At a Glance
Median Income
$57,479
$25,488 per capita
Home Value
$149,900
Zillow: $177,907
Median Rent
$1,035/mo
32.2% of income on rent
Violent Crime
1,232/100K
2,740/100K property
Bachelor's Degree+
20.2%
84.9% high school+
Unemployment
12.7%
19.8% poverty rate
Obesity Rate
38.4%
15.1% smoking rate
How Chicago Heights Compares to the U.S. Average
Each bar shows Chicago Heights's value as a percentage of the national average (100% = U.S. avg)
Thin vertical line = U.S. national average (100%)
Is Chicago Heights a Good Place to Live?
C+
2.7 / 5.0 - Fair
Based on economy, affordability, safety, and education metrics compared to national averages.
Economy & Jobs
Chicago Heights residents earn a median household income of $57,479 , which is 24% below the national average of $75,149.
Per capita income is $25,488. The unemployment rate stands at 12.7% (253% above the U.S. rate of 3.6%). 19.8% of residents live below the poverty line. The area is home to 11,872 business establishments, including 1,110 restaurants.
Housing & Cost of Living
The median home value in Chicago Heights is $149,900 , 47% below the national median of $281,900.
Zillow estimates the typical home at $177,907. Median rent is $1,035/month, with 32.2% of renters spending more than 30% of income on housing. The cost of living index is 100.0 (100 = national average). The median home was built in 1958.
Safety & Crime
Chicago Heights reports 1,232 violent crimes per 100,000 residents
, which is 224% above the national average of 380/100K.
Property crime is 2,740/100K. The murder rate is 19.4/100K.
Education
20.2% of adults in Chicago Heights hold a bachelor's degree or higher
(40% below the national average).
84.9% have completed high school. Local schools score 6.1/10 in standardized testing.
Climate & Weather
Chicago Heights has an average annual temperature of 50°F (10°C).
Winters average 23°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 42.1 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.
Data Overview
People
Population26,938
Median Age35.6 yrs
Density2,598/mi²
Male / Female48% / 52%
Foreign Born15.7%
Veterans4.1%
Economy
C
Median Income$57,479
Per Capita$25,488
Unemployment12.7%
Poverty19.8%
County GDP$31,242M
Avg Weekly Wage$1,177
Housing
A+
Home Value$149,900
Rent$1,035
Ownership63.2%
Zillow$177,907
Housing Units10,765
Rent Burden32.2%
Crime
F
Violent1,232/100K
Property2,740/100K
Murder19.4/100K
Assault903/100K
Burglary674/100K
Health
Obesity38.4%
Diabetes14.3%
Smoking15.1%
Heart Disease5.7%
Premature Death10,981/100K
Climate
Avg Temp50°F
Rain42.1 in/yr
AQI40 (Good)
Elevation653 ft
Education
C+
Bachelor's+20.2%
High School+84.9%
Graduate+6.7%
School Score6.1/10
Community
2024 VoteR 46% / D 52%
Commute32 min
Broadband84.7%
Internet Speed110 Mbps
EV Stations2
Libraries26
Did You Know?
Chicago Heights was founded in 1893.
The median home in Chicago Heights was built in 1958.
The nearest airport is Gary/Chicago International (14 miles).
The Gini coefficient (income inequality) is 0.453 (U.S. avg: 0.490).
Natural hazard risk is rated "Relatively High" by FEMA.
14.1% of the population has a disability.
15.7% of residents are foreign-born.
Average internet download speed is 110 Mbps.
There are 1,110 restaurants in the area.
The county recorded 53 fatal vehicle crashes.