West Town, Near West Side & Lower West Side PUMA, IL

Public Use Microdata Area (PUMA)

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2021 Population

184,372

3% 1-year growth

US Senator

Dick Durbin

Democratic Party

US Senator

Tammy Duckworth

Democratic Party

2021 Median Age

32.2

0.312% 1-year increase

2021 Poverty Rate

13.2%

1.52% 1-year decrease

2021 Median Household Income

$96,851

4.62% 1-year growth

2021 Median Property Value

$440,900

1.68% 1-year growth

2021 Employed Population

114,660

3.58% 1-year growth

About

In 2021, West Town, Near West Side & Lower West Side PUMA, IL had a population of 184k people with a median age of 32.2 and a median household income of $96,851. Between 2020 and 2021 the population of West Town, Near West Side & Lower West Side PUMA, IL grew from 178,994 to 184,372, a 3% increase and its median household income grew from $92,575 to $96,851, a 4.62% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in West Town, Near West Side & Lower West Side PUMA, IL are White (Non-Hispanic) (48.8%), Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (12.3%), White (Hispanic) (10.8%), Asian (Non-Hispanic) (9.76%), and Other (Hispanic) (8.51%).

31.2% of the households in West Town, Near West Side & Lower West Side PUMA, IL reported speaking a non-English language at home as their primary shared language. This does not consider the potential multi-lingual nature of households, but only the primary self-reported language spoken by all members of the household.

90% of the residents in West Town, Near West Side & Lower West Side PUMA, IL are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Chicago City (West)--West Town, Near West Side & Lower West Side PUMA, IL are University of Illinois Chicago (8,910 degrees awarded in 2021), City Colleges of Chicago-Malcolm X College (1,652 degrees), and Rush University (815 degrees).

In 2021, the median property value in West Town, Near West Side & Lower West Side PUMA, IL was $440,900, and the homeownership rate was 38.8%.

Most people in West Town, Near West Side & Lower West Side PUMA, IL drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 28.9 minutes. The average car ownership in West Town, Near West Side & Lower West Side PUMA, IL was 1 car per household.

West Town, Near West Side & Lower West Side PUMA, IL borders Lake View & Lincoln Park PUMA, IL, Logan Square, Avondale & Hermosa PUMA, IL, North & South Lawndale, Humboldt Park, East & West Garfield Park PUMA, IL, Near North Side, Loop & Near South Side PUMA, IL, and Brighton Park, New City, Bridgeport & McKinley Park PUMA, IL.

United States Illinois

Population & Diversity

West Town, Near West Side & Lower West Side PUMA, IL is home to a population of 184k people, from which 90% are citizens. As of 2021, 17.9% of West Town, Near West Side & Lower West Side PUMA, IL residents were born outside of the country (33k people).

In 2021, there were 3.97 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (89.9k people) in West Town, Near West Side & Lower West Side PUMA, IL than any other race or ethnicity. There were 22.6k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) and 19.9k White (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

The most common non-English languages spoken as the primary langauge in households in West Town, Near West Side & Lower West Side PUMA, IL are Spanish (35,122 households), Chinese (Incl. Mandarin, Cantonese) (3,586 households), and Ukrainian or Other Slavic Languages (2,213 households).

Population & Diversity

Residents by Gender and Age

RACE/ETHNICITY

91,939

Women

49.9%

92,201

Men

50.1%

The resident population of United States in 2021 was 184,140 inhabitants, with 50.1% men, and 49.9% women.

The visualization shows the distribution of the residents by gender and age in the United States.

With the upper buttons you can add a filter by race.

Citizenship

90%

2021 Citizenship

89.9%

2020 Citizenship

As of 2021, 90% of West Town, Near West Side & Lower West Side PUMA, IL residents were US citizens, which is lower than the national average of 93.4%. In 2020, the percentage of US citizens in West Town, Near West Side & Lower West Side PUMA, IL was 89.9%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been increasing.

