Population 6,913 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Median age by neighborhoodHistory and comparison ↓︎
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Population and households in Central Park
Household size in Central Park
| Period | Central Park | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.91 | 2.79 | 2.69 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 3.18 | 2.82 | 2.71 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.83 | 2.75 | 2.66 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.68 | 2.66 | 2.58 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.23 | −0.12 | −0.11 | −0.03 |
Households in Central Park average 2.68 people, about the same as the country as a whole (2.65). Since 2006–10, household size has dropped from 2.91, a much bigger shift than nationally.
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 Central Park
| Period | Central Park | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 29.3 | 36.8 | 37.6 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 26.6 | 37.8 | 38.5 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 34.1 | 38.9 | 39.6 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 36.9 | 39.7 | 40.2 | 40.1 |
| Change | +7.6 | +3.0 | +2.6 | +2.3 |
The median resident of Central Park is 36.9 years old, a few years younger than the national median of 40.1. Since 2006–10, the median age has climbed from 29.3, a much bigger shift than nationally. Residents skew youngest in the center and oldest in the east.
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 Central Park
| Period | Central Park | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 40.0% | 12.0% | 11.7% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 36.5% | 12.0% | 11.7% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 29.6% | 11.2% | 11.1% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 28.9% | 11.5% | 11.3% | 11.6% |
| Change | −11.1 pts | −0.5 pts | −0.4 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are common in Central Park: 28.9% of all households, against 11.6% nationally. Since 2006–10, the single-parent share has fallen 11.1 points, a much bigger shift than nationally. Of Chicago's 135 neighborhoods, only six have a higher share of single-parent households.
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 Central Park
Renters in Central Park
| Period | Central Park | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 77.4% | 32.1% | 30.8% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 76.6% | 34.8% | 33.1% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 83.7% | 35.5% | 33.9% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 74.6% | 34.5% | 32.9% | 34.8% |
| Change | −2.8 pts | +2.3 pts | +2.1 pts | +1.5 pts |
Renters far outnumber owners in Central Park: 74.6% of households rent their homes, against 34.8% nationally. Among homeowners, 23.5% have no mortgage at all, well below the national share of 39.8%. The renter share is down 2.8 points from 2006–10, even as the national share rose. Few Chicago neighborhoods have a higher share of renters: only six of 135.
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 Central Park
| Period | Central Park | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 29.7% | 9.8% | 10.0% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 31.4% | 9.8% | 10.1% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 25.1% | 8.9% | 9.8% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 15.4% | 7.2% | 8.1% | 9.6% |
| Change | −14.3 pts | −2.6 pts | −1.9 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacant homes make up 15.4% of the housing in Central Park, far above the national rate of 9.6%. In resort and lake areas that usually means seasonal and vacation homes; elsewhere it can point to weak demand. Since 2006–10, vacancy has fallen 14.3 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 Central Park
| Period | Central Park | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1939 | 1966 | 1966 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1938 | 1967 | 1967 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1940 | 1967 | 1968 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1950 | 1970 | 1970 | 1980 |
| Change | +11 | +4 | +4 | +6 |
Central Park is a place of older homes: half were built before 1950, while the national median is 1980. That means established neighborhoods, and more houses that may need updating. The median year built has moved up from 1939 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. The newest homes are mostly in the center, the oldest in the south.
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 Central Park
| Period | Central Park | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $797 | $1,060 | $953 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $865 | $1,142 | $1,028 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $927 | $1,306 | $1,165 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,170 | $1,602 | $1,428 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$373 | +$542 | +$475 | +$606 |
Rent in Central Park runs $1,170 a month at the median, utilities included, well below the U.S. median of $1,571. Rent has climbed $373 a month since 2006–10, up 47%, a slower climb than the nation's. The typical renter here spends 43.1% 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 south and lowest in the east.
