Birthplace of the skyscraper
Chicago's Home Insurance Building, completed in 1885, is widely considered the world's first skyscraper thanks to its steel-frame structure.
Capital: SpringfieldLargest city: ChicagoNickname: The Prairie StateStatehood: 1818
Illinois at a glance
The state’s essential figures from the latest official data
Area
149,995 km²
25th largest state
Population
12,710,158
88.4 people/km² of land
July 1, 2024 · 6th in the U.S.
Foreign-born population
14.4%
Share of all residents
ACS 2019–2023
GDP
$1,241 billion
$78,987 personal income per capita
2025 · BEA
Births
125,355
July 2023–June 2024
Deaths
114,343
July 2023–June 2024
Natural increase
+11,012
Births minus deaths
Population change
+67,899
July 2023–June 2024
Illinois data modules
Official information organized by subject
Population
How many people live here, how it's changing and who they are.
Housing
Home prices, rents, supply and how affordable it is to live here.
Economy
GDP, income, output and the industries that drive the economy.
Cost of Living
What it really costs to live here: housing, food, utilities and more.
Jobs & Employment
Employment, unemployment, salaries and the labor force.
Crime & Safety
Crime rates, violent and property crime, and public safety.
Education
Schools, universities, attainment and graduation rates.
Health
Life expectancy, healthcare access, hospitals and insurance.
Taxes
Income, property and sales taxes, plus overall tax burden.
Immigration
Foreign-born population, origins and migration flows.
Energy
Electricity prices, production, renewables and consumption.
Environment
Air quality, wildfires, drought, water and emissions.
Transportation
Vehicles, public transit, airports, traffic and commuting.
Politics & Elections
Election results, representatives and voting trends.
Poverty & Welfare
Poverty, food assistance, Medicaid and social safety net programs.
Retirement & Seniors
Older population, Social Security, retirees and senior living.
Agriculture & Farming
Farms, farmland, crop and livestock output and agricultural exports.
Tourism & Parks
Visitors, tourism spending, national and state parks.
Innovation & Patents
Patents, R&D spending, venture capital and tech employment.
Culture, Media & Gaming
Film, TV, music, theaters, museums and the video game industry.
Pets & Animal Welfare
Pet ownership, shelters, adoptions and veterinary services.
Explore Illinois
102 counties, one interactive atlas
Select a county to compare population, income, housing and territory using official U.S. Census Bureau data.
Population (residents)
< 50,000> 3,000,000
Illinois, United States
Cook County
County seat: Chicago
5,185,812
Population
$47,801
Income per capita
$305,200
Median home value
6.9%
Unemployment
- Land area
- 945 mi²
- Population density
- 5,488 /mi²
ACS 2023 5-year estimates · Census Gazetteer 2023. Unemployment is calculated from the ACS civilian labor force.
Counties
102 counties · choose how to order them
Did you know?
Curious facts about Illinois
A river that flows backwards
In 1900 engineers reversed the flow of the Chicago River so it would drain away from Lake Michigan, the city's drinking-water source.
Land of Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln built his law and political career in Springfield, where he is buried; the state's license plates still carry the motto.
Where Route 66 begins
The historic Route 66 started in downtown Chicago and ran about 3,940 km (2,448 miles) to Santa Monica, California.