Wheeling, IL Demographics

A map of Wheeling's Population by Race

Wheeling, Illinois has an estimated population of 38,433, a slight decrease from the 39,137 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 49.1% White, 28.1% Hispanic, 15.3% Asian, 3.8% Black, 2.3% Multiracial, and 1.3% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Wheeling, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Wheeling is about as racially diverse as it was in the 2020 Census. It is more diverse than Illinois overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In Wheeling, that probability was 65.3% in 2020 and 65.4% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Wheeling is ranked the 47th most populous place in Illinois, out of 1,461 places. This ranking is based on the Census definition of a place, which includes incorporated places like cities, towns, and villages, as well as unincorporated census-designated places (CDPs). Wheeling was ranked the 46th most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Wheeling's White Population

18,886 residents of Wheeling, or 49.1% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Wheeling is lower than in Illinois overall, where 58.1% of the population is White. Wheeling ranks 1372nd statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 1,461 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Wheeling's White population has grown by an estimated 6.1%. White residents' share of Wheeling's population has increased from 45.5% to 49.1%.

Wheeling is less White than neighboring Prospect Heights (62.4% White), Riverwoods (84.1% White), Buffalo Grove (58.2% White), Lincolnshire (69.3% White), and Mount Prospect (61% White).

Wheeling's Black Population

1,462 residents of Wheeling, or 3.8% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Wheeling is lower than in Illinois overall, where 13.3% of the population is Black. Wheeling ranks 346th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 1,461 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Wheeling's Black population has grown by an estimated 65.2%. Black residents' share of Wheeling's population has increased from 2.3% to 3.8%.

Wheeling is more Black than neighboring Prospect Heights (0.6% Black), Riverwoods (1.1% Black), Buffalo Grove (3.4% Black), Lincolnshire (1.4% Black), and Mount Prospect (2.5% Black).

Wheeling's Asian Population

5,895 residents of Wheeling, or 15.3% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Wheeling is higher than in Illinois overall, where 5.9% of the population is Asian. Wheeling ranks 23rd statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 1,461 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Wheeling's Asian population has declined by an estimated 9.4%. Asian residents' share of Wheeling's population has decreased from 16.6% to 15.3%.

Wheeling is more Asian than neighboring Prospect Heights (8.9% Asian), and Riverwoods (9.6% Asian). Wheeling is less Asian than neighboring Buffalo Grove (29.7% Asian), Lincolnshire (24% Asian), and Mount Prospect (15.4% Asian).

Wheeling's Hispanic Population

10,805 residents of Wheeling, or 28.1% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Wheeling is higher than in Illinois overall, where 18.8% of the population is Hispanic. Wheeling ranks 63rd statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 1,461 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Wheeling's Hispanic population has declined by an estimated 17.2%. Hispanic residents' share of Wheeling's population has decreased from 33.3% to 28.1%.

Wheeling is more Hispanic than neighboring Prospect Heights (25.8% Hispanic), Riverwoods (3.2% Hispanic), Buffalo Grove (5.8% Hispanic), Lincolnshire (1.6% Hispanic), and Mount Prospect (18.1% Hispanic).

Wheeling's Native American/Other Population

491 residents of Wheeling, or 1.3% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Wheeling is comparable to the share in Illinois overall, where 0.5% of the population is Native American/Other. Wheeling ranks 509th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 1,461 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Wheeling's Native American/Other population has grown by an estimated 145.5%. Native American/Other residents' share of Wheeling's population has increased from 0.5% to 1.3%.

Wheeling is more Native American/Other than neighboring Prospect Heights (0% Native American/Other), Riverwoods (0.4% Native American/Other), Buffalo Grove (0.7% Native American/Other), Lincolnshire (1.1% Native American/Other), and Mount Prospect (0.5% Native American/Other).

Wheeling's Multiracial Population

894 residents of Wheeling, or 2.3% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Wheeling is comparable to the share in Illinois overall, where 3.4% of the population is Multiracial. Wheeling ranks 1301st statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 1,461 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Wheeling's Multiracial population has grown by an estimated 28.8%. Multiracial residents' share of Wheeling's population has remained roughly unchanged at 2.3%.

Wheeling is more Multiracial than neighboring Prospect Heights (2.2% Multiracial), and Riverwoods (1.5% Multiracial). Wheeling is less Multiracial than neighboring Lincolnshire (2.7% Multiracial), and Mount Prospect (2.5% Multiracial).

Sources: Most recent population estimates are from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. 2020 population counts and map data are from 2020 Census State Redistricting Data. Geographic data are from Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.