Chicago ZIP Code List — Cook County, IL
About Chicago, IL
Chicago, Illinois, is a vibrant and bustling city located in the heart of the Midwest. Known for its stunning skyline, diverse culture, and rich history, Chicago attracts millions of visitors each year. The city's vibrant neighborhoods offer a unique blend of experiences, from world-class dining to renowned museums.
Location & geography
Chicago is situated in Cook County, which is in the northeastern part of Illinois. The city is approximately 30 miles from both Aurora and Naperville, as well as about 45 miles from Gary, Indiana, which lies to the southeast. With a land area of 235.97 square miles and a water area of 11.67 square miles, Chicago features a mix of urban landscapes and waterfront views along Lake Michigan.
Community & economy
Chicago boasts a diverse population that reflects its rich cultural fabric, including large Hispanic, African American, and immigrant communities. The city's economy is multifaceted, with significant contributions from industries such as finance, technology, and manufacturing. Daily life in Chicago is filled with activities, from sports events and music festivals to art fairs and food markets.
Transportation
Chicago is well-connected through a variety of transportation options, including major highways such as I-90, I-94, and I-55. The city is served by two major airports, O'Hare International Airport and Midway International Airport, which provide access to domestic and international flights. Public transportation is efficient, with an extensive network of buses and trains operated by the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA).
History
Founded in 1837, Chicago quickly grew from a small settlement into one of America's major cities. The city played a crucial role in the development of industries like meatpacking and manufacturing during the late 19th century, positioning it as an economic powerhouse. Notable events in Chicago's history include the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 and the city's hosting of the World’s Columbian Exposition in 1893.
Did you know?
One surprising fact about Chicago is that it has a rich history in jazz and blues music, making it a significant player in the development of these genres. Additionally, the city is often referred to as the 'Windy City,' not only for its weather but also for its historically politically charged atmosphere.
Demographics & statistics
Age distribution
Age summary
| Group | Count | % |
|---|---|---|
| Under 18 | 538,634 | 18.1% |
| 18 and over | 2,167,030 | 81.9% |
| 65 and over | 359,033 | 13.3% |
| Median age | 35.9 years | |
Race & ethnicity
| Group | Count | % |
|---|---|---|
| White | 1,148,837 | 35.8% |
| Black or African American | 776,906 | 24.2% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 503,244 | 15.7% |
| Other race | 305,817 | 9.5% |
| Two or more races | 262,299 | 8.2% |
| Asian | 190,447 | 5.9% |
| American Indian / Alaska Native | 19,949 | 0.6% |
Household income
| Range | % of households |
|---|---|
| Under $10k | 7.5% |
| $10k–$15k | 4.9% |
| $15k–$25k | 7.4% |
| $25k–$35k | 7.4% |
| $35k–$50k | 9.7% |
| $50k–$75k | 13.4% |
| $75k–$100k | 11.2% |
| $100k–$150k | 15.4% |
| $150k–$200k | 9.1% |
| $200k+ | 14.2% |
| Median income | $73,537 |
Housing
Home values
Housing overview
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Median home value | $349,080 |
| Median rent / month | $1,473 |
| Owner occupied | 46.8% |
| Renter occupied | 53.2% |
| Vacant | 10.4% |
| Single-family detached | 26.3% |
| Large apartment buildings | 31.9% |
| Mobile homes | 0.3% |
| Median rooms | 4.6 |
| Avg household size (owned) | 2.49 |
Year built
| Era | % |
|---|---|
| 2020 or later | 0.2% |
| 2010–2019 | 5.6% |
| 2000–2009 | 10.4% |
| 1990–1999 | 4.8% |
| 1980–1989 | 4.8% |
| 1970–1979 | 8.1% |
| 1960–1969 | 9.5% |
| 1950–1959 | 11.8% |
| 1940–1949 | 8.0% |
| 1939 or earlier | 36.9% |
Bedrooms
| Size | % of units |
|---|---|
| No bedroom (studio) | 7.0% |
| 1 bedroom | 21.1% |
| 2 bedrooms | 33.0% |
| 3 bedrooms | 26.8% |
| 4 bedrooms | 8.6% |
| 5+ bedrooms | 3.6% |
Vehicles per household
