Village · Illinois
Winnetka, Illinois
Winnetka, village, in Cook County, Illinois. Winnetka had 12,518 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 1.8% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 12,744 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 12,484 (±37). GEOID 1782530.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
12,518
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 12,744 · ACS 2020-2024: 12,484 ±37
Median household income
$250,000 or more
The survey's top or bottom value; no margin is published
Illinois: $83,390
Median home value
$1,337,800
±$123,288 (90% margin)
Illinois: $263,300
Median gross rent
$1,842
±$282 (90% margin)
Illinois: $1,274
Where is Winnetka and what county is it in?
Winnetka is a village in Cook County, Illinois. It covers 3.8 square miles of land, 3,343 residents per square mile in 2020.
Winnetka is in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metropolitan statistical area, which takes in 13 counties (Census Bureau delineation, July 2023).
Winnetka lies entirely within New Trier 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 Winnetka, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 12,518 people lived in Winnetka on July 1, 2025, down 1.8% since 2020, a steeper fall than Illinois's (−0.8%). The 2020 Census counted 12,744 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 12,484 (±37).
| Measure | Winnetka | Cook County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 12,484 ±37 | 5,182,090 | +56 |
| Households | 4,172 ±171 | 2,100,230 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.99 ±0.12 | 2.43 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 4,539 ±179 | 2,276,493 | no clear change |
Winnetka's population since 2000
From 12,419 in 2000 to 12,518 in 2025: up 0.8%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Winnetka 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 Winnetka?
The median resident of Winnetka is 41.5 years old; 34.5% are under 18 and 15.9% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 88.2%, then non-Hispanic residents of two or more races at 4.8%. 7.1% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Winnetka | Cook County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 41.5 ±2.4 | 38.0 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 34.5% ±2.4 pts | 21.1% | – |
| 65 years and over | 15.9% ±2.7 pts | 16.0% | – |
| Male | 51.4% ±1.9 pts | 48.8% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 3.6% ±1.9 pts | 26.8% | no clear change |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 88.2% ±3.3 pts | 40.1% | no clear change |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.3% ±0.5 pts | 21.8% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 2.6% ±1.0 pts | 7.9% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.3 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.1% ±0.1 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 4.8% ±2.3 pts | 3.0% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.5% ±1.0 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 7.1% ±2.0 pts | 21.7% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 10.5% ±3.1 pts | 35.8% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 3.6% ±1.2 pts | 3.2% | – |
| With a disability | 6.6% ±2.1 pts | 11.4% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 1.6% ±1.6 pts | 8.9% | – |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 99.1% ±1.1 pts | 88.6% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 86.7% ±4.1 pts | 42.7% | −5.6 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 51.3% ±5.4 pts | 18.0% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 91.5% ±2.3 pts | 88.4% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 2.2% ±1.4 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 Winnetka earn?
Half of Winnetka's 4,172 households earn less than $250,000 or more a year (), against $83,498 in Cook County and $83,390 in Illinois. In 2015-2019 the median was $250,000 or more in 2024 dollars, so it fell by $57,674 after inflation. 1.6% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Winnetka | Cook County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $250,000 or more | $83,498 | −$57,674 |
| Mean household income | $484,635 ±$54,408 | $120,717 | – |
| Per capita income | $162,186 ±$19,821 | $49,329 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 1.6% ±0.8 pts | 13.5% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 0.3% ±0.4 pts | 17.9% | – |
| Households receiving SNAP | 0.3% ±0.4 pts | 15.7% | – |
| Households with a computer | 98.3% ±1.8 pts | 95.2% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 98.0% ±1.7 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 Winnetka?
Owners occupy 92.0% of Winnetka's occupied homes and renters 8.0%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $1,337,800 by its owner (±$123,288). The median renter pays $1,842 a month including utilities, and 56.8% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Winnetka | Cook County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $1,337,800 ±$123,288 | $324,500 | no clear change |
| Median gross rent | $1,842 ±$282 | $1,435 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 56.8% ±22.4 pts | 39.9% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $4,000 or more | $2,270 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 92.0% ±2.7 pts | 57.7% | no clear change |
| Renter-occupied homes | 8.0% ±2.7 pts | 42.3% | – |
| Housing units | 4,539 ±179 | 2,276,493 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.5% ±1.4 pts | 1.1% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 6.7% ±9.2 pts | 4.5% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 88.5% ±2.9 pts | 39.6% | – |
| Mobile homes | 0.0% ±0.8 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 1.3% ±1.0 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 5.9% ±2.3 pts | 4.4% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 48.8% ±4.8 pts | 27.8% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 2.7% ±1.3 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 Winnetka building?
Builders took permits for 9 new housing units in Winnetka in 2025 (9 in single-family houses), 0.7 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 Winnetka work and get to work?
45.2% of Winnetka's workers drive alone and 29.2% work from home. The average trip to work takes 32.6 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 3.4%.
| Measure | Winnetka | Cook County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 59.0% ±3.0 pts | 66.2% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 3.4% ±1.6 pts | 7.0% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 45.2% ±5.9 pts | 54.8% | – |
| Carpooled | 3.0% ±2.6 pts | 7.7% | – |
| Public transportation | 16.5% ±3.4 pts | 11.8% | – |
| Walked | 1.8% ±1.0 pts | 4.0% | – |
| Worked from home | 29.2% ±4.2 pts | 18.9% | +15.5 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 32.6 min ±2.5 | 31.5 min | −4.9 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 Winnetka?
3 census tracts lie mostly in Winnetka, and 2 more reach into it (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $250,000 or more (Tract 8003) to $250,000 or more (Tract 8005).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 8005Cook County | 5,264 | $250,000 or more |
| Tract 8004Cook County | 3,799 | $250,000 or more |
| Tract 8003Cook County | 3,391 | $250,000 or more |
| Tract 8007Cook County | 4,984 | $250,000 or more |
| Tract 8001Cook County | 2,354 | $249,167 |
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 Winnetka) · Census block assignment files
How does Winnetka compare with other places in Illinois?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Winnetka is the 2,744th-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 191st-most populous of 1,294 in Illinois.
Winnetka ranks 1st 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 | 191st | 1,294 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 644th | 1,347 |
| Residents per square mile | 141st | 1,383 |
| Median household income | 1st | 1,380 |
| Per capita income | 1st | 1,383 |
| Median home value | 3rd | 1,379 |
| Median gross rent | 77th | 1,280 |
| Poverty rate | 1,115th | 1,119 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 4th | 1,369 |
| Median age | 637th | 1,383 |
| Owner-occupied share | 146th | 1,382 |
| Work from home | 35th | 1,015 |
| Travel time to work | 143rd | 1,382 |
Winnetka's figures with every place in Illinois (CSV)
Every place in Illinois, sortable · Compare Winnetka 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 Winnetka?
12 of the 57 figures for Winnetka 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 Winnetka 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 Winnetka.