City · Illinois
Wheaton, Illinois
Wheaton, city, in DuPage County, Illinois. Wheaton had 54,065 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 0.1% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 53,970 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 53,557 (±55). GEOID 1781048.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
54,065
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 53,970 · ACS 2020-2024: 53,557 ±55
Median household income
$120,008
±$3,644 (90% margin)
Illinois: $83,390
Median home value
$455,700
±$10,472 (90% margin)
Illinois: $263,300
Median gross rent
$1,799
±$83 (90% margin)
Illinois: $1,274
Where is Wheaton and what county is it in?
Wheaton is a city in DuPage County, Illinois. It covers 11.3 square miles of land, 4,768 residents per square mile in 2020.
Wheaton is in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metropolitan statistical area, which takes in 13 counties (Census Bureau delineation, July 2023).
Wheaton lies mostly within Milton Township, a township with its 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 Wheaton, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 54,065 people lived in Wheaton on July 1, 2025, up 0.1% since 2020, while Illinois shrank 0.8%. The 2020 Census counted 53,970 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 53,557 (±55).
| Measure | Wheaton | DuPage County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 53,557 ±55 | 930,024 | +287 |
| Households | 19,588 ±451 | 350,758 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.54 ±0.06 | 2.61 | −0.08 |
| Housing units | 20,359 ±484 | 367,152 | no clear change |
Wheaton's population since 2000
From 55,416 in 2000 to 54,065 in 2025: down 2.4%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Wheaton 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 Wheaton?
The median resident of Wheaton is 36.8 years old; 22.0% are under 18 and 17.5% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 76.3%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 8.9%. 10.8% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Wheaton | DuPage County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 36.8 ±0.8 | 40.2 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 22.0% ±1.0 pts | 22.2% | – |
| 65 years and over | 17.5% ±1.1 pts | 17.3% | – |
| Male | 49.4% ±1.3 pts | 49.5% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 8.9% ±1.5 pts | 16.1% | +2.4 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 76.3% ±1.6 pts | 62.2% | −3.3 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 4.1% ±0.8 pts | 4.8% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 5.8% ±1.0 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 | 4.2% ±0.8 pts | 3.5% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.7% ±0.6 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 10.8% ±1.2 pts | 20.5% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 14.6% ±1.7 pts | 29.6% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 2.8% ±0.5 pts | 3.5% | – |
| With a disability | 7.6% ±0.8 pts | 9.0% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 2.3% ±0.5 pts | 5.2% | −1.3 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 96.2% ±0.9 pts | 93.0% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 64.5% ±1.9 pts | 51.8% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 28.1% ±1.7 pts | 21.1% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 86.4% ±1.4 pts | 89.7% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 2.2% ±0.5 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 Wheaton earn?
Half of Wheaton's 19,588 households earn less than $120,008 a year (±$3,644), against $112,096 in DuPage County and $83,390 in Illinois. In 2015-2019 the median was $127,224 in 2024 dollars, so it fell by $7,216 after inflation. 5.6% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Wheaton | DuPage County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $120,008 ±$3,644 | $112,096 | −$7,216 |
| Mean household income | $165,995 ±$7,048 | $152,117 | – |
| Per capita income | $62,088 ±$2,906 | $58,189 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 5.6% ±1.1 pts | 6.6% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 5.0% ±2.2 pts | 7.0% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 4.2% ±1.2 pts | 7.4% | – |
| Households with a computer | 98.3% ±0.6 pts | 97.5% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 95.7% ±1.1 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 Wheaton?
Owners occupy 71.7% of Wheaton's occupied homes and renters 28.3%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $455,700 by its owner (±$10,472). The median renter pays $1,799 a month including utilities, and 33.6% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Wheaton | DuPage County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $455,700 ±$10,472 | $391,400 | +$15,112 |
| Median gross rent | $1,799 ±$83 | $1,688 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 33.6% ±4.5 pts | 36.1% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $2,764 ±$94 | $2,450 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 71.7% ±2.0 pts | 73.1% | no clear change |
| Renter-occupied homes | 28.3% ±2.0 pts | 26.9% | – |
| Housing units | 20,359 ±484 | 367,152 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.7% ±0.8 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 5.0% ±2.8 pts | 5.6% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 58.0% ±1.9 pts | 58.4% | – |
| Mobile homes | 0.0% ±0.2 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.3% ±0.2 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 4.5% ±1.2 pts | 4.7% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 8.9% ±1.7 pts | 5.3% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 5.4% ±1.3 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 Wheaton building?
Builders took permits for 9 new housing units in Wheaton in 2025 (9 in single-family houses), 0.2 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 Wheaton work and get to work?
59.5% of Wheaton's workers drive alone and 25.7% work from home. The average trip to work takes 25.7 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 3.7%.
| Measure | Wheaton | DuPage County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 64.8% ±1.7 pts | 68.0% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 3.7% ±0.8 pts | 4.9% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 59.5% ±2.4 pts | 64.9% | – |
| Carpooled | 5.0% ±0.9 pts | 6.8% | – |
| Public transportation | 4.2% ±0.8 pts | 4.0% | – |
| Walked | 4.0% ±0.8 pts | 1.5% | – |
| Worked from home | 25.7% ±1.9 pts | 21.5% | +17.6 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 25.7 min ±1.2 | 27.7 min | −2.3 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 Wheaton?
13 census tracts lie mostly in Wheaton, and 6 more reach into it (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $85,455 (Tract 8426.04) to $250,000 or more (Tract 8426.02).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 8424DuPage County | 4,699 | $97,554 |
| Tract 8427.02DuPage County | 4,570 | $102,798 |
| Tract 8426.04DuPage County | 4,581 | $85,455 |
| Tract 8419.02DuPage County | 4,195 | $102,885 |
| Tract 8427.03DuPage County | 4,009 | $123,992 |
| Tract 8418.01DuPage County | 4,962 | $125,568 |
| Tract 8425DuPage County | 3,486 | $121,791 |
| Tract 8426.05DuPage County | 3,603 | $104,375 |
| Tract 8427.04DuPage County | 5,148 | $105,495 |
| Tract 8426.03DuPage County | 4,469 | $105,948 |
| Tract 8426.01DuPage County | 4,366 | $158,636 |
| Tract 8426.02DuPage County | 4,160 | $250,000 or more |
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 Wheaton) · Census block assignment files
How does Wheaton compare with other places in Illinois?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Wheaton is the 761st-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 26th-most populous of 1,294 in Illinois.
Wheaton ranks 160th 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 | 26th | 1,294 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 261st | 1,347 |
| Residents per square mile | 60th | 1,383 |
| Median household income | 160th | 1,380 |
| Per capita income | 103rd | 1,383 |
| Median home value | 67th | 1,379 |
| Median gross rent | 89th | 1,280 |
| Poverty rate | 916th | 1,119 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 56th | 1,369 |
| Median age | 1,145th | 1,383 |
| Owner-occupied share | 969th | 1,382 |
| Work from home | 65th | 1,015 |
| Travel time to work | 683rd | 1,382 |
Wheaton's figures with every place in Illinois (CSV)
Every place in Illinois, sortable · Compare Wheaton 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 Wheaton?
6 of the 57 figures for Wheaton 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 Wheaton 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 Wheaton.