Population 14,793 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in North Chicago
Household size in North Chicago
| Period | North Chicago | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 3.11 | 2.79 | 2.69 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 3.22 | 2.82 | 2.71 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 3.04 | 2.75 | 2.66 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 3.00 | 2.66 | 2.58 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.10 | −0.12 | −0.11 | −0.03 |
North Chicago is a place of big households: 3.00 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 3.11, a much bigger shift than nationally. Of the 388 Illinois cities with 5,000+ people, only 33 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 North Chicago
| Period | North Chicago | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 30.9 | 36.8 | 37.6 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 29.0 | 37.8 | 38.5 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 32.6 | 38.9 | 39.6 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 31.5 | 39.7 | 40.2 | 40.1 |
| Change | +0.6 | +3.0 | +2.6 | +2.3 |
With a median age of just 31.5, North Chicago is far younger than the country as a whole (40.1), a population that tilts toward young families with children. Since 2006–10, the median age has crept up from 30.9, a smaller shift than nationally. Only four of the 388 Illinois cities with 5,000+ people 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 North Chicago
| Period | North Chicago | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 24.7% | 12.0% | 11.7% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 23.5% | 12.0% | 11.7% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 20.3% | 11.2% | 11.1% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 23.1% | 11.5% | 11.3% | 11.6% |
| Change | −1.6 pts | −0.5 pts | −0.4 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head 23.1% of households in North Chicago, well above the national share of 11.6%. Since 2006–10, the single-parent share has fallen 1.6 points, in line with the national trend. Only seven 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 North Chicago
Renters in North Chicago
| Period | North Chicago | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 49.0% | 32.1% | 30.8% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 53.6% | 34.8% | 33.1% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 58.2% | 35.5% | 33.9% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 55.4% | 34.5% | 32.9% | 34.8% |
| Change | +6.4 pts | +2.3 pts | +2.1 pts | +1.5 pts |
Renters far outnumber owners in North Chicago: 55.4% of households rent their homes, against 34.8% nationally. Among homeowners, 48.2% have no mortgage at all, above the national share of 39.8%. Since 2006–10, the renter share has risen 6.4 points, a much bigger shift than nationally. Of the 388 Illinois cities with 5,000+ people, only five 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 North Chicago
| Period | North Chicago | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 14.8% | 9.8% | 10.0% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 15.7% | 9.8% | 10.1% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 13.3% | 8.9% | 9.8% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 11.6% | 7.2% | 8.1% | 9.6% |
| Change | −3.2 pts | −2.6 pts | −1.9 pts | −1.8 pts |
A few more homes sit empty in North Chicago than nationally: 11.6%, against 9.6%. The count includes vacation homes and homes between owners or tenants, not just abandoned ones. Vacancy has fallen 3.2 points since 2006–10, 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 North Chicago
| Period | North Chicago | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1959 | 1966 | 1966 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1961 | 1967 | 1967 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1963 | 1967 | 1968 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1965 | 1970 | 1970 | 1980 |
| Change | +6 | +4 | +4 | +6 |
North Chicago is a place of older homes: half were built before 1965, 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 1959 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. Newer construction is concentrated in the northwest, 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 North Chicago
| Period | North Chicago | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $851 | $1,060 | $953 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $865 | $1,142 | $1,028 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $973 | $1,306 | $1,165 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,090 | $1,602 | $1,428 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$239 | +$542 | +$475 | +$606 |
The median renter in North Chicago pays $1,090 a month for rent and utilities, well below the national median of $1,571. Rents are up $239 a month from 2006–10, a 28% rise, a slower climb than the nation's. Rent takes 32.0% of the typical renter's income, just over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent. Renters on a budget will find the lowest rents in the northwest; the highest are in the southwest.
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 North Chicago
Bachelor's degrees in North Chicago
| Period | North Chicago | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 12.1% | 33.9% | 31.2% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 11.2% | 35.2% | 32.4% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 9.9% | 37.9% | 34.7% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 12.2% | 40.9% | 37.7% | 35.6% |
| Change | +0.2 pts | +7.0 pts | +6.5 pts | +7.2 pts |
Fewer adults in North Chicago have a four-year degree than in the country as a whole: 12.2%, against 35.6% nationally. College graduates are most concentrated in the southwest and least in the north. Only four of the 388 Illinois cities with 5,000+ people 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 North Chicago
| Period | North Chicago | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 67.1% | 85.6% | 86.3% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 67.7% | 86.7% | 87.5% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 69.2% | 88.4% | 89.1% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 71.5% | 89.5% | 90.3% | 89.3% |
| Change | +4.4 pts | +3.9 pts | +4.0 pts | +4.3 pts |
Nearly three in ten adults in North Chicago never finished high school, well above the national share: only 71.5% have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3% nationally. The share with a diploma has risen 4.4 points since 2006–10, mirroring the country. Of the 388 Illinois cities with 5,000+ people, only three 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 North Chicago
| Period | North Chicago | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 14.1% | 9.1% | 8.7% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 19.6% | 10.8% | 10.2% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 9.4% | 6.3% | 6.1% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 10.5% | 6.3% | 6.0% | 5.4% |
| Change | −3.6 pts | −2.8 pts | −2.7 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in North Chicago runs well above the national rate: 10.5% of the labor force was out of work and looking, against 5.4%. Of the 388 Illinois cities with 5,000+ people, only 17 have higher unemployment. Unemployment is down 3.6 points from 2006–10, as it has nationally.
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).
North Chicago 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Chicago | 3.00 | 31.5 | 23.1% | 55.4% | 11.6% | 1965 | $1,090 | 12.2% | 71.5% | 10.5% |
| Great Lakes | 2.69 | 21.4 | 12.0% | 99.6% | 12.8% | 1974 | $1,805 | 13.6% | 99.8% | 1.3% |
| Park City | 3.27 | 31.8 | 22.4% | 34.9% | 3.2% | 1990 | $1,381 | 21.6% | 69.9% | 6.9% |
| Waukegan | 2.90 | 36.4 | 16.5% | 50.6% | 6.0% | 1963 | $1,278 | 19.1% | 73.3% | 6.9% |
| Lake Bluff | 2.58 | 42.8 | 5.0% | 28.6% | 8.7% | 1977 | $1,939 | 67.9% | 96.1% | 3.4% |
| Green Oaks | 2.99 | 41.1 | 4.2% | 13.1% | 5.1% | 1989 | $1,928 | 70.6% | 96.5% | 5.0% |
| Gurnee | 2.63 | 41.4 | 7.3% | 22.1% | 3.1% | 1989 | $1,727 | 55.5% | 95.2% | 5.3% |
| Mettawa | 2.44 | 48.3 | 3.0% | 19.6% | 11.7% | 1993 | $3,247 | 67.7% | 98.1% | 2.6% |
| Libertyville | 2.67 | 43.5 | 5.2% | 19.2% | 5.0% | 1972 | $1,711 | 70.8% | 97.5% | 2.9% |
| Lake Forest | 2.72 | 46.6 | 5.0% | 11.3% | 8.3% | 1976 | $1,997 | 79.9% | 97.7% | 1.9% |
| Beach Park | 2.65 | 42.0 | 11.9% | 19.0% | 3.7% | 1985 | $1,345 | 20.9% | 81.5% | 8.0% |
All figures 2020–24.
Cities with similar populations: Cambridge, MD · Wallkill, NY · Wapakoneta, OH · Warren, PA · Warrenville, IL · Warrington, FL · Washington, IN · Waterford, CT · Welby, CO · Cherry Hill, VA
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 North Chicago. 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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