1st Advantage MortgageAbout 58% of Cook County homes are owner-occupied, and the median household income is $83,498. Those figures describe the county, not you: compare at least three written offers by APR and total cost, and confirm the lender's license before you apply.
On this page
- A quick profile of Cook County
- Housing costs in Cook County
- What Cook County households earn
- Employment and commuting in Cook County
- The counties around Cook County
- Cities, towns and CDPs in Cook County
- What a median Cook County budget can carry
- People and households in Cook County
- Reading the Cook County data as a borrower
- Four steps for Cook County borrowers
- Lender oversight for Cook County
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
A quick profile of Cook County
Roughly 5,182,090 residents live in Cook County, Illinois, 1st by population among the state's 102 counties and county equivalents. Packed into 945 square miles, that is close to 5,484 residents for every square mile of land. For statistical purposes it belongs to the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area, as delineated by the Office of Management and Budget in July 2023. The Census Bureau counts 108 places in the county (108 incorporated, 0 census-designated); the largest is Chicago, with about 2,711,226 residents, or 52% of the county.
Housing costs in Cook County
Renters in Cook County pay a median of $1,435 a month, 13% above the Illinois figure of $1,274. 49% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 26% spend half or more. Home values center on $324,500, or 3.9 years of median income. Owners occupy 58% of homes. The median home was built in 1961, so roofs, wiring and heating systems are a common source of repair bills.
| Cook County | Illinois | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $1,435/mo | $1,274/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $324,500 | $263,300 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 58% | 67% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 49% | 48% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 32% | 27% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 0.8% | 2.3% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 8% | 8% | n/a |
What Cook County households earn
At $83,498, the typical Cook County household income is 27% above the median U.S. county ($65,681).
| Household income | Cook County | vs Illinois |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 22.1% | +1.2 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 35.6% | -1.5 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 27.1% | -1.1 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 15.2% | +1.4 pts |
About 22% of households earn under $35,000, while 42% clear $100,000. 13.5% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 11.8%). The Gini index of income inequality is 0.504 (0 is perfect equality). If your income is irregular, as it often is with tips, gig work or seasonal jobs, plan around your leaner months rather than the Cook County median.
Employment and commuting in Cook County
Education and health care employs 24% of working residents, the largest share; professional and administrative services is next with 16%. Compared with Illinois, the county leans toward professional and administrative services (16% against 13%). Averaged over the five survey years, 7.0% of the labor force was out of work and looking. Long commutes are common here: 25% of workers spend 45 minutes or longer getting to work. Only 18.0% of homes here go without a vehicle.
| Top industries | Cook County share | +/- vs Illinois |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 23.6% | +0.1 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 15.9% | +3.1 pts |
| Manufacturing | 9.2% | -2.3 pts |
| Retail trade | 9.1% | -1.2 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 8.5% | +0.3 pts |
| Finance, insurance and real estate | 8.4% | +1.0 pts |
A lender verifies what your own job pays. The county's industry mix tells you about the local economy, not about your application.
The counties around Cook County
The six counties whose centers lie closest to Cook County's, from 22 to 40 miles away. Income ranges from $71,493 in Lake County to $112,096 in DuPage County; 5 of these neighbors top Cook County's median. The list crosses into Indiana, where different lending rules and regulators apply.
| Adjacent area | How far | HH income (median) | Rent (median) | Owner share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cook County | - | $83,498 | $1,435/mo | 58% |
| Lake County, IL | 22 mi | $110,416 | $1,477/mo | 75% |
| DuPage County, IL | 23 mi | $112,096 | $1,688/mo | 73% |
| Lake County, IN | 32 mi | $71,493 | $1,131/mo | 72% |
| Will County, IL | 35 mi | $109,984 | $1,462/mo | 83% |
| Porter County, IN | 40 mi | $87,972 | $1,219/mo | 78% |
| Kane County, IL | 40 mi | $103,163 | $1,453/mo | 76% |
Cities, towns and CDPs in Cook County
108 Census places fall mainly inside Cook County; the 14 biggest are below. They account for 4,646,665 residents, leaving about 10% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Incomes vary by place: $250,001 at the median in Winnetka, $30,288 in Phoenix. Median rent ranges from $678 in Hometown to $3,501 in Lincolnwood. Linked names have their own city guide; this page covers every other Cook County community.
