Population 6,568 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Chester Highlands
Household size in Chester Highlands
| Period | Chester Highlands | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 3.16 | 2.79 | 2.69 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.89 | 2.82 | 2.71 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.65 | 2.75 | 2.66 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.83 | 2.66 | 2.58 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.34 | −0.12 | −0.11 | −0.03 |
The typical household in Chester Highlands holds 2.83 people, more than the U.S. average of 2.65. Since 2006–10, household size has dropped from 3.16, a much bigger shift than nationally. Households are largest in the southeast 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 Chester Highlands
| Period | Chester Highlands | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 35.6 | 36.8 | 37.6 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 37.3 | 37.8 | 38.5 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 42.9 | 38.9 | 39.6 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 37.1 | 39.7 | 40.2 | 40.1 |
| Change | +1.5 | +3.0 | +2.6 | +2.3 |
Chester Highlands is younger than the country as a whole: its median age is 37.1, against 40.1 nationally. Since 2006–10, the median age has climbed from 35.6, in line with the national trend. Residents skew youngest in the southeast and oldest in the center.
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 Chester Highlands
| Period | Chester Highlands | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 31.8% | 12.0% | 11.7% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 31.4% | 12.0% | 11.7% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 22.0% | 11.2% | 11.1% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 40.3% | 11.5% | 11.3% | 11.6% |
| Change | +8.5 pts | −0.5 pts | −0.4 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head about four in ten households in Chester Highlands (40.3%), well above the national share of 11.6%. The single-parent share has risen 8.5 points since 2006–10, even as the national share fell. No other Chicago neighborhood has 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 Chester Highlands
Renters in Chester Highlands
| Period | Chester Highlands | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 57.6% | 32.1% | 30.8% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 60.8% | 34.8% | 33.1% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 62.2% | 35.5% | 33.9% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 56.9% | 34.5% | 32.9% | 34.8% |
| Change | −0.7 pts | +2.3 pts | +2.1 pts | +1.5 pts |
Most households in Chester Highlands rent: 56.9% of occupied homes are rented, far above the national share of 34.8%. Expect more apartments, and more turnover, than in owner-heavy areas. Among homeowners, 48.6% have no mortgage at all, above the national share of 39.8%. Since 2006–10, the renter share has edged down 0.7 points, 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 Chester Highlands
| Period | Chester Highlands | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 20.2% | 9.8% | 10.0% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 14.6% | 9.8% | 10.1% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 22.6% | 8.9% | 9.8% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 15.1% | 7.2% | 8.1% | 9.6% |
| Change | −5.0 pts | −2.6 pts | −1.9 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy is high in Chester Highlands: 15.1% of homes are empty, 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. Vacancy has fallen 5.0 points since 2006–10, in line with the national trend.
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 Chester Highlands
| Period | Chester Highlands | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1940 | 1966 | 1966 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1941 | 1967 | 1967 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1944 | 1967 | 1968 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1945 | 1970 | 1970 | 1980 |
| Change | +5 | +4 | +4 | +6 |
The housing in Chester Highlands is old by national standards: the median home dates to 1945, against 1980 for the U.S., so buyers will find more older houses, some of them due for updates. The median year built has moved up from 1940 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. Newer construction is concentrated in the southeast, while the northwest has the oldest housing.
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 Chester Highlands
| Period | Chester Highlands | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $960 | $1,060 | $953 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $852 | $1,142 | $1,028 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $874 | $1,306 | $1,165 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,133 | $1,602 | $1,428 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$173 | +$542 | +$475 | +$606 |
Rent in Chester Highlands runs $1,133 a month at the median, utilities included, well below the U.S. median of $1,571. Rents are up $173 a month from 2006–10, an 18% rise, a slower climb than the nation's. Rent takes 36.5% of the typical renter's income, 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 Chester Highlands
Bachelor's degrees in Chester Highlands
| Period | Chester Highlands | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 10.2% | 33.9% | 31.2% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 14.9% | 35.2% | 32.4% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 20.8% | 37.9% | 34.7% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 16.3% | 40.9% | 37.7% | 35.6% |
| Change | +6.1 pts | +7.0 pts | +6.5 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are relatively uncommon in Chester Highlands: 16.3% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's or higher, well below the national share of 35.6%. The share with a degree has risen 6.1 points since 2006–10, mirroring the country. College graduates are most concentrated in the center and least in the northeast.
