Chicago Demographics and Statistics
With a population of almost three million, the city of Chicago is one of the most populous in the United States and it trails only after Los Angeles and New York City in population. This is not surprising as Chicago is one of the fastest growing cities in the country and also has one of the highest population densities in the country.
Even after the Great Chicago Fire in the 19th century, the population soared and to an extent, the growth is still maintained in the 21st century. In terms of the composition of the various races residing in the city, Whites form a chunk as they are over 40% of the population while the others are African Americans, Asians, Multiracial Americans, Hispanics and other nationalities.
Chicago (city), Illinois
| People QuickFacts | Chicago | Illinois | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population, 2006 estimate | 2,833,321 | 12,831,970 | |
| Population, percent change, April 1, 2000 to July 1, 2006 | -2.2% | 3.3% | |
| Population, 2000 | 2,896,016 | 12,419,293 | |
| Persons under 5 years old, percent, 2000 | 7.5% | 7.1% | |
| Persons under 18 years old, percent, 2000 | 26.2% | 26.1% | |
| Persons 65 years old and over, percent, 2000 | 10.3% | 12.1% | |
| Female persons, percent, 2000 | 51.5% | 51.0% | |
| White persons, percent, 2000 (a) | 42.0% | 73.5% | |
| Black persons, percent, 2000 (a) | 36.8% | 15.1% | |
| American Indian and Alaska Native persons, percent, 2000 (a) | 0.4% | 0.3% | |
| Asian persons, percent, 2000 (a) | 4.3% | 3.4% | |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander, percent, 2000 (a) | 0.1% | Z | |
| Persons reporting two or more races, percent, 2000 | 2.9% | 1.9% | |
| Persons of Hispanic or Latino origin, percent, 2000 (b) | 26.0% | 12.3% | |
| Living in same house in 1995 and 2000, pct 5 yrs old & over | 54.4% | 56.8% | |
| Foreign born persons, percent, 2000 | 21.7% | 12.3% | |
| Language other than English spoken at home, pct age 5+, 2000 | 35.5% | 19.2% | |
| High school graduates, percent of persons age 25+, 2000 | 71.8% | 81.4% | |
| Bachelor's degree or higher, pct of persons age 25+, 2000 | 25.5% | 26.1% | |
| Mean travel time to work (minutes), workers age 16+, 2000 | 35.2 | 28.0 | |
| Housing units, 2000 | 1,152,868 | 4,885,615 | |
| Homeownership rate, 2000 | 43.8% | 67.3% | |
| Median value of owner-occupied housing units, 2000 | $132,400 | $130,800 | |
| Households, 2000 | 1,061,928 | 4,591,779 | |
| Persons per household, 2000 | 2.67 | 2.63 | |
| Median household income, 1999 | $38,625 | $46,590 | |
| Per capita money income, 1999 | $20,175 | $23,104 | |
| Persons below poverty, percent, 1999 | 19.6% | 10.7% | |
| Business QuickFacts | Chicago | Illinois | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wholesale trade sales, 2002 ($1000) | 29,983,954 | 317,467,059 | |
| Retail sales, 2002 ($1000) | 17,303,363 | 131,469,518 | |
| Retail sales per capita, 2002 | $5,993 | $10,445 | |
| Accommodation and foodservices sales, 2002 ($1000) | 5,527,041 | 19,072,168 | |
| Total number of firms, 2002 | 204,989 | 958,120 | |
| Black-owned firms, percent, 2002 | 19.2% | 7.2% | |
| American Indian and Alaska Native owned firms, percent, 2002 | 0.5% | 0.4% | |
| Asian-owned firms, percent, 2002 | 6.7% | 4.6% | |
| Hispanic-owned firms, percent, 2002 | 8.7% | 4.1% | |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander owned firms, percent, 2002 | S | 0.1% | |
| Women-owned firms, percent, 2002 | 33.5% | 29.7% | |
| Geography QuickFacts | Chicago | Illinois |
|---|---|---|
| Land area, 2000 (square miles) | 227 | 55,583 |
| Persons per square mile, 2000 | 12,750.5 | 223.4 |
| FIPS Code | 14000 | 17 |
| Counties |
Cook County DuPage County |