The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in West Town, Near West Side & Lower West Side PUMA, IL compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in West Town, Near West Side & Lower West Side PUMA, IL

White (Non-Hispanic)
89.9k ± 2.19k
Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
22.6k ± 1.38k
White (Hispanic)
19.9k ± 1.46k

25.4%

Hispanic Population

46.9k people

25.4% of the people in West Town, Near West Side & Lower West Side PUMA, IL are hispanic (46.9k people).

The following chart shows the 7 races represented in West Town, Near West Side & Lower West Side PUMA, IL as a share of the total population.

Global Diversity

Most Common Origin

Mexico
11,946 ± 2,595 people
India
3,059 ± 1,347 people
China
2,118 ± 1,123 people

In 2021, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of West Town, Near West Side & Lower West Side PUMA, IL was Mexico, the natal country of 11,946 West Town, Near West Side & Lower West Side PUMA, IL residents, followed by India with 3,059 and China with 2,118.

Foreign-Born Population

17.9%

2021 Foreign-Born Population

33k people

18.3%

2020 Foreign-Born Population

32.8k people

As of 2021, 17.9% of West Town, Near West Side & Lower West Side PUMA, IL residents (33k people) were born outside of the United States, which is higher than the national average of 13.6%. In 2020, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in West Town, Near West Side & Lower West Side PUMA, IL was 18.3%, meaning that the rate has been decreasing.

The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in West Town, Near West Side & Lower West Side PUMA, IL compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Non-English Households

Most Common Non-English Languages

Spanish
35,122 households (20.2%)
Chinese (Incl. Mandarin, Cantonese)
3,586 households (2.06%)
Ukrainian or Other Slavic Languages
2,213 households (1.27%)

31.2% of the households in West Town, Near West Side & Lower West Side PUMA, IL reported speaking a non-English language at home as their primary shared language, which is higher than the national average of 21.7%. This does not consider the potential multi-lingual nature of households, but only the primary self-reported language spoken by all members of the household.

In 2021, the most common non-English language spoken in households in West Town, Near West Side & Lower West Side PUMA, IL was Spanish. 20.2% of the households in West Town, Near West Side & Lower West Side PUMA, IL reported speaking Spanish at home as the primary shared language between all members living in the household.

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Gulf War (2001-)
1,108 ± 351
Vietnam
732 ± 195
Gulf War (1990s)
319 ± 107

West Town, Near West Side & Lower West Side PUMA, IL has a large population of military personnel who served in Gulf War (2001-), 1.51 times greater than any other conflict.

Economy

The economy of West Town, Near West Side & Lower West Side PUMA, IL employs 115k people. The largest industries in West Town, Near West Side & Lower West Side PUMA, IL are General medical and surgical hospitals, and specialty (except psychiatric and substance abuse) hospitals (6,515 people), Restaurants & Food Services (6,356 people), and Computer Systems Design (5,761 people), and the highest paying industries are Communications, & audio & video equipment manufacturing ($225,013), Securities, commodities, funds, trusts & other financial investments ($186,609), and Legal services ($182,231).

Males in West Town, Near West Side & Lower West Side PUMA, IL have an average income that is 1.21 times higher than the average income of females, which is $89,095. The income inequality in West Town, Near West Side & Lower West Side PUMA, IL (measured using the Gini index) is 0.451, which is lower than than the national average.

Employment

Workforce Diversity

Measure

RACE/ETHNICITY

53,888

Women

48.7%

56,810

Men

51.3%

The workforce of West Town, Near West Side & Lower West Side PUMA, IL in 2020 was 110,698 people, with 48.7% woman, and 51.3% men.

The visualization shows the distribution of the workforce by gender and age in West Town, Near West Side & Lower West Side PUMA, IL.

With the upper buttons you can see the distribution of the average salary and add a filter by race.

Occupations

115k

2021 Value

3.58%

1 Year growth

± 3.58%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in West Town, Near West Side & Lower West Side PUMA, IL grew at a rate of 3.58%, from 111k employees to 115k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in West Town, Near West Side & Lower West Side PUMA, IL, are Other managers (4,037 people), Management analysts (3,110 people), and Software developers (2,774 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of West Town, Near West Side & Lower West Side PUMA, IL.

Unemployment Insurance Claims

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for false.

