Chicago Heights, Illinois Population 2026
Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates
The population of Chicago Heights, Illinois is 26,938 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 78th-largest city in Illinois. The median household income is $57,479, the median home value is $149,900, and the median age is 35.6.
The population has declined 12.7% since 2010 (30,385 → 26,533).
26,938
Population
2598
People / sq mi
$57,479
Median Income
$149,900
Median Home Value
Chicago Heights covers 10.4 sq mi of land at 2598 people per square mile.
About Chicago Heights, IL
Chicago Heights is a city in Illinois with a population of 26,938. It ranks #78 among cities in Illinois by population. The median age is 35.6, younger than the national median. The population is 48.3% male and 51.7% female.
The median household income in Chicago Heights is $57,479, below the US median of $74,580. 19.8% of residents live below the federal poverty level. Home values sit at a median of $149,900, with monthly rent averaging $1,035. The homeownership rate of 63.2% is close to the national rate of 64.8%.
Educational attainment in Chicago Heights reflects 20.2% of adults 25 and older holding a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national average of 34.3%. Roughly 5.2% of workers primarily work from home, below the national work-from-home rate of 14.2%. The average commute is 31.9 minutes each way.
Chicago Heights city Population History (2010-2024)
The city of Chicago Heights city had a population of 30,385 in 2010 and 26,533 in 2024, a -12.7% growth over 14 years. The peak was 30,582 in 2013. Average annual growth rate: -0.95%.
26,533
Population (2024)
30,385
Population (2010)
30,582
Peak (2013)
-0.95%
Avg Annual Growth
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 30,385 |
| 2011 | 30,468 |
| 2012 | 30,538 |
| 2013 | 30,582 |
| 2014 | 30,528 |
| 2015 | 30,364 |
| 2016 | 30,144 |
| 2017 | 29,866 |
| 2018 | 29,553 |
| 2019 | 29,322 |
| 2020 | 27,371 |
| 2021 | 26,863 |
| 2022 | 26,496 |
| 2023 | 26,388 |
| 2024 | 26,533 |
Race & Ethnicity
| White | 26.6% |
| Black or African American | 40.3% |
| Asian | 0.0% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 1.8% |
| Two or More Races | 0.0% |
Economy & Income
$57,479
Median Household Income
$25,488
Per Capita Income
19.8%
Poverty Rate
7.6%
Unemployment Rate
Housing
$149,900
Median Home Value
$1,035
Median Rent
63.2%
Owner-Occupied
Education
84.9%
High School+
20.2%
Bachelor's+
Commute
5.7%
Drive Alone
71.6%
Public Transit
5.2%
Work From Home
31.9 min
Avg Commute
Community Profile
11.7%
Foreign Born
67.2%
Non-English at Home
4.1%
Veterans
14.1%
With Disability
88.1%
Health Insurance
91.7%
Internet Access
Employment by Industry
| Professional, Scientific & Management | 21.1% |
| Manufacturing | 13.7% |
| Retail Trade | 11.9% |
| Education, Health Care & Social Services | 8.8% |
| Arts, Entertainment & Food Services | 8.2% |
| Finance, Insurance & Real Estate | 8.0% |
| Construction | 5.1% |
| Information | 4.2% |
| Public Administration | 3.9% |
| Transportation & Warehousing | 0.6% |
| Agriculture & Mining | 0.1% |
Largest cities in Illinois
Largest counties in Illinois
Part of Illinois
Metro areas in Illinois
City rankings
Frequently Asked Questions
Chicago Heights, Illinois has a population of 26,938 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 78th-largest city in Illinois.
The median household income in Chicago Heights, Illinois is $57,479, with 19.8% of residents living below the federal poverty level.
The median home value in Chicago Heights, Illinois is $149,900, with median monthly rent at $1,035 and a homeownership rate of 63.2%.
The median age in Chicago Heights, Illinois is 35.6 years. The population is 48.3% male and 51.7% female.
The population has declined 12.7% since 2010 (30,385 → 26,533).
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Statewide data for Illinois
Population, race, income, age, and trends across Illinois
Data from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.