Population 17,948 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Riverdale
Household size in Riverdale
| Period | Riverdale | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.90 | 2.79 | 2.69 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.89 | 2.82 | 2.71 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.68 | 2.75 | 2.66 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.73 | 2.66 | 2.58 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.17 | −0.12 | −0.11 | −0.03 |
Households in Riverdale average 2.73 people, a bit above the national 2.65, so families with children are somewhat more common here. Since 2006–10, household size has dropped from 2.90, a much bigger shift than nationally. Households are largest in the east and smallest in the southwest.
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 Riverdale
| Period | Riverdale | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 27.5 | 36.8 | 37.6 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 28.7 | 37.8 | 38.5 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 30.4 | 38.9 | 39.6 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 28.5 | 39.7 | 40.2 | 40.1 |
| Change | +1.0 | +3.0 | +2.6 | +2.3 |
With a median age of just 28.5, Riverdale is far younger than the country as a whole (40.1), a population that tilts toward young families with children. The median age has climbed from 27.5 in 2006–10, in line with the national trend. Of the 388 Illinois cities with 5,000+ people, only two 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 Riverdale
| Period | Riverdale | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 40.5% | 12.0% | 11.7% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 37.7% | 12.0% | 11.7% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 31.9% | 11.2% | 11.1% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 39.5% | 11.5% | 11.3% | 11.6% |
| Change | −1.0 pts | −0.5 pts | −0.4 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head about four in ten households in Riverdale (39.5%), well above the national share of 11.6%. Since 2006–10, the single-parent share has edged down 1.0 points, mirroring the country. Only one other Illinois city with 5,000+ people has 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 Riverdale
Renters in Riverdale
| Period | Riverdale | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 56.9% | 32.1% | 30.8% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 63.0% | 34.8% | 33.1% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 67.5% | 35.5% | 33.9% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 66.0% | 34.5% | 32.9% | 34.8% |
| Change | +9.1 pts | +2.3 pts | +2.1 pts | +1.5 pts |
Most households in Riverdale rent: 66.0% of occupied homes are rented, far above the national share of 34.8%. Expect more apartments, and more turnover, than in owner-heavy areas. The renter share has risen 9.1 points since 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally. Only one other Illinois city with 5,000+ people has 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 Riverdale
| Period | Riverdale | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 28.5% | 9.8% | 10.0% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 22.9% | 9.8% | 10.1% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 19.4% | 8.9% | 9.8% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 17.9% | 7.2% | 8.1% | 9.6% |
| Change | −10.6 pts | −2.6 pts | −1.9 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacant homes make up 17.9% of the housing in Riverdale, far above the national rate of 9.6%. In resort and lake areas that usually means seasonal and vacation homes; elsewhere it can point to weak demand. Vacancy has fallen 10.6 points since 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 Riverdale
| Period | Riverdale | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1954 | 1966 | 1966 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1956 | 1967 | 1967 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1956 | 1967 | 1968 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1953 | 1970 | 1970 | 1980 |
| Change | −1 | +4 | +4 | +6 |
The housing in Riverdale is old by national standards: the median home dates to 1953, 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 east. Of the 388 Illinois cities with 5,000+ people, only 14 have older 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 Riverdale
| Period | Riverdale | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $722 | $1,060 | $953 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $789 | $1,142 | $1,028 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $864 | $1,306 | $1,165 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,005 | $1,602 | $1,428 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$282 | +$542 | +$475 | +$606 |
The median renter in Riverdale pays $1,005 a month for rent and utilities, well below the national median of $1,571. Rent has climbed $282 a month since 2006–10, up 39%, a slower climb than the nation's. The typical renter here spends 40.5% of household income on rent, well over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, so many renters here are stretched. Renters on a budget will find the lowest rents in the northeast; 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 Riverdale
Bachelor's degrees in Riverdale
| Period | Riverdale | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 12.0% | 33.9% | 31.2% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 10.2% | 35.2% | 32.4% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 11.2% | 37.9% | 34.7% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 12.2% | 40.9% | 37.7% | 35.6% |
| Change | +0.3 pts | +7.0 pts | +6.5 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are relatively uncommon in Riverdale: 12.2% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's or higher, well below the national share of 35.6%. College graduates are most concentrated in the south and least in the northeast. Only three 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 Riverdale
| Period | Riverdale | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 81.5% | 85.6% | 86.3% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 84.5% | 86.7% | 87.5% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 86.8% | 88.4% | 89.1% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 86.6% | 89.5% | 90.3% | 89.3% |
| Change | +5.2 pts | +3.9 pts | +4.0 pts | +4.3 pts |
Just over one in eight adults in Riverdale never finished high school, a bit more than nationally: 86.6% have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3% across the U.S. The share with a diploma is up 5.2 points from 2006–10, in line with the national trend. Riverdale has a lower share of high school graduates than at least four in five 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 Riverdale
| Period | Riverdale | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 22.2% | 9.1% | 8.7% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 26.7% | 10.8% | 10.2% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 24.1% | 6.3% | 6.1% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 21.4% | 6.3% | 6.0% | 5.4% |
| Change | −0.9 pts | −2.8 pts | −2.7 pts | −2.7 pts |
Finding work has been harder in Riverdale: 21.4% of the labor force was out of work and looking, well above the national rate of 5.4%. Riverdale has the highest unemployment rate of any Illinois city with 5,000+ people. Each figure pools five years of surveys (2020–24), so it describes that whole stretch rather than today's 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).
Riverdale 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Riverdale | 2.73 | 28.5 | 39.5% | 66.0% | 17.9% | 1953 | $1,005 | 12.2% | 86.6% | 21.4% |
| Dolton | 2.77 | 40.1 | 21.7% | 27.5% | 10.8% | 1964 | $1,579 | 21.6% | 93.8% | 13.2% |
| Calumet Park | 2.56 | 36.9 | 14.2% | 45.0% | 8.4% | 1963 | $1,228 | 24.9% | 90.7% | 14.7% |
| Phoenix | 2.59 | 36.2 | 22.0% | 26.2% | 13.5% | 1967 | $1,248 | 9.0% | 92.4% | 24.4% |
| Dixmoor | 2.94 | 31.2 | 19.3% | 36.0% | 22.8% | 1970 | $1,269 | 7.7% | 84.0% | 6.1% |
| Harvey | 3.03 | 36.8 | 20.0% | 42.4% | 21.1% | 1961 | $1,060 | 10.8% | 76.4% | 13.2% |
| Blue Island | 2.68 | 37.1 | 13.5% | 47.4% | 6.9% | 1962 | $1,192 | 20.2% | 80.8% | 15.5% |
| Burnham | 2.60 | 38.4 | 16.6% | 42.0% | 10.3% | 1968 | $1,260 | 15.6% | 84.5% | 10.2% |
| South Holland | 2.80 | 42.7 | 20.6% | 17.5% | 5.2% | 1967 | $2,106 | 24.5% | 91.4% | 11.0% |
| Posen | 3.86 | 30.1 | 15.8% | 33.1% | 6.5% | 1971 | $1,395 | 12.5% | 81.7% | 5.0% |
| Calumet City | 2.66 | 39.7 | 22.0% | 44.3% | 15.1% | 1964 | $1,293 | 21.8% | 88.8% | 11.2% |
All figures 2020–24.
Cities with similar populations: Cambridge, OH · Vinings, GA · Vincentown, NJ · Chardon, OH · Central, LA · Celina, TX · Cedarburg, WI · Cedar Mill, OR · Cedar Lake, IN · Carnegie, PA
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 Riverdale. 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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