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List of Cities in Illinois

Illinois is a state in the Midwestern region of the United States and is known for its rich history, diverse culture, and vibrant cities.  Chicago Known as the “Windy City,”  is the largest city in Illinois and the third most populous city in the United States. With a population of approximately 2.7 million people, it is famous for its iconic skyscrapers, world-renowned architecture, diverse neighborhoods, and diverse cultural scene, including a thriving food scene, museums, and theaters.

Aurora, Located about 40 miles west of Chicago, is the second most populated city with a population of over 200,000 people. It is home to several museums, cultural centers, and outdoor recreation areas, such as the Phillips Park Zoo and the Fox River Trail. Joliet With a population of over 150,000 people, and is located about 40 miles southwest of Chicago, and is known for its rich history, diverse cultural scene, and thriving arts community. 

Naperville With a population of over 150,000 people, is the fourth largest city by population. Naperville with a population of 148,000 people is the fifth most-populated city in Illinois.

Springfield is the capital city of Illinois with a population of approximately 116,000 people. It is known for its rich history and cultural attractions, including the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum and the Lincoln Home National Historic Site. 

read about the Population of Illinois

Illinois Cities by Population

Illinois is divided into 102 counties and, as of 2020, contained 1,300 municipalities consisting of cities, towns, and villages. The largest city by population is Chicago with 2,696,555 residents followed by Aurora, Joilet, Naperville,  and Rockford. The largest city by land area is Chicago, which spans 227.73 sq mi (589.8 km2) 

Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Incorporated Places of 50,000 or more

#City and TownsPopulation ( July 2022)
1Chicago 2,696,555
2Aurora 179,266
3Joliet 150,372
4Naperville 149,104
5Rockford 147,711
6Elgin 113,911
7Springfield 113,394
8Peoria 111,666
9Champaign 89,114
10Waukegan 88,614
11Cicero town83,161
12Bloomington 78,283
13Evanston 77,517
14Schaumburg village77,082
15Arlington Heights village76,000
16Bolingbrook village73,597
17Decatur 69,646
18Skokie village66,422
19Palatine village66,321
20Des Plaines 59,459
21Orland Park village57,850
22Oak Lawn village57,013
23Berwyn 55,772
24Mount Prospect village55,541
25Tinley Park village54,864
26Normal town53,594
27Oak Park village53,224
28Wheaton 53,126
29Hoffman Estates village51,350
30Downers Grove village49,654

Source: US Census 2020

Top cities in Illinois by population 2024