County · Illinois
Cook County, Illinois
Cook County, Illinois. Cook County had 5,194,625 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 1.6% since 2020, a steeper fall than Illinois's (−0.8%). It holds 161 places (136 cities, villages and boroughs and 25 towns and townships) and 1,332 census tracts. GEOID 17031.
Cook County is one of the 13 counties of the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
5,194,625
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 5,275,541 · ACS 2020-2024: 5,182,090
Median household income
$83,498
±$630 (90% margin)
Illinois: $83,390
Median home value
$324,500
±$1,460 (90% margin)
Illinois: $263,300
Median gross rent
$1,435
±$7 (90% margin)
Illinois: $1,274
How many people live in Cook County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 5,275,541 residents in Cook County. The Census Bureau estimates 5,194,625 for July 1, 2025, down 1.6% since 2020, a steeper fall than Illinois's (−0.8%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 5,182,090 over 945 square miles of land.
| Measure | Cook County | Illinois | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 5,182,090 | 12,694,798 | −16,185 |
| Households | 2,100,230±3,848 | 5,036,449 | +128,122 |
| Average household size | 2.43±0.01 | 2.46 | −0.16 |
| Housing units | 2,276,493±389 | 5,457,452 | +83,155 |
Cook County's population since 2000
From 5,376,741 in 2000 to 5,194,625 in 2025: down 3.4%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. 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); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov
What cities and towns are in Cook County?
Cook County holds 161 places: 136 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 25 towns and townships (county subdivisions with their own government). The largest is Chicago with 2,731,585 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Chicago | 2,746,388 | $77,902 |
|---|---|---|
| Thornton Township | 157,865 | $58,534 |
| Wheeling Township | 157,487 | $106,026 |
| Worth Township, Cook County | 152,934 | $77,966 |
| Proviso Township | 151,209 | $82,097 |
| Maine Township, Cook County | 140,600 | $98,291 |
| Schaumburg Township | 134,809 | $99,298 |
| Lyons Township | 115,105 | $92,619 |
| Palatine Township | 114,403 | $104,916 |
| Niles Township | 112,407 | $97,280 |
| Bremen Township | 107,149 | $78,755 |
| Hanover Township, Cook County | 100,092 | $99,697 |
| Orland Township | 98,246 | $104,383 |
| Elk Grove Township | 95,508 | $88,801 |
| Leyden Township | 93,096 | $79,935 |
| Northfield Township | 91,565 | $136,617 |
| Bloom Township | 86,018 | $73,530 |
| Cicero | 85,268 | $70,842 |
| Schaumburg | 78,723 | $97,514 |
| Evanston | 78,110 | $96,434 |
| Arlington Heights | 77,676 | $116,723 |
| Rich Township | 76,138 | $83,848 |
| Palatine | 67,908 | $97,819 |
| Skokie | 67,824 | $95,337 |
| Des Plaines | 60,675 | $97,875 |
| Oak Lawn | 58,362 | $83,911 |
| Orland Park | 58,703 | $98,910 |
| New Trier Township | 57,371 | $215,916 |
| Berwyn | 57,250 | $78,408 |
| Mount Prospect | 56,852 | $101,720 |
| Palos Township | 56,836 | $86,101 |
| Oak Park | 54,583 | $110,820 |
| Hoffman Estates | 52,530 | $106,806 |
| Glenview | 48,705 | $143,056 |
| Tinley Park | 55,971 | $105,189 |
| Stickney Township | 41,514 | $78,454 |
| Park Ridge | 39,656 | $142,986 |
| Streamwood | 39,577 | $101,218 |
| Wheeling | 39,137 | $85,205 |
| Calumet City | 36,033 | $55,369 |
| Northbrook | 35,222 | $157,782 |
| Elk Grove Village | 32,812 | $94,175 |
| Niles | 30,912 | $75,274 |
| Burbank | 29,439 | $80,116 |
| Lansing | 29,076 | $75,569 |
| Wilmette | 28,170 | $190,662 |
| Chicago Heights | 27,480 | $54,798 |
| Oak Forest | 27,478 | $91,990 |
| Norwood Park Township | 27,441 | $90,376 |
| Morton Grove | 25,297 | $111,116 |
| Melrose Park | 24,796 | $66,189 |
| Elgin | 114,797 | $90,282 |
