Living in Ford Heights, Illinois
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Ford Heights · Census data 2020–2024
Ford Heights has 1,331 residents with a median age of 52.4. The median household income is $36,053 (57% lower than the Illinois median), the median home value is $66,300, the median rent is $1,056/month.
Ford Heights is a small town, so Census survey estimates have wide margins of error. Treat percentages as approximate.
Ford Heights at a glance
- Population
- 1,331
- Median age
- 52.4State: 39
- Median household income
- $36,053State: $83,390
- Median home value
- $66,300State: $263,300
- Median rent
- $1,056/moState: $1,274
- Homeowners
- 51.2%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 9.6%
- Average commute
- 32 min
Is Ford Heights a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 75% lower than the state median.
Cons: Median household income 57% lower than the Illinois median; an average commute of 32 minutes; unemployment of 13.9%; a poverty rate of 26.6%.
The weather is best in June to September.
Cost of living in Ford Heights
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Ford Heights the median home value is $66,300, 80% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $1,056 per month, which is 35% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,428 a month in housing costs.
Ford Heights median household income
The median household income in Ford Heights is $36,053 and the income per person is $19,071. 26.6% of residents live below the poverty line (Illinois: 11.8%).
Housing in Ford Heights: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 816
- Owner-occupied
- 51.2%
- Renter-occupied
- 48.8%
- Vacant
- 31.1%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1965
- Average household size
- 2.37
31.1% of homes are vacant most of the year, a sign that Ford Heights has many vacation and second homes.
Ford Heights demographics
- Population
- 1,331
- Median age
- 52.4
- Under 18
- 13.5%
- 65 and older
- 24.5%
- Households
- 562
- Foreign-born
- 1.1%
- Veterans
- 5.7%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Ford Heights ›
Education in Ford Heights
9.6% of adults 25 and older in Ford Heights have a bachelor's degree or higher (Illinois: 37.8%), and 2.3% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Ford Heights
- Unemployment rate
- 13.9%State: 5.8%
- Average commute
- 32 minState: 28 min
- Work from home
- 0%
- Drive alone
- 74%
- Public transit
- 11.7%
- Walk to work
- 0%
- Homes with broadband
- 76.7%
Ford Heights vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ford Heights | 1,331 | $36,053 | $66,300 | $1,056 |
| Sauk Village | 9,678 | $69,973 | $110,800 | $1,502 |
| Lynwood | 9,083 | $85,237 | $218,000 | $1,368 |
| Glenwood | 8,603 | $77,391 | $198,100 | $1,493 |
| Chicago Heights | 26,736 | $54,798 | $161,000 | $1,038 |
| Steger | 9,418 | $66,575 | $156,700 | $1,076 |
| South Chicago Heights | 3,907 | $58,691 | $149,300 | $1,196 |
| Dyer | 16,400 | $107,159 | $322,200 | $1,225 |
| Plum Valley | 520 | $142,169 | $339,200 | — |
More for people moving to Ford Heights
Ford Heights ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Ford Heights: FAQ
What is the median household income in Ford Heights, IL?
The median household income in Ford Heights is $36,053, 57% lower than the Illinois median of $83,390 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Ford Heights?
The median home value in Ford Heights is $66,300, compared with $263,300 in Illinois.
How much is rent in Ford Heights?
The median gross rent in Ford Heights is $1,056 per month, about 35% of household income.
Is Ford Heights, IL a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 75% lower than the state median. Minuses: median household income 57% lower than the Illinois median; an average commute of 32 minutes; unemployment of 13.9%; a poverty rate of 26.6%.
What is the median age in Ford Heights?
The median age in Ford Heights is 52.4 years (Illinois: 39).
How long is the commute in Ford Heights?
The average commute to work in Ford Heights is 32 minutes; 0% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Ford Heights?
The unemployment rate in Ford Heights is 13.9% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Ford Heights?
9.6% of adults in Ford Heights have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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