Population 83,935 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Near North Side
Household size in Near North Side
| Period | Near North Side | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1.62 | 2.79 | 2.69 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 1.60 | 2.82 | 2.71 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 1.62 | 2.75 | 2.66 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 1.59 | 2.66 | 2.58 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.03 | −0.12 | −0.11 | −0.03 |
Households in Near North Side are small: just 1.59 people on average, compared with 2.65 nationally. That is typical of places where many people live alone or as couples, and fewer have children at home. Of Chicago's 135 neighborhoods, only four have smaller 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 Near North Side
| Period | Near North Side | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 37.7 | 36.8 | 37.6 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 35.7 | 37.8 | 38.5 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 36.7 | 38.9 | 39.6 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 34.6 | 39.7 | 40.2 | 40.1 |
| Change | −3.1 | +3.0 | +2.6 | +2.3 |
Near North Side is young: half of its residents are under 34.6, compared with a national median of 40.1. The population tilts toward young adults, many of them living alone or as couples. The median age has dropped from 37.7 in 2006–10, even as the national median rose.
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 Near North Side
| Period | Near North Side | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 7.6% | 12.0% | 11.7% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 3.9% | 12.0% | 11.7% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 3.8% | 11.2% | 11.1% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 4.3% | 11.5% | 11.3% | 11.6% |
| Change | −3.3 pts | −0.5 pts | −0.4 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are relatively rare in Near North Side: 4.3% of households, against 11.6% nationally. The single-parent share has fallen 3.3 points since 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally. Few Chicago neighborhoods have a lower share of single-parent households: only 12 of 135.
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 Near North Side
Renters in Near North Side
| Period | Near North Side | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 54.5% | 32.1% | 30.8% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 60.9% | 34.8% | 33.1% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 59.5% | 35.5% | 33.9% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 66.2% | 34.5% | 32.9% | 34.8% |
| Change | +11.7 pts | +2.3 pts | +2.1 pts | +1.5 pts |
Renters far outnumber owners in Near North Side: 66.2% of households rent their homes, against 34.8% nationally. Among homeowners, 36.4% have no mortgage at all, below the national share of 39.8%. Renting is most common in the north and least common in the west. Since 2006–10, the renter share has risen 11.7 points, 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 Near North Side
| Period | Near North Side | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 18.2% | 9.8% | 10.0% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 16.6% | 9.8% | 10.1% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 16.1% | 8.9% | 9.8% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 10.9% | 7.2% | 8.1% | 9.6% |
| Change | −7.3 pts | −2.6 pts | −1.9 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy in Near North Side is close to the national rate: 10.9% of homes are empty, against 9.6%. The rate is higher than in the Chicago area as a whole (7.2%). Vacancy is down 7.3 points from 2006–10, a much bigger shift than 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 Near North Side
| Period | Near North Side | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1983 | 1966 | 1966 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1987 | 1967 | 1967 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1990 | 1967 | 1968 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1994 | 1970 | 1970 | 1980 |
| Change | +11 | +4 | +4 | +6 |
Much of the housing in Near North Side is relatively new: half of its homes were built after 1994, compared with 1980 for the U.S. as a whole. The median year built has moved up from 1983 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. The newest homes are mostly in the south, the oldest in the northeast. Of Chicago's 135 neighborhoods, only four have newer homes.
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 Near North Side
| Period | Near North Side | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $1,362 | $1,060 | $953 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $1,599 | $1,142 | $1,028 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $2,026 | $1,306 | $1,165 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $2,464 | $1,602 | $1,428 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$1,102 | +$542 | +$475 | +$606 |
The median renter in Near North Side pays $2,464 a month for rent and utilities, well above the national median of $1,571. Rents are up $1,102 a month from 2006–10, an 81% jump, faster than rents rose nationally. Rent takes 26.6% of the typical renter's income, comfortably under the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent. Few Chicago neighborhoods have higher rents: only two of 135.
