Population 9,358 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in South Chicago
Household size in South Chicago
| Period | South Chicago | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.59 | 2.79 | 2.69 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.59 | 2.82 | 2.71 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.51 | 2.75 | 2.66 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.60 | 2.66 | 2.58 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.01 | −0.12 | −0.11 | −0.03 |
Households in South Chicago average 2.60 people, about the same as the country as a whole (2.65). Households are largest in the center and smallest in the northwest.
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 South Chicago
| Period | South Chicago | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 41.3 | 36.8 | 37.6 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 40.5 | 37.8 | 38.5 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 39.7 | 38.9 | 39.6 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 44.9 | 39.7 | 40.2 | 40.1 |
| Change | +3.6 | +3.0 | +2.6 | +2.3 |
South Chicago skews older: half of its residents are older than 44.9, well above the national median of 40.1. That usually means more empty nesters and retirees, and fewer young families. The median age has climbed from 41.3 in 2006–10, in line with the national trend. Only five of Chicago's 135 neighborhoods are older.
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 South Chicago
| Period | South Chicago | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 22.3% | 12.0% | 11.7% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 24.1% | 12.0% | 11.7% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 18.1% | 11.2% | 11.1% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 19.8% | 11.5% | 11.3% | 11.6% |
| Change | −2.6 pts | −0.5 pts | −0.4 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head about one in five households in South Chicago (19.8%), well above the national share of 11.6%. Since 2006–10, the single-parent share has fallen 2.6 points, a much bigger shift than nationally.
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 South Chicago
Renters in South Chicago
| Period | South Chicago | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 58.0% | 32.1% | 30.8% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 62.4% | 34.8% | 33.1% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 61.5% | 35.5% | 33.9% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 61.0% | 34.5% | 32.9% | 34.8% |
| Change | +3.0 pts | +2.3 pts | +2.1 pts | +1.5 pts |
Most households in South Chicago rent: 61.0% of occupied homes are rented, far above the national share of 34.8%. Expect more apartments, and more turnover, than in owner-heavy areas. Among homeowners, 58.2% have no mortgage at all, well above the national share of 39.8%. The renter share is up 3.0 points from 2006–10, in line with the national trend.
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 South Chicago
| Period | South Chicago | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 21.8% | 9.8% | 10.0% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 24.2% | 9.8% | 10.1% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 20.6% | 8.9% | 9.8% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 17.8% | 7.2% | 8.1% | 9.6% |
| Change | −4.0 pts | −2.6 pts | −1.9 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy is high in South Chicago: 17.8% of homes are empty, 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 4.0 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 South Chicago
| Period | South Chicago | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1941 | 1966 | 1966 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1945 | 1967 | 1967 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1941 | 1967 | 1968 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1945 | 1970 | 1970 | 1980 |
| Change | +4 | +4 | +4 | +6 |
The housing in South Chicago is old by national standards: the median home dates to 1945, against 1980 for the U.S., so buyers will find more older houses, some of them due for updates. The median year built has moved up from 1941 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. Newer construction is concentrated in the west, while the center 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 South Chicago
| Period | South Chicago | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $717 | $1,060 | $953 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $777 | $1,142 | $1,028 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $766 | $1,306 | $1,165 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $857 | $1,602 | $1,428 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$140 | +$542 | +$475 | +$606 |
Rent in South Chicago runs $857 a month at the median, utilities included, well below the U.S. median of $1,571. Rents are up $140 a month from 2006–10, a 19% rise, a slower climb than the nation's. The typical renter here spends 36.2% of household income on rent, well over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, so many renters here are stretched. Only one other Chicago neighborhood has lower rents.
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 South Chicago
Bachelor's degrees in South Chicago
| Period | South Chicago | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 14.5% | 33.9% | 31.2% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 14.1% | 35.2% | 32.4% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 17.9% | 37.9% | 34.7% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 18.6% | 40.9% | 37.7% | 35.6% |
| Change | +4.1 pts | +7.0 pts | +6.5 pts | +7.2 pts |
Fewer adults in South Chicago have a four-year degree than in the country as a whole: 18.6%, against 35.6% nationally. The share with a degree has risen 4.1 points since 2006–10, as it has nationally. College graduates are most concentrated in the west and least in the south.
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 South Chicago
| Period | South Chicago | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 74.2% | 85.6% | 86.3% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 76.1% | 86.7% | 87.5% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 82.0% | 88.4% | 89.1% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 78.7% | 89.5% | 90.3% | 89.3% |
| Change | +4.4 pts | +3.9 pts | +4.0 pts | +4.3 pts |
Just over one in five adults in South Chicago never finished high school, well above the national share: only 78.7% have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3% nationally. The share with a diploma is up 4.4 points from 2006–10, mirroring the country.
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 South Chicago
| Period | South Chicago | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 19.5% | 9.1% | 8.7% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 16.4% | 10.8% | 10.2% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 13.7% | 6.3% | 6.1% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 15.0% | 6.3% | 6.0% | 5.4% |
| Change | −4.4 pts | −2.8 pts | −2.7 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in South Chicago runs well above the national rate: 15.0% of the labor force was out of work and looking, against 5.4%. Unemployment is down 4.4 points from 2006–10, as it has nationally. 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).
South Chicago 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Chicago | 2.60 | 44.9 | 19.8% | 61.0% | 17.8% | 1945 | $857 | 18.6% | 78.7% | 15.0% |
| Cheltenham | 2.67 | 41.3 | 23.2% | 53.2% | 18.0% | 1940 | $1,110 | 19.5% | 87.7% | 17.7% |
| The Bush | 2.80 | 32.5 | 30.8% | 61.2% | 22.4% | 1946 | $900 | 14.1% | 74.0% | 12.6% |
| Pill Hill | 2.02 | 51.5 | 16.2% | 26.0% | 9.6% | 1954 | $1,011 | 34.2% | 95.8% | 10.4% |
| Calumet Heights | 2.04 | 48.7 | 16.4% | 30.0% | 7.3% | 1952 | $1,135 | 38.1% | 93.6% | 13.1% |
| Windsor Park | 2.23 | 38.8 | 24.3% | 81.3% | 20.4% | 1946 | $1,095 | 24.3% | 86.8% | 15.7% |
| Avalon Park | 2.34 | 46.5 | 23.3% | 33.7% | 18.4% | 1946 | $1,068 | 34.5% | 92.9% | 13.0% |
| South Deering | 2.45 | 45.2 | 14.4% | 46.5% | 14.7% | 1944 | $1,159 | 14.9% | 83.9% | 13.9% |
| South Shore | 2.12 | 39.3 | 22.6% | 72.1% | 11.0% | 1948 | $1,127 | 25.5% | 88.7% | 15.1% |
| Essex | 2.13 | 40.8 | 21.3% | 58.3% | 18.0% | 1957 | $1,220 | 24.0% | 87.8% | 14.2% |
| Italian Bowery | 1.85 | 40.8 | 18.2% | 86.3% | 15.3% | 1953 | $1,138 | 12.4% | 85.0% | 20.7% |
All figures 2020–24.
Neighborhoods with similar populations: North Broadway, Escondido, CA · East San Gabriel, San Gabriel, CA · Ellerbee Woods, Shreveport, LA · Fairway Park, Hayward, CA · Franklin To The Fort, Missoula, MT · Franklinton, Columbus, OH · Guajome, Oceanside, CA · Hanson Park, Chicago, IL · Highland Park, Des Moines, IA · Hilltop, Wilmington, DE
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 South 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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