Population 28,355 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Chicago Heights
Household size in Chicago Heights
| Period | Chicago Heights | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 3.01 | 2.79 | 2.69 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.92 | 2.82 | 2.71 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.89 | 2.75 | 2.66 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.90 | 2.66 | 2.58 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.11 | −0.12 | −0.11 | −0.03 |
Households in Chicago Heights average 2.90 people, above the national 2.65, so families with children are more common here. Household size has dropped from 3.01 in 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally. Households are largest in the southwest and smallest in the east.
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 Chicago Heights
| Period | Chicago Heights | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 31.6 | 36.8 | 37.6 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 34.7 | 37.8 | 38.5 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 36.9 | 38.9 | 39.6 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 35.5 | 39.7 | 40.2 | 40.1 |
| Change | +3.9 | +3.0 | +2.6 | +2.3 |
With a median age of just 35.5, Chicago Heights is far younger than the country as a whole (40.1), a population that tilts toward young families with children. The median age has climbed from 31.6 in 2006–10, as it has nationally. Of the 388 Illinois cities with 5,000+ people, only 24 are younger.
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 Chicago Heights
| Period | Chicago Heights | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 21.6% | 12.0% | 11.7% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 19.6% | 12.0% | 11.7% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 17.4% | 11.2% | 11.1% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 22.8% | 11.5% | 11.3% | 11.6% |
| Change | +1.2 pts | −0.5 pts | −0.4 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are common in Chicago Heights: 22.8% of all households, against 11.6% nationally. The single-parent share is up 1.2 points from 2006–10, even as the national share fell. Only eight of the 388 Illinois cities with 5,000+ people 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 Chicago Heights
Renters in Chicago Heights
| Period | Chicago Heights | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 32.4% | 32.1% | 30.8% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 39.0% | 34.8% | 33.1% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 35.2% | 35.5% | 33.9% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 34.6% | 34.5% | 32.9% | 34.8% |
| Change | +2.2 pts | +2.3 pts | +2.1 pts | +1.5 pts |
Just over a third of households in Chicago Heights rent their homes (34.6%), close to the national share of 34.8%. About half of owners (51.3%) have paid off their mortgages, well above the national share of 39.8%. Renting is most common in the south and least common in the northwest. The renter share has risen 2.2 points since 2006–10, mirroring the country.
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 Chicago Heights
| Period | Chicago Heights | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 15.7% | 9.8% | 10.0% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 16.1% | 9.8% | 10.1% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 15.6% | 8.9% | 9.8% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 13.5% | 7.2% | 8.1% | 9.6% |
| Change | −2.2 pts | −2.6 pts | −1.9 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy runs high in Chicago Heights: 13.5% of homes are empty, against 9.6% nationally. The count includes vacation homes and homes between owners or tenants, not just abandoned ones. Since 2006–10, vacancy has fallen 2.2 points, as it has 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 Chicago Heights
| Period | Chicago Heights | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1954 | 1966 | 1966 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1957 | 1967 | 1967 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1957 | 1967 | 1968 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1961 | 1970 | 1970 | 1980 |
| Change | +7 | +4 | +4 | +6 |
Chicago Heights is a place of older homes: half were built before 1961, 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 1954 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. Newer construction is concentrated in the southwest, while the southeast 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 Chicago Heights
| Period | Chicago Heights | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $897 | $1,060 | $953 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $992 | $1,142 | $1,028 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $1,171 | $1,306 | $1,165 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,264 | $1,602 | $1,428 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$368 | +$542 | +$475 | +$606 |
The median renter in Chicago Heights pays $1,264 a month for rent and utilities, below the national median of $1,571. Rent has climbed $368 a month since 2006–10, up 41%, a slower climb than the nation's. The typical renter here spends 30.5% of household income on rent, just over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent. The priciest rents are in the northwest; the most affordable are 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 Chicago Heights
Bachelor's degrees in Chicago Heights
| Period | Chicago Heights | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 14.7% | 33.9% | 31.2% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 14.7% | 35.2% | 32.4% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 16.9% | 37.9% | 34.7% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 21.9% | 40.9% | 37.7% | 35.6% |
| Change | +7.2 pts | +7.0 pts | +6.5 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are relatively uncommon in Chicago Heights: 21.9% 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 risen 7.2 points, as it has nationally. College graduates are most concentrated in the northwest 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 Chicago Heights
| Period | Chicago Heights | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 79.4% | 85.6% | 86.3% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 78.6% | 86.7% | 87.5% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 80.8% | 88.4% | 89.1% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 85.4% | 89.5% | 90.3% | 89.3% |
| Change | +6.0 pts | +3.9 pts | +4.0 pts | +4.3 pts |
About one in seven adults in Chicago Heights never finished high school, more than nationally: 85.4% have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3% across the U.S. Since 2006–10, the share with a diploma has risen 6.0 points, mirroring the country. Chicago Heights has a lower share of high school graduates than at least four in five Illinois cities.