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 Near North Side
Bachelor's degrees in Near North Side
| Period | Near North Side | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 73.8% | 33.9% | 31.2% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 77.3% | 35.2% | 32.4% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 81.5% | 37.9% | 34.7% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 85.3% | 40.9% | 37.7% | 35.6% |
| Change | +11.4 pts | +7.0 pts | +6.5 pts | +7.2 pts |
Near North Side is highly educated: nearly nine in ten adults 25 and older (85.3%) hold at least a bachelor's degree, far above the national share of 35.6%. The share with a degree has risen 11.4 points since 2006–10, in line with the national trend. Of Chicago's 135 neighborhoods, only five 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 Near North Side
| Period | Near North Side | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 95.8% | 85.6% | 86.3% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 97.4% | 86.7% | 87.5% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 98.0% | 88.4% | 89.1% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 97.8% | 89.5% | 90.3% | 89.3% |
| Change | +2.0 pts | +3.9 pts | +4.0 pts | +4.3 pts |
Finishing high school is nearly universal in Near North Side: 97.8% of adults 25 and older have a diploma or equivalent, well above the national rate of 89.3%. Since 2006–10, the share with a diploma has risen 2.0 points, as it has nationally. Only six of Chicago's 135 neighborhoods have a higher 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 Near North Side
| Period | Near North Side | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 5.3% | 9.1% | 8.7% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 6.9% | 10.8% | 10.2% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 2.9% | 6.3% | 6.1% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 3.4% | 6.3% | 6.0% | 5.4% |
| Change | −1.9 pts | −2.8 pts | −2.7 pts | −2.7 pts |
Jobs have been easier to find in Near North Side than nationally: unemployment was 3.4%, against 5.4%. Of Chicago's 135 neighborhoods, only nine have lower unemployment. Unemployment has fallen 1.9 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).
Near North Side compared with nearby neighborhoods
| Neighborhood | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Near North Side | 1.59 | 34.6 | 4.3% | 66.2% | 10.9% | 1994 | $2,464 | 85.3% | 97.8% | 3.4% |
| Gold Coast | 1.41 | 43.0 | 1.8% | 54.3% | 10.7% | 1969 | $2,147 | 88.0% | 98.9% | 3.5% |
| Loop | 1.57 | 33.9 | 4.9% | 71.6% | 12.6% | 1997 | $2,503 | 83.0% | 96.3% | 4.8% |
| Belgravia Terrace | 2.04 | 34.4 | 2.7% | 55.3% | 8.8% | 1971 | $2,443 | 89.2% | 98.6% | 3.3% |
| Greektown | 1.60 | 32.6 | 1.4% | 58.5% | 7.0% | 1998 | $2,518 | 86.7% | 98.4% | 4.1% |
| Printers Row | 1.58 | 30.9 | 3.4% | 63.6% | 8.9% | 2001 | $2,446 | 84.6% | 97.3% | 6.0% |
| Near West Side | 1.86 | 33.6 | 7.8% | 69.1% | 6.5% | 1994 | $1,949 | 63.1% | 93.8% | 8.3% |
| Lincoln Park | 1.99 | 32.7 | 2.6% | 55.2% | 9.5% | 1971 | $2,253 | 86.8% | 97.7% | 4.5% |
| West Town | 1.97 | 33.8 | 4.5% | 61.9% | 6.0% | 1973 | $2,098 | 71.6% | 94.5% | 4.6% |
| University Village | 2.13 | 30.3 | 7.0% | 67.8% | 6.5% | 1986 | $1,676 | 67.1% | 94.1% | 7.5% |
| Near South Side | 1.78 | 36.2 | 7.1% | 50.5% | 6.6% | 2002 | $2,340 | 80.9% | 97.4% | 5.1% |
All figures 2020–24.
Neighborhoods with similar populations: Central City, Corpus Christi, TX · Wedgwood, Fort Worth, TX · Far North Dallas-Fort Worth, Fort Worth, TX · Northwest Raleigh, Raleigh, NC · Parkchester, Bronx, NY · Lake View, Chicago, IL · Lower East Side, Manhattan, NY · Mid Wilshire, Los Angeles, CA · North Long Beach, Long Beach, CA · North, Raleigh, NC
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 Near North Side. 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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