Village · Illinois
Wheeling, Illinois
Wheeling, village, in Cook County, Illinois. Wheeling had 38,391 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 2.0% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 39,137 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 38,433 (±41). GEOID 1781087.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
38,391
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 39,137 · ACS 2020-2024: 38,433 ±41
Median household income
$85,205
±$3,711 (90% margin)
Illinois: $83,390
Median home value
$266,200
±$17,846 (90% margin)
Illinois: $263,300
Median gross rent
$1,663
±$86 (90% margin)
Illinois: $1,274
Where is Wheeling and what county is it in?
Wheeling is a village in Cook County, Illinois. It covers 8.7 square miles of land, 4,513 residents per square mile in 2020.
Wheeling is in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metropolitan statistical area, which takes in 13 counties (Census Bureau delineation, July 2023).
Wheeling lies mostly within Wheeling Township, a township with its own local government (2020 census blocks).
| County | 2020 residents | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Cook County | 39,137 | 100.0% |
| Lake County | land only, no residents | – |
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in Wheeling, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 38,391 people lived in Wheeling on July 1, 2025, down 2.0% since 2020, a steeper fall than Illinois's (−0.8%). The 2020 Census counted 39,137 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 38,433 (±41).
| Measure | Wheeling | Cook County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 38,433 ±41 | 5,182,090 | no clear change |
| Households | 15,171 ±659 | 2,100,230 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.49 ±0.11 | 2.43 | −0.14 |
| Housing units | 16,045 ±691 | 2,276,493 | +1,039 |
Wheeling's population since 2000
From 34,496 in 2000 to 38,391 in 2025: up 11.3%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Wheeling 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 Wheeling?
The median resident of Wheeling is 39.9 years old; 20.6% are under 18 and 17.6% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 49.1%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 28.1%. 45.4% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Wheeling | Cook County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 39.9 ±2.3 | 38.0 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 20.6% ±2.2 pts | 21.1% | – |
| 65 years and over | 17.6% ±2.2 pts | 16.0% | – |
| Male | 47.7% ±2.0 pts | 48.8% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 28.1% ±3.3 pts | 26.8% | no clear change |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 49.1% ±4.2 pts | 40.1% | no clear change |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 3.8% ±1.9 pts | 21.8% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 15.3% ±2.4 pts | 7.9% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.5% ±0.5 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.1 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 2.3% ±1.2 pts | 3.0% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.8% ±1.1 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 45.4% ±2.7 pts | 21.7% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 61.8% ±3.6 pts | 35.8% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 2.4% ±0.8 pts | 3.2% | – |
| With a disability | 9.6% ±1.7 pts | 11.4% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 10.6% ±1.7 pts | 8.9% | −3.2 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 87.5% ±2.1 pts | 88.6% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 40.8% ±3.1 pts | 42.7% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 13.7% ±1.9 pts | 18.0% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 85.5% ±2.7 pts | 88.4% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 0.6% ±0.3 pts | 1.8% | – |
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 Wheeling earn?
Half of Wheeling's 15,171 households earn less than $85,205 a year (±$3,711), against $83,498 in Cook County and $83,390 in Illinois. In 2015-2019 it was $84,444 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 10.0% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Wheeling | Cook County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $85,205 ±$3,711 | $83,498 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $104,690 ±$8,981 | $120,717 | – |
| Per capita income | $41,499 ±$3,630 | $49,329 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 10.0% ±2.5 pts | 13.5% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 14.0% ±6.3 pts | 17.9% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 10.6% ±1.9 pts | 15.7% | – |
| Households with a computer | 97.5% ±0.9 pts | 95.2% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 94.2% ±1.4 pts | 90.6% | – |
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 Wheeling?
Owners occupy 62.7% of Wheeling's occupied homes and renters 37.3%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $266,200 by its owner (±$17,846). The median renter pays $1,663 a month including utilities, and 39.5% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Wheeling | Cook County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $266,200 ±$17,846 | $324,500 | +$21,661 |
| Median gross rent | $1,663 ±$86 | $1,435 | +$106 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 39.5% ±6.0 pts | 39.9% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,909 ±$121 | $2,270 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 62.7% ±3.4 pts | 57.7% | no clear change |
| Renter-occupied homes | 37.3% ±3.4 pts | 42.3% | – |
| Housing units | 16,045 ±691 | 2,276,493 | +1,039 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 2.3% ±1.4 pts | 1.1% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 4.6% ±3.4 pts | 4.5% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 27.4% ±2.4 pts | 39.6% | – |
| Mobile homes | 1.9% ±1.4 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.7% ±0.6 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 4.8% ±2.1 pts | 4.4% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 2.7% ±1.4 pts | 27.8% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 5.2% ±1.6 pts | 18.0% | – |
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 Wheeling building?
Builders took permits for 17 new housing units in Wheeling in 2025 (17 in single-family houses), 0.4 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 Wheeling work and get to work?
69.2% of Wheeling's workers drive alone and 14.3% work from home. The average trip to work takes 25.7 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 4.8%.
| Measure | Wheeling | Cook County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 70.7% ±2.3 pts | 66.2% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 4.8% ±1.4 pts | 7.0% | +1.8 pts |
| Drove alone to work | 69.2% ±3.5 pts | 54.8% | – |
| Carpooled | 10.9% ±2.5 pts | 7.7% | – |
| Public transportation | 2.4% ±0.8 pts | 11.8% | – |
| Walked | 1.2% ±0.6 pts | 4.0% | – |
| Worked from home | 14.3% ±3.2 pts | 18.9% | +11.6 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 25.7 min ±1.3 | 31.5 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 Wheeling?
8 census tracts lie mostly in Wheeling, and 6 more reach into it (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $78,942 (Tract 8024.02) to $106,076 (Tract 8025.03).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 8024.04Cook County | 7,892 | $81,371 |
| Tract 8025.04Cook County | 6,373 | $100,313 |
| Tract 8025.05Cook County | 6,157 | $79,886 |
| Tract 8025.03Cook County | 7,232 | $106,076 |
| Tract 8024.02Cook County | 5,739 | $78,942 |
| Tract 8030.14Cook County | 3,543 | $83,030 |
| Tract 8025.06Cook County | 2,393 | $83,056 |
| Tract 8026.05Cook County | 7,035 | $119,375 |
| Tract 8024.03Cook County | 1,517 | $87,525 |
| Tract 8030.15Cook County | 4,520 | $108,030 |
| Tract 8645.23Lake County | 4,084 | $97,672 |
| Tract 8645.20Lake County | 5,166 | $147,321 |
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 Wheeling) · Census block assignment files
How does Wheeling compare with other places in Illinois?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Wheeling is the 1,083rd-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 47th-most populous of 1,294 in Illinois.
Wheeling ranks 553rd 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 | 47th | 1,294 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 703rd | 1,347 |
| Residents per square mile | 73rd | 1,383 |
| Median household income | 553rd | 1,380 |
| Per capita income | 545th | 1,383 |
| Median home value | 329th | 1,379 |
| Median gross rent | 132nd | 1,280 |
| Poverty rate | 570th | 1,119 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 253rd | 1,369 |
| Median age | 825th | 1,383 |
| Owner-occupied share | 1,237th | 1,382 |
| Work from home | 324th | 1,015 |
| Travel time to work | 683rd | 1,382 |
Wheeling's figures with every place in Illinois (CSV)
Every place in Illinois, sortable · Compare Wheeling 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 Wheeling?
6 of the 57 figures for Wheeling 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 Wheeling 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 Wheeling.