Cities
This article helps you quickly understand how the major cities in Cook County relate to one another by population and what that can mean for day-to-day life. Whether you are comparing places to live, looking at where to open a business, or just trying to understand the region, the information below explains how the population of each city fits into the broader county picture and then provides a complete, easy-to-scan population table.
How population is distributed across Cook County cities
Cook County is anchored by Chicago, which is by far the largest city in the county with 2,664,452 residents. Around it sits a ring of mid-sized and smaller cities that range from just over 100,000 people down to communities with under 20,000 residents.
Elgin and Cicero are the next largest cities by population, both crossing the 80,000–100,000 range. Schaumburg, Evanston, and Arlington Heights follow closely behind, each with tens of thousands of residents and diverse housing and job options. As you move further down the list, you see a gradual shift from dense urban environments to more suburban and small-city settings.
Chicago as the core of Cook County
Because Chicago has more than two and a half million residents, it shapes commuting patterns, employment centers, and regional services for the entire county. Many people who live in surrounding cities work in Chicago or depend on the city’s cultural, medical, and educational offerings. When you compare cities using the table below, it helps to remember that distance and access to Chicago often matter as much as the raw population numbers.
For people who need a large local job market, major hospitals, and extensive public transportation, a city with strong connections to Chicago or located within the urban core is often the most practical choice.
Mid-sized Cook County cities and everyday living
Just below Chicago in population are cities such as Elgin (113,310), Cicero (85,268), Schaumburg (78,723), Evanston (78,110), and Arlington Heights (77,676). Slightly smaller but still substantial communities include Palatine, Skokie, Des Plaines, Orland Park, and Oak Lawn, each with populations between roughly 58,000 and 68,000. These cities tend to offer a mix of single-family homes, apartments, and commercial areas while still feeling more manageable than the county’s largest city.
Further down the list, cities like Berwyn, Mount Prospect, Tinley Park, Oak Park, and Hoffman Estates sit in the 50,000 range. For many residents, these mid-sized places hit a balance: enough people to support shopping centers, dining, and local services, but small enough that traffic, parking, and neighborhood identity are easier to navigate.
Smaller communities and what their numbers suggest
Once populations drop below about 40,000 people, Cook County cities start to feel more like tightly knit communities. Places such as Hanover Park, Calumet City, Northbrook, and Woodridge fall into this range. Even smaller cities like Lemont, Hinsdale, Bridgeview, Westchester, Country Club Hills, La Grange, Prospect Heights, and Norridge show how Cook County includes not just major urban centers but also compact suburbs and small cities.
For many households, these smaller populations can mean quieter streets, more familiarity with neighbors, and a stronger sense of local identity. On the other hand, residents may rely on nearby larger cities for certain services, entertainment, or specialty medical care. Looking at population side by side can help you decide whether you prefer the energy of a larger city or the pace of a smaller one.
Using city population data to narrow down choices
When you compare cities in Cook County, population is only one factor, but it is a useful starting point. Larger cities often provide more job opportunities and public amenities, while smaller ones may offer a different kind of daily experience. As you scan the population table below, you can quickly prioritize cities that match the scale of community you want, then dig deeper into details like commute times, school options, and housing availability through local information.
Population of cities in Cook County
| City | Population |
|---|---|
| Chicago | 2,664,452 |
| Elgin | 113,310 |
| Cicero | 85,268 |
| Schaumburg | 78,723 |
| Evanston | 78,110 |
| Arlington Heights | 77,676 |
| Palatine | 67,908 |
| Skokie | 67,824 |
| Des Plaines | 60,675 |
| Orland Park | 58,703 |
| Oak Lawn | 58,362 |
| Berwyn | 57,250 |
| Mount Prospect | 56,852 |
| Tinley Park | 55,971 |
| Oak Park | 54,583 |
| Hoffman Estates | 52,530 |
| Glenview | 48,705 |
| Elmhurst | 45,786 |
| Buffalo Grove | 43,212 |
| Bartlett | 41,105 |
| Park Ridge | 39,656 |
| Streamwood | 39,577 |
| Wheeling | 39,137 |
| Hanover Park | 37,470 |
| Calumet City | 36,033 |
| Northbrook | 35,222 |
| Woodridge | 34,158 |
| Elk Grove Village | 32,812 |
| Niles | 30,912 |
| Burbank | 29,439 |
| Lansing | 29,076 |
| Wilmette | 28,170 |
| Chicago Heights | 27,480 |
| Oak Forest | 27,478 |
| Morton Grove | 25,297 |
| Melrose Park | 24,796 |
| Homer Glen | 24,543 |
| Elmwood Park | 24,521 |
| Rolling Meadows | 24,200 |
| Maywood | 23,512 |
| Roselle | 22,897 |
| Blue Island | 22,558 |
| Park Forest | 21,687 |
| South Holland | 21,465 |
| Dolton | 21,426 |
| Harvey | 20,324 |
| Frankfort | 20,296 |
| Evergreen Park | 19,943 |
| Brookfield | 19,476 |
| Homewood | 19,463 |
| Deerfield | 19,196 |
| Matteson | 19,073 |
| Alsip | 19,063 |
| Bensenville | 18,813 |
| Bellwood | 18,789 |
| Palos Hills | 18,530 |
| Franklin Park | 18,467 |
| Lemont | 17,629 |
| Hinsdale | 17,395 |
| Bridgeview | 17,027 |
| Westchester | 16,892 |
| Country Club Hills | 16,775 |
| La Grange | 16,321 |
| Prospect Heights | 16,058 |
| Norridge | 15,251 |