ChicagoDemographics & People
Census counts 2,711,226 people in Chicago, in 1,160,205 households. Population grew 0.1% from 2,707,648 (2022) to 2,711,226 (2024). Median age 35.8 years. (2.2y younger than Cook County; 3.1y younger than Illinois). Children under 18 are 19% of the population. Population is 32% White (non-Hispanic) and 30% Hispanic or Latino. The community is highly diverse (Simpson index 0.70). 50% of households are family-led. County is losing 127,111 residents per year (2022-2023). County health: 33% adult obesity, 12% smoke.
- 2.3 people per household (vs Illinois avg 2.5).
- 50% non-family households (singles, roommates) (vs Illinois 38%).
- 50 dependents per 100 working-age (youth + seniors / 18-64) (vs Illinois 64).
Population & Trend
Population grew 0.1% from 2,707,648 (2022) to 2,711,226 (2024) — close to the U.S. annual rate of ~0.6%/yr. Estimated 2026 population: ~2,714,751 (extrapolated at 0.1%/yr trend).
| Census data vintage | 2024 |
|---|---|
| County Population | 5,275,541 people |
| Annual growth rate · Population change | 13.0% |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2022) | 2,707,648 |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2024) | 2,711,226 |
| Annual growth rate · Population growing | Yes |
| Annual growth rate · Trend category | stable |
| Population | 2,711,226 people (vs Illinois 39,460) |
| Population Estimate | 2,719,398 |
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year · U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year DP05 · U.S. Census Bureau, Vintage Population Estimates · Census ACS 5-Year 2023, Table B01003 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Age Distribution
Median age 35.8y is 3.1 years younger than the U.S. median (38.9y). Children under 18 make up 19% — below the U.S. share of ~22%.
| Age Summary · Median age | 35.8 years (vs Illinois 37.7y) |
|---|---|
| Age Summary · Children Pct | 19.4% |
| Age Summary · Character | family-oriented |
| Age Summary · Total Pop | 2,711,226 |
| Age Summary · Under 18 | 525,626 |
| Age Summary · 18 To 34 | 793,417 |
| Age Summary · 35 To 64 | 1,017,518 |
| Age Summary · 65 Plus | 374,665 |
| Median age | 35.8 years (vs Illinois 37.7y) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2024 — place-level B01001 query · Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-29
Race, Ethnicity & Diversity
Of 2,711,226 residents, race / ethnicity breaks down by Census ACS counts (a person can identify with one or more groups). The Simpson diversity index is 0.70 (0 = single group, 1 = perfectly even distribution); this is read as highly diverse.
| Diversity Index · Diversity index (Simpson) | 70.0% |
|---|---|
| Diversity Index · Diversity label | highly diverse |
| Diversity Index · Groups counted | 4 |
| Diversity Index · Largest group share | 37.5% |
| Asian population | 7.2% (vs Illinois 6.1%) |
| Black population | 27.4% (vs Illinois 9.3%) |
| Hispanic or Latino population | 29.7% (vs Illinois 17.6%) |
| White (non-Hispanic) population | 32.1% (vs Illinois 54.8%) |
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year DP05 · Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Ancestry
Self-reported ancestry from Census ACS — what residents report as their ethnic origin, separate from race. Counts can exceed population because people can list multiple ancestries.
Top (8)
Sources: Census ACS 2022 B04006+B03001+B02001
Households & Family Composition
1,160,205 households. Averaging 2.3 people each — smaller than the U.S. average of 2.5. 50% are family households — below the U.S. share of ~65%. Of 580,093 families, 24% are married couples with children.
| Family households | 579,777 households (vs Illinois 9,709) |
|---|---|
| Households that are families | 50.0% (vs Illinois 62.4%) |
| Total households | 1,160,205 households (vs Illinois 14,867) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Residential Stability & Migration
How long residents have lived here and where they came from. 14.0% moved within the county in the past year — the U.S. baseline is roughly 8–10%. The surrounding county is losing 127,111 residents per year on net (IRS migration data).
| Migration · People moving in (annual) | 4,217,303 |
|---|---|
| Migration · People moving out (annual) | 4,344,414 |
| Migration · Net migration (in − out) | -127,111 |
Sources: IRS SOI Migration 2021-2022 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Other
| County Cdc Birth Rate · Fips | 17031 |
|---|---|
| County Cdc Birth Rate · State Fips | 17 |
| County Cdc Birth Rate · County Fips | 031 |
| County Cdc Birth Rate · County | Cook |
| County Cdc Birth Rate · Birth Rate | 15.3 per 1,000 |
| County Cdc Birth Rate · Lower Ci | 14.90 |
| County Cdc Birth Rate · Upper Ci | 15.70 |
| County Cdc Mortality · Fips | 17031 |
| County Cdc Mortality · County | Cook County |
| County Cdc Mortality · Urban Rural | Large central metro |
| County Cdc Mortality · Total Deaths 2020 2023 | 165,505 |
Sources: CDC NCHS Vital Statistics · CDC WONDER