Population 6,063 · Census ACS 2020–24
Choose a measure to map it.Tap a measure to map it. Swipe the row for more. Arrows show the change since 2006–10.
Median age by neighborhoodHistory and comparison ↓︎
Younger residents
Older residents
Colorblind friendly
off
More maps of Coal City: Best Neighborhoods · Walk Grade · Household income · Home prices · Race · Politics · Traffic noise · Internet
Population and households in Coal City
Household size in Coal City
| Period | Coal City | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.74 | 2.79 | 2.69 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.63 | 2.82 | 2.71 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.51 | 2.75 | 2.66 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.40 | 2.66 | 2.58 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.34 | −0.12 | −0.11 | −0.03 |
Households in Coal City run small, averaging 2.40 people against 2.65 nationally, which usually means more singles and couples and fewer children. Household size has dropped from 2.74 in 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally. Households are largest in the southwest and smallest in the center.
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 Coal City
| Period | Coal City | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 36.1 | 36.8 | 37.6 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 37.1 | 37.8 | 38.5 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 39.4 | 38.9 | 39.6 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 46.2 | 39.7 | 40.2 | 40.1 |
| Change | +10.1 | +3.0 | +2.6 | +2.3 |
With a median age of 46.2, Coal City is noticeably older than the country as a whole (40.1), an age mix that tilts toward empty nesters and retirees. The median age has climbed from 36.1 in 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally. Of the 388 Illinois cities with 5,000+ people, only 38 are older.
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 Coal City
| Period | Coal City | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 14.8% | 12.0% | 11.7% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 14.7% | 12.0% | 11.7% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 11.0% | 11.2% | 11.1% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 10.4% | 11.5% | 11.3% | 11.6% |
| Change | −4.4 pts | −0.5 pts | −0.4 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are a bit less common in Coal City than nationally: 10.4%, against 11.6%. The single-parent share is down 4.4 points from 2006–10, 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 Coal City
Renters in Coal City
| Period | Coal City | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 19.1% | 32.1% | 30.8% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 19.0% | 34.8% | 33.1% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 23.8% | 35.5% | 33.9% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 23.4% | 34.5% | 32.9% | 34.8% |
| Change | +4.3 pts | +2.3 pts | +2.1 pts | +1.5 pts |
Coal City is largely a place of homeowners: only 23.4% of households rent, far below the national share of 34.8%. Owner-heavy areas like this tend to see less turnover. Among homeowners, 42.7% have no mortgage at all, about the same as nationally. The renter share is up 4.3 points from 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 Coal City
| Period | Coal City | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 11.1% | 9.8% | 10.0% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 6.5% | 9.8% | 10.1% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 8.8% | 8.9% | 9.8% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 8.1% | 7.2% | 8.1% | 9.6% |
| Change | −3.1 pts | −2.6 pts | −1.9 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy is on the low side in Coal City: 8.1% of homes sit empty, against 9.6% nationally, which points to steady demand for housing. The picture is much the same across the Chicago area. Vacancy has fallen 3.1 points since 2006–10, 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 Coal City
| Period | Coal City | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1977 | 1966 | 1966 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1979 | 1967 | 1967 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1982 | 1967 | 1968 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1981 | 1970 | 1970 | 1980 |
| Change | +4 | +4 | +4 | +6 |
The typical home in Coal City was built around 1981, about the same vintage as the country's housing overall (1980). Homes here are newer than in the Chicago area overall, where the median home dates to 1970. The median year built has moved up from 1977 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. Newer construction is concentrated in the southwest, while the center 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 Coal City
| Period | Coal City | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $942 | $1,060 | $953 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $990 | $1,142 | $1,028 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $988 | $1,306 | $1,165 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,182 | $1,602 | $1,428 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$240 | +$542 | +$475 | +$606 |
Rent in Coal City runs $1,182 a month at the median, utilities included, well below the U.S. median of $1,571. Rent has climbed $240 a month since 2006–10, up 25%, a slower climb than the nation's. Rent takes 23.6% of the typical renter's income, comfortably under the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent. Rents run highest in the northeast and lowest in the northwest.