| Elmwood Park | 24,521 | $91,955 |
| Rolling Meadows | 24,200 | $98,514 |
| Maywood | 23,512 | $68,815 |
| Lemont Township | 22,645 | $120,984 |
| Blue Island | 22,558 | $59,489 |
| South Holland | 21,465 | $85,280 |
| Dolton | 21,426 | $57,887 |
| Harvey | 20,324 | $42,429 |
| Hanover Park | 37,470 | $91,763 |
| Evergreen Park | 19,943 | $95,719 |
| Brookfield | 19,476 | $110,295 |
| Homewood | 19,463 | $100,139 |
| Matteson | 19,073 | $95,457 |
| Alsip | 19,063 | $66,585 |
| Bellwood | 18,789 | $79,513 |
| Calumet Township | 18,609 | $49,861 |
| Palos Hills | 18,530 | $83,533 |
| Park Forest | 21,687 | $61,072 |
| Franklin Park | 18,467 | $76,519 |
| Lemont | 17,629 | $123,370 |
| Bartlett | 41,105 | $133,240 |
| Bridgeview | 17,027 | $66,655 |
| Westchester | 16,892 | $98,954 |
| Country Club Hills | 16,775 | $75,197 |
| Riverside Township, Cook County | 16,664 | $121,944 |
| Barrington Township | 16,514 | $183,663 |
| La Grange | 16,321 | $159,929 |
| Prospect Heights | 16,058 | $85,008 |
| Norridge | 15,251 | $87,807 |
| Hickory Hills | 14,505 | $77,262 |
| Chicago Ridge | 14,433 | $68,964 |
| Forest Park | 14,339 | $77,221 |
| Midlothian | 14,325 | $70,000 |
| Buffalo Grove | 43,212 | $129,395 |
| Western Springs | 13,629 | $230,255 |
| La Grange Park | 13,475 | $120,408 |
| Lincolnwood | 13,463 | $109,731 |
| Hazel Crest | 13,382 | $68,393 |
| Northlake | 12,840 | $83,892 |
| Richton Park | 12,775 | $64,554 |
| Winnetka | 12,744 | $250,000 or more |
| Justice | 12,600 | $57,170 |
| Palos Heights | 12,068 | $108,740 |
| River Forest | 11,717 | $146,786 |
| Schiller Park | 11,709 | $69,696 |
| Markham | 11,661 | $57,302 |
| Summit | 11,161 | $61,863 |
| Worth | 10,970 | $56,288 |
| Crestwood | 10,826 | $75,752 |
| Lyons | 10,817 | $70,993 |
| Riverdale | 10,663 | $39,833 |
| River Grove | 10,612 | $69,858 |
| Sauk Village | 9,921 | $69,973 |
| Flossmoor | 9,704 | $133,663 |
| Riverside | 9,298 | $153,686 |
| Lynwood | 9,116 | $85,237 |
| Harwood Heights | 9,065 | $81,086 |
| Glencoe | 8,849 | $248,933 |
| Glenwood | 8,662 | $77,391 |
| Hillside | 8,320 | $72,320 |
| Broadview | 7,998 | $64,697 |
| Inverness | 7,616 | $207,434 |
| North Riverside | 7,426 | $77,170 |
| Stickney | 7,110 | $66,942 |
| Calumet Park | 7,025 | $53,556 |
| Orland Hills | 6,893 | $122,039 |
| Countryside | 6,420 | $80,968 |
| Willow Springs | 5,857 | $103,583 |
| Barrington | 10,722 | $147,989 |
| Northfield | 5,751 | $161,500 |
| Posen | 5,632 | $73,051 |
| Berkeley | 5,338 | $85,823 |
| South Barrington | 5,077 | $221,575 |
| Palos Park | 4,899 | $121,696 |
| Olympia Fields | 4,718 | $123,875 |
| Robbins | 4,629 | $40,668 |
| Stone Park | 4,576 | $67,224 |
| Burr Ridge | 11,192 | $156,829 |
| Hometown | 4,343 | $61,101 |
| Steger | 9,584 | $66,575 |
| Indian Head Park | 4,065 | $100,149 |
| Burnham | 4,046 | $57,790 |
| South Chicago Heights | 4,026 | $58,691 |
| Rosemont | 3,952 | $63,517 |
| Roselle | 22,897 | $111,318 |
| Dixmoor | 2,973 | $44,600 |
| Kenilworth | 2,514 | $250,000 or more |
| Thornton | 2,386 | $59,647 |
| Hinsdale | 17,395 | $250,000 or more |
| Barrington Hills | 4,114 | $205,074 |
| Merrionette Park | 1,969 | $56,515 |
| Ford Heights | 1,813 | $36,053 |
| Phoenix | 1,708 | $30,288 |
| Hodgkins | 1,500 | $62,417 |
| East Hazel Crest | 1,297 | $54,950 |
| Forest View | 792 | $89,702 |
| Bedford Park | 602 | $99,000 |
| Golf | 514 | $242,772 |
| Deerfield | 19,196 | $181,660 |
| University Park | 7,145 | $73,844 |
| McCook | 249 | $62,375 |
| Deer Park | 3,681 | $174,458 |
| Elmhurst | 45,786 | $149,644 |
| Woodridge | 34,158 | $101,000 |
| Homer Glen | 24,543 | $136,678 |
| Frankfort | 20,296 | $154,375 |
| Bensenville | 18,813 | $79,515 |
| Crete | 8,465 | $97,147 |
| East Dundee | 3,152 | $89,583 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Cook County?