| Vehicles | % of households |
|---|---|
| No vehicle | 28.2% |
| 1 vehicle | 43.8% |
| 2 vehicles | 21.0% |
| 3 or more | 7.1% |
Heating fuel
| Fuel type | % |
|---|---|
| Utility gas | 75.4% |
| Electricity | 20.6% |
| Propane / LP gas | 1.6% |
| Fuel oil | 0.1% |
| No fuel used | 1.5% |
Households & families
| Household type | Count | % |
|---|---|---|
| Married-couple family | 355,486 | 32.0% |
| Cohabiting couple | 89,447 | 7.4% |
| Male householder, no spouse | 272,757 | 24.5% |
| Female householder, no spouse | 405,789 | 36.1% |
| Households with children under 18 | 276,851 | 23.5% |
| Households with seniors (65+) | 277,036 | 24.2% |
| Average household size | 2.31 | |
Marital status
| Status | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|
| Never married | 50.9% | 47.1% |
| Married | 37.9% | 34.7% |
| Separated | 2.0% | 2.3% |
| Widowed | 2.2% | 7.0% |
| Divorced | 7.0% | 8.8% |
Education
| Metric | % |
|---|---|
| HS diploma or higher | 88.6% |
| Bachelor's or higher | 47.4% |
School enrollment (ages 3–17)
| Type | Count | % |
|---|---|---|
| Nursery / preschool | 39,083 | 5.9% |
| Kindergarten | 28,540 | 4.2% |
| Elementary school | 233,842 | 32.9% |
| High school | 122,941 | 16.8% |
| College / grad school | 203,639 | 40.3% |
Employment
Industry of employment
Occupation
| Category | % |
|---|---|
| Management, business & arts | 48.5% |
| Service | 17.3% |
| Sales & office | 18.3% |
| Natural resources & construction | 4.5% |
| Production & transportation | 11.4% |
Employment type
| Type | % |
|---|---|
| Private sector | 82.1% |
| Government | 13.0% |
| Self-employed | 4.8% |
| Unpaid family workers | 0.2% |
Commute
| Method | % |
|---|---|
| Drive alone | 45.6% |
| Carpool | 6.9% |
| Public transit | 20.0% |
| Walk | 8.3% |
| Other means | 3.2% |
| Avg commute (minutes) | 32.9 |
Poverty
Income support
| Source | % of households |
|---|---|
| Social Security | 22.3% |
| Retirement income | 16.1% |
| Supplemental Security | 5.9% |
| Cash public assistance | 3.3% |
| Food stamps / SNAP | 17.3% |
Health indicators
| Condition | % |
|---|---|
| High blood pressure | 29.0% |
| High cholesterol | 25.8% |
| Heart disease | 4.7% |
| Stroke | 2.9% |
| Asthma | 9.8% |
| Arthritis | 19.0% |
| Kidney disease | 2.7% |
| Pulmonary disease | 5.1% |
| Cancer | 4.8% |
| Behavior / access | % |
|---|---|
| Binge drinking | 14.6% |
| No physical activity | 25.7% |
| Less than 7 hrs sleep | 34.5% |
| Fair or poor health | 15.1% |
| Poor mental health | 12.6% |
| Poor physical health | 8.8% |
| No health insurance | 14.6% |
| Visited doctor (checkup) | 74.7% |
| Visited dentist | 60.9% |
| Cholesterol screening | 89.0% |
| Teeth loss | 14.1% |
Veterans & disability
| Veterans | Count | % |
|---|---|---|
| Civilian veterans | 63,154 | 3.2% |
| Disability | % |
|---|---|
| Any disability | 11.0% |
| Under 18 | 4.6% |
| 18–64 years | 9.0% |
| 65 and over | 32.8% |
Health insurance coverage
| Type | % |
|---|---|
| Private insurance | 66.1% |
| Public insurance | 33.3% |
| Uninsured under 19 | 4.0% |
Language & origin
Language spoken at home (age 5+)
| Language | Count | % |
|---|---|---|
| English only | 2,550,724 | 94.7% |
| Spanish | 366,591 | 11.8% |
| Other Indo-European | 249,094 | 7.0% |
| Asian & Pacific Islander | 54,406 | 2.1% |
| Other languages | 50,624 | 2.2% |
Place of birth & citizenship
| Origin | Count | % |
|---|---|---|
| Native born (US) | 2,156,943 | 80.3% |
| Born in same state | 2,105,753 | 78.5% |
| Born in different state | 1,599,862 | 57.1% |
| Foreign born | 51,190 | 1.7% |
| Naturalized citizen | 548,721 | 19.7% |
| Not a US citizen | 266,397 | 48.9% |
Ancestry
| Ancestry | Count | % |
|---|---|---|
| Italian | 195,143 | 7.2% |
| French | 82,339 | 3% |
| Arab | 54,097 | 2% |
| Polish | 17,503 | 0.6% |
| English | 13,329 | 0.5% |
| Ancestry | Count | % |
|---|---|---|
| Norwegian | 9,888 | 0.4% |
| Irish | 8,341 | 0.3% |
| Dutch | 4,881 | 0.2% |
| German | 4,454 | 0.2% |
Technology access
| Metric | % of households |
|---|---|
| Computer access | 44.5% |
| Internet access | 93.4% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2025 estimates.