Chicago, Illinois Population 2026
Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates
The population of Chicago, Illinois is 2,707,648 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 3rd-largest city in the United States and the 1st-largest in Illinois. The median household income is $75,134, the median home value is $315,200, and the median age is 35.7.
The population has grown 0.9% since 2010 (2,697,477 → 2,721,308).
2,707,648
Population
11889
People / sq mi
$75,134
Median Income
$315,200
Median Home Value
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Chicago covers 227.7 sq mi of land at 11889 people per square mile.
About Chicago, IL
Chicago stands apart on settlement density — it is among the most densely settled of US cities, at roughly 11,889 people per square mile. With 2,707,648 residents, Chicago is a city in Illinois. It is the #1-largest of all cities in Illinois nationally.
Household earnings are middling, with a median of $75,134 — near the US median of $78,538. Poverty sits at 13.0%, close to the national 12.4%. The typical home is valued at $315,200, with typical rent around $1,380.
Roughly 43.3% of adults have a bachelor’s, above the national 35.0%. About 18.3% of workers primarily work from home, above the national 14.0%, and the average commute runs about 34 minutes each way.
That density explains much of the rest of the profile in Chicago: denser places lean toward renting, shorter commutes by transit, and a younger working-age mix.
Chicago city Population History (2010-2024)
The city of Chicago city had a population of 2,697,477 in 2010 and 2,721,308 in 2024, a 0.9% growth over 14 years. The peak was 2,745,196 in 2020. Average annual growth rate: 0.07%.
2,721,308
Population (2024)
2,697,477
Population (2010)
2,745,196
Peak (2020)
0.07%
Avg Annual Growth
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 2,697,477 |
| 2011 | 2,708,114 |
| 2012 | 2,719,141 |
| 2013 | 2,725,731 |
| 2014 | 2,727,066 |
| 2015 | 2,724,344 |
| 2016 | 2,716,723 |
| 2017 | 2,711,069 |
| 2018 | 2,701,423 |
| 2019 | 2,693,976 |
| 2020 | 2,745,196 |
| 2021 | 2,706,324 |
| 2022 | 2,684,076 |
| 2023 | 2,699,144 |
| 2024 | 2,721,308 |
Race & Ethnicity
| White | 39.0% |
| Black or African American | 28.4% |
| Asian | 0.0% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 1.9% |
| Two or More Races | 0.0% |
Economy & Income
$75,134
Median Household Income
$48,148
Per Capita Income
13.0%
Poverty Rate
5.3%
Unemployment Rate
Housing
$315,200
Median Home Value
$1,380
Median Rent
45.5%
Owner-Occupied
Education
86.8%
High School+
43.3%
Bachelor's+
Commute
19.3%
Drive Alone
46.0%
Public Transit
18.3%
Work From Home
33.5 min
Avg Commute
Community Profile
18.7%
Foreign Born
64.5%
Non-English at Home
2.9%
Veterans
11.9%
With Disability
90.2%
Health Insurance
94.0%
Internet Access
Employment by Industry
| Professional, Scientific & Management | 24.0% |
| Finance, Insurance & Real Estate | 18.2% |
| Education, Health Care & Social Services | 9.1% |
| Information | 8.7% |
| Manufacturing | 7.9% |
| Retail Trade | 7.1% |
| Arts, Entertainment & Food Services | 4.7% |
| Public Administration | 3.9% |
| Construction | 3.8% |
| Transportation & Warehousing | 2.1% |
| Agriculture & Mining | 0.2% |
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City rankings
Common questions about Chicago, IL
Frequently Asked Questions
Chicago, Illinois has a population of 2,707,648 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 3rd-largest city in the United States and the 1st-largest in Illinois.
The median household income in Chicago, Illinois is $75,134, with 13.0% of residents living below the federal poverty level.
The median home value in Chicago, Illinois is $315,200, with median monthly rent at $1,380 and a homeownership rate of 45.5%.
The median age in Chicago, Illinois is 35.7 years. The population is 48.5% male and 51.5% female.
The population has grown 0.9% since 2010 (2,697,477 → 2,721,308).
Where to stay in Chicago
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Data from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.