Cities in Illinois by housing units authorized by building permits

Chicago, IL had the highest housing units authorized by building permits of 224 cities in 2022, at 7,124. Zion, IL had the lowest, at 0. The median was 10 and the figure for Illinois was 20,549. Source: the U.S. Census Bureau.

Highest7,124Chicago, IL

Lowest0Zion, IL

Median10224 cities

Illinois20,549History

Top 40 cities, 2022

count. Source: Invokely calculation with data from U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved 2026-10-12.

Full ranking

Rank	Cities	2022 count	Change on 2021
1	Chicago, IL Estimated	7,124	+33.4%
2	Champaign, IL Estimated	572	+101.4%
3	Plainfield, IL Estimated	419	+17.7%
4	Oswego, IL Estimated	374	+133.8%
5	Elgin, IL Estimated	308	+84.4%
6	North Aurora, IL Estimated	300	+197%
7	Yorkville, IL Estimated	284	-29.5%
8	Joliet, IL Estimated	273	-17.5%
9	Swansea, IL Estimated	268	+605.3%
10	Naperville, IL Estimated	247	-66.4%
11	Bloomington, IL Estimated	236	+50.3%
12	Downers Grove, IL Estimated	214	+397.7%
13	Lockport, IL Estimated	202	+127%
14	New Lenox, IL Estimated	184	+37.3%
15	Shiloh, IL Estimated	183	+14.4%
16	Evanston, IL Estimated	150	+500%
17	South Elgin, IL Estimated	139	+25.2%
18	Mahomet, IL Estimated	136	-26.5%
19	Crystal Lake, IL Estimated	133	-40.9%
20	Mundelein, IL Estimated	123	+9.8%
21	O'Fallon, IL Estimated	121	-5.5%
22	Schaumburg, IL Estimated	119	+8.2%
23	Normal, IL Estimated	114	+35.7%
23	Urbana, IL Estimated	114	+96.6%
25	Aurora, IL Estimated	113	+59.2%
26	Algonquin, IL Estimated	112	+6.7%
27	Highland Park, IL Estimated	107	+12.6%
28	Marion, IL Estimated	104	+112.2%
29	Belvidere, IL Estimated	103	+68.9%
29	DeKalb, IL Estimated	103	0%
29	Morton, IL Estimated	103	-31.3%
32	Edwardsville, IL Estimated	102	+121.7%
33	Frankfort, IL Estimated	99	-25%
34	Warrenville, IL Estimated	95	-25.8%
35	Bolingbrook, IL Estimated	83	-78.3%
35	Manhattan, IL Estimated	83	-41.5%
37	Huntley, IL Estimated	79	-44.8%
37	Lake Forest, IL Estimated	79	+139.4%
39	Elmhurst, IL Estimated	78	-19.6%
40	Cary, IL Estimated	77	+51%
40	Maywood, IL Estimated	77	+32.8%
42	Channahon, IL Estimated	73	-23.2%
43	Darien, IL Estimated	72	n/a
44	Buffalo Grove, IL Estimated	67	-6.9%
44	Chatham, IL Estimated	67	+42.6%
46	Wheeling, IL Estimated	66	+2,100%
47	Quincy, IL Estimated	65	-4.4%
47	Springfield, IL Estimated	65	-71%
49	Batavia, IL Estimated	63	-1.6%
50	Sycamore, IL Estimated	62	0%
51	La Grange Park, IL Estimated	60	+1,100%
51	Northbrook, IL Estimated	60	+22.4%
53	Troy, IL Estimated	58	-26.6%
54	Homer Glen, IL Estimated	56	-3.4%
54	Pingree Grove, IL Estimated	56	-61.4%
56	Plano, IL Estimated	55	-39.6%
56	Shorewood, IL Estimated	55	-21.4%
58	Woodstock, IL Estimated	53	-18.5%
59	Lake Zurich, IL Estimated	51	+64.5%
59	Orland Park, IL Estimated	51	-70.7%
61	Moline, IL Estimated	49	+8.9%
62	Addison, IL Estimated	46	+31.4%
62	Hinsdale, IL Estimated	46	-6.1%
62	Loves Park, IL Estimated	46	-30.3%
