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
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Chicago Heights covers 10.4 sq mi of land at 2598 people per square mile.
About Chicago Heights, IL
The poverty rate is what most separates Chicago Heights from the typical city: 19.8% of residents live below the federal poverty line, against 12.4% nationally. With 26,938 residents, Chicago Heights is a city in Illinois.
Earnings trail the nation, with the median household making $57,479, below the US median of $78,538. Hardship is pronounced — at 19.8%, poverty is near the top of the range for US cities, above the national 12.4%. Housing is relatively affordable, with a median home value of $149,900, with typical rent around $1,035.
Fewer adults hold degrees here than in most comparable places — 20.2%, below the national 35.0%. Most workers commute: only 5.2% work from home, below the national 14.0%, and the average commute runs about 32 minutes each way.
The elevated poverty rate is the context for the rest of the profile in Chicago Heights: it pulls on median income, housing tenure, and the share of residents with a college degree.
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% |
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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).
Where to stay in Chicago Heights
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Data from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.