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 2023, at 3,616. Westchester, IL had the lowest, at 0. The median was 9 and the figure for Illinois was 16,863. Source: the U.S. Census Bureau.

Highest3,616Chicago, IL

Lowest0Westchester, IL

Median9224 cities

Illinois16,863History

Top 40 cities, 2023

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

Full ranking

Rank	Cities	2023 count	Change on 2022
1	Chicago, IL Estimated	3,616	-49.2%
2	Oswego, IL Estimated	617	+65%
3	Yorkville, IL Estimated	464	+63.4%
4	Naperville, IL Estimated	463	+87.4%
5	Plainfield, IL Estimated	390	-6.9%
6	Aurora, IL Estimated	364	+222.1%
7	Elgin, IL Estimated	338	+9.7%
8	Champaign, IL Estimated	334	-41.6%
9	St. Charles, IL Estimated	318	+863.6%
10	Crystal Lake, IL Estimated	235	+76.7%
11	McHenry, IL Estimated	230	+489.7%
12	South Elgin, IL Estimated	229	+64.7%
13	Joliet, IL Estimated	226	-17.2%
14	Mundelein, IL Estimated	193	+56.9%
15	Mount Prospect, IL Estimated	157	+2,142.9%
16	Lemont, IL Estimated	145	+262.5%
17	East St. Louis, IL Estimated	139	n/a
18	Algonquin, IL Estimated	137	+22.3%
19	Pingree Grove, IL Estimated	133	+137.5%
20	North Aurora, IL Estimated	117	-61%
21	Bloomington, IL Estimated	107	-54.7%
21	New Lenox, IL Estimated	107	-41.8%
21	Schaumburg, IL Estimated	107	-10.1%
24	O'Fallon, IL Estimated	105	-13.2%
25	Tinley Park, IL Estimated	104	+271.4%
26	Lockport, IL Estimated	95	-53%
26	Springfield, IL Estimated	95	+46.2%
28	Oak Forest, IL Estimated	93	+9,200%
29	Bolingbrook, IL Estimated	92	+10.8%
30	Highland Park, IL Estimated	87	-18.7%
31	Urbana, IL Estimated	83	-27.2%
32	DeKalb, IL Estimated	79	-23.3%
32	Marion, IL Estimated	79	-24%
34	Elmhurst, IL Estimated	71	-9%
34	Normal, IL Estimated	71	-37.7%
36	Channahon, IL Estimated	69	-5.5%
37	Homer Glen, IL Estimated	67	+19.6%
38	Huntley, IL Estimated	65	-17.7%
38	Maywood, IL Estimated	65	-15.6%
40	Palatine, IL Estimated	64	+481.8%
41	Manhattan, IL Estimated	61	-26.5%
42	Quincy, IL Estimated	57	-12.3%
42	Troy, IL Estimated	57	-1.7%
44	Bartlett, IL Estimated	53	+341.7%
44	Effingham, IL Estimated	53	+17.8%
44	Sycamore, IL Estimated	53	-14.5%
47	Frankfort, IL Estimated	52	-47.5%
48	Harvey, IL Estimated	51	n/a
49	Woodstock, IL Estimated	50	-5.7%
50	Downers Grove, IL Estimated	49	-77.1%
50	Rockford, IL Estimated	49	+113%
52	Moline, IL Estimated	48	-2%
52	Orland Park, IL Estimated	48	-5.9%
54	Loves Park, IL Estimated	47	+2.2%
55	Lombard, IL Estimated	44	+238.5%
56	Mahomet, IL Estimated	43	-68.4%
57	Antioch, IL Estimated	40	-11.1%
58	Batavia, IL Estimated	39	-38.1%
58	Lake Forest, IL Estimated	39	-50.6%
60	Chatham, IL Estimated	36	-46.3%
60	Libertyville, IL Estimated	36	+300%
62	Peoria, IL Estimated	35	-10.3%
63	Fairview Heights, IL Estimated	34	+126.7%
64	Ottawa, IL Estimated	33	-25%
65	Shiloh, IL Estimated	31	-83.1%
66	Arlington Heights, IL Estimated	30	+30.4%
66	Campton Hills, IL Estimated	30	+30.4%
66	Waterloo, IL Estimated	30	-34.8%
69	Addison, IL Estimated	29	-37%
69	Deerfield, IL Estimated	29	+262.5%
69	Grayslake, IL Estimated	29	+11.5%
72	Edwardsville, IL Estimated	28	-72.5%
73	Herrin, IL Estimated	26	+52.9%
73	Mattoon, IL Estimated	26	+766.7%
75	Buffalo Grove, IL Estimated	25	-62.7%
75	Glen Ellyn, IL Estimated	25	+127.3%
75	Hinsdale, IL Estimated	25	-45.7%
78	Glenview, IL Estimated	23	-39.5%
78	Highland, IL Estimated	23	+91.7%
78	Lindenhurst, IL Estimated	23	-20.7%
81	Shorewood, IL Estimated	22	-60%
82	Glen Carbon, IL Estimated	21	-44.7%
82	Morris, IL Estimated	21	-12.5%
82	Western Springs, IL Estimated	21	-52.3%
85	Woodridge, IL Estimated	20	-13%
86	Belleville, IL Estimated	19	+90%
86	