62	Oak Park, IL Estimated	46	+7%
62	Skokie, IL Estimated	46	+283.3%
62	Waterloo, IL Estimated	46	-17.9%
68	Antioch, IL Estimated	45	+87.5%
68	Effingham, IL Estimated	45	+95.7%
70	Ottawa, IL Estimated	44	+33.3%
70	Western Springs, IL Estimated	44	+7.3%
72	Bradley, IL Estimated	42	+23.5%
73	Lemont, IL Estimated	40	-61.2%
74	McHenry, IL Estimated	39	-90.1%
74	Peoria, IL Estimated	39	-23.5%
76	Glen Carbon, IL Estimated	38	0%
76	Glenview, IL Estimated	38	-42.4%
78	Roselle, IL Estimated	37	+85%
79	Montgomery, IL Estimated	36	-81.4%
80	Bourbonnais, IL Estimated	33	-38.9%
80	St. Charles, IL Estimated	33	+32%
82	Wheaton, IL Estimated	32	+33.3%
83	Lindenhurst, IL Estimated	29	-25.6%
84	Tinley Park, IL Estimated	28	-31.7%
85	Grayslake, IL Estimated	26	+2,500%
85	Waukegan, IL Estimated	26	+766.7%
87	Morris, IL Estimated	24	-20%
88	Arlington Heights, IL Estimated	23	-78.1%
88	Campton Hills, IL Estimated	23	+91.7%
88	Palos Hills, IL Estimated	23	+360%
88	Pekin, IL Estimated	23	+64.3%
88	Rockford, IL Estimated	23	-23.3%
88	Woodridge, IL Estimated	23	-8%
94	Godfrey, IL Estimated	21	+5%
94	Wilmette, IL Estimated	21	0%
96	Columbia, IL Estimated	20	-13%
96	Winnetka, IL Estimated	20	-13%
98	Mokena, IL Estimated	18	-51.4%
99	Burr Ridge, IL Estimated	17	+21.4%
99	Herrin, IL Estimated	17	+41.7%
99	Taylorville, IL Estimated	17	-10.5%
102	Fairview Heights, IL Estimated	15	-63.4%
102	Lake in the Hills, IL Estimated	15	+1,400%
102	Washington, IL Estimated	15	+36.4%
105	Lombard, IL Estimated	13	-89.8%
106	Bartlett, IL Estimated	12	-50%
106	Highland, IL Estimated	12	-55.6%
108	Glen Ellyn, IL Estimated	11	-38.9%
108	Matteson, IL Estimated	11	+83.3%
108	Palatine, IL Estimated	11	+83.3%
108	Winfield, IL Estimated	11	+1,000%
112	Belleville, IL Estimated	10	-64.3%
112	Bloomingdale, IL Estimated	10	-72.2%
112	Vernon Hills, IL Estimated	10	-86.3%
115	Brookfield, IL Estimated	9	n/a
115	Libertyville, IL Estimated	9	-47.1%
117	Burbank, IL Estimated	8	-27.3%
117	Centralia, IL Estimated	8	+14.3%
117	Deerfield, IL Estimated	8	-20%
117	Geneva, IL Estimated	8	-88.2%
117	Oak Lawn, IL Estimated	8	-38.5%
117	Park Ridge, IL Estimated	8	-66.7%
123	Dixon, IL Estimated	7	-50%
123	Elmwood Park, IL Estimated	7	+75%
123	Granite City, IL Estimated	7	+75%
123	La Grange, IL Estimated	7	-77.4%
123	Lisle, IL Estimated	7	+133.3%
123	Mount Prospect, IL Estimated	7	-50%
129	Alsip, IL Estimated	6	n/a
129	Collinsville, IL Estimated	6	+50%
129	Lincolnwood, IL Estimated	6	+50%
129	Westmont, IL Estimated	6	-33.3%
133	Decatur, IL Estimated	5	-37.5%
133	East Peoria, IL Estimated	5	-68.8%
133	Machesney Park, IL Estimated	5	-85.3%
133	Melrose Park, IL Estimated	5	+150%
133	Mount Vernon, IL Estimated	5	-37.5%
133	North Chicago, IL Estimated	5	+25%
133	Worth, IL Estimated	5	-28.6%
140	Crestwood, IL Estimated	4	-63.6%
140	Freeport, IL Estimated	4	0%
140	Hickory Hills, IL Estimated	4	-50%
140	River Forest, IL Estimated	4	-20%
140	Rock Island, IL Estimated	4	-91.5%
145	Barrington, IL Estimated	3	-25%
145	Blue Island, IL Estimated	3	-25%
145	Canton, IL Estimated	3	0%
145	Carbondale, IL Estimated	3	-25%
145	Des Plaines, IL Estimated	3	-70%
145	East Moline, IL Estimated	3	0%
145	Mattoon, IL Estimated	3	n/a
145	Morton Grove, IL Estimated	3	+200%
145	Pontiac, IL Estimated	3	-50%
145	South Holland, IL Estimated	3	n/a
145	Wauconda, IL Estimated	3	-57.1%
145	Wood River, IL Estimated	3	-72.7%
157	Berwyn, IL Estimated	2	-81.8%
157	Crest Hill, IL Estimated	2	-50%
157	Forest Park, IL Estimated	2	-33.3%
157	Gurnee, IL Estimated	2	+100%
157	Park Forest, IL Estimated	2	n/a
157	Prospect Heights, IL Estimated	2	-50%
157	Round Lake Beach, IL Estimated	2	n/a
157	Sterling, IL Estimated	2	+100%
157	Wood Dale, IL Estimated	2	-71.4%
166	Beach Park, IL Estimated	1	0%
166	Cahokia Heights, IL Estimated	1	n/a
166	Carpentersville, IL Estimated	1	0%
166	Charleston, IL Estimated	1	-90.9%
166	Cicero, IL Estimated	1	0%
166	Evergreen Park, IL Estimated	1	-80%
166	Fox Lake, IL Estimated	1	n/a
166	Galesburg, IL Estimated	1	0%
166	Homewood, IL Estimated	1	-50%
166	Justice, IL Estimated	1	-90.9%
166	Kankakee, IL Estimated	1	n/a
166	Kewanee, IL Estimated	1	n/a
166	Lincoln, IL Estimated	1	-66.7%
166	Markham, IL Estimated	1	0%
166	Midlothian, IL Estimated	1	-88.9%
166	Oak Forest, IL Estimated	1	0%
166	Streator, IL Estimated	1	0%
166	West Chicago, IL Estimated	1	-50%
184	Alton, IL Estimated	0	n/a
184	Bellwood, IL Estimated	0	n/a
184	Bensenville, IL Estimated	0	n/a
184	Bridgeview, IL Estimated	0	n/a
184	Calumet City, IL Estimated	0	n/a
184	Carol Stream, IL Estimated	0	n/a
184	Chicago Heights, IL Estimated	0	-100%
184	Chicago Ridge, IL Estimated	0	-100%
184	Country Club Hills, IL Estimated	0	n/a
184	Danville, IL Estimated	0	n/a
184	Dolton, IL Estimated	0	n/a
184	East St. Louis, IL Estimated	0	n/a
184	Elk Grove Village, IL Estimated	0	-100%
184	Franklin Park, IL Estimated	0	n/a
184	Glendale Heights, IL Estimated	0	-100%
184	Hanover Park, IL Estimated	0	n/a
184	Harvey, IL Estimated	0	n/a
184	Hazel Crest, IL Estimated	0	n/a
184	Hoffman Estates, IL Estimated	0	-100%
184	Jacksonville, IL Estimated	0	n/a
184	Lansing, IL Estimated	0	n/a
184	Lyons, IL Estimated	0	n/a
184	Macomb, IL Estimated	0	-100%
184	Minooka, IL Estimated	0	-100%
184	Niles, IL Estimated	0	-100%
184	Norridge, IL Estimated	0	-100%
184	Northlake, IL Estimated	0	-100%
184	Palos Heights, IL Estimated	0	-100%
184	Rantoul, IL Estimated	0	-100%
184	Richton Park, IL Estimated	0	-100%
184	River Grove, IL Estimated	0	n/a
184	Riverdale, IL Estimated	0	n/a
184	Rolling Meadows, IL Estimated	0	-100%
184	Romeoville, IL Estimated	0	-100%
184	Round Lake, IL Estimated	0	n/a
184	Schiller Park, IL Estimated	0	-100%
184	Streamwood, IL Estimated	0	n/a
184	Summit, IL Estimated	0	n/a
184	Villa Park, IL Estimated	0	-100%
184	Westchester, IL Estimated	0	n/a
184	Zion, IL Estimated	0	n/a

