Population 6,124 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Braidwood
Household size in Braidwood
| Period | Braidwood | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.62 | 2.79 | 2.69 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.50 | 2.82 | 2.71 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.51 | 2.75 | 2.66 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.47 | 2.66 | 2.58 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.14 | −0.12 | −0.11 | −0.03 |
Households in Braidwood run small, averaging 2.47 people against 2.65 nationally, which usually means more singles and couples and fewer children. Since 2006–10, household size has dropped from 2.62, a much bigger shift than nationally. The biggest households, usually families with children, are concentrated in the northwest.
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 Braidwood
| Period | Braidwood | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 41.0 | 36.8 | 37.6 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 43.1 | 37.8 | 38.5 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 41.5 | 38.9 | 39.6 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 42.1 | 39.7 | 40.2 | 40.1 |
| Change | +1.2 | +3.0 | +2.6 | +2.3 |
Braidwood skews a little older than the country: its median age is 42.1, against 40.1 nationally. Since 2006–10, the median age has climbed from 41.0, mirroring the country.
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 Braidwood
| Period | Braidwood | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 12.1% | 12.0% | 11.7% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 10.8% | 12.0% | 11.7% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 9.6% | 11.2% | 11.1% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 8.2% | 11.5% | 11.3% | 11.6% |
| Change | −3.9 pts | −0.5 pts | −0.4 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head only 8.2% of households in Braidwood, well below the national share of 11.6%. Since 2006–10, the single-parent share has fallen 3.9 points, a much bigger shift than nationally.
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 Braidwood
Renters in Braidwood
| Period | Braidwood | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 14.8% | 32.1% | 30.8% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 21.2% | 34.8% | 33.1% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 22.1% | 35.5% | 33.9% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 13.5% | 34.5% | 32.9% | 34.8% |
| Change | −1.3 pts | +2.3 pts | +2.1 pts | +1.5 pts |
Only 13.5% of households in Braidwood rent their homes, far below the national share of 34.8%, so most residents are owners who tend to stay put. Among homeowners, 39.8% have no mortgage at all, about the same as nationally. Renting is most common in the center and least common in the northwest. The renter share is down 1.3 points from 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 Braidwood
| Period | Braidwood | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 14.1% | 9.8% | 10.0% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 14.9% | 9.8% | 10.1% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 11.3% | 8.9% | 9.8% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 7.7% | 7.2% | 8.1% | 9.6% |
| Change | −6.5 pts | −2.6 pts | −1.9 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy is on the low side in Braidwood: 7.7% of homes sit empty, against 9.6% nationally, which points to steady demand for housing. That is in line with the rest of the Chicago area. Since 2006–10, vacancy has fallen 6.5 points, a much bigger shift than nationally.
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 Braidwood
| Period | Braidwood | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1986 | 1966 | 1966 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1986 | 1967 | 1967 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1990 | 1967 | 1968 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1992 | 1970 | 1970 | 1980 |
| Change | +6 | +4 | +4 | +6 |
Much of the housing in Braidwood is relatively new: half of its homes were built after 1992, compared with 1980 for the U.S. as a whole. The median year built has moved up from 1986 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. The newest homes are mostly in the northeast, the oldest in the southwest. Of the 388 Illinois cities with 5,000+ people, only 37 have newer 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 Braidwood
| Period | Braidwood | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $864 | $1,060 | $953 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $905 | $1,142 | $1,028 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $1,003 | $1,306 | $1,165 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,101 | $1,602 | $1,428 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$237 | +$542 | +$475 | +$606 |
A typical rental in Braidwood costs $1,101 a month with utilities, well below the national median of $1,571. Rent has climbed $237 a month since 2006–10, up 27%, a slower climb than the nation's. The typical renter here spends 38.0% of household income on rent, well over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, so many renters here are stretched. Rents run highest in the southwest and lowest in the southeast.
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 Braidwood
Bachelor's degrees in Braidwood
| Period | Braidwood | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 12.1% | 33.9% | 31.2% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 9.9% | 35.2% | 32.4% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 13.8% | 37.9% | 34.7% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 17.4% | 40.9% | 37.7% | 35.6% |
| Change | +5.3 pts | +7.0 pts | +6.5 pts | +7.2 pts |
Fewer adults in Braidwood have a four-year degree than in the country as a whole: 17.4%, against 35.6% nationally. The share with a degree is up 5.3 points from 2006–10, mirroring the country. Braidwood has a lower share of college graduates than at least four in five Illinois cities.
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 Braidwood
| Period | Braidwood | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 88.5% | 85.6% | 86.3% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 89.1% | 86.7% | 87.5% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 95.2% | 88.4% | 89.1% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 93.6% | 89.5% | 90.3% | 89.3% |
| Change | +5.1 pts | +3.9 pts | +4.0 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion in Braidwood is above the national rate: 93.6% of adults have a diploma, against 89.3%. The share with a diploma is up 5.1 points from 2006–10, mirroring the country.
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 Braidwood
| Period | Braidwood | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 15.6% | 9.1% | 8.7% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 14.1% | 10.8% | 10.2% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 6.6% | 6.3% | 6.1% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 2.3% | 6.3% | 6.0% | 5.4% |
| Change | −13.3 pts | −2.8 pts | −2.7 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in Braidwood has been low: just 2.3% of the labor force was out of work and looking, well below the national rate of 5.4%. Of the 388 Illinois cities with 5,000+ people, only 34 have lower unemployment. Unemployment has fallen 13.3 points since 2006–10, 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).
Braidwood 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Braidwood | 2.47 | 42.1 | 8.2% | 13.5% | 7.7% | 1992 | $1,101 | 17.4% | 93.6% | 2.3% |
| Diamond | 2.79 | 38.1 | 18.7% | 22.3% | 2.5% | 1992 | $1,306 | 15.7% | 93.1% | 1.3% |
| Godley | 2.57 | 45.7 | 17.9% | 10.6% | 3.7% | 1992 | $1,001 | 12.7% | 96.7% | 2.2% |
| Lakewood Shores | 2.94 | 40.9 | 7.8% | 20.5% | 14.7% | 1982 | $1,058 | 12.5% | 96.8% | 11.0% |
| Braceville | 3.00 | 33.2 | 17.0% | 13.4% | 5.3% | 1976 | $1,112 | 12.7% | 91.6% | 1.8% |
| Eileen | 2.23 | 59.1 | 3.6% | 21.9% | 6.8% | 1973 | $1,268 | 28.4% | 90.9% | 0.9% |
| Coal City | 2.40 | 46.2 | 10.4% | 23.4% | 8.1% | 1981 | $1,182 | 21.5% | 92.5% | 5.3% |
| Wilmington | 2.50 | 41.9 | 8.7% | 29.1% | 12.3% | 1971 | $1,079 | 17.5% | 93.1% | 5.5% |
| Carbon Hill | 2.43 | 61.6 | 4.1% | 13.5% | 3.2% | 1979 | $1,064 | 25.7% | 97.3% | 4.8% |
| Lorenzo | 2.51 | 48.7 | 9.2% | 12.2% | 19.7% | 1979 | $1,108 | 26.2% | 96.7% | 6.3% |
| Essex | 2.53 | 41.9 | 7.5% | 7.7% | 10.7% | 1990 | $1,193 | 23.1% | 96.5% | 5.0% |
All figures 2020–24.
Cities with similar populations: Linwood, NC · Lebanon, CT · Lebanon, ME · Lebanon, VA · Lee, NH · Leesport, PA · Lewisberry, PA · Liberty, NY · Ligonier, PA · Lincoln, DE
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 Braidwood. 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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