Rank #6 by Population · Updated April 2026
Illinois Population 2026
The population of Illinois is 12,692,653 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 6th-most populous state in the United States. The median household income is $81,702, the median home value is $250,500, and the median age is 38.9.
Illinois's population has grown 125.4% since 1910 (5,638,591 → 12,710,158).
12,692,653
Population
229
People / sq mi
$81,702
Median Income
38.9
Median Age
Illinois covers 55,513 sq mi of land at a density of 228.6 people per square mile.
About Illinois
Illinois is distinguished by its share of foreign-born residents, 17.5% of the population. With 12,692,653 residents, Illinois is a US state. It is the #6-largest of all US states nationally.
The typical household here earns about $81,702, near the US median of $78,538. The poverty rate is 8.2%, below the national 12.4%. Median home value is $250,500, with typical rent around $1,227.
College attainment is above the local norm at 37.2%, above the national 35.0%. About 14.0% of the workforce is home-based, close to the national 14.0%, and the average commute runs about 28 minutes each way.
Illinois, #6 by population
Illinois Population History (1910-2024)
The state of Illinois had a population of 5,638,591 in 1910 and 12,710,158 in 2024, a 2.3× growth over 114 years. The peak was 12,830,632 in 2010. Average annual growth rate: 0.50%.
12,710,158
Population (2024)
5,638,591
Population (1910)
12,830,632
Peak (2010)
0.50%
Avg Annual Growth
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 1910 | 5,638,591 |
| 1920 | 6,485,280 |
| 1930 | 7,630,654 |
| 1940 | 7,897,241 |
| 1950 | 8,712,176 |
| 1960 | 10,081,158 |
| 1970 | 11,113,976 |
| 1980 | 11,426,518 |
| 1990 | 11,430,602 |
| 2000 | 12,419,293 |
| 2010 | 12,830,632 |
| 2020 | 12,812,508 |
| 2020 | 12,799,088 |
| 2021 | 12,700,641 |
| 2022 | 12,621,821 |
| 2023 | 12,642,259 |
| 2024 | 12,710,158 |
Age Distribution
Male: 49.4% · Female: 50.6%
Race & Ethnicity
| White | 63.3% |
| Black or African American | 13.8% |
| Asian | 0.0% |
| American Indian & Alaska Native | 0.5% |
| Native Hawaiian & Pacific Islander | 0.4% |
| Two or More Races | 0.0% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 1.5% |
Economy & Income
$81,702
Median Household Income
$45,104
Per Capita Income
8.2%
Poverty Rate
3.8%
Unemployment Rate
$112,993
Mean Household Income
61.2%
Employment Rate
Cost of Living
Illinois's overall price level is 100.0 on the BEA Regional Price Parity index (US average = 100), meaning prices are 0.0% lower the US average. Adjusting for cost of living, Illinois's median household income of $81,702 has the buying power of $81,736 in average-priced areas.
100.0
Price Level (US = 100)
$81,736
COL-Adjusted Median Income
$81,702
Nominal Median Income
Education
90.3%
High School Graduate+
37.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Births & Fertility
128,350
Live Births (2022)
10.1
Birth Rate (per 1,000)
60.6%
Births to Married Mothers
Births by Mother's Age
Births by Mother's Race
| White | 75.8% |
| Black or African American | 15.6% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 23.1% |
Housing
$250,500
Median Home Value
$1,227
Median Rent
5,443,501
Total Housing Units
66.8%
Owner-Occupied
33.2%
Renter-Occupied
8.1%
Vacant
Languages Spoken at Home
76.2% of Illinois residents age 5+ speak only English at home. The most common non-English languages spoken at home in Illinois:
| # | Language | Speakers | % of pop. 5+ |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Spanish | 646,142 | 5.39% |
| 2 | Chinese (incl. Mandarin, Cantonese) | 53,991 | 0.45% |
| 3 | Arabic | 22,381 | 0.19% |
| 4 | Tagalog (incl. Filipino) | 21,806 | 0.18% |
| 5 | Greek | 21,307 | 0.18% |
| 6 | Korean | 19,991 | 0.17% |
| 7 | Polish | 18,723 | 0.16% |
| 8 | Gujarati | 18,339 | 0.15% |
| 9 | Urdu | 15,333 | 0.13% |
| 10 | Vietnamese | 11,879 | 0.10% |
Commute
6.4%
Drive Alone
2.7%
Carpool
14.0%
Work From Home
28.1 min
Avg Commute
