Population 7,653 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in University Park
Household size in University Park
| Period | University Park | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.91 | 2.79 | 2.69 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.83 | 2.82 | 2.71 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.90 | 2.75 | 2.66 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.85 | 2.66 | 2.58 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.06 | −0.12 | −0.11 | −0.03 |
The typical household in University Park holds 2.85 people, more than the U.S. average of 2.65. Since 2006–10, household size has edged down from 2.91, in line with the national trend. Households are largest in the southeast and smallest in the north.
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 University Park
| Period | University Park | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 30.4 | 36.8 | 37.6 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 30.9 | 37.8 | 38.5 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 34.6 | 38.9 | 39.6 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 34.1 | 39.7 | 40.2 | 40.1 |
| Change | +3.7 | +3.0 | +2.6 | +2.3 |
University Park is young: half of its residents are under 34.1, compared with a national median of 40.1. The population tilts toward young families with children. Since 2006–10, the median age has climbed from 30.4, in line with the national trend. Of the 388 Illinois cities with 5,000+ people, only 15 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 University Park
| Period | University Park | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 27.4% | 12.0% | 11.7% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 32.1% | 12.0% | 11.7% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 23.5% | 11.2% | 11.1% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 30.7% | 11.5% | 11.3% | 11.6% |
| Change | +3.3 pts | −0.5 pts | −0.4 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are common in University Park: 30.7% of all households, against 11.6% nationally. The single-parent share is up 3.3 points from 2006–10, even as the national share fell. Only two 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 University Park
Renters in University Park
| Period | University Park | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 33.6% | 32.1% | 30.8% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 39.9% | 34.8% | 33.1% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 37.3% | 35.5% | 33.9% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 33.3% | 34.5% | 32.9% | 34.8% |
| Change | −0.3 pts | +2.3 pts | +2.1 pts | +1.5 pts |
About a third of households in University Park rent their homes (33.3%), close to the national share of 34.8%. Among homeowners, 42.4% have no mortgage at all, about the same as nationally. Renting is most common in the north and least common in the south.
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 University Park
| Period | University Park | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 12.3% | 9.8% | 10.0% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 9.6% | 9.8% | 10.1% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 12.3% | 8.9% | 9.8% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 8.9% | 7.2% | 8.1% | 9.6% |
| Change | −3.5 pts | −2.6 pts | −1.9 pts | −1.8 pts |
About as many homes sit empty in University Park as nationally: 8.9%, against 9.6%. The rate is higher than in the Chicago area overall (7.2%). Vacancy is down 3.5 points from 2006–10, in line with the national trend.
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 University Park
| Period | University Park | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1980 | 1966 | 1966 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1980 | 1967 | 1967 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1981 | 1967 | 1968 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1981 | 1970 | 1970 | 1980 |
| Change | +1 | +4 | +4 | +6 |
The typical home in University Park was built around 1981, about the same vintage as the country's housing overall (1980). Homes here are newer than in the Chicago area overall, where the median home dates to 1970. The newest homes are mostly in the south, the oldest in the north.
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 University Park
| Period | University Park | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $1,261 | $1,060 | $953 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $1,153 | $1,142 | $1,028 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $1,119 | $1,306 | $1,165 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,827 | $1,602 | $1,428 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$567 | +$542 | +$475 | +$606 |
Rent in University Park runs $1,827 a month at the median, utilities included, above the U.S. median of $1,571. Rents are up $567 a month from 2006–10, a 45% rise, a slower climb than the nation's. Rent takes 43.8% of the typical renter's income, 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 north; the highest are in the southeast.
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 University Park
Bachelor's degrees in University Park
| Period | University Park | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 24.8% | 33.9% | 31.2% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 24.7% | 35.2% | 32.4% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 27.5% | 37.9% | 34.7% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 29.3% | 40.9% | 37.7% | 35.6% |
| Change | +4.5 pts | +7.0 pts | +6.5 pts | +7.2 pts |
About three in ten adults 25 and older in University Park (29.3%) have a bachelor's degree or higher, a little below the national share of 35.6%. Since 2006–10, the share with a degree has risen 4.5 points, as it has nationally. College graduates are most concentrated in the center and least in the east.
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 University Park
| Period | University Park | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 95.9% | 85.6% | 86.3% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 93.0% | 86.7% | 87.5% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 95.0% | 88.4% | 89.1% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 93.4% | 89.5% | 90.3% | 89.3% |
| Change | −2.5 pts | +3.9 pts | +4.0 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion in University Park is above the national rate: 93.4% of adults have a diploma, against 89.3%. The share with a diploma is down 2.5 points from 2006–10, even as the national rate rose.
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 University Park
| Period | University Park | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 18.9% | 9.1% | 8.7% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 16.8% | 10.8% | 10.2% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 8.2% | 6.3% | 6.1% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 13.4% | 6.3% | 6.0% | 5.4% |
| Change | −5.5 pts | −2.8 pts | −2.7 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in University Park runs well above the national rate: 13.4% of the labor force was out of work and looking, against 5.4%. Of the 388 Illinois cities with 5,000+ people, only five have higher unemployment. Since 2006–10, unemployment has fallen 5.5 points, 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).
University Park 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University Park | 2.85 | 34.1 | 30.7% | 33.3% | 8.9% | 1981 | $1,827 | 29.3% | 93.4% | 13.4% |
| Park Forest | 2.54 | 36.4 | 21.2% | 30.2% | 9.3% | 1959 | $1,428 | 24.9% | 92.8% | 7.2% |
| Steger | 2.42 | 39.4 | 12.8% | 40.1% | 10.3% | 1967 | $1,126 | 20.0% | 89.5% | 7.7% |
| Richton Park | 2.48 | 42.3 | 20.7% | 47.0% | 5.8% | 1978 | $1,871 | 28.3% | 94.2% | 12.6% |
| South Chicago Heights | 2.52 | 39.6 | 14.3% | 39.1% | 8.1% | 1965 | $1,339 | 11.8% | 75.9% | 7.9% |
| Crete | 2.50 | 47.6 | 9.5% | 9.8% | 5.2% | 1975 | $1,303 | 31.5% | 94.7% | 5.5% |
| Monee | 2.66 | 46.2 | 10.0% | 6.9% | 1.9% | 2000 | $1,454 | 28.7% | 89.0% | 4.4% |
| Goodenow | 2.72 | 42.8 | 7.2% | 18.9% | 8.0% | 1984 | $1,183 | 20.3% | 95.7% | 1.2% |
| Olympia Fields | 2.22 | 47.6 | 8.7% | 15.9% | 9.8% | 1980 | $2,883 | 46.5% | 97.8% | 8.4% |
| Chicago Heights | 2.90 | 35.5 | 22.8% | 34.6% | 13.5% | 1961 | $1,264 | 21.9% | 85.4% | 12.6% |
| Matteson | 2.61 | 44.6 | 12.1% | 21.4% | 5.2% | 1988 | $1,719 | 36.6% | 92.5% | 9.4% |
All figures 2020–24.
Cities with similar populations: Wilmington Manor, DE · Grant, MI · Grass Lake, MI · Grayling, MI · Great Barrington, MA · Green Knoll, NJ · Greensburg, KY · Winfield, MO · Windber, PA · Winchester, IN
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 University Park. 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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