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 Central Park
Bachelor's degrees in Central Park
| Period | Central Park | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 7.5% | 33.9% | 31.2% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 4.7% | 35.2% | 32.4% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 6.6% | 37.9% | 34.7% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 7.4% | 40.9% | 37.7% | 35.6% |
| Change | −0.1 pts | +7.0 pts | +6.5 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are relatively uncommon in Central Park: 7.4% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's or higher, well below the national share of 35.6%. Central Park has the lowest share of college graduates of any Chicago neighborhood.
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 Central Park
| Period | Central Park | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 71.9% | 85.6% | 86.3% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 71.7% | 86.7% | 87.5% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 70.4% | 88.4% | 89.1% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 75.5% | 89.5% | 90.3% | 89.3% |
| Change | +3.6 pts | +3.9 pts | +4.0 pts | +4.3 pts |
About a quarter of adults in Central Park never finished high school, well above the national share: only 75.5% have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3% nationally. The share with a diploma is up 3.6 points from 2006–10, as it has nationally. Central Park has a lower share of high school graduates than the great majority of Chicago neighborhoods.
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 Central Park
| Period | Central Park | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 29.4% | 9.1% | 8.7% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 20.3% | 10.8% | 10.2% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 22.0% | 6.3% | 6.1% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 17.4% | 6.3% | 6.0% | 5.4% |
| Change | −12.0 pts | −2.8 pts | −2.7 pts | −2.7 pts |
Finding work has been harder in Central Park: 17.4% of the labor force was out of work and looking, well above the national rate of 5.4%. Unemployment has fallen 12.0 points since 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally. Each figure pools five years of surveys (2020–24), so it describes that whole stretch rather than today's job market.
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).
Central Park compared with nearby neighborhoods
| Neighborhood | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Central Park | 2.68 | 36.9 | 28.9% | 74.6% | 15.4% | 1950 | $1,170 | 7.4% | 75.5% | 17.4% |
| Whiskey Point | 3.28 | 35.0 | 24.9% | 56.9% | 8.6% | 1945 | $1,211 | 14.0% | 64.5% | 10.2% |
| West Garfield Park | 2.55 | 38.0 | 24.5% | 62.9% | 21.5% | 1939 | $1,391 | 12.6% | 82.0% | 18.2% |
| Moreland | 3.14 | 34.7 | 19.8% | 54.1% | 11.4% | 1941 | $1,263 | 12.9% | 82.5% | 16.4% |
| Mandell | 2.81 | 34.3 | 29.1% | 66.3% | 8.8% | 1949 | $1,179 | 13.5% | 85.0% | 15.7% |
| East Garfield Park | 2.76 | 33.5 | 30.5% | 68.8% | 12.0% | 1954 | $1,251 | 22.4% | 83.7% | 17.9% |
| Humboldt Park | 3.15 | 33.5 | 27.4% | 59.8% | 9.7% | 1942 | $1,383 | 23.5% | 77.2% | 10.8% |
| North Lawndale | 2.86 | 34.0 | 31.4% | 73.6% | 18.7% | 1945 | $1,267 | 14.7% | 82.9% | 14.5% |
| Austin | 2.82 | 39.0 | 21.6% | 56.4% | 8.6% | 1946 | $1,198 | 17.5% | 82.4% | 14.8% |
| Beat 2535 | 2.69 | 37.3 | 9.6% | 52.8% | 7.9% | 1938 | $1,443 | 35.4% | 80.9% | 12.4% |
| Claremont Cottages | 2.22 | 33.6 | 7.6% | 59.4% | 11.8% | 1986 | $1,803 | 59.1% | 93.1% | 9.2% |
All figures 2020–24.
Neighborhoods with similar populations: Bakersfield Country Club, Bakersfield, CA · Abbott McKinley, Buffalo, NY · Lincoln Park, Denver, CO · Lyndale, Minneapolis, MN · Millbrook, Grand Rapids, MI · Monte Flores, San Juan, PR · Newport, Bellevue, WA · North Central, San Antonio, TX · North Quinsigamond Village, Worcester, MA · Royal Highlands, Brooksville, FL
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 Central Park. 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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