Population 5,269 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Berkeley
Household size in Berkeley
| Period | Berkeley | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.83 | 2.79 | 2.69 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.77 | 2.82 | 2.71 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.70 | 2.75 | 2.66 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.80 | 2.66 | 2.58 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.04 | −0.12 | −0.11 | −0.03 |
The typical household in Berkeley holds 2.80 people, slightly more than the U.S. average of 2.65. Since 2006–10, household size has edged down from 2.83, as it has nationally. Households are largest in the southwest and smallest in the northeast.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in Berkeley
| Period | Berkeley | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 36.5 | 36.8 | 37.6 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 38.6 | 37.8 | 38.5 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 45.9 | 38.9 | 39.6 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 43.0 | 39.7 | 40.2 | 40.1 |
| Change | +6.5 | +3.0 | +2.6 | +2.3 |
Berkeley skews older than the country: its median age is 43.0, against 40.1 nationally. Since 2006–10, the median age has climbed from 36.5, as it has nationally. The youngest areas are in the southwest, the oldest in the northeast.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in Berkeley
| Period | Berkeley | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 14.8% | 12.0% | 11.7% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 12.0% | 12.0% | 11.7% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 10.4% | 11.2% | 11.1% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 15.2% | 11.5% | 11.3% | 11.6% |
| Change | +0.5 pts | −0.5 pts | −0.4 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are common in Berkeley: 15.2% of all households, against 11.6% nationally. Berkeley has a higher share of single-parent households than at least four in five Illinois cities.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in Berkeley
Renters in Berkeley
| Period | Berkeley | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 22.4% | 32.1% | 30.8% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 19.5% | 34.8% | 33.1% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 19.5% | 35.5% | 33.9% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 18.7% | 34.5% | 32.9% | 34.8% |
| Change | −3.7 pts | +2.3 pts | +2.1 pts | +1.5 pts |
Berkeley is largely a place of homeowners: only 18.7% of households rent, far below the national share of 34.8%. Owner-heavy areas like this tend to see less turnover. Nearly three in ten owners (28.9%) have paid off their mortgages, well below the national share of 39.8%. The renter share has fallen 3.7 points since 2006–10, even as the national share rose.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in Berkeley
| Period | Berkeley | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 8.3% | 9.8% | 10.0% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 8.1% | 9.8% | 10.1% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 5.8% | 8.9% | 9.8% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 4.4% | 7.2% | 8.1% | 9.6% |
| Change | −4.0 pts | −2.6 pts | −1.9 pts | −1.8 pts |
Only 4.4% of homes in Berkeley are vacant, far below the national rate of 9.6%, which usually means strong demand for housing. Since 2006–10, vacancy has fallen 4.0 points, as it has nationally. Berkeley has a lower vacancy rate than the great majority of Illinois cities.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in Berkeley
| Period | Berkeley | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1957 | 1966 | 1966 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1955 | 1967 | 1967 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1956 | 1967 | 1968 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1955 | 1970 | 1970 | 1980 |
| Change | −2 | +4 | +4 | +6 |
Berkeley is a place of older homes: half were built before 1955, while the national median is 1980. That means established neighborhoods, and more houses that may need updating. Only 27 of the 388 Illinois cities with 5,000+ people have older homes.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in Berkeley
| Period | Berkeley | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $1,038 | $1,060 | $953 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $1,089 | $1,142 | $1,028 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $971 | $1,306 | $1,165 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,456 | $1,602 | $1,428 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$418 | +$542 | +$475 | +$606 |
A typical rental in Berkeley costs $1,456 a month with utilities, below the national median of $1,571. Rents are up $418 a month from 2006–10, a 40% rise, a slower climb than the nation's. The typical renter here spends 33.9% of household income on rent, well over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, so many renters here are stretched.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in Berkeley
Bachelor's degrees in Berkeley
| Period | Berkeley | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 19.7% | 33.9% | 31.2% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 27.1% | 35.2% | 32.4% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 19.3% | 37.9% | 34.7% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 18.0% | 40.9% | 37.7% | 35.6% |
| Change | −1.7 pts | +7.0 pts | +6.5 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are relatively uncommon in Berkeley: 18.0% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's or higher, well below the national share of 35.6%. Since 2006–10, the share with a degree has fallen 1.7 points, even as the national share rose. College graduates are most concentrated in the east and least in the south.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in Berkeley
| Period | Berkeley | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 81.9% | 85.6% | 86.3% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 87.5% | 86.7% | 87.5% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 82.2% | 88.4% | 89.1% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 89.2% | 89.5% | 90.3% | 89.3% |
| Change | +7.3 pts | +3.9 pts | +4.0 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion in Berkeley is close to the national rate: 89.2% of adults have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3%. The share with a diploma is up 7.3 points from 2006–10, in line with the national trend.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in Berkeley
| Period | Berkeley | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 13.1% | 9.1% | 8.7% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 10.9% | 10.8% | 10.2% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 5.7% | 6.3% | 6.1% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 4.7% | 6.3% | 6.0% | 5.4% |
| Change | −8.4 pts | −2.8 pts | −2.7 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in Berkeley is close to the national rate: 4.7% of the labor force, against 5.4%. The rate is lower than in the Chicago area as a whole (6.3%). Since 2006–10, unemployment has fallen 8.4 points, a much bigger shift than nationally.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
Berkeley compared with nearby cities
| City | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Berkeley | 2.80 | 43.0 | 15.2% | 18.7% | 4.4% | 1955 | $1,456 | 18.0% | 89.2% | 4.7% |
| Hillside | 2.70 | 44.0 | 12.4% | 27.1% | 6.4% | 1960 | $1,181 | 23.9% | 81.8% | 4.7% |
| Elmhurst | 2.67 | 42.6 | 4.2% | 19.5% | 6.3% | 1968 | $1,982 | 64.1% | 96.1% | 4.0% |
| Bellwood | 3.06 | 41.1 | 18.6% | 21.7% | 8.2% | 1954 | $1,360 | 17.1% | 84.4% | 5.9% |
| Stone Park | 3.96 | 29.0 | 30.2% | 54.2% | 10.5% | 1964 | $1,425 | 12.1% | 70.2% | 6.8% |
| Northlake | 2.84 | 42.0 | 10.5% | 26.6% | 6.6% | 1957 | $1,700 | 14.7% | 75.3% | 5.2% |
| Melrose Park | 2.99 | 37.7 | 15.6% | 36.8% | 8.0% | 1957 | $1,246 | 14.2% | 72.0% | 4.9% |
| Westchester | 2.34 | 52.2 | 8.6% | 12.6% | 4.6% | 1959 | $1,686 | 42.1% | 92.7% | 4.7% |
| Maywood | 3.15 | 35.6 | 20.0% | 40.0% | 10.7% | 1941 | $1,380 | 18.6% | 80.8% | 8.0% |
| Broadview | 2.65 | 36.6 | 20.8% | 41.3% | 8.2% | 1953 | $1,172 | 17.3% | 79.2% | 4.2% |
| Villa Park | 2.80 | 38.5 | 7.7% | 24.3% | 6.6% | 1960 | $1,897 | 35.2% | 91.9% | 4.4% |
All figures 2020–24.
Cities with similar populations: Moosic, PA · New Egypt, NJ · Beaver Dam, KY · Montague, MI · New Carlisle, IN · New Boston, NH · Wayzata, MN · East Merrimack, NH · East Petersburg, PA · Norwood, NC
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up Berkeley. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
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