Population 36,811 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in South Shore
Household size in South Shore
| Period | South Shore | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.18 | 2.79 | 2.69 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.27 | 2.82 | 2.71 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.19 | 2.75 | 2.66 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.12 | 2.66 | 2.58 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.06 | −0.12 | −0.11 | −0.03 |
South Shore is a place of small households, averaging 2.12 people against 2.65 for the U.S., which points to many singles, couples and roommates and relatively few children. Household size has edged down from 2.18 in 2006–10, mirroring the country. Households are largest in the south and smallest in the center.
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 Shore
| Period | South Shore | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 38.3 | 36.8 | 37.6 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 37.9 | 37.8 | 38.5 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 37.7 | 38.9 | 39.6 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 39.3 | 39.7 | 40.2 | 40.1 |
| Change | +1.1 | +3.0 | +2.6 | +2.3 |
At 39.3, the median age in South Shore is close to the national median of 40.1, so its age mix looks much like the country's. The median age has climbed from 38.3 in 2006–10, in line with the national trend. Residents skew youngest in the northwest and oldest in the center.
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 Shore
| Period | South Shore | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 23.2% | 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 | 22.6% | 11.5% | 11.3% | 11.6% |
| Change | −0.6 pts | −0.5 pts | −0.4 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head more than one in five households in South Shore (22.6%), well above the national share of 11.6%. The single-parent share has edged down 0.6 points since 2006–10, in line with the national trend. South Shore has a higher share of single-parent households than at least four in five Chicago neighborhoods.
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 Shore
Renters in South Shore
| Period | South Shore | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 73.4% | 32.1% | 30.8% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 76.1% | 34.8% | 33.1% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 76.0% | 35.5% | 33.9% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 72.1% | 34.5% | 32.9% | 34.8% |
| Change | −1.3 pts | +2.3 pts | +2.1 pts | +1.5 pts |
Most households in South Shore rent: 72.1% 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, 38.1% have no mortgage at all, about the same as nationally. The renter share is down 1.3 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 South Shore
| Period | South Shore | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 20.2% | 9.8% | 10.0% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 20.1% | 9.8% | 10.1% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 19.1% | 8.9% | 9.8% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 11.0% | 7.2% | 8.1% | 9.6% |
| Change | −9.2 pts | −2.6 pts | −1.9 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy in South Shore is close to the national rate: 11.0% of homes are empty, against 9.6%. The rate is higher than in the wider Chicago area (7.2%). Since 2006–10, vacancy has fallen 9.2 points, 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 South Shore
| Period | South Shore | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1943 | 1966 | 1966 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1942 | 1967 | 1967 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1945 | 1967 | 1968 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1948 | 1970 | 1970 | 1980 |
| Change | +5 | +4 | +4 | +6 |
The housing in South Shore is old by national standards: the median home dates to 1948, 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 1943 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. Newer construction is concentrated in the northwest, while the east 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 Shore
| Period | South Shore | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $788 | $1,060 | $953 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $857 | $1,142 | $1,028 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $970 | $1,306 | $1,165 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,127 | $1,602 | $1,428 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$339 | +$542 | +$475 | +$606 |
A typical rental in South Shore costs $1,127 a month with utilities, well below the national median of $1,571. Rent has climbed $339 a month since 2006–10, up 43%, a slower climb than the nation's. The typical renter here spends 34.3% of household income on rent, well over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, so many renters here are stretched.
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 Shore
Bachelor's degrees in South Shore
| Period | South Shore | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 26.0% | 33.9% | 31.2% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 23.4% | 35.2% | 32.4% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 27.5% | 37.9% | 34.7% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 25.5% | 40.9% | 37.7% | 35.6% |
| Change | −0.6 pts | +7.0 pts | +6.5 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are relatively uncommon in South Shore: 25.5% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's or higher, well below the national share of 35.6%. The share with a degree is down 0.6 points from 2006–10, even as the national share rose. College graduates are most concentrated in the east and least in the northwest.
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 Shore
| Period | South Shore | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 86.0% | 85.6% | 86.3% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 86.0% | 86.7% | 87.5% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 90.9% | 88.4% | 89.1% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 88.7% | 89.5% | 90.3% | 89.3% |
| Change | +2.7 pts | +3.9 pts | +4.0 pts | +4.3 pts |
About as many adults in South Shore have finished high school as nationally: 88.7%, against 89.3%. The share with a diploma has risen 2.7 points since 2006–10, as it has nationally.
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 Shore
| Period | South Shore | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 16.4% | 9.1% | 8.7% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 20.9% | 10.8% | 10.2% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 16.2% | 6.3% | 6.1% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 15.1% | 6.3% | 6.0% | 5.4% |
| Change | −1.3 pts | −2.8 pts | −2.7 pts | −2.7 pts |
Finding work has been harder in South Shore: 15.1% of the labor force was out of work and looking, well above the national rate of 5.4%. Unemployment has edged down 1.3 points since 2006–10, in line with the national trend. Because the Census pools five years of responses (2020–24), these rates smooth over short swings and lag the current 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 Shore 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 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% |
| 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% |
| Cheltenham | 2.67 | 41.3 | 23.2% | 53.2% | 18.0% | 1940 | $1,110 | 19.5% | 87.7% | 17.7% |
| Italian Bowery | 1.85 | 40.8 | 18.2% | 86.3% | 15.3% | 1953 | $1,138 | 12.4% | 85.0% | 20.7% |
| Woodlawn | 2.23 | 33.8 | 19.4% | 76.1% | 16.5% | 1954 | $1,225 | 32.4% | 88.7% | 13.0% |
| South Chicago | 2.60 | 44.9 | 19.8% | 61.0% | 17.8% | 1945 | $857 | 18.6% | 78.7% | 15.0% |
| Avalon Highlands | 2.08 | 39.3 | 22.2% | 72.9% | 16.7% | 1944 | $1,107 | 19.4% | 84.2% | 21.4% |
| The Bush | 2.80 | 32.5 | 30.8% | 61.2% | 22.4% | 1946 | $900 | 14.1% | 74.0% | 12.6% |
| Grand Crossing | 2.35 | 41.1 | 28.6% | 62.7% | 15.1% | 1944 | $1,073 | 22.1% | 82.1% | 15.1% |
All figures 2020–24.
Neighborhoods with similar populations: Seaport, Stockton, CA · Glendale, Queens, NY · South Dorchester, Boston, MA · Greater Greenspoint, Houston, TX · Greater Memorial, Houston, TX · Green Valley North, Henderson, NV · Harbor Gateway, Torrance, CA · Silver Lake, Los Angeles, CA · Shelby Forest-Frayser, Memphis, TN · South End, Tacoma, WA
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 Shore. 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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