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in Illinois (not-seasonally adjusted) compared with the four states with the most similar impact.

The most recent data point uses Advance State Claims data, which can be revised in subsequent weeks.

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Industries

Employment by Industries

115k

2021 Value

3.58%

1 Year growth

± 3.58%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in West Town, Near West Side & Lower West Side PUMA, IL grew at a rate of 3.58%, from 111k employees to 115k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in West Town, Near West Side & Lower West Side PUMA, IL, are General medical and surgical hospitals, and specialty (except psychiatric and substance abuse) hospitals (6,515 people), Restaurants & Food Services (6,356 people), and Computer Systems Design (5,761 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of West Town, Near West Side & Lower West Side PUMA, IL, though some of these residents may live in West Town, Near West Side & Lower West Side PUMA, IL and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Median Earnings by Industry

$75,815

Median earning men ± $1,868

$61,453

Median earning women ± $2,164

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2021 are Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($101,343), Information ($100,929), and Public Administration ($98,393).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2021 are Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($84,327), Wholesale Trade ($79,500), and Construction ($78,125).

Employment by Industry Sector

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for false.

Y-Axis

2.75%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

As of February 2023, there are 155M people employed in Illinois. This represents a 2.75% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

The following chart shows monthly employment numbers for each industry sector in Illinois.

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Civics

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in Illinois went to Joseph R Biden Jr. with 57.5% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (40.6%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (1.1%).

Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth are the senators currently representing the state of Illinois. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

Illinois is currently represented by 17 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

Presidential Elections

Presidential Popular Vote Over Time

Voting results are not available for West Town, Near West Side & Lower West Side PUMA, IL. Showing the available data for Illinois.

2020 Election Results

Joseph R Biden Jr. (57.5%)
Democratic Party
Donald J. Trump (40.6%)
Republican Party
Jo Jorgensen (1.1%)
Libertarian Party

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in Illinois went to Joseph R Biden Jr. with 57.5% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (40.6%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (1.1%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in Illinois for each registered party from 1976 to 2020.

Senator Elections

US Senators from Illinois

Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for Illinois.

Dick Durbin

Senator from Illinois

Assumed office on January 3, 1997

Tammy Duckworth

Senator from Illinois

Assumed office on January 3, 2017

Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth are the senators currently representing Illinois.

In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

The following chart shows elected senators in Illinois over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

US Representative Elections

US Representatives from Illinois

Illinois is currently represented by 17 members in the U.S. house.

Members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms, and the following chart shows the how the members for Illinois have changed over time starting in 2008.

Education

In 2021, universities in West Town, Near West Side & Lower West Side PUMA, IL awarded 11,988 degrees. The student population of West Town, Near West Side & Lower West Side PUMA, IL in 2021 is skewed towards women, with 17,502 male students and 26,947 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in West Town, Near West Side & Lower West Side PUMA, IL are White (3,912 and 36.3%), followed by Hispanic or Latino (3,178 and 29.5%), Asian (1,818 and 16.9%), and Black or African American (1,316 and 12.2%).

The largest universities in West Town, Near West Side & Lower West Side PUMA, IL by number of degrees awarded are University of Illinois Chicago (8,910 and 74.3%), City Colleges of Chicago-Malcolm X College (1,652 and 13.8%), and Rush University (815 and 6.8%).

The most popular majors in Chicago City (West)--West Town, Near West Side & Lower West Side PUMA, IL are Registered Nursing (855 and 7.13%), Computer Science (501 and 4.18%), and General Psychology (492 and 4.1%).

The median tuition costs in Chicago City (West)--West Town, Near West Side & Lower West Side PUMA, IL are $27,359 for private four year colleges, and $12,253 and $27,020 respectively, for public four year colleges for in-state students and out-of-state students.

Admissions & Enrollments

Applicants, Admissions & Enrolled

University

Measure

In 2021 in West Town, Near West Side & Lower West Side PUMA, IL, the percentage of applicants admitted was 78.8%, while the percentage of admitted who enrolled was 23.3%. The number of students enrolled in 2021 was 44,449 (39.4% men and 60.6% women).

