Population 54,118 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Downers Grove
Household size in Downers Grove
| Period | Downers Grove | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.58 | 2.79 | 2.69 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.63 | 2.82 | 2.71 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.52 | 2.75 | 2.66 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.53 | 2.66 | 2.58 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.04 | −0.12 | −0.11 | −0.03 |
Households in Downers Grove run a little small, averaging 2.53 people against 2.65 nationally, which usually means more singles and couples and fewer children. Since 2006–10, household size has edged down from 2.58, mirroring the country. Households are largest in the northeast and smallest in the west.
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 Downers Grove
| Period | Downers Grove | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 42.6 | 36.8 | 37.6 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 43.1 | 37.8 | 38.5 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 44.1 | 38.9 | 39.6 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 45.0 | 39.7 | 40.2 | 40.1 |
| Change | +2.4 | +3.0 | +2.6 | +2.3 |
Downers Grove skews older: half of its residents are older than 45.0, well above the national median of 40.1. That usually means more empty nesters and retirees, and fewer young families. Since 2006–10, the median age has climbed from 42.6, mirroring the country.
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 Downers Grove
| Period | Downers Grove | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 4.9% | 12.0% | 11.7% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 6.2% | 12.0% | 11.7% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 5.5% | 11.2% | 11.1% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 6.5% | 11.5% | 11.3% | 11.6% |
| Change | +1.6 pts | −0.5 pts | −0.4 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head only 6.5% of households in Downers Grove, well below the national share of 11.6%. The single-parent share has risen 1.6 points since 2006–10, even as the national share fell. Downers Grove has a lower share of single-parent households than at least four in five Illinois cities.
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 Downers Grove
Renters in Downers Grove
| Period | Downers Grove | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 16.7% | 32.1% | 30.8% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 20.6% | 34.8% | 33.1% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 21.2% | 35.5% | 33.9% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 21.6% | 34.5% | 32.9% | 34.8% |
| Change | +4.8 pts | +2.3 pts | +2.1 pts | +1.5 pts |
Downers Grove is largely a place of homeowners: only 21.6% of households rent, far below the national share of 34.8%. Owner-heavy areas like this tend to see less turnover. Among homeowners, 38.3% have no mortgage at all, about the same as nationally. The renter share has risen 4.8 points since 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally.
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 Downers Grove
| Period | Downers Grove | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 8.2% | 9.8% | 10.0% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 6.1% | 9.8% | 10.1% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 5.4% | 8.9% | 9.8% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 5.6% | 7.2% | 8.1% | 9.6% |
| Change | −2.5 pts | −2.6 pts | −1.9 pts | −1.8 pts |
Fewer homes sit empty in Downers Grove than nationally: 5.6%, against 9.6% for the U.S. Since 2006–10, vacancy has fallen 2.5 points, mirroring the country.
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 Downers Grove
| Period | Downers Grove | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1969 | 1966 | 1966 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1969 | 1967 | 1967 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1969 | 1967 | 1968 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1971 | 1970 | 1970 | 1980 |
| Change | +2 | +4 | +4 | +6 |
Downers Grove is a place of older homes: half were built before 1971, while the national median is 1980. That means established neighborhoods, and more houses that may need updating. Newer construction is concentrated in the southwest, while the northeast 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 Downers Grove
| Period | Downers Grove | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $977 | $1,060 | $953 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $1,086 | $1,142 | $1,028 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $1,350 | $1,306 | $1,165 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,872 | $1,602 | $1,428 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$895 | +$542 | +$475 | +$606 |
The median renter in Downers Grove pays $1,872 a month for rent and utilities, above the national median of $1,571. Rent has climbed $895 a month since 2006–10, up 92%, faster than rents rose nationally. Rent takes 28.9% of the typical renter's income, just under the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent. Renters on a budget will find the lowest rents in the southwest; the highest are in the north.