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 Coal City
Bachelor's degrees in Coal City
| Period | Coal City | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 13.9% | 33.9% | 31.2% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 17.7% | 35.2% | 32.4% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 18.5% | 37.9% | 34.7% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 21.5% | 40.9% | 37.7% | 35.6% |
| Change | +7.6 pts | +7.0 pts | +6.5 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are relatively uncommon in Coal City: 21.5% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's or higher, well below the national share of 35.6%. The share with a degree is up 7.6 points from 2006–10, as it has nationally.
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 Coal City
| Period | Coal City | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 90.9% | 85.6% | 86.3% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 92.4% | 86.7% | 87.5% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 95.8% | 88.4% | 89.1% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 92.5% | 89.5% | 90.3% | 89.3% |
| Change | +1.6 pts | +3.9 pts | +4.0 pts | +4.3 pts |
About nine in ten adults in Coal City have finished high school (92.5%), a bit above the national rate of 89.3%. Since 2006–10, the share with a diploma has risen 1.6 points, 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 Coal City
| Period | Coal City | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 12.5% | 9.1% | 8.7% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 11.7% | 10.8% | 10.2% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 5.0% | 6.3% | 6.1% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 5.3% | 6.3% | 6.0% | 5.4% |
| Change | −7.2 pts | −2.8 pts | −2.7 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in Coal City is close to the national rate: 5.3% of the labor force, against 5.4%. The rate is lower than in the Chicago area as a whole (6.3%). Unemployment has fallen 7.2 points since 2006–10, as it has 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).
Coal City 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coal City | 2.40 | 46.2 | 10.4% | 23.4% | 8.1% | 1981 | $1,182 | 21.5% | 92.5% | 5.3% |
| Carbon Hill | 2.43 | 61.6 | 4.1% | 13.5% | 3.2% | 1979 | $1,064 | 25.7% | 97.3% | 4.8% |
| Eileen | 2.23 | 59.1 | 3.6% | 21.9% | 6.8% | 1973 | $1,268 | 28.4% | 90.9% | 0.9% |
| Diamond | 2.79 | 38.1 | 18.7% | 22.3% | 2.5% | 1992 | $1,306 | 15.7% | 93.1% | 1.3% |
| Braidwood | 2.47 | 42.1 | 8.2% | 13.5% | 7.7% | 1992 | $1,101 | 17.4% | 93.6% | 2.3% |
| Godley | 2.57 | 45.7 | 17.9% | 10.6% | 3.7% | 1992 | $1,001 | 12.7% | 96.7% | 2.2% |
| Braceville | 3.00 | 33.2 | 17.0% | 13.4% | 5.3% | 1976 | $1,112 | 12.7% | 91.6% | 1.8% |
| Lorenzo | 2.51 | 48.7 | 9.2% | 12.2% | 19.7% | 1979 | $1,108 | 26.2% | 96.7% | 6.3% |
| Lakewood Shores | 2.94 | 40.9 | 7.8% | 20.5% | 14.7% | 1982 | $1,058 | 12.5% | 96.8% | 11.0% |
| Gardner | 2.64 | 38.6 | 16.4% | 26.5% | 8.4% | 1971 | $1,021 | 16.2% | 93.6% | 9.0% |
| Mazon | 2.62 | 42.2 | 10.5% | 16.2% | 5.2% | 1978 | $994 | 18.9% | 93.4% | 2.1% |
All figures 2020–24.
Cities with similar populations: Cross City, FL · Decatur, TN · Violet, LA · Viroqua, WI · Dansville, NY · Waikoloa, HI · Dale, TX · Dadeville, AL · Walbridge, OH · Waleska, GA
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 Coal City. 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.
No other site shows detail at this level for free. We are able to keep this site free by receiving a small commission from the referring links on this page. Please share or cite this page if you aren’t able to otherwise support our work.