The line chart shows the evolution of the percentage of applicants admitted, admitted who enrolled or the number of students enrolled according to the option selected in the upper button.

Enrollments by Gender and Races

Universities

In 2021 there were 44,449 students enrolled in West Town, Near West Side & Lower West Side PUMA, IL, 39.4% men and 60.6% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in Hispanic or Latino with 13,331 records, of which 64.4% were women and 35.6% men.

Completions

Concentrations

Most Common

Registered Nursing
714 degree-majors awarded
General Psychology
472 degree-majors awarded
General Biological Sciences
452 degree-majors awarded

In 2021, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in Chicago City (West)--West Town, Near West Side & Lower West Side PUMA, IL was Registered Nursing with 714 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Bachelors Degree from schools in Chicago City (West)--West Town, Near West Side & Lower West Side PUMA, IL according to their major.

Universities

Gender

Race

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

University of Illinois Chicago
8,910 degrees awarded
City Colleges of Chicago-Malcolm X College
1,652 degrees awarded
Rush University
815 degrees awarded

In 2021, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was University of Illinois Chicago with 8,910 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

University

In 2021, 4,578 men were awarded degrees from institutions in West Town, Near West Side & Lower West Side PUMA, IL, which is 0.618 times less than the 7,410 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2021 the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was White students. These 3,912 degrees mean that there were 1.23 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Hispanic or Latino, with 3,178 degrees awarded.

Awarded Degrees over Time

The graph shows the evolution of awarded degrees by degrees. Under the paragraphs, the average number of awarded degrees by university in each degree is shown.

Tuition

Average Net Price by Sector

Universities

Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above ($27,359) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2021.

Public, 4-year or above ($3,350) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2021.

Public, 2-year ($1,920) is the sector with the highest average net price of books and supplies.

The graph shows the average net price by sector and year.

Working Population

Educational Pyramid

Measure

In 2021, 0.98% of men over 25 years of age had not completed any academic degree (no schooling), while 0.878% of women were in the same situation.

This visualization shows the gender distribution of the population according to the academic level reached.

Educational Attainment

Race

The most common educational levels obtained by the working population of West Town, Near West Side & Lower West Side PUMA, IL in 2021 were Bachelors Degree (59.2k), Graduate Degree (38.2k), and Some college (22.1k).

This visualization illustrates the percentage distribution of the population according to the highest educational level reached. You can filter the data by race by using the selector above.

Housing & Living

The median property value in West Town, Near West Side & Lower West Side PUMA, IL was $440,900 in 2021, which is 1.8 times larger than the national average of $244,900. Between 2020 and 2021 the median property value increased from $433,600 to $440,900, a 1.68% increase. The homeownership rate in West Town, Near West Side & Lower West Side PUMA, IL is 38.8%, which is approximately the same as the national average of 64.6%.

People in West Town, Near West Side & Lower West Side PUMA, IL have an average commute time of 28.9 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in West Town, Near West Side & Lower West Side PUMA, IL is lower than the national average, with an average of 1 car per household.

Median household income in West Town, Near West Side & Lower West Side PUMA, IL is $96,851. In 2021, the PUMA with the highest Median Household Income in West Town, Near West Side & Lower West Side PUMA, IL was Vernon, Moraine, West Deerfield & Libertyville (Southeast) Townships PUMA, IL with a value of $141,613, followed by Northfield & New Trier Townships PUMA, IL and DuPage & Wheatland Townships PUMA, IL, with respective values of $139,079 and $119,865.

Housing

Property

$440,900

Median Property Value 2021

±$8,617

$32,520

Median Property Taxes

±$1,426

The following chart display owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In West Town, Near West Side & Lower West Side PUMA, IL the largest share of households pay taxes in the $3k+ range.

The chart underneath the paragraph shows the property taxes in West Town, Near West Side & Lower West Side PUMA, IL compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies.

Rent vs Own

38.8%

Homeownership

2021

61.4%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2021

In 2021, 38.8% of the housing units in West Town, Near West Side & Lower West Side PUMA, IL were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 37.8%.

