Population
Illinois has a population of 12,358,000 as of 2026, making it the #6 most populous state in the United States.
Illinois Rankings
Where Illinois places in every state-level dataset StatsPanda tracks. Each row opens the full ranking.
Illinois Population Clock
These statistics show the estimated changes to Illinois's population based on birth rates, death rates, and migration patterns from US Census Bureau data.
One birth every — seconds
One death every — seconds
One net departure every — seconds
Net change every — seconds
| Illinois Population (as of 7/14/2026) | 12,358,000 |
| Births per day | 385 |
| Deaths per day | 340 |
| Net migrations per day | -75 |
| Net population change per day | -30 |
| Population change since Jan 1st | — |
Demographics
The racial composition of Illinois includes 65.75% White, 13.91% Black or African American, 5.79% Asian, 6.60% other race, and smaller percentages for Native American, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander and multiracial populations.
Population by Race
Why is Hispanic separate? Following U.S. Census methodology, Hispanic or Latino origin is an ethnicity, not a race — people of Hispanic origin may be of any race. “All” shows the racial breakdown; the Hispanic and Non-Hispanic views show ethnicity, so the two groupings overlap rather than adding up to 100%.
| Race | Population ↓ | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| White | 8,125,884 | 65.75% |
| Black or African American | 1,719,015 | 13.91% |
| Two or more races | 922,615 | 7.47% |
| Other race | 816,160 | 6.60% |
| Asian | 714,951 | 5.79% |
| Native American | 54,070 | 0.44% |
| Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander | 5,304 | 0.04% |
Illinois Marital Status
Population by Age and Gender
Median Age
Geography
Illinois currently has a population of 12.8 million, ranking it 6th in the nation. Looking at census data, the state has seen steady growth over recent decades. The latest census in 2020 showed a decline of 0.32% from the 2010 count of 12.83 million. However, that follows an increase of 3.3% from 2000 to 2010. The Chicago metropolitan area drives much of the state's economy and accounts for about 65% of the Illinois population. Other major cities include Rockford, Peoria, and Springfield, the state capital. Illinois has a diverse economy with major industries in manufacturing, finance, transport, agriculture, and tourism. The state does face budget issues with significant unfunded pension liabilities. However, Illinois remains an economic powerhouse in the Midwest and the nation.
Economics and Income Statistics
Illinois's average per capita income is $43,198. Household income levels show a median of $78,433. The poverty rate stands at 11.76%.
Families: A family includes the owner or renter of the home along with everyone related to them - whether through birth, marriage, or adoption. This includes relatives like spouses, children, parents, siblings, grandparents, and any other family members.
Households: A household includes all the people who occupy a housing unit (such as a house or apartment) as their usual place of residence.
Non Families: A nonfamily household is either someone living alone or when the owner/renter lives with people they aren't related to, like roommates.
| Name | Median ↓ | Mean |
|---|---|---|
| Married Families | $99,215 | $126,995 |
| Families | $99,215 | $130,964 |
| Households | $78,433 | — |
| Non Families | $46,674 | $66,277 |
Income & Poverty
Largest Cities in Illinois
The largest city in Illinois is Chicago with a population of 2,746,388.
| Rank | City | Population |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chicago | 2,746,388 |
| 2 | Aurora | 180,542 |
| 3 | Joliet | 150,362 |
| 4 | Naperville | 149,540 |
| 5 | Rockford | 148,655 |
| 6 | Springfield | 114,394 |
| 7 | Elgin | 114,797 |
| 8 | Peoria | 113,150 |
| 9 | Champaign | 88,029 |
| 10 | Waukegan | 86,075 |
Population by County
Illinois's population shows distinct regional patterns, with the most populous counties concentrated in metropolitan areas. The most dramatic growth is occurring in suburban areas, while rural and some urban areas show more mixed trends.
Counties in Illinois →Population by County
Population Growth by County
Population Density by County
Research Papers Related to Illinois
Sources
Most recent state estimates from the Census Bureau's Population Estimates Program.
Detailed demographic and economic data for Illinois.
Quick access to state-level statistics and comparisons.
Data Methodology
Population totals are sourced from the latest available US Census Bureau data. Totals for the current year are projected using each state's USCB data and previous year population growth rate. Growth rates are calculated based on births, deaths, and net migration estimates.