Population 20,992 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Dolton
Household size in Dolton
| Period | Dolton | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 3.01 | 2.79 | 2.69 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 3.02 | 2.82 | 2.71 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.84 | 2.75 | 2.66 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.77 | 2.66 | 2.58 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.24 | −0.12 | −0.11 | −0.03 |
The typical household in Dolton holds 2.77 people, slightly more than the U.S. average of 2.65. Household size has dropped from 3.01 in 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally. Households are largest in the north 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 Dolton
| Period | Dolton | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 31.6 | 36.8 | 37.6 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 36.1 | 37.8 | 38.5 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 37.7 | 38.9 | 39.6 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 40.1 | 39.7 | 40.2 | 40.1 |
| Change | +8.5 | +3.0 | +2.6 | +2.3 |
Half of the people in Dolton are younger than 40.1 and half are older, the same as the national median. Since 2006–10, the median age has climbed from 31.6, a much bigger shift than nationally. Residents skew youngest in the north and oldest in the southeast.
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 Dolton
| Period | Dolton | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 27.1% | 12.0% | 11.7% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 24.0% | 12.0% | 11.7% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 23.0% | 11.2% | 11.1% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 21.7% | 11.5% | 11.3% | 11.6% |
| Change | −5.4 pts | −0.5 pts | −0.4 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are common in Dolton: 21.7% of all households, against 11.6% nationally. Since 2006–10, the single-parent share has fallen 5.4 points, a much bigger shift than nationally. Only 13 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 Dolton
Renters in Dolton
| Period | Dolton | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 27.8% | 32.1% | 30.8% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 31.5% | 34.8% | 33.1% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 34.7% | 35.5% | 33.9% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 27.5% | 34.5% | 32.9% | 34.8% |
| Change | −0.3 pts | +2.3 pts | +2.1 pts | +1.5 pts |
Most households in Dolton own their homes; 27.5% rent, below the national share of 34.8%. About four in ten owners (39.1%) have paid off their mortgages, about the same as nationally. Renting is most common in the southeast and least common in the northeast.
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 Dolton
| Period | Dolton | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 11.4% | 9.8% | 10.0% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 14.3% | 9.8% | 10.1% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 14.2% | 8.9% | 9.8% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 10.8% | 7.2% | 8.1% | 9.6% |
| Change | −0.6 pts | −2.6 pts | −1.9 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy in Dolton is close to the national rate: 10.8% of homes are empty, against 9.6%. The rate is higher than in the Chicago area as a whole (7.2%). Vacancy is down 0.6 points from 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 Dolton
| Period | Dolton | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1964 | 1966 | 1966 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1963 | 1967 | 1967 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1964 | 1967 | 1968 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1964 | 1970 | 1970 | 1980 |
| Change | +0 | +4 | +4 | +6 |
The housing in Dolton is old by national standards: the median home dates to 1964, against 1980 for the U.S., so buyers will find more older houses, some of them due for updates. Compared with other Illinois cities, Dolton has older homes than most.
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 Dolton
| Period | Dolton | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $1,170 | $1,060 | $953 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $1,188 | $1,142 | $1,028 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $1,304 | $1,306 | $1,165 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,579 | $1,602 | $1,428 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$409 | +$542 | +$475 | +$606 |
A typical rental in Dolton costs $1,579 a month with utilities, close to the national median of $1,571. Rent has climbed $409 a month since 2006–10, up 35%, a slower climb than the nation's. Rent takes 46.9% of the typical renter's income, well over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, so many renters here are stretched. Rents run highest in the north 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 Dolton
Bachelor's degrees in Dolton
| Period | Dolton | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 17.5% | 33.9% | 31.2% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 18.3% | 35.2% | 32.4% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 20.1% | 37.9% | 34.7% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 21.6% | 40.9% | 37.7% | 35.6% |
| Change | +4.1 pts | +7.0 pts | +6.5 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are relatively uncommon in Dolton: 21.6% 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 4.1 points, mirroring the country. College graduates are most concentrated in the southeast and least in the north.
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 Dolton
| Period | Dolton | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 88.8% | 85.6% | 86.3% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 87.5% | 86.7% | 87.5% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 89.2% | 88.4% | 89.1% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 93.8% | 89.5% | 90.3% | 89.3% |
| Change | +5.0 pts | +3.9 pts | +4.0 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion in Dolton is above the national rate: 93.8% of adults have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3%. The share with a diploma is up 5.0 points from 2006–10, 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 Dolton
| Period | Dolton | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 18.5% | 9.1% | 8.7% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 23.2% | 10.8% | 10.2% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 17.8% | 6.3% | 6.1% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 13.2% | 6.3% | 6.0% | 5.4% |
| Change | −5.4 pts | −2.8 pts | −2.7 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in Dolton runs well above the national rate: 13.2% of the labor force was out of work and looking, against 5.4%. Only six of the 388 Illinois cities with 5,000+ people have higher unemployment. Unemployment is down 5.4 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).
Dolton 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dolton | 2.77 | 40.1 | 21.7% | 27.5% | 10.8% | 1964 | $1,579 | 21.6% | 93.8% | 13.2% |
| Riverdale | 2.73 | 28.5 | 39.5% | 66.0% | 17.9% | 1953 | $1,005 | 12.2% | 86.6% | 21.4% |
| South Holland | 2.80 | 42.7 | 20.6% | 17.5% | 5.2% | 1967 | $2,106 | 24.5% | 91.4% | 11.0% |
| Phoenix | 2.59 | 36.2 | 22.0% | 26.2% | 13.5% | 1967 | $1,248 | 9.0% | 92.4% | 24.4% |
| Burnham | 2.60 | 38.4 | 16.6% | 42.0% | 10.3% | 1968 | $1,260 | 15.6% | 84.5% | 10.2% |
| Calumet City | 2.66 | 39.7 | 22.0% | 44.3% | 15.1% | 1964 | $1,293 | 21.8% | 88.8% | 11.2% |
| Harvey | 3.03 | 36.8 | 20.0% | 42.4% | 21.1% | 1961 | $1,060 | 10.8% | 76.4% | 13.2% |
| Thornton | 2.33 | 44.1 | 10.1% | 15.8% | 3.6% | 1961 | $1,114 | 26.9% | 93.9% | 12.0% |
| Dixmoor | 2.94 | 31.2 | 19.3% | 36.0% | 22.8% | 1970 | $1,269 | 7.7% | 84.0% | 6.1% |
| Calumet Park | 2.56 | 36.9 | 14.2% | 45.0% | 8.4% | 1963 | $1,228 | 24.9% | 90.7% | 14.7% |
| East Hazel Crest | 2.45 | 39.3 | 23.3% | 37.3% | 11.0% | 1963 | $1,311 | 15.8% | 89.8% | 14.7% |
All figures 2020–24.
Cities with similar populations: Darien, CT · West Carson, CA · Durant, OK · Dripping Springs, TX · Dover, FL · Dixon, IL · West Puente Valley, CA · Deming, NM · West Richland, WA · DeFuniak Springs, 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 Dolton. 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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