Population 5,182,090 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Cook County
Household size in Cook County
| Period | Cook County | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.73 | 2.79 | 2.69 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.77 | 2.82 | 2.71 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.70 | 2.75 | 2.66 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.58 | 2.66 | 2.58 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.15 | −0.12 | −0.11 | −0.03 |
Households in Cook County average 2.58 people, about the same as the country as a whole (2.65). The typical household here is smaller than in the Chicago area as a whole, where it has 2.66 people. Household size has dropped from 2.73 in 2006–10, 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 Cook County
| Period | Cook County | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 36.5 | 36.8 | 37.6 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 37.4 | 37.8 | 38.5 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 38.5 | 38.9 | 39.6 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 39.4 | 39.7 | 40.2 | 40.1 |
| Change | +2.8 | +3.0 | +2.6 | +2.3 |
At 39.4, the median age in Cook County is close to the national median of 40.1, so its age mix looks much like the country's. The median age has climbed from 36.5 in 2006–10, as it has nationally. Of Illinois' 102 counties, only seven 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 Cook County
| Period | Cook County | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 13.6% | 12.0% | 11.7% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 13.3% | 12.0% | 11.7% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 12.1% | 11.2% | 11.1% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 12.3% | 11.5% | 11.3% | 11.6% |
| Change | −1.3 pts | −0.5 pts | −0.4 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are about as common in Cook County as they are nationally: 12.3%, against 11.6%. The single-parent share is down 1.3 points from 2006–10, mirroring the country.
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 Cook County
Renters in Cook County
| Period | Cook County | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 39.6% | 32.1% | 30.8% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 42.4% | 34.8% | 33.1% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 43.1% | 35.5% | 33.9% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 42.3% | 34.5% | 32.9% | 34.8% |
| Change | +2.7 pts | +2.3 pts | +2.1 pts | +1.5 pts |
Renting is more common in Cook County than nationally: 42.3% of households rent their homes, against 34.8% for the U.S. Among homeowners, 38.4% have no mortgage at all, about the same as nationally. The renter share is up 2.7 points from 2006–10, in line with the national trend. Of Illinois' 102 counties, only two have a higher share of renters.
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 Cook County
| Period | Cook County | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 11.6% | 9.8% | 10.0% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 11.4% | 9.8% | 10.1% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 10.5% | 8.9% | 9.8% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 8.4% | 7.2% | 8.1% | 9.6% |
| Change | −3.2 pts | −2.6 pts | −1.9 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy in Cook County is close to the national rate: 8.4% of homes are empty, against 9.6%. Since 2006–10, vacancy has fallen 3.2 points, 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 Cook County
| Period | Cook County | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1957 | 1966 | 1966 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1957 | 1967 | 1967 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1958 | 1967 | 1968 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1961 | 1970 | 1970 | 1980 |
| Change | +4 | +4 | +4 | +6 |
Cook County 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 1957 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. The newest homes are mostly in the northwest, the oldest in the center.
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 Cook County
| Period | Cook County | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $1,026 | $1,060 | $953 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $1,096 | $1,142 | $1,028 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $1,253 | $1,306 | $1,165 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,567 | $1,602 | $1,428 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$541 | +$542 | +$475 | +$606 |
A typical rental in Cook County costs $1,567 a month with utilities, close to the national median of $1,571. Rents are up $541 a month from 2006–10, a 53% rise, a slower climb than the nation's. Rent takes 31.9% of the typical renter's income, just over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent. Rents run highest in the east and lowest in the center.
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 Cook County
Bachelor's degrees in Cook County
| Period | Cook County | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 33.3% | 33.9% | 31.2% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 35.0% | 35.2% | 32.4% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 38.1% | 37.9% | 34.7% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 41.7% | 40.9% | 37.7% | 35.6% |
| Change | +8.4 pts | +7.0 pts | +6.5 pts | +7.2 pts |
Just over four in ten adults 25 and older in Cook County (41.7%) have a bachelor's degree or higher, a bit above the national share of 35.6%. Since 2006–10, the share with a degree has risen 8.4 points, mirroring the country. Of Illinois' 102 counties, only four have a higher share of college graduates.
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 Cook County
| Period | Cook County | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 82.8% | 85.6% | 86.3% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 84.4% | 86.7% | 87.5% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 86.7% | 88.4% | 89.1% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 88.1% | 89.5% | 90.3% | 89.3% |
| Change | +5.3 pts | +3.9 pts | +4.0 pts | +4.3 pts |
About as many adults in Cook County have finished high school as nationally: 88.1%, against 89.3%. The share with a diploma is up 5.3 points from 2006–10, as it has nationally. Cook County has a lower share of high school graduates than the great majority of Illinois counties.
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 Cook County
| Period | Cook County | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 10.1% | 9.1% | 8.7% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 12.2% | 10.8% | 10.2% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 7.4% | 6.3% | 6.1% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 7.4% | 6.3% | 6.0% | 5.4% |
| Change | −2.8 pts | −2.8 pts | −2.7 pts | −2.7 pts |
Jobs have been harder to find in Cook County than nationally: unemployment was 7.4%, against 5.4%. Of Illinois' 102 counties, only six have higher unemployment. Unemployment has fallen 2.8 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).
Cook County compared with nearby counties
| County | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cook County | 2.58 | 39.4 | 12.3% | 42.3% | 8.4% | 1961 | $1,567 | 41.7% | 88.1% | 7.4% |
| DuPage County | 2.69 | 41.3 | 8.0% | 26.9% | 5.6% | 1978 | $1,826 | 52.0% | 92.9% | 4.9% |
| Kane County | 2.88 | 39.6 | 11.3% | 24.0% | 4.4% | 1981 | $1,711 | 37.9% | 87.3% | 4.7% |
| DeKalb County | 2.52 | 35.4 | 12.9% | 38.6% | 6.0% | 1978 | $1,183 | 33.1% | 91.6% | 7.1% |
| Berrien County | 2.41 | 43.3 | 12.2% | 27.2% | 13.1% | 1967 | $1,052 | 30.8% | 92.3% | 6.2% |
| Lee County | 2.38 | 43.7 | 10.7% | 26.4% | 11.5% | 1963 | $912 | 19.7% | 91.8% | 5.2% |
| Cass County | 2.41 | 45.2 | 9.8% | 18.4% | 14.6% | 1971 | $959 | 21.1% | 89.4% | 5.2% |
| Whiteside County | 2.38 | 43.6 | 12.5% | 23.1% | 11.5% | 1961 | $937 | 20.3% | 91.9% | 4.4% |
| St. Joseph County | 2.59 | 40.0 | 9.5% | 23.9% | 12.0% | 1969 | $867 | 16.6% | 86.5% | 5.8% |
| Clinton County | 2.39 | 43.0 | 11.7% | 25.5% | 9.4% | 1959 | $930 | 23.2% | 93.6% | 3.5% |
| Branch County | 2.66 | 41.3 | 11.0% | 22.3% | 16.2% | 1965 | $971 | 16.8% | 88.0% | 5.7% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: Orange County, CA · Maricopa County, AZ · Los Angeles County, CA · San Diego County, CA · Harris County, TX · Miami-Dade County, FL · Kings County, NY · Dallas County, TX · Denton County, TX · Butler County, OH
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 Cook County. 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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