Chicago Population 2024

Chicago population

Chicago is the biggest city in the state of Illinois by population with population close to 2.7 million, which account for 21.73% of the state population. It is also the second most populated city in US after New York City and Los Angeles. Almost a quarter of the state population is living in Chicago due to the job opportunities there. The city’s population density is 4,593 people per km2.The city is known as “Windy City”, “Chi-Town”, “City of Broad Shoulders” and “Second City”.

Based on our research, Chicago population will reach 2.7 million by 1st July of 2024. We use first day of July each year due to US census bureau normally publishes the estimated population data for the same period. The calculation is based on the average growth rate of 0% over last 12 years since 2011. We believe using the recent years’ figures (see the table in next section) will make the estimation more accurate.

Population Growth of Chicago

Looking back last twelve years of Chicago’s population, the growth rate is not very promising ranging from -0.37% to 0.37%, losing around 10,000 to adding 10,000 people each year to the overall population The growth stops since 2014. Last three years, it has recorded negative growth due to lack of opportunities in the city. Comparing with other cities in Illinois, Chicago population growth rate is aligned with the state average. 

Year Population (millions) Growth rate
2011 2.70 n/a
2012 2.71 0.37%
2013 2.72 0.37%
2014 2.72 0.00%
2015 2.71 -0.37%
2016 2.70 -0.37%
2017 2.69 -0.37%
2018 2.68 -0.37%
2019 2.68 0%
2020 2.67 -0.12%
2021 2.675 0.19%
2022 2.69 0.37%
2023 2.70 0.37%

Demographics of Chicago

According to U.S. Census Bureau, 48.53 percent of the Chicago population is male and 51.47 percent are female. Average male age is 32 and average female age is 33, so average state age is 33.

The top five races for people living in Chicago are: White (44%), Black (32%), Asian (5%), Hispanic or Latino (28%), Two or more races (2%).

The top five languages (other than English) spoken in Chicago are: Spanish, Chinese, German, French and Kru, Ibo, Yoruba. Spanish dominates the non-English speaking Language due to Latin American immigrant population.

The religious makeup of Chicago is: 71% of Chicagoans identify as Christians, 7% identity with other faiths, and 22% have no religious affiliation. Chicago also has many Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus, and others.

Population Density of Chicago

Chicago’s population density is 4,593 per square kilometer, which is one of the most densely populated major cities in US.

 

Facts About Chicago

  1. The world’s first skyscraper, the Home Insurance Company, was built in 1885.
  2. In the 1850s, the entire city was hydraulically raised several feet to fix a drainage problem.
  3. Chicago was first city to debut an all-color television station. On April 15th, 1956 color television launched and brought Chicagoans their favorite TV channels in color.
  4. The city has nation’s largest collection of impressionist artwork.
  5. The Taste of Chicago is the biggest outdoor food festival.
  6. The name Chicago comes from a Miami Indian word for the wild leeks that grew on the bank of the short Chicago River.
  7. Chicago was incorporated as a town in 1833 and as a city in 1837, when its population reached 4,000.
  8. The Chicago metropolitan area, often referred to as Chicagoland, has nearly 10 million people and is the third-largest in the U.S.

References

The following links provide data for this topic: