15 Largest Cities in Illinois, Ranked by Population

Downtown Chicago at night is a sight to behold. Image Provided by Duane Walker / Getty Images

Illinois, the Prairie State, is known for its towering skyscrapers, charming small towns and diverse neighborhoods. According to Census population data, the Illinois population is the fifth-largest in the United States.

The largest cities in Illinois (including Chicago, Joliet and Naperville) offer a mix of cultural, economic and recreational attractions. They reflect the state's industrial roots, as well as its modern development.

Contents

Chicago (2.7 million)
Aurora (181,000)
Joliet (151,000)
Naperville (150,000)
Rockford (148,000)
Springfield (114,000 residents)
Elgin (114,000)
Peoria (113,000)
Waukegan (89,000)
Cicero (83,000 residents)
Champaign (82,000)
Bloomington (78,000)
Schaumburg (77,000)
Decatur (70,000)
Evanston (68,000)

1. Chicago (2.7 million)

The most populous city in Illinois and the third-largest in the U.S. is Chicago, known as The Windy City.

If you look at an Illinois map, you'll find Chicago located in the northeastern corner along the shores of Lake Michigan. The Chicago region includes a vast network of surrounding suburbs, many of which contribute to the broader Chicago metropolitan area.

The Chicago metro area is a global hub for finance, culture and innovation. It's known for its iconic skyline, deep-dish pizza and world-class museums. The Windy City offers endless attractions, including Millennium Park, Navy Pier and the Chicago Riverwalk. The city also boasts strong scenes for blues and house music.

2. Aurora (181,000)

Located west of Chicago, Aurora is known as the City of Lights for being one of the first cities to use electric streetlights. The Paramount Theatre is a symbol of its thriving arts scene. Visitors can also go boating, fishing and kayaking on the Fox River, or strolling and jogging alongside the Fox River Trail.

3. Joliet (151,000)

Joliet, southwest of Chicago, is known for its historic architecture and entertainment options. The city is home to the Rialto Square Theatre and Chicagoland Speedway.

4. Naperville (150,000)

Regularly ranked as one of the best places to live in the U.S., Naperville combines suburban charm with urban amenities. The Riverwalk, Naper Settlement and top-rated schools make it a family-friendly city. Like other Illinois cities, its thriving business community also attracts professionals.

5. Rockford (148,000)

Situated along the Rock River, Rockford is known as the "Forest City" for its lush green spaces. The Anderson Japanese Gardens and Burpee Museum of Natural History are standout attractions.

6. Springfield (114,000 residents)

As the state capital, Springfield is steeped in history. It's the hometown of Abraham Lincoln, and visitors flock to landmarks like the Lincoln Home, presidential library, tomb and museum.

7. Elgin (114,000)

Elgin, located along the Fox River, offers nature activities for the outdoorsy folks, as well as the Grand Victoria Casino for adventures indoors. In the early 19th and 20th centuries, Elgin was known for the Elgin National Watch Company. It's also home to the award-winning Elgin Symphony Orchestra.

8. Peoria (113,000)

Peoria, nestled along the Illinois River, is one of the state's oldest settlements. It's a hub for healthcare and manufacturing. Attractions include the Peoria Riverfront Museum and Caterpillar Visitors Center, where you can take a virtual ride into a mine site and design your own Cat machine.

9. Waukegan (89,000)

Waukegan, located on the shores of Lake Michigan, offers stunning waterfront views and a lively cultural scene. The Genesee Theatre and Waukegan Harbor are popular attractions.

10. Cicero (83,000 residents)

Cicero, a close suburb of Chicago, is famously associated with the gangster Al Capone, who made the town his base of operations during the Prohibition era in the 1920s. The Cicero Stadium hosts boxing matches and other sporting events.

11. Champaign (82,000)

Home to the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC), Champaign is a vibrant college town with a thriving tech industry. In 1993, Marc Andreessen and his team at UIUC developed Mosaic, the first widely used graphical web browser. Its cultural scene, including the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts, and local eateries make it a fun place to live.

12. Bloomington (78,000)

Bloomington, part of the Twin Cities with Normal, is home to State Farm's headquarters and Illinois Wesleyan University. The Miller Park Zoo and Constitution Trail offer family-friendly activities.

13. Schaumburg (77,000)

Schaumburg, located northwest of Chicago, is a major retail and commercial hub. It's home to Woodfield Mall, one of the largest shopping centers in the country.

14. Decatur (70,000)

Decatur, located in central Illinois, is an industrial city that's home to major companies like ADM. Popular attractions include the Scovill Zoo and Lake Decatur.

15. Evanston (68,000)

Situated just north of Chicago, Evanston is known for being the home of Northwestern University. The city is also known for its beaches, parks and historic homes. Its vibrant downtown offers a mix of shops, restaurants, and cultural hubs, like Piven Theatre Workshop and Northlight Theatre.

We created this article in conjunction with AI technology, then made sure it was fact-checked and edited by a HowStuffWorks editor.