This chart shows the percentage of owner in West Town, Near West Side & Lower West Side PUMA, IL compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Equity

Income by Location

Use the dropdown to filter by race/ethnicity.

Race/Ethnicity

Highest Median Household Income (Total)

In 2021, the PUMA with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in West Town, Near West Side & Lower West Side PUMA, IL was Vernon, Moraine, West Deerfield & Libertyville (Southeast) Townships PUMA, IL with a value of $141,613, followed by Northfield & New Trier Townships PUMA, IL and DuPage & Wheatland Townships PUMA, IL, with respective values of $139,079 and $119,865.

The following map shows all of the PUMAs in West Town, Near West Side & Lower West Side PUMA, IL colored by their Median Household Income (Total).

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.

$96,851

Median Household Income

± $2,638

83.8k

Number of Households

± 2,244

In 2021, the median household income of the 83.8k households in West Town, Near West Side & Lower West Side PUMA, IL grew to $96,851 from the previous year's value of $92,575.

The following chart displays the households in West Town, Near West Side & Lower West Side PUMA, IL distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the $200k+ range.

Wage Distribution

0.451

2021 Wage GINI in West Town, Near West Side & Lower West Side PUMA, IL

0.448

2020 Wage GINI in West Town, Near West Side & Lower West Side PUMA, IL

In 2021, the income inequality in West Town, Near West Side & Lower West Side PUMA, IL was 0.451 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.793% growth from 2020 to 2021, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat less even. The GINI for West Town, Near West Side & Lower West Side PUMA, IL was lower than than the national average of 0.478. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in West Town, Near West Side & Lower West Side PUMA, IL in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in West Town, Near West Side & Lower West Side PUMA, IL across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

Transportation

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2021

Drove Alone (36.5%)
Public Transit (24.1%)
Worked At Home (17.7%)

In 2021, 36.5% of workers in West Town, Near West Side & Lower West Side PUMA, IL drove alone to work, followed by those who used public transit to get to work (24.1%) and those who worked at home (17.7%).

The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

Commute Time

28.9 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in West Town, Near West Side & Lower West Side PUMA, IL have a longer commute time (28.9 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.8 minutes). Additionally, 1.7% of the workforce in West Town, Near West Side & Lower West Side PUMA, IL have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in West Town, Near West Side & Lower West Side PUMA, IL compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Car Ownership

1 car

Average Number

The following chart displays the households in West Town, Near West Side & Lower West Side PUMA, IL distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in West Town, Near West Side & Lower West Side PUMA, IL have 1 car.

Poverty

Poverty & Diversity

13.2% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in West Town, Near West Side & Lower West Side PUMA, IL (23.7k out of 180k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 12.6%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 25 - 34, followed by Females 18 - 24 and then Males 18 - 24.

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in West Town, Near West Side & Lower West Side PUMA, IL is White, followed by Black and Hispanic.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

Social Needs

Data only available at the state level.

Most prevalent states

California
35,798 individuals
New York
5,087 individuals
Florida
4,915 individuals

In 2017, California had the highest estimated number of chronically homeless individuals in the nation, at 35,798. New York has the second highest (5,087), followed by Florida (4,915).

The following map shows the estimated number of chronically homeless individuals by state over multiple years.

Health

93.8% of the population of West Town, Near West Side & Lower West Side PUMA, IL has health coverage, with 66.9% on employee plans, 13.1% on Medicaid, 5.05% on Medicare, 8.46% on non-group plans, and 0.313% on military or VA plans.

Coverage

Health Care Diversity

In 2021, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 15.5% under 18 years, 42.7% between 18 and 34 years, 34.6% between 35 and 64 years, and 7.2% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 49.5% were men and 50.5% were women.

The following chart shows the number of people with health coverage by gender.

Uninsured People

6.21%

Uninsured

66.9%

Employer Coverage

13.1%

Medicaid

5.05%

Medicare

8.46%

Non-Group

0.313%

Military or VA

Between 2020 and 2021, the percent of uninsured citizens in West Town, Near West Side & Lower West Side PUMA, IL declined by 0.726% from 6.25% to 6.21%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in West Town, Near West Side & Lower West Side PUMA, IL changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.