| Place in county | Status | Population (ACS) | Median HH income | Monthly rent | Distance from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago | city | 2,711,226 | $77,902 | $1,440 | 4 mi |
| Cicero | town | 82,797 | $70,842 | $1,154 | 7 mi |
| Evanston | city | 76,340 | $96,434 | $1,762 | 11 mi |
| Arlington Heights | village | 76,005 | $116,723 | $1,760 | 22 mi |
| Palatine | village | 66,293 | $97,819 | $1,549 | 26 mi |
| Skokie | village | 66,219 | $95,337 | $1,552 | 11 mi |
| Des Plaines | city | 59,156 | $97,875 | $1,606 | 16 mi |
| Oak Lawn | village | 56,861 | $83,911 | $1,335 | 14 mi |
| Berwyn | city | 55,595 | $78,408 | $1,215 | 8 mi |
| Mount Prospect | village | 55,472 | $101,720 | $1,502 | 19 mi |
| Oak Park | village | 53,292 | $110,820 | $1,593 | 7 mi |
| Glenview | village | 47,752 | $143,056 | $2,148 | 16 mi |
| Streamwood | village | 39,001 | $101,218 | $1,809 | 29 mi |
| Park Ridge | city | 38,667 | $142,986 | $1,537 | 13 mi |
What a median Cook County budget can carry
The debt-to-income ratio is the main affordability test lenders use. Applied to Cook County's medians:
- Median income divided by twelve: $6,958 before taxes
- 21% goes to median rent ($1,435)
- 43% debt-to-income limit: $1,557 left for all other debt payments
Subtract what you already pay on other debts. A new payment should fit in what remains, with some to spare.
People and households in Cook County
College graduates make up 43% of the adult population. 8.9% of residents have no health coverage.
| Measure | Cook County | Illinois statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 38.0 | 39.0 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 42.7% | 37.8% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 11.4% | 9.5% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 8.9% | 6.9% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 18.0% | 11.0% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 18.9% | 15.9% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 13.5% | 11.8% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 7.0% | 5.8% | 4.4% |
| Travel time to work | Workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 16.4% |
| 15 to 29 min | 31.0% |
| 30 to 44 min | 27.4% |
| 45 to 59 min | 12.7% |
| 60+ min | 12.5% |
Reading the Cook County data as a borrower
Where the Cook County numbers stand out, and why it matters for a loan:
- Long drives. With 25% of commutes over 45 minutes, tires and repairs are fixed costs in many Cook County budgets.
- Strong incomes, long terms. 42% of Cook County households earn $100,000+. The risk is a term that outlasts the need.
- Tight rental budgets. With 49% of Cook County renters cost-burdened, test a new payment against a lean month.
Four steps for Cook County borrowers
Steps that save money for Cook County residents:
- Know the exact dollar figure you need before talking to a lender.
- Shop at least three lenders, including one Cook County-area credit union.
- Only work with lenders licensed for Illinois borrowers.
- Ask a Cook County credit union about member loans.
Lender oversight for Cook County
Licensing happens at the state level, so a lender working with Cook County borrowers answers to the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. A CFPB complaint gets forwarded to the company for a response. Statewide data and rules: Illinois guide.
Related local guides
City guides inside Cook County, and the statewide guide:
- Chicago, IL
- Schaumburg, IL
- Evanston, IL
- Arlington Heights, IL
- Palatine, IL
- Skokie, IL
- Des Plaines, IL
- Illinois state guide
Frequently asked questions
Is Cook County a high-income county?
Its $83,498 median ranks 14th of 102 Illinois counties and compares with $65,681 for the median U.S. county.
How does Cook County rent compare with Illinois?
$1,435 locally versus $1,274 for the state, 13% above.
What are the biggest places in Cook County?
By population: Chicago, Cicero, Evanston, Arlington Heights, Palatine. The county has 108 Census places in all.
Can Cook County residents use the questionnaire?
Yes. It asks the same questions in every Illinois county, lists every requirement up front and does not affect your credit score.
Who do I complain to about a lender in Cook County?
Start with the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, then the CFPB complaint portal. Keep copies of every message.