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 | West Chicago | Illinois Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $95,333 | $82,179 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $54,812 | $65,365 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 4.5% | 4.8% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 10.8% | 14.4% | 13.2% |
The median household income in West Chicago is about 16% higher than in Illinois. Income has been growing slower in West Chicago (4.5%/yr) than in Illinois (4.8%/yr).
About 11% of adults in West Chicago earn six figures ($100,000 or more) a year, lower than the Illinois average of 14%.
Median Household Income 2009–2023 Trend
Median Household Income Over Time
Median household income in West Chicago, Illinois grew by 31.4% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $95,333 in 2023. That's an average of about 4.5% per year.
Economic Inequality in West Chicago | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | West Chicago | Illinois Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.560 | 0.567 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $58,172 | $72,139 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $48,784 | $58,023 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 16.1% | 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 West Chicago, it is 0.560, 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 19% more than women's income in West Chicago, Illinois. Over a 35-year career, a 19% wage gap accumulates to roughly $328,580 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in West Chicago, Illinois has narrowed from about 22% to 16% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has narrowed by $266 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | West Chicago | Illinois Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 8.6% | 5.8% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 10.1% | 14.0% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 22 | 23 | 22 |
Approximately 1,013 people are unemployed in West Chicago, Illinois.
The average commute time in West Chicago is 22 minutes, shorter than the 23 minutes in Illinois.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in West Chicago, Illinois has fallen from 9.3% to 8.6% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, West Chicago, Illinois has an overall wealth index grade of B, making it about on par with Illinois, and somewhat better than the country as a whole.
West Chicago, IL Wealth Compared With Nearby Cities
How West Chicago, IL compares with the 2 cities closest to it.
| Area | Population | Median household income | Unemployment | Income inequality |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| West Chicago, IL | 20,933 | $95,333 #3/3 | 8.6% #3/3 | 0.6 #3/3 |
| Bartlett, IL | 33,195 | $126,756 | 2.8% | 0.5 |
| St. Charles, IL | 31,102 | $109,298 | 4.5% | 0.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about income and wealth in West Chicago, Illinois.
How Rich Is West Chicago, Illinois?
West Chicago 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 $95,333, about 16% higher than the Illinois average of $82,179.
What is the current median household income in West Chicago, Illinois?
As of 2023, the median household income in West Chicago, Illinois is $95,333.
What was the median household income in West Chicago in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in West Chicago, Illinois was $95,333.
What was the median household income in West Chicago in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in West Chicago, Illinois was $74,943.
What is the Gini coefficient in West Chicago, Illinois?
The Gini coefficient in West Chicago is 0.560. 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 West Chicago, Illinois?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in West Chicago, Illinois has narrowed from about 22% to 16% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has narrowed by $266 since 2009.