Across most of America, the African American and Hispanic communities comprise “most of the minority”. We’re not totally sure that’s a term, but it’s an accurate reflection of the state of race in America.
Asians are a “minority of the minority”, generally.
But not everywhere.
There are now over 17 million people who identify as Asian living in America, making up 5.6% of the total population. According to the most recent American Community Survey, the Asian population in Illinois is 650,929 – at 5.1% of the total population of Illinois.
And, unlike African Americans that fall under one group in the Census, Asian Americans have many sub-groups — Chinese, Filipino, and Indian being the three largest sub-groups.
So, what how does the Asian population stratify across Illinois? Which cities and towns in Illinois have seen the greatest increase in their Asian population?
We broke down the most recent census data to determine the cities in Illinois with the largest Asian population in 2018:
- Lincolnwood (Jobs)
- Morton Grove (Jobs)
- Skokie (Photos | Jobs)
- Hoffman Estates (Photos | Jobs)
- Schaumburg (Photos | Jobs)
- Glendale Heights (Jobs)
- Oak Brook (Photos | Jobs)
- Vernon Hills (Jobs)
- Buffalo Grove (Photos | Jobs)
- Urbana (Photos | Jobs)
Which city in Illinois had the largest Asian population?
Lincolnwood took the number one over all spot for the largest Asian in Illinois for 2018. 35.38% of Lincolnwood identify as Asian.
Read on below to see how we crunched the numbers and how your town ranked.
To see where Illinois ranked as a state on diversity, we have a ranking of the most diverse states in America.
And if you already knew these places were Asian, check out the best places to live in Illinois or the most diverse places in Illinois.
How We Determined The Cities In Illinois With The Largest Asian Population For 2018
We still believe in the accuracy of data — especially from the census. So that’s where we went to get the breakdown of race across Illinois.
That lead us to the Census’s most recently available data, the 2012-2016 American Community Survey data from the US Census.
Specifically, we looked at table B03002: Hispanic OR LATINO ORIGIN BY RACE. Here are the category names as defined by the Census:
- Hispanic or Latino
- White alone*
- Black or African American alone*
- American Indian and Alaska Native alone*
- Asian alone*
- Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone*
- Some other race alone*
- Two or more races*
Our particular column of interest here was the number of people who identified as Asian alone.
We limited our analysis to non-CDPs with a population greater than 5,000 people. That left us with 330 cities.
We then calculated the percent of residents that are Asian. The percentages ranked from 35.4% to 0.0%.
Finally, we ranked each city based on the percent of Asian population with a higher score being more Asian than a lower score. Lincolnwood took the distinction of being the most Asian, while Pana was the least Asian city.
Read on for more information on how the cities in Illinois ranked by population of Asian residents or, for a more general take on diversity in America, head over to our ranking of the most diverse cities in America.
1. Lincolnwood
Population: 12,637 % Asian: 35.38%
# Of Asian Residents: 4,471
Percent Change Since 2010: 47.95%
More on Lincolnwood: Write A Review | Data | JobsLincolnwood is a village in Cook County, Illinois, United States. The population was 12,590 at the 2010 census.
2. Morton Grove
Population: 23,413 % Asian: 29.54%
# Of Asian Residents: 6,916
Percent Change Since 2010: 13.49%
More on Morton Grove: Write A Review | Data | JobsMorton Grove is a village in Cook County, Illinois, United States. As of the 2010 census, the population was 23,270, for a growth rate of 3.6% since 2000.
3. Skokie
Population: 64,873% Asian: 25.49%
# Of Asian Residents: 16,535
Percent Change Since 2010: 5.65%
More on Skokie: Write A Review | Data | JobsSkokie is a village in Cook County, Illinois, United States. Its name comes from a Potawatomi word for “marsh.” A Chicago suburb, for many years Skokie promoted itself as “The World’s Largest Village.” Its population, according to the 2010 census, was 64,784. Skokie’s streets, like that of many suburbs, are largely a continuation of the Chicago street grid, and the village is served by the Chicago Transit Authority, further cementing its connection to the city.
