Population 12,313 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Washington Park
Household size in Washington Park
| Period | Washington Park | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.64 | 2.79 | 2.69 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.79 | 2.82 | 2.71 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.43 | 2.75 | 2.66 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.46 | 2.66 | 2.58 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.17 | −0.12 | −0.11 | −0.03 |
Households in Washington Park run small, averaging 2.46 people against 2.65 nationally, which usually means more singles and couples and fewer children. Since 2006–10, household size has dropped from 2.64, a much bigger shift than nationally. Households are largest in the southeast and smallest in the northeast.
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 Washington Park
| Period | Washington Park | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 31.0 | 36.8 | 37.6 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 27.2 | 37.8 | 38.5 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 30.0 | 38.9 | 39.6 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 32.3 | 39.7 | 40.2 | 40.1 |
| Change | +1.4 | +3.0 | +2.6 | +2.3 |
Washington Park is young: half of its residents are under 32.3, compared with a national median of 40.1. The population tilts toward young adults, many of them living alone or as couples. Since 2006–10, the median age has climbed from 31.0, mirroring the country. Few Chicago neighborhoods are younger: only three of 135.
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 Washington Park
| Period | Washington Park | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 38.4% | 12.0% | 11.7% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 42.4% | 12.0% | 11.7% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 31.3% | 11.2% | 11.1% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 29.8% | 11.5% | 11.3% | 11.6% |
| Change | −8.6 pts | −0.5 pts | −0.4 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are common in Washington Park: 29.8% of all households, against 11.6% nationally. The single-parent share is down 8.6 points from 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally. Few Chicago neighborhoods have a higher share of single-parent households: only four of 135.
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 Washington Park
Renters in Washington Park
| Period | Washington Park | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 78.4% | 32.1% | 30.8% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 82.0% | 34.8% | 33.1% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 87.1% | 35.5% | 33.9% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 86.9% | 34.5% | 32.9% | 34.8% |
| Change | +8.5 pts | +2.3 pts | +2.1 pts | +1.5 pts |
Renters far outnumber owners in Washington Park: 86.9% of households rent their homes, against 34.8% nationally. Among homeowners, 31.5% have no mortgage at all, below the national share of 39.8%. Since 2006–10, the renter share has risen 8.5 points, a much bigger shift than nationally. Washington Park has the highest share of renters of any Chicago neighborhood.
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 Washington Park
| Period | Washington Park | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 31.0% | 9.8% | 10.0% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 25.8% | 9.8% | 10.1% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 21.4% | 8.9% | 9.8% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 14.5% | 7.2% | 8.1% | 9.6% |
| Change | −16.4 pts | −2.6 pts | −1.9 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacant homes make up 14.5% of the housing in Washington Park, 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. Since 2006–10, vacancy has fallen 16.4 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 Washington Park
| Period | Washington Park | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1945 | 1966 | 1966 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1951 | 1967 | 1967 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1957 | 1967 | 1968 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1955 | 1970 | 1970 | 1980 |
| Change | +10 | +4 | +4 | +6 |
Washington Park is a place of older homes: half were built before 1955, 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 1945 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building.
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 Washington Park
| Period | Washington Park | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $786 | $1,060 | $953 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $818 | $1,142 | $1,028 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $996 | $1,306 | $1,165 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,227 | $1,602 | $1,428 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$442 | +$542 | +$475 | +$606 |
The median renter in Washington Park pays $1,227 a month for rent and utilities, well below the national median of $1,571. Rents are up $442 a month from 2006–10, a 56% rise, a slower climb than the nation's. Rent takes 35.4% 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 south; the highest are in the north.
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 Washington Park
Bachelor's degrees in Washington Park
| Period | Washington Park | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 13.5% | 33.9% | 31.2% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 18.5% | 35.2% | 32.4% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 16.4% | 37.9% | 34.7% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 24.3% | 40.9% | 37.7% | 35.6% |
| Change | +10.9 pts | +7.0 pts | +6.5 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are relatively uncommon in Washington Park: 24.3% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's or higher, well below the national share of 35.6%. The share with a degree has risen 10.9 points since 2006–10, in line with the national trend. College graduates are most concentrated in the north and least in the southeast.
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 Washington Park
| Period | Washington Park | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 70.9% | 85.6% | 86.3% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 78.6% | 86.7% | 87.5% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 81.3% | 88.4% | 89.1% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 86.7% | 89.5% | 90.3% | 89.3% |
| Change | +15.8 pts | +3.9 pts | +4.0 pts | +4.3 pts |
Just over one in eight adults in Washington Park never finished high school, a bit more than nationally: 86.7% have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3% across the U.S. Since 2006–10, the share with a diploma has risen 15.8 points, a much bigger shift than 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 Washington Park
| Period | Washington Park | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 24.3% | 9.1% | 8.7% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 29.7% | 10.8% | 10.2% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 20.1% | 6.3% | 6.1% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 16.7% | 6.3% | 6.0% | 5.4% |
| Change | −7.6 pts | −2.8 pts | −2.7 pts | −2.7 pts |
Finding work has been harder in Washington Park: 16.7% of the labor force was out of work and looking, well above the national rate of 5.4%. Unemployment is down 7.6 points from 2006–10, mirroring the country. 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).
Washington Park 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington Park | 2.46 | 32.3 | 29.8% | 86.9% | 14.5% | 1955 | $1,227 | 24.3% | 86.7% | 16.7% |
| Woodlawn | 2.23 | 33.8 | 19.4% | 76.1% | 16.5% | 1954 | $1,225 | 32.4% | 88.7% | 13.0% |
| Hyde Park | 1.94 | 33.7 | 8.1% | 65.5% | 9.5% | 1945 | $1,601 | 79.5% | 97.3% | 7.5% |
| Englewood | 2.63 | 40.4 | 23.5% | 64.2% | 24.1% | 1945 | $1,060 | 14.0% | 80.2% | 20.9% |
| Grand Boulevard | 2.08 | 41.5 | 18.0% | 69.0% | 9.2% | 1972 | $1,245 | 39.1% | 89.6% | 16.4% |
| Becks Park | 2.54 | 42.5 | 27.4% | 73.3% | 20.3% | 1947 | $1,052 | 11.1% | 74.0% | 21.8% |
| Kenwood | 1.87 | 38.7 | 12.1% | 62.5% | 11.0% | 1966 | $1,299 | 59.2% | 94.8% | 12.2% |
| Grand Crossing | 2.35 | 41.1 | 28.6% | 62.7% | 15.1% | 1944 | $1,073 | 22.1% | 82.1% | 15.1% |
| Canaryville | 2.57 | 41.3 | 11.0% | 33.9% | 8.4% | 1952 | $1,136 | 28.5% | 91.4% | 7.0% |
| New City | 3.02 | 38.7 | 19.3% | 58.6% | 14.7% | 1943 | $998 | 14.3% | 75.0% | 13.4% |
| Oakland | 2.15 | 36.9 | 20.7% | 73.0% | 6.6% | 1990 | $781 | 33.7% | 91.2% | 17.6% |
All figures 2020–24.
Neighborhoods with similar populations: Alamedan Valley, North Valley, NM · Allison Hill, Harrisburg, PA · Arlington, Riverside, CA · Artesia Pilar, Santa Ana, CA · Atlantic Beaches, Atlantic Beach, FL · Baldwin Park, Orlando, FL · Beechfielf-Irvington Area, Baltimore, MD · Otay Mesa West, San Diego, CA · Pleasant Grove West, Chesapeake, VA · Pinehurst, Everett, 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 Washington 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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