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 Downers Grove
Bachelor's degrees in Downers Grove
| Period | Downers Grove | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 49.5% | 33.9% | 31.2% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 52.4% | 35.2% | 32.4% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 56.7% | 37.9% | 34.7% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 58.2% | 40.9% | 37.7% | 35.6% |
| Change | +8.6 pts | +7.0 pts | +6.5 pts | +7.2 pts |
Downers Grove is highly educated: nearly six in ten adults 25 and older (58.2%) hold at least a bachelor's degree, far above the national share of 35.6%. The share with a degree is up 8.6 points from 2006–10, as it has nationally. College graduates are most concentrated in the center and least in the southeast.
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 Downers Grove
| Period | Downers Grove | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 95.0% | 85.6% | 86.3% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 96.0% | 86.7% | 87.5% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 96.7% | 88.4% | 89.1% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 96.6% | 89.5% | 90.3% | 89.3% |
| Change | +1.6 pts | +3.9 pts | +4.0 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion is high in Downers Grove: 96.6% of adults 25 and older have a diploma or equivalent, well above the national rate of 89.3%. The share with a diploma is up 1.6 points from 2006–10, mirroring the country. Downers Grove has a higher share of high school graduates than the great majority of 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 Downers Grove
| Period | Downers Grove | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 5.6% | 9.1% | 8.7% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 7.3% | 10.8% | 10.2% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 4.0% | 6.3% | 6.1% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 4.1% | 6.3% | 6.0% | 5.4% |
| Change | −1.5 pts | −2.8 pts | −2.7 pts | −2.7 pts |
Jobs have been a little easier to find in Downers Grove than nationally: unemployment was 4.1%, against 5.4%. Unemployment has fallen 1.5 points since 2006–10, in line with the national trend. Because the Census pools five years of responses (2020–24), these rates smooth over short swings and lag the current job market.
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).
Downers Grove 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Downers Grove | 2.53 | 45.0 | 6.5% | 21.6% | 5.6% | 1971 | $1,872 | 58.2% | 96.6% | 4.1% |
| Westmont | 2.32 | 44.9 | 7.9% | 38.8% | 8.0% | 1976 | $1,558 | 50.2% | 95.3% | 4.1% |
| Clarendon Hills | 2.74 | 41.4 | 8.1% | 23.6% | 6.8% | 1978 | $1,129 | 68.1% | 96.8% | 3.4% |
| Woodridge | 2.63 | 39.6 | 8.1% | 30.7% | 6.5% | 1981 | $1,612 | 49.0% | 93.8% | 4.7% |
| Darien | 2.48 | 45.1 | 7.9% | 20.3% | 4.9% | 1978 | $1,790 | 51.0% | 95.5% | 4.7% |
| Willowbrook | 2.31 | 47.5 | 6.3% | 30.9% | 6.2% | 1980 | $1,781 | 51.4% | 95.6% | 3.4% |
| Lisle | 2.27 | 40.1 | 9.0% | 42.4% | 6.4% | 1980 | $1,648 | 60.1% | 97.5% | 5.2% |
| Hinsdale | 2.82 | 39.1 | 11.9% | 19.9% | 7.3% | 1980 | $2,190 | 68.6% | 97.4% | 6.1% |
| Oak Brook | 2.37 | 57.1 | 5.7% | 19.3% | 12.3% | 1981 | $1,937 | 64.7% | 96.3% | 7.9% |
| Oakbrook Terrace | 2.10 | 45.1 | 5.6% | 50.9% | 14.8% | 1977 | $2,089 | 50.0% | 95.5% | 6.5% |
| Burr Ridge | 2.52 | 54.1 | 4.8% | 5.5% | 6.0% | 1988 | $1,726 | 65.7% | 95.8% | 2.8% |
All figures 2020–24.
Cities with similar populations: West Chester, OH · Brookline, MA · Canovanas, PR · Galveston, TX · Collierville, TN · Crown Point, IN · Delaware, OH · Montgomery, TX · Plainfield, NJ · Peabody, MA
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 Downers Grove. 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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