4. Hoffman Estates
Population: 51,727% Asian: 25.36%
# Of Asian Residents: 13,116
Percent Change Since 2010: 11.9%
More on Hoffman Estates: Write A Review | Data | JobsHoffman Estates is a village in Illinois, United States. The village is located primarily in Cook County with a small section in Kane County. It is a suburb of Chicago. As of the 2010 census, the village population was 51,895. The village was incorporated in 1959.
5. Schaumburg
Population: 74,366% Asian: 23.42%
# Of Asian Residents: 17,420
Percent Change Since 2010: 36.51%
More on Schaumburg: Write A Review | Data | JobsSchaumburg is a village located in Cook County and DuPage County in northeastern Illinois, United States. The village is a northwestern suburb of Chicago and is part of the Golden Corridor. Schaumburg is located roughly 28 miles northwest of the Chicago Loop and approximately 10 miles northwest of O’Hare International Airport. As of the 2010 census, the village had a total population of 74,227.
6. Glendale Heights
Population: 34,395 % Asian: 23.3%
# Of Asian Residents: 8,013
Percent Change Since 2010: -1.77%
More on Glendale Heights: Write A Review | Data | JobsGlendale Heights is a village in DuPage County, Illinois, United States. The population was 34,208 at the 2010 census. It is best known nationally as the hometown of Smashing Pumpkins founder Billy Corgan, but known more locally for its ethnically diverse population. The town elected Dupage County’s first Asian mayor in 1995.
7. Oak Brook
Population: 7,988% Asian: 22.31%
# Of Asian Residents: 1,782
Percent Change Since 2010: -5.41%
More on Oak Brook: Write A Review | Data | JobsOak Brook is an affluent village in DuPage County with a small portion in Cook County in Illinois. The population was 7,883 at the 2010 census. A suburb of Chicago, Oak Brook serves as home to the headquarters of several notable companies and organizations including McDonald’s, Ace Hardware, Blistex, Federal Signal, CenterPoint Properties, Sanford L.P., TreeHouse Foods, and Lions Clubs International.
8. Vernon Hills
Population: 25,910 % Asian: 20.75%
# Of Asian Residents: 5,376
Percent Change Since 2010: 31.22%
More on Vernon Hills: Write A Review | Data | JobsVernon Hills is a village in Lake County, Illinois, United States, and a northern suburb of Chicago. The population was 20,120 at the 2000 census, and 25,113 in 2010. Vernon Hills serves as a retail hub for its surrounding area.
9. Buffalo Grove
Population: 41,554% Asian: 19.28%
# Of Asian Residents: 8,012
Percent Change Since 2010: 27.62%
More on Buffalo Grove: Write A Review | Data | JobsBuffalo Grove is a village in Lake and Cook counties in the U.S. state of Illinois, within the northwest suburbs of Chicago.
As of the 2010 census, the village population was 41,496. Most of the village is located within the 10th Congressional District of Illinois, although the southern portion is represented in the 8th Congressional District.
10. Urbana
Population: 41,941% Asian: 18.74%
# Of Asian Residents: 7,860
Percent Change Since 2010: 18.53%
More on Urbana: Write A Review | Data | JobsUrbana is a city in and the county seat of Champaign County, Illinois, United States. The population was 41,250 at the 2010 census. Urbana is the tenth-most populous city in Illinois outside of the Chicago metropolitan area.
There You Have It – Asian Populations Across Illinois
If you’re looking for a breakdown of Asian populations across Illinois according to the most recent data, this is an accurate list.
If you’re curious enough, here are the least Asian places in Illinois:
- Pana
- Chester
- Centreville
For more Illinois reading , check out:
- 10 Cheapest Places To Live In Illinois
- 10 Worst Places To Live In Illinois
- 10 Safest Places In Illinois
