Chicago Heights, IL

Census place 1714026 · pop 26,736

F26/ 100
💀 Bad
F
in IL
📍 Illinois ranks #39 of 50 states →
🏆 Cost$161,000 · top 18%
🚽 Crime1232/100k · bottom 2%
Taxes
2.64% property · US 0.99%8.96% sales · US 7.00%4.95% flat income · US 4.63%

Sales & income are statewide.

The breakdown — worst first

Violent crime rate1232/100k2

U.S. median 152/100k · worse than most cities

1232 violent crimes per 100k · Violent crimes (murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) per 100,000 residents.

Population growth (5yr)-10.5%2

U.S. median +2.4% · worse than most cities

-10.5% population change (5yr) · 5-year population change — are people moving in, or fleeing?

Property-tax burden2.64%2

U.S. median 0.99% · worse than most cities

2.64% of home value paid in property tax · Median real-estate taxes paid as a share of home value.

Poverty rate26.9%6

U.S. median 12.1% · worse than most cities

26.9% live in poverty · Share of residents living below the federal poverty line.

Natural disaster riskCounty-level100/1008

U.S. median 77/100 · worse than most cities

100/100 FEMA risk (higher = riskier) · FEMA National Risk Index — wildfire, flood, earthquake, heat and more. Published by county, not city — every city in the county shares this figure.

Uninsured adults18.0%10

U.S. median 9.3% · worse than most cities

18.0% of adults · Adults 18–64 without health insurance.

Air quality (AQI)County-level54 AQI14

U.S. median 42 AQI · worse than most cities

54 median AQI · Median air quality index — lower is cleaner air. Published by county, not city — every city in the county shares this figure.

Property crime rate2740/100k15

U.S. median 964/100k · worse than most cities

2740 property crimes per 100k · Burglary, theft, motor-vehicle theft and arson per 100,000 residents.

Income inequality0.4915

U.S. median 0.43 · worse than most cities

Gini 0.49 (0 = equal, 1 = unequal) · Gini index of household income (0 = equal, 1 = unequal).

Commute time30 min16

U.S. median 24 min · worse than most cities

30 min average one-way commute · Average one-way commute to work, in minutes.

Unhealthy air daysCounty-level11 days19

U.S. median 1 days · worse than most cities

11 unhealthy-air days per year · Days per year with unhealthy air (AQI above 100). Published by county, not city — every city in the county shares this figure.

Median household income$54,79820

U.S. median $67,857 · worse than most cities

$54,798 median household income · Median household income — a proxy for local economic health.

Physical inactivity31.2%21

U.S. median 26.5% · worse than most cities

31.2% of adults · Adults with no leisure-time physical activity.

Unemployment rateCounty-level4.5%21

U.S. median 3.6% · worse than most cities

4.5% unemployment · Share of the labor force out of work. Published by county, not city — every city in the county shares this figure.

Broadband access87.5%22

U.S. median 90.0% · worse than most cities

87.5% of homes have broadband · Share of households with a broadband internet subscription.

Bachelor's degree or higher20.9%24

U.S. median 24.3% · worse than most cities

20.9% have a bachelor's degree or higher · Share of adults 25+ with a bachelor's degree or higher.

Adult obesity38.1%30

U.S. median 36.5% · worse than most cities

38.1% of adults · Share of adults with obesity (BMI ≥ 30).

Adult smoking14.8%35

U.S. median 14.6% · worse than most cities

14.8% of adults · Share of adults who currently smoke.

Poor mental health17.4%46

U.S. median 17.4% · worse than most cities

17.4% of adults · Adults reporting frequent poor mental health (14+ days a month).

Homeownership63.4%49

U.S. median 67.2% · worse than most cities

63.4% own their home · Share of occupied homes that are owner-occupied.

Rent$1,498/mo69

U.S. median $1,756/mo · better than most cities

$1,498/mo typical rent · Typical monthly rent (Zillow Observed Rent Index, all home types).

Housing cost$161,00082

U.S. median $214,900 · better than most cities

$161,000 median home value · Median home value — how expensive it is to buy in. Higher = less affordable.

Frequently asked

Is Chicago Heights, IL a good place to live?
By the numbers, Chicago Heights scores 26/100 — a F (Bad) on Shcity, which ranks U.S. cities on public data across 22 metrics like crime, cost, jobs and health. Its strongest area is housing cost and its weakest is violent crime rate. Illinois overall ranks #39 of 50 states. Whether it's "good" depends on what you value — re-weight the factors to score it your way.
How safe is Chicago Heights, IL?
Chicago Heights reports 1232 violent crimes per 100k and 2740 property crimes per 100k — worse than most U.S. cities on violent crime.
Is Chicago Heights, IL expensive to live in?
Chicago Heights has a median home value of $161,000 and typical rent around $1,498/mo — more affordable than most U.S. cities.
What's the biggest downside of living in Chicago Heights, IL?
Its weakest measured area is violent crime rate (1232/100k) — 2/100, worse than most U.S. cities.
What is Chicago Heights, IL best at?
Its strongest measured area is housing cost ($161,000) — 82/100, better than most U.S. cities.

Sources: U.S. Census (ACS), CDC PLACES, FBI Crime Data Explorer, BLS, EPA AirData, FEMA National Risk Index, and Zillow.