ±1.9 pts | 22.2% | – |
| 65 years and over | 11.1% ±1.2 pts | 17.3% | – |
| Male | 51.1% ±1.7 pts | 49.5% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 47.8% ±3.0 pts | 16.1% | −5.1 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 35.3% ±2.7 pts | 62.2% | no clear change |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 3.0% ±1.7 pts | 4.8% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 10.3% ±2.0 pts | 13.0% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.1 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.1 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 3.4% ±1.8 pts | 3.5% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.2% ±0.2 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 32.9% ±3.3 pts | 20.5% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 51.0% ±3.8 pts | 29.6% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 2.7% ±0.6 pts | 3.5% | – |
| With a disability | 9.2% ±1.6 pts | 9.0% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 12.0% ±2.0 pts | 5.2% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 78.8% ±2.6 pts | 93.0% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 32.2% ±2.5 pts | 51.8% | +4.3 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 13.2% ±2.2 pts | 21.1% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 92.2% ±2.7 pts | 89.7% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.1% ±1.6 pts | 1.3% | – |
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 West Chicago earn?
Half of West Chicago's 7,459 households earn less than $99,927 a year (±$8,600), against $112,096 in DuPage County and $83,390 in Illinois. In 2015-2019 it was $96,137 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 13.0% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | West Chicago | DuPage County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $99,927 ±$8,600 | $112,096 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $125,614 ±$7,557 | $152,117 | – |
| Per capita income | $38,037 ±$2,147 | $58,189 | +$3,098 |
| People below the poverty line | 13.0% ±3.5 pts | 6.6% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 17.4% ±7.2 pts | 7.0% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 10.4% ±2.5 pts | 7.4% | – |
| Households with a computer | 98.4% ±0.8 pts | 97.5% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 93.7% ±2.0 pts | 94.8% | – |
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 West Chicago?
Owners occupy 70.9% of West Chicago's occupied homes and renters 29.1%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $336,800 by its owner (±$20,808). The median renter pays $1,469 a month including utilities, and 52.0% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | West Chicago | DuPage County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $336,800 ±$20,808 | $391,400 | +$29,742 |
| Median gross rent | $1,469 ±$118 | $1,688 | +$136 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 52.0% ±9.3 pts | 36.1% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $2,428 ±$104 | $2,450 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 70.9% ±3.4 pts | 73.1% | no clear change |
| Renter-occupied homes | 29.1% ±3.4 pts | 26.9% | – |
| Housing units | 7,745 ±350 | 367,152 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.5% ±0.8 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 2.9% ±3.2 pts | 5.6% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 67.2% ±3.1 pts | 58.4% | – |
| Mobile homes | 0.3% ±0.3 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.1% ±0.1 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 0.9% ±0.7 pts | 4.7% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 12.3% ±2.6 pts | 5.3% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 6.3% ±2.0 pts | 4.6% | – |
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 West Chicago building?
Builders took permits for 1 new housing units in West Chicago in 2025 (1 in single-family houses), 0.0 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 West Chicago work and get to work?
65.2% of West Chicago's workers drive alone and 11.7% work from home. The average trip to work takes 26.3 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 9.5%.
| Measure | West Chicago | DuPage County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 72.3% ±2.1 pts | 68.0% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 9.5% ±3.7 pts | 4.9% | +5.1 pts |
| Drove alone to work | 65.2% ±3.8 pts | 64.9% | – |
| Carpooled | 18.7% ±3.5 pts | 6.8% | – |
| Public transportation | 1.1% ±0.9 pts | 4.0% | – |
| Walked | 0.9% ±0.5 pts | 1.5% | – |
| Worked from home | 11.7% ±2.2 pts | 21.5% | +8.3 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 26.3 min ±1.8 | 27.7 min | no clear change |
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 West Chicago?
4 census tracts lie mostly in West Chicago, and 8 more reach into it (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $77,621 (Tract 8413.12) to $99,340 (Tract 8415.03).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 8415.01DuPage County | 5,636 | $82,188 |
| Tract 8415.03DuPage County | 4,079 | $99,340 |
| Tract 8415.04DuPage County | 3,435 | $86,232 |
| Tract 8413.12DuPage County | 3,663 | $77,621 |
| Tract 8414.01DuPage County | 6,695 | $103,226 |
| Tract 8413.26DuPage County | 3,603 | $166,250 |
| Tract 8413.10DuPage County | 3,640 | $208,906 |
| Tract 8416.05DuPage County | 3,104 | $114,795 |
| Tract 8413.13DuPage County | 2,780 | $86,331 |
| Tract 8416.03DuPage County | 4,810 | $86,875 |
| Tract 8413.27DuPage County | 3,789 | $160,446 |
| Tract 8414.03DuPage County | 4,044 | $120,750 |
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 West Chicago) · Census block assignment files
How does West Chicago compare with other places in Illinois?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, West Chicago is the 1,599th-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 89th-most populous of 1,294 in Illinois.
West Chicago ranks 346th 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 | 89th | 1,294 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 495th | 1,347 |
| Residents per square mile | 372nd | 1,383 |
| Median household income | 346th | 1,380 |
| Per capita income | 718th | 1,383 |
| Median home value | 180th | 1,379 |
| Median gross rent | 219th | 1,280 |
| Poverty rate | 376th | 1,119 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 415th | 1,369 |
| Median age | 1,182nd | 1,383 |
| Owner-occupied share | 1,000th | 1,382 |
| Work from home | 468th | 1,015 |
| Travel time to work | 617th | 1,382 |
West Chicago's figures with every place in Illinois (CSV)
Every place in Illinois, sortable · Compare West 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 West Chicago?
10 of the 57 figures for West 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 West 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 West Chicago.