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 Chester Highlands
| Period | Chester Highlands | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 80.0% | 85.6% | 86.3% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 80.2% | 86.7% | 87.5% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 84.7% | 88.4% | 89.1% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 80.6% | 89.5% | 90.3% | 89.3% |
| Change | +0.6 pts | +3.9 pts | +4.0 pts | +4.3 pts |
About one in five adults in Chester Highlands never finished high school, well above the national share: only 80.6% have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3% nationally. The share with a diploma has edged up 0.6 points since 2006–10, a smaller shift than nationally.
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 Chester Highlands
| Period | Chester Highlands | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 24.7% | 9.1% | 8.7% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 30.1% | 10.8% | 10.2% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 17.4% | 6.3% | 6.1% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 17.7% | 6.3% | 6.0% | 5.4% |
| Change | −7.0 pts | −2.8 pts | −2.7 pts | −2.7 pts |
Finding work has been harder in Chester Highlands: 17.7% of the labor force was out of work and looking, well above the national rate of 5.4%. Only 12 of Chicago's 135 neighborhoods have higher unemployment. Unemployment has fallen 7.0 points since 2006–10, in line with the national trend.
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).
Chester Highlands 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chester Highlands | 2.83 | 37.1 | 40.3% | 56.9% | 15.1% | 1945 | $1,133 | 16.3% | 80.6% | 17.7% |
| Auburn Gresham | 2.68 | 41.3 | 26.1% | 41.1% | 15.5% | 1948 | $1,084 | 19.1% | 85.6% | 15.5% |
| South Englewood | 2.42 | 40.5 | 23.2% | 60.8% | 14.0% | 1953 | $1,120 | 20.7% | 84.2% | 16.8% |
| Auburn Park | 2.19 | 44.9 | 18.7% | 63.1% | 18.8% | 1953 | $1,041 | 18.5% | 88.9% | 6.0% |
| Brainerd | 2.63 | 41.9 | 26.3% | 43.8% | 10.5% | 1949 | $1,064 | 18.8% | 89.7% | 20.4% |
| Becks Park | 2.54 | 42.5 | 27.4% | 73.3% | 20.3% | 1947 | $1,052 | 11.1% | 74.0% | 21.8% |
| Chatham | 2.26 | 40.4 | 16.8% | 47.3% | 13.3% | 1950 | $1,206 | 36.6% | 93.6% | 15.6% |
| Grand Crossing | 2.35 | 41.1 | 28.6% | 62.7% | 15.1% | 1944 | $1,073 | 22.1% | 82.1% | 15.1% |
| Washington Heights | 2.69 | 41.7 | 19.6% | 25.9% | 9.4% | 1952 | $1,372 | 26.3% | 92.0% | 11.8% |
| Avalon Highlands | 2.08 | 39.3 | 22.2% | 72.9% | 16.7% | 1944 | $1,107 | 19.4% | 84.2% | 21.4% |
| Englewood | 2.63 | 40.4 | 23.5% | 64.2% | 24.1% | 1945 | $1,060 | 14.0% | 80.2% | 20.9% |
All figures 2020–24.
Neighborhoods with similar populations: Charleston, Bremerton, WA · Highlands Park, Renton, WA · Midtown District, San Diego, CA · Meadowlane, Lincoln, NE · Meadow Hills, Aurora, CO · Marina Lagoon, San Mateo, CA · Lake Balboa, Van Nuys, CA · Jardines de Country Club, Carolina, PR · Imperial Point, Fort Lauderdale, FL · New River Estates, Sunrise, 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 Chester Highlands. 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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