Largest Cities in Illinois
| # | City | Population |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chicago | 2,707,648 |
| 2 | Aurora | 179,867 |
| 3 | Joliet | 149,785 |
| 4 | Naperville | 149,424 |
| 5 | Rockford | 147,649 |
| 6 | Elgin | 114,106 |
| 7 | Springfield | 113,714 |
| 8 | Peoria | 112,126 |
| 9 | Waukegan | 88,919 |
| 10 | Champaign | 88,822 |
| 11 | Cicero | 83,223 |
| 12 | Bloomington | 78,703 |
| 13 | Schaumburg | 76,780 |
| 14 | Evanston | 76,552 |
| 15 | Arlington Heights | 76,220 |
| 16 | Bolingbrook | 73,813 |
| 17 | Decatur | 70,368 |
| 18 | Palatine | 66,548 |
| 19 | Skokie | 66,427 |
| 20 | Des Plaines | 59,408 |
Counties in Illinois
| # | County | Population | Median Income |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cook County | 5,185,812 | $81,797 |
| 2 | DuPage County | 927,263 | $110,502 |
| 3 | Lake County | 711,885 | $108,917 |
| 4 | Will County | 698,450 | $107,799 |
| 5 | Kane County | 516,097 | $100,678 |
| 6 | McHenry County | 311,366 | $102,836 |
| 7 | Winnebago County | 283,289 | $64,363 |
| 8 | Madison County | 264,631 | $74,800 |
| 9 | St. Clair County | 254,777 | $70,178 |
| 10 | Champaign County | 206,098 | $63,091 |
| 11 | Sangamon County | 195,217 | $74,114 |
| 12 | Peoria County | 179,831 | $64,938 |
| 13 | McLean County | 170,882 | $78,329 |
| 14 | Rock Island County | 142,995 | $66,768 |
| 15 | Kendall County | 135,053 | $110,474 |
| 16 | Tazewell County | 130,555 | $76,704 |
| 17 | LaSalle County | 109,049 | $72,281 |
| 18 | Kankakee County | 106,833 | $68,325 |
| 19 | Macon County | 102,591 | $62,449 |
| 20 | DeKalb County | 100,512 | $69,022 |
Compare Illinois
Rankings for Illinois
Read more about Illinois
A complete guide to Illinois demographics — population, race & ethnicity breakdown, income, age, growth trends, and how the state compares nationally.
Illinois Demographics 2026: Population, Income, Race & Trends Explained →Metro areas in Illinois
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Largest school districts in Illinois
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State rankings
Common questions about Illinois
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Frequently Asked Questions
Illinois has a population of 12,692,653 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 6th-most populous state in the United States.
Illinois is gaining population, with a +125.4% change over the available historical Census record. Illinois's population has grown 125.4% since 1910 (5,638,591 → 12,710,158).
The median household income in Illinois is $81,702, with a per capita income of $45,104. 8.2% of the population lives below the federal poverty level.
63.3% of Illinois's population identifies as White (Census ACS 2023). 13.8% is Black or African American, 0.0% is Asian, and 1.5% is Hispanic or Latino (any race, counted separately under Census methodology).
Illinois is 63.3% White, 13.8% Black or African American, 0.0% Asian, and 1.5% Hispanic or Latino (any race). Hispanic/Latino is counted as an ethnicity separate from race under Census methodology, so totals may exceed 100% in some breakdowns.
The median age in Illinois is 38.9 years. The population is 49.4% male and 50.6% female.
Illinois's population has grown 125.4% since 1910 (5,638,591 → 12,710,158).
Across recent Census Population Estimates, West Virginia, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Illinois have shown the largest sustained population declines. Illinois's own trend is gaining. National state-by-state rankings are published annually by the Census Population Estimates Program.
Demographic data from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates. Birth statistics from the CDC National Vital Statistics System via Data Commons. California does not report marital status on birth certificates. Percentages may not total 100% due to rounding.
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Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.