Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Vintage 2024 population estimates and 2024 Gazetteer. Rankings among the 50 states.
Historical data
Pick an indicator to see its long-run evolution.
Population
1850–2024U.S. Census (decennial), 1850–2020 + estimates.
Population pyramid
Illinois's civilian population by sex and five-year age group. Choose a year to see how the age structure has changed.
Tap an age group in the pyramid to see its detail.
Under 15
2,187,712 (17.2%)
15 to 64
8,234,916 (64.9%)
65 and older
2,271,298 (17.9%)
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, SC-EST2020 and SC-EST2024 age and sex estimates (civilian population, July 1).
Age, sex and longevity
The main indicators describing Illinois's age structure, sex distribution and life expectancy.
| Median age | 39.1 years | |
| Female | 50.6% | |
| Male | 49.4% | |
| Under 18 | 21.6% | |
| 65 and older | 17.2% | |
| Life expectancy | 77.7 years |
Population, households and density
How many people and households live in Illinois, how concentrated they are and how the population is changing.
| Total population | 12.71 M | 6th in the U.S. |
| Density | 88 /km² | 13th in the U.S. |
| Households | 5.0 M | |
| Urban population | 88.5% | |
| Largest metro | Chicago (9.26 M) | |
| Growth | -0.3%/yr | 2020–2024 |
Race, ethnicity and origin
Illinois is one of the most diverse states in the Midwest, with large Black and Hispanic populations concentrated in Chicago and its suburbs.
| White (non-Hispanic) | 58.3% | |
| Hispanic or Latino | 18.6% | ≈ 2.36 M |
| Black or African American | 14.1% | |
| Asian | 6.2% | |
| Two or more races | 2.5% | |
| Native American | 0.2% | |
| Pacific Islander | 0.1% | |
| Mexican origin | ≈ 14.6% | Largest Hispanic subgroup |
| Puerto Rican origin | ≈ 1.6% | |
| Indian origin | ≈ 2.0% |