The median resident of Cook County is 38.0 years old; 21.1% are under 18 and 16.0% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 40.1%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 26.8%. 21.7% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Cook County | Illinois | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 38.0±0.1 | 39.0 | +1.2 |
| Under 18 years | 21.1% | 21.8% | – |
| 65 years and over | 16.0%±0.1 pts | 17.0% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 26.8% | 18.8% | +1.5 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 40.1%±0.1 pts | 58.1% | −2.2 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 21.8%±0.1 pts | 13.3% | −1.3 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 7.9%±0.1 pts | 5.9% | +0.7 pts |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.1 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 | 3.0%±0.1 pts | 3.4% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.4%±0.1 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 21.7%±0.2 pts | 14.7% | +0.6 pts |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 35.8%±0.2 pts | 24.0% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 3.2%±0.1 pts | 4.8% | – |
| With a disability | 11.4%±0.1 pts | 12.1% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 8.9%±0.2 pts | 6.9% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 88.6%±0.2 pts | 90.5% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 42.7%±0.3 pts | 37.8% | +3.9 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 18.0%±0.2 pts | 15.3% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.8%±0.1 pts | 1.6% | – |
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 Cook County earn?
Half of Cook County's 2,100,230 households earn less than $83,498 a year (±$630), against $83,390 in Illinois. In 2015-2019 the median was $79,577 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $3,921 after inflation. 13.5% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Cook County | Illinois | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $83,498±$630 | $83,390 | +$3,921 |
| Mean household income | $120,717±$875 | $115,638 | – |
| Per capita income | $49,329±$369 | $46,406 | +$3,114 |
| People below the poverty line | 13.5%±0.3 pts | 11.8% | −0.9 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 17.9%±0.7 pts | 15.1% | −2.4 pts |
| Households receiving SNAP | 15.7%±0.3 pts | 13.8% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 90.6%±0.2 pts | 90.8% | – |
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 Cook County?
Owners occupy 57.7% of Cook County's occupied homes and renters 42.3%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $324,500 by its owner (±$1,460). The median renter pays $1,435 a month including utilities, and 39.9% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Cook County | Illinois | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $324,500±$1,460 | $263,300 | +$21,011 |
| Median gross rent | $1,435±$7 | $1,274 | +$53 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 39.9%±0.6 pts | 39.0% | −0.8 pts |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $2,270±$10 | $1,987 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 57.7%±0.3 pts | 67.1% | +0.8 pts |
| Housing units | 2,276,493±389 | 5,457,452 | +83,155 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.1%±0.1 pts | 1.0% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 4.5%±0.2 pts | 5.0% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 39.6%±0.2 pts | 58.2% | – |
| Mobile homes | 0.8%±0.1 pts | 2.3% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.7%±0.1 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 27.8%±0.2 pts | 20.2% | – |
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 Cook County building?
Builders took permits for 4,969 new housing units across Cook County in 2025 (1,191 single-family), 1.0 per 1,000 residents.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Cook County get to work?
54.8% of Cook County's workers drive alone and 18.9% work from home. The average trip to work takes 31.5 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 7.0%.
| Measure | Cook County | Illinois | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 66.2%±0.2 pts | 65.0% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 7.0%±0.2 pts | 5.8% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 54.8%±0.3 pts | 65.9% | – |
| Carpooled | 7.7%±0.2 pts | 7.8% | – |
| Public transportation | 11.8%±0.2 pts | 5.8% | – |
| Walked | 4.0%±0.1 pts | 2.8% | – |
| Worked from home | 18.9%±0.2 pts | 15.9% | +14.0 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 31.5 min±0.2 | 27.8 min | −1.9 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 are Cook County's census tracts?
Cook County is divided into 1,332 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $13,585 (Tract 5401.01) to $250,000 or more (Tract 8200).
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Cook County compare with Illinois's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 1st of 102 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 36th of 102 |
| Residents per square mile | 1st of 102 |
| Median household income | 14th of 102 |
| Median home value | 4th of 102 |
| Median gross rent | 6th of 102 |
| Poverty rate | 41st of 102 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 5th of 102 |
| Median age | 95th of 102 |
Source: PlainCities ranks 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 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 Cook County 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' school search.