University Park: Demographics & People
University Park's population stands at 7,306 people, in 2,516 households. Population grew 2.8% from 7,109 (2022) to 7,306 (2024). Median age 32.1 years. (7.0y younger than Will County; 5.6y younger than Illinois). Children under 18 are 29% of the population. Population is 82% Black and 8% White (non-Hispanic). The community is somewhat diverse (Simpson index 0.28). 75% of households are family-led. County is losing 127,111 residents per year (2022-2023). County health: 33% adult obesity, 12% smoke.
- 2.9 people per household (vs Illinois avg 2.5).
- 25% non-family households (singles, roommates) (vs Illinois 38%).
- 67 dependents per 100 working-age (youth + seniors / 18-64) (vs Illinois 64).
Population & Trend
Population grew 2.8% from 7,109 (2022) to 7,306 (2024) — about 4.6× the recent U.S. annual rate of ~0.6%/yr. Estimated 2026 population: ~7,509 (extrapolated at 1.4%/yr trend). Census Bureau Vintage estimate: 7,786.
| Census data vintage | 2024 |
|---|---|
| Population | 5,275,541 people |
| Annual growth rate · Population change | 2.8% |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2022) | 7,109 |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2024) | 7,306 |
| Annual growth rate · Population growing | Yes |
| Annual growth rate · Trend category | growing |
| Population | 7,306 people (vs Illinois 39,460) |
| Population Estimate | 7,786 |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023, Table B01003 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Age Distribution
Median age 32.1y is 6.8 years younger than the U.S. median (38.9y). Children under 18 make up 29% — above the U.S. share of ~22%.
| Age Summary · Median age | 32.1 years (vs Illinois 37.7y) |
|---|---|
| Age Summary · Children Pct | 28.9% |
| Age Summary · Character | young professional |
| Age Summary · Total Pop | 7,306 |
| Age Summary · Under 18 | 2,112 |
| Age Summary · 18 To 34 | 2,030.0× |
| Age Summary · 35 To 64 | 2,335.0× |
| Age Summary · 65 Plus | 829 |
| Population under 18 | 2,112 |
| Median age | 32.1 years (vs Illinois 37.7y) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2024 — place-level B01001 query · Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-29
Race, Ethnicity & Diversity
Of 7,306 residents, race / ethnicity breaks down by Census ACS counts (a person can identify with one or more groups). The Simpson diversity index is 0.28 (0 = single group, 1 = perfectly even distribution); this is read as somewhat diverse.
| White residents | 710 |
|---|---|
| Black residents | 6,026 |
| Asian residents | 6 |
| Hispanic or Latino residents | 444 |
| Diversity Index · Diversity index (Simpson) | 28.3% |
| Diversity Index · Diversity label | somewhat diverse |
| Diversity Index · Groups counted | 4 |
| Diversity Index · Largest group share | 83.9% |
| Asian population | 0.1% (vs Illinois 6.1%) |
| Black population | 81.8% (vs Illinois 9.3%) |
| Hispanic or Latino population | 5.9% (vs Illinois 17.6%) |
| White (non-Hispanic) population | 8.4% (vs Illinois 54.8%) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Ancestry
Self-reported ancestry from Census ACS — what residents report as their ethnic origin, separate from race. Counts can exceed population because people can list multiple ancestries.
Top (8)
Citizenship & Origin
Where residents were born and their citizenship status (Census ACS).
| Residents born in this state | 5,966 |
|---|---|
| Residents born in another state | 994 |
| Share born in this state | 81.7% |
| Share born in another state | 18.3% |
| Native-born U.S. citizens | 13.6% |
| Naturalized citizens | 4.7% |
| Total foreign-born residents | 429 |
| From Europe | 12 |
| From Africa | 16 |
Households & Family Composition
2,516 households. Averaging 3.0 people each — larger than the U.S. average of 2.5. 75% are family households — above the U.S. share of ~65%. Of 1,832 families, 15% are married couples with children.
| Children under 18 | 2,017 |
|---|---|
| Total families | 1,832 |
| Married couples with children | 277 |
| Single-parent households | 203 |
| Average household size | 3.02 |
| Women who gave birth (past year) | 17.2% |
| Grandparents living with grandchildren | 348 |
| Grandparents responsible for grandchildren | 169 |
| Family households | 1,891 households (vs Illinois 9,709) |
| Households that are families | 75.2% (vs Illinois 62.4%) |
| Total households | 2,516 households (vs Illinois 14,867) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Residential Stability & Migration
How long residents have lived here and where they came from. 10.7% moved within the county in the past year — the U.S. baseline is roughly 8–10%. The surrounding county is losing 127,111 residents per year on net (IRS migration data).
| Moved within the county (past year) | 10.7% |
|---|---|
| Migration · People moving in (annual) | 4,217,303 |
| Migration · People moving out (annual) | 4,344,414 |
| Migration · Net migration (in − out) | -127,111 |
| Migration · Year | 2022-2023 |
Sources: IRS SOI Migration 2021-2022 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Disability
Census ACS measures self-reported functional limitations — vision, hearing, mobility, cognitive, self-care, or independent-living. The U.S. baseline disability rate is about 12–13%; rates trend higher with median age.
| Residents with a disability | 317 |
|---|---|
| Disability rate | 4.3% |
Group Quarters
Group quarters are non-household living arrangements counted by the Census — college dormitories, nursing homes, military barracks, group homes, correctional facilities, and similar institutional or shared housing. 98 residents live in group quarters (1.3% of population).
| Living in group quarters | 98 |
|---|
Other
| Congressional District · District | 2 |
|---|---|
| Congressional District · Congress | 118th |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Fips | 17031 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · State Fips | 17 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County Fips | 031 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County | Cook |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Birth Rate | 15.3% |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Lower Ci | 14.90 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Upper Ci | 15.70 |
| Cdc Mortality · Fips | 17031 |
| Cdc Mortality · County | Cook County |
| Cdc Mortality · Urban Rural | Large central metro |
| Cdc Mortality · Total Deaths 2020 2023 | 165,505 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Fips | 17031 |
| Cdc Vaccination · County | Cook County |
| Cdc Vaccination · Dose1 Pop Pct | 84.0% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Series Complete Pct | 75.2% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Booster Pct | 58.5% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Population 2019 | 5,150,233 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Metro Status | Metro |
| Family Score · Score | 2.00 |
| Family Score · Schools | 2 |
| Family Score · Children Pct | 28.9% |
| Family Score · Rating | limited |
| Town Summary · Key Facts | population 7,306, growing, young professional, middle-class, mixed |
| Town Summary · Population | 7,306 people (vs Illinois 39,460) |
| Town Summary · County | Cook County |
Sources: NCES school congressional district assignment · federal dataset cascade