Population 32,629 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Melrose Park
Household size in Melrose Park
| Period | Melrose Park | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 3.29 | 2.79 | 2.69 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 3.44 | 2.82 | 2.71 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 3.27 | 2.75 | 2.66 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.99 | 2.66 | 2.58 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.30 | −0.12 | −0.11 | −0.03 |
Melrose Park is a place of big households: 2.99 people per home on average, compared with 2.65 nationally. Numbers like that usually point to plenty of families with kids. Since 2006–10, household size has dropped from 3.29, a much bigger shift than nationally. Only 37 of the 388 Illinois cities with 5,000+ people have larger households.
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 Melrose Park
| Period | Melrose Park | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 31.6 | 36.8 | 37.6 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 33.7 | 37.8 | 38.5 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 34.7 | 38.9 | 39.6 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 37.7 | 39.7 | 40.2 | 40.1 |
| Change | +6.1 | +3.0 | +2.6 | +2.3 |
Melrose Park is a little younger than the country as a whole: its median age is 37.7, against 40.1 nationally. Since 2006–10, the median age has climbed from 31.6, mirroring the country. The youngest areas are in the southeast, the oldest in the west.
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 Melrose Park
| Period | Melrose Park | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 14.6% | 12.0% | 11.7% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 17.5% | 12.0% | 11.7% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 17.6% | 11.2% | 11.1% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 15.6% | 11.5% | 11.3% | 11.6% |
| Change | +1.0 pts | −0.5 pts | −0.4 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are common in Melrose Park: 15.6% of all households, against 11.6% nationally. The single-parent share has edged up 1.0 points since 2006–10, even as the national share fell. Melrose Park has a higher 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 Melrose Park
Renters in Melrose Park
| Period | Melrose Park | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 38.3% | 32.1% | 30.8% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 40.8% | 34.8% | 33.1% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 43.4% | 35.5% | 33.9% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 36.8% | 34.5% | 32.9% | 34.8% |
| Change | −1.5 pts | +2.3 pts | +2.1 pts | +1.5 pts |
More than a third of households in Melrose Park rent their homes (36.8%), close to the national share of 34.8%. Just over four in ten owners (41.7%) have paid off their mortgages, about the same as nationally. The renter share is down 1.5 points from 2006–10, even as the national share rose.
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 Melrose Park
| Period | Melrose Park | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 10.3% | 9.8% | 10.0% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 9.2% | 9.8% | 10.1% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 7.6% | 8.9% | 9.8% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 8.0% | 7.2% | 8.1% | 9.6% |
| Change | −2.3 pts | −2.6 pts | −1.9 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy is on the low side in Melrose Park: 8.0% 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. Since 2006–10, vacancy has fallen 2.3 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 Melrose Park
| Period | Melrose Park | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1956 | 1966 | 1966 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1954 | 1967 | 1967 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1958 | 1967 | 1968 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1957 | 1970 | 1970 | 1980 |
| Change | +1 | +4 | +4 | +6 |
The housing in Melrose Park is old by national standards: the median home dates to 1957, against 1980 for the U.S., so buyers will find more older houses, some of them due for updates. The newest homes are mostly in the west, the oldest in the south. Melrose Park has older homes than at least four in five Illinois cities.
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 Melrose Park
| Period | Melrose Park | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $859 | $1,060 | $953 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $890 | $1,142 | $1,028 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $1,090 | $1,306 | $1,165 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,246 | $1,602 | $1,428 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$386 | +$542 | +$475 | +$606 |
A typical rental in Melrose Park costs $1,246 a month with utilities, well below the national median of $1,571. Rent has climbed $386 a month since 2006–10, up 45%, a slower climb than the nation's. Rent takes 27.3% 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 west; the highest are 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 Melrose Park
Bachelor's degrees in Melrose Park
| Period | Melrose Park | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 10.2% | 33.9% | 31.2% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 11.4% | 35.2% | 32.4% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 12.6% | 37.9% | 34.7% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 14.2% | 40.9% | 37.7% | 35.6% |
| Change | +4.0 pts | +7.0 pts | +6.5 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are relatively uncommon in Melrose Park: 14.2% 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 4.0 points, in line with the national trend. Of the 388 Illinois cities with 5,000+ people, only 14 have a lower 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 Melrose Park
| Period | Melrose Park | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 67.2% | 85.6% | 86.3% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 67.6% | 86.7% | 87.5% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 72.0% | 88.4% | 89.1% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 72.0% | 89.5% | 90.3% | 89.3% |
| Change | +4.8 pts | +3.9 pts | +4.0 pts | +4.3 pts |
Nearly three in ten adults in Melrose Park never finished high school, well above the national share: only 72.0% have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3% nationally. Since 2006–10, the share with a diploma has risen 4.8 points, as it has nationally. Only four of the 388 Illinois cities with 5,000+ people have a lower share of high school graduates.
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 Melrose Park
| Period | Melrose Park | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 10.9% | 9.1% | 8.7% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 10.9% | 10.8% | 10.2% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 5.0% | 6.3% | 6.1% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 4.9% | 6.3% | 6.0% | 5.4% |
| Change | −6.0 pts | −2.8 pts | −2.7 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in Melrose Park is close to the national rate: 4.9% of the labor force, against 5.4%. The rate is lower than in the Chicago area as a whole (6.3%). Unemployment has fallen 6.0 points since 2006–10, mirroring the country.
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).
Melrose Park 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Melrose Park | 2.99 | 37.7 | 15.6% | 36.8% | 8.0% | 1957 | $1,246 | 14.2% | 72.0% | 4.9% |
| Stone Park | 3.96 | 29.0 | 30.2% | 54.2% | 10.5% | 1964 | $1,425 | 12.1% | 70.2% | 6.8% |
| Northlake | 2.84 | 42.0 | 10.5% | 26.6% | 6.6% | 1957 | $1,700 | 14.7% | 75.3% | 5.2% |
| Bellwood | 3.06 | 41.1 | 18.6% | 21.7% | 8.2% | 1954 | $1,360 | 17.1% | 84.4% | 5.9% |
| Franklin Park | 3.06 | 38.2 | 15.2% | 25.5% | 4.3% | 1956 | $1,162 | 20.0% | 77.9% | 5.8% |
| River Grove | 2.63 | 39.3 | 10.5% | 43.1% | 8.1% | 1962 | $1,205 | 24.8% | 91.1% | 5.8% |
| Maywood | 3.15 | 35.6 | 20.0% | 40.0% | 10.7% | 1941 | $1,380 | 18.6% | 80.8% | 8.0% |
| Berkeley | 2.80 | 43.0 | 15.2% | 18.7% | 4.4% | 1955 | $1,456 | 18.0% | 89.2% | 4.7% |
| River Forest | 2.62 | 40.6 | 6.0% | 12.3% | 6.6% | 1949 | $1,807 | 72.7% | 97.3% | 7.8% |
| Hillside | 2.70 | 44.0 | 12.4% | 27.1% | 6.4% | 1960 | $1,181 | 23.9% | 81.8% | 4.7% |
| Elmwood Park | 2.66 | 41.1 | 12.9% | 34.4% | 8.2% | 1955 | $1,436 | 31.7% | 87.2% | 6.4% |
All figures 2020–24.
Cities with similar populations: University City, MO · Eagle, ID · Eastpointe, MI · Fair Oaks, VA · Independence, KY · Lawndale, CA · Lockport, IL · Stevens Point, WI · Sulphur, LA · Sun Valley, CA
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 Melrose Park. 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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