Living in North Chicago, Illinois

Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of North Chicago · Census data 2020–2024

North Chicago has 30,643 residents with a median age of 23.2. The median household income is $60,172 (28% lower than the Illinois median), the median home value is $159,600, the median rent is $1,426/month.

North Chicago at a glance

Population
30,643
Median age
23.2State: 39
Median household income
$60,172State: $83,390
Median home value
$159,600State: $263,300
Median rent
$1,426/moState: $1,274
Homeowners
32.6%
Bachelor's degree or higher
20.8%
Average commute
17 min

Is North Chicago a good place to live?

Pros: Home values 39% lower than the state median; an average commute of 17 minutes.

Cons: Median household income 28% lower than the Illinois median; unemployment of 9.9%; a poverty rate of 24.5%.

The weather is best in June to September.

Cost of living in North Chicago

Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In North Chicago the median home value is $159,600, 52% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $1,426 per month, which is 31.3% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,662 a month in housing costs.

Median home value

North Chicago$159,600
Illinois$263,300
United States$332,700

Median monthly rent

North Chicago$1,426
Illinois$1,274
United States$1,413

North Chicago median household income

The median household income in North Chicago is $60,172 and the income per person is $24,592. 24.5% of residents live below the poverty line (Illinois: 11.8%).

Median household income

North Chicago$60,172
Illinois$83,390
United States$80,734

Housing in North Chicago: homes for sale and rent

Housing units
7,894
Owner-occupied
32.6%
Renter-occupied
67.4%
Vacant
10.9%Includes seasonal homes
Median year built
1973
Average household size
2.71

North Chicago demographics

Population
30,643
Median age
23.2
Under 18
18.2%
65 and older
6.9%
Households
7,036
Foreign-born
19.2%
Veterans
17.2%Adults 18+

Race and ethnicity

White34.2%
Hispanic or Latino40.5%
Black25%
Asian6.1%

Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of North Chicago ›

Education in North Chicago

20.8% of adults 25 and older in North Chicago have a bachelor's degree or higher (Illinois: 37.8%), and 7.6% have a graduate or professional degree.

Bachelor's degree or higher

North Chicago20.8%
Illinois37.8%
United States35.7%

Jobs and commute in North Chicago

Unemployment rate
9.9%State: 5.8%
Average commute
17 minState: 28 min
Work from home
25.5%
Drive alone
40.8%
Public transit
0.8%
Walk to work
22.3%
Homes with broadband
86.7%

North Chicago vs nearby towns

TownPopulationMedian incomeHome valueRent
North Chicago30,643$60,172$159,600$1,426
Lake Bluff6,041$204,000$776,700$2,063
Knollwood1,864$138,618$393,000$1,659
Green Oaks4,096$147,614$673,100$1,356
Park City7,827$60,171$57,400$1,110
Waukegan89,076$71,919$190,900$1,205
Gurnee30,510$119,628$344,300$1,655
Lake Forest19,416$235,081$938,300$1,815
Libertyville20,525$165,667$512,000$1,637

More for people moving to North Chicago

North Chicago ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›

Living in North Chicago: FAQ

What is the median household income in North Chicago, IL?

The median household income in North Chicago is $60,172, 28% 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 North Chicago?

The median home value in North Chicago is $159,600, compared with $263,300 in Illinois.

How much is rent in North Chicago?

The median gross rent in North Chicago is $1,426 per month, about 31.3% of household income.

Is North Chicago, IL a good place to live?

Pluses: home values 39% lower than the state median; an average commute of 17 minutes. Minuses: median household income 28% lower than the Illinois median; unemployment of 9.9%; a poverty rate of 24.5%.

What is the median age in North Chicago?

The median age in North Chicago is 23.2 years (Illinois: 39).

How long is the commute in North Chicago?

The average commute to work in North Chicago is 17 minutes; 25.5% of workers work from home.

What is the unemployment rate in North Chicago?

The unemployment rate in North Chicago is 9.9% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).

How educated is North Chicago?

20.8% of adults in North Chicago 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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