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 Chicago Heights
| Period | Chicago Heights | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 14.5% | 9.1% | 8.7% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 19.4% | 10.8% | 10.2% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 13.5% | 6.3% | 6.1% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 12.6% | 6.3% | 6.0% | 5.4% |
| Change | −2.0 pts | −2.8 pts | −2.7 pts | −2.7 pts |
Finding work has been harder in Chicago Heights: 12.6% of the labor force was out of work and looking, well above the national rate of 5.4%. Only nine of the 388 Illinois cities with 5,000+ people have higher unemployment. Unemployment is down 2.0 points from 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).
Chicago Heights 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago Heights | 2.90 | 35.5 | 22.8% | 34.6% | 13.5% | 1961 | $1,264 | 21.9% | 85.4% | 12.6% |
| South Chicago Heights | 2.52 | 39.6 | 14.3% | 39.1% | 8.1% | 1965 | $1,339 | 11.8% | 75.9% | 7.9% |
| Olympia Fields | 2.22 | 47.6 | 8.7% | 15.9% | 9.8% | 1980 | $2,883 | 46.5% | 97.8% | 8.4% |
| Park Forest | 2.54 | 36.4 | 21.2% | 30.2% | 9.3% | 1959 | $1,428 | 24.9% | 92.8% | 7.2% |
| Flossmoor | 2.70 | 46.6 | 8.2% | 4.6% | 5.9% | 1971 | $1,977 | 61.2% | 98.3% | 10.6% |
| Glenwood | 2.54 | 43.7 | 13.0% | 26.8% | 10.5% | 1969 | $1,429 | 37.5% | 92.4% | 18.5% |
| Ford Heights | 2.52 | 49.2 | 13.0% | 41.8% | 21.8% | 1970 | $1,061 | 13.9% | 88.2% | 13.7% |
| Steger | 2.42 | 39.4 | 12.8% | 40.1% | 10.3% | 1967 | $1,126 | 20.0% | 89.5% | 7.7% |
| Homewood | 2.74 | 39.1 | 16.9% | 16.2% | 6.6% | 1962 | $1,703 | 47.4% | 96.4% | 9.6% |
| East Hazel Crest | 2.45 | 39.3 | 23.3% | 37.3% | 11.0% | 1963 | $1,311 | 15.8% | 89.8% | 14.7% |
| Sauk Village | 3.14 | 32.4 | 29.2% | 35.0% | 16.8% | 1972 | $1,525 | 18.1% | 91.1% | 11.7% |
All figures 2020–24.
Cities with similar populations: Arlington, TN · Arroyo Grande, CA · Horn Lake, MS · Temescal Valley, CA · Kihei, HI · Temple Terrace, FL · Jonesborough, TN · Johnston, RI · Jenison, MI · Jeffersontown, KY
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 Chicago Heights. 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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