Illinois Area Profiles
1 published city profiles across Illinois, each built from the same authoritative sources and compared on the same terms.
Statewide signals
Opportunity33rd of 51 states46
Growth50th of 51 states13
ClimateTop 42% of 51 states67
Physical resilienceTop 24% of 51 states74
AccessTop 24% of 51 states86
Economic stabilityTop 28% of 51 states64
Cities
| City | Population | Opportunity | Growth | Area Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago | 2,711,226 | 35 | 15 | 51 |
Statewide physical risk
TornadoModerate
Inland floodingModerate
EarthquakeModerate
Low or minimal exposure: cold wave, heat wave, strong wind, lightning, winter weather, hail, ice storm, landslide, drought, wildfire, hurricane, coastal flooding.
Population-weighted across every county in Illinois, derived from the FEMA National Risk Index. Exposure varies substantially within a state — check the individual city and ZIP profiles.
Statewide data
| Metric | Value | Compared with peers | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average household size ±0.01 | 2.46 | Top 49% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Households ±8,009 | 5,036,449 | Top 10% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age ±0.1 | 39.0 | Bottom 41% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population | 12,694,798 | Top 10% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 229/sq mi | Top 25% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 67.1% | Bottom 41% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Housing units ±471 | 5,457,452 | Top 10% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent ±$5 | $1,274 | Top 45% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value ±$797 | $263,300 | Bottom 39% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Vacancy rate | 7.7% | Bottom 12% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income ±$362 | $83,390 | Top 33% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income ±$212 | $46,406 | Top 29% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 11.8% | Bottom 49% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Average commute | 30.0 min | Top 18% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 37.8% | Top 24% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Employment | 6,214,992 | Top 10% | July 2026 |
| Employment change (3 years) | -1.2% | Bottom 34% | July 2026 |
| Employment change (year over year) | -1.8% | Bottom 30% | July 2026 |
| Labor force | 6,512,833 | Top 10% | July 2026 |
| Labor force participation | 65.0% | Top 39% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Unemployment change (year over year) | -0.1% | Top 40% | July 2026 |
| Unemployment rate | 4.6% | Top 32% | July 2026 |