Other periods

About this ranking

Number of new privately owned housing units authorized by building permits in the year or month, from the US Census Bureau Building Permits Survey. Annual totals for the nation, states and counties; monthly counts for the nation and states.

Counts housing units, not buildings, starts, completions or sales. Monthly counts are not seasonally adjusted and do not add up exactly to the annual total, which includes later corrections; the national seasonally adjusted annual rate in the monthly New Residential Construction release is a different measure.

Every value in the ranking comes from the same publisher and the same period, so the cities are compared on one definition. Equal values share a rank.

How to cite

U.S. Census Bureau. Building Permits Survey: final annual estimates of new privately owned housing units authorized by permit-issuing place, including imputation. https://www2.census.gov/econ/bps/Place/Midwest%20Region/mw2022a.txt. Retrieved 2026-10-12.

Citation styles

The publisher is the author. Invokely is named only as the place the figures were read, where a style asks for it.

APA 7

U.S. Census Bureau. (2024). Building Permits Survey: final annual estimates of new privately owned housing units authorized by permit-issuing place, including imputation (Cities in Illinois by housing units authorized by building permits, 2022) [Data set]. Retrieved October 12, 2026, from https://www2.census.gov/econ/bps/Place/Midwest%20Region/mw2022a.txt

MLA 9

Building Permits Survey: final annual estimates of new privately owned housing units authorized by permit-issuing place, including imputation, Cities in Illinois by housing units authorized by building permits, 2022. U.S. Census Bureau, 2 Apr. 2024, https://www2.census.gov/econ/bps/Place/Midwest%20Region/mw2022a.txt. Invokely, https://invokely.ai/rankings/building-permit-housing-units/illinois-cities?period=2022. Accessed 12 Oct. 2026.

Chicago (author-date)

U.S. Census Bureau. 2024. Building Permits Survey: final annual estimates of new privately owned housing units authorized by permit-issuing place, including imputation. Cities in Illinois by housing units authorized by building permits, 2022. Dataset. Accessed October 12, 2026. https://www2.census.gov/econ/bps/Place/Midwest%20Region/mw2022a.txt. Also distributed by Invokely, https://invokely.ai/rankings/building-permit-housing-units/illinois-cities?period=2022.

Harvard

U.S. Census Bureau (2024) Building Permits Survey: final annual estimates of new privately owned housing units authorized by permit-issuing place, including imputation, Cities in Illinois by housing units authorized by building permits, 2022 [Dataset]. Available at: https://www2.census.gov/econ/bps/Place/Midwest%20Region/mw2022a.txt, via Invokely: https://invokely.ai/rankings/building-permit-housing-units/illinois-cities?period=2022 (Accessed: 12 October 2026).

BibTeX

@misc{census_cities_in_illinois_by_2022,
  author = {{U.S. Census Bureau}},
  title = {{Building Permits Survey: final annual estimates of new privately owned housing units authorized by permit-issuing place, including imputation: Cities in Illinois by housing units authorized by building permits, 2022}},
  year = {2024},
  howpublished = {Data set},
  url = {https://www2.census.gov/econ/bps/Place/Midwest%20Region/mw2022a.txt},
  urldate = {2026-10-12},
  note = {Accessed via Invokely, https://invokely.ai/rankings/building-permit-housing-units/illinois-cities?period=2022. Publisher attribution: U.S. Census Bureau. Building Permits Survey: final annual estimates of new privately owned housing units authorized by permit-issuing place, including imputation. https://www2.census.gov/econ/bps/Place/Midwest\%20Region/mw2022a.txt. Retrieved 2026-10-12.},
}

RIS

TY  - DATA
AU  - U.S. Census Bureau
TI  - Building Permits Survey: final annual estimates of new privately owned housing units authorized by permit-issuing place, including imputation: Cities in Illinois by housing units authorized by building permits, 2022
PY  - 2024
DA  - 2024/04/02
PB  - U.S. Census Bureau
DB  - Invokely
UR  - https://www2.census.gov/econ/bps/Place/Midwest%20Region/mw2022a.txt
L2  - https://invokely.ai/rankings/building-permit-housing-units/illinois-cities?period=2022
Y2  - 2026/10/12
N1  - Accessed via Invokely, https://invokely.ai/rankings/building-permit-housing-units/illinois-cities?period=2022.
N1  - Publisher attribution: U.S. Census Bureau. Building Permits Survey: final annual estimates of new privately owned housing units authorized by permit-issuing place, including imputation. https://www2.census.gov/econ/bps/Place/Midwest%20Region/mw2022a.txt. Retrieved 2026-10-12.
ER  -

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Questions

Which city has the highest housing units authorized by building permits?

Chicago, IL, with 7,124 in 2022, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

Which city has the lowest housing units authorized by building permits?

Zion, IL, with 0 in 2022.

Where does this ranking come from?

Every value comes from one source and one period, so the places are comparable: U.S. Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey: final annual estimates of new privately owned housing units authorized by permit-issuing place, including imputation. Retrieved 2026-10-12.