Wealth Index
The wealth index reflects the overall economic prosperity and financial well-being of a county's residents based on income levels, employment rates, and income inequality metrics.
Income Statistics Overview
| Metric | Des Plaines | Illinois Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $91,184 | $82,179 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $64,424 | $65,365 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 5.4% | 4.8% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 13.9% | 14.4% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Des Plaines is about 11% higher than in Illinois. Income has been growing faster in Des Plaines (5.4%/yr) than in Illinois (4.8%/yr).
About 14% of adults in Des Plaines earn six figures ($100,000 or more) a year, about the same as the Illinois average of 14%.
Median Household Income 2009–2023 Trend
Median Household Income Over Time
Median household income in Des Plaines, Illinois grew by 58.0% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $91,184 in 2023. That's an average of about 5.4% per year.
Economic Inequality in Des Plaines | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Des Plaines | Illinois Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.546 | 0.567 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $71,734 | $72,139 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $54,688 | $58,023 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 23.8% | 19.6% | 19.1% |
The Gini coefficient measures how evenly income is shared between richer and poorer households, from 0 (everyone earns the same) to 1 (one household earns nearly everything). The lower the number, the more equally income is distributed. In Des Plaines, it is 0.546, lower than Illinois's 0.567, so income is more evenly distributed here than there, and lower than the US's 0.570, so income is more evenly distributed here than there.
Men's income is about 31% more than women's income in Des Plaines, Illinois. Over a 35-year career, a 31% wage gap accumulates to roughly $596,610 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Des Plaines, Illinois has widened from about 17% to 24% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $8,829 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Des Plaines | Illinois Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 5.8% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 11.4% | 14.0% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 25 | 23 | 22 |
Approximately 1,613 people are unemployed in Des Plaines, Illinois.
The average commute time in Des Plaines is 25 minutes, longer than the 23 minutes in Illinois.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Des Plaines, Illinois has fallen from 7.0% to 4.8% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Des Plaines, Illinois has an overall wealth index grade of B, making it somewhat better than Illinois, and somewhat better than the country as a whole.
Des Plaines, IL Wealth Compared With Nearby Cities
How Des Plaines, IL compares with the 2 cities closest to it.
| Area | Population | Median household income | Unemployment | Income inequality |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Des Plaines, IL | 60,755 | $91,184 #3/3 | 4.8% #3/3 | 0.5 #3/3 |
| Mount Prospect, IL | 51,830 | $100,936 | 4.2% | 0.5 |
| Park Ridge, IL | 35,960 | $140,407 | 3.4% | 0.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about income and wealth in Des Plaines, Illinois.
How Rich Is Des Plaines, Illinois?
Des Plaines has a wealth index grade of B. The wealth index grades areas from A+ (best) to F- by combining income levels, employment rates, and income inequality; a B grade means residents are quite well off compared to the U.S. average. The median household income is $91,184, about 11% higher than the Illinois average of $82,179.
What is the current median household income in Des Plaines, Illinois?
As of 2023, the median household income in Des Plaines, Illinois is $91,184.
What was the median household income in Des Plaines in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Des Plaines, Illinois was $91,184.
What was the median household income in Des Plaines in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Des Plaines, Illinois was $71,125.
What is the Gini coefficient in Des Plaines, Illinois?
The Gini coefficient in Des Plaines is 0.546. It measures income inequality on a scale from 0 (everyone earns the same) to 1 (one household earns everything). That is lower than the US average of 0.570, so income is distributed more equally than in the country overall.
How has the income gap between men and women changed in Des Plaines, Illinois?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Des Plaines, Illinois has widened from about 17% to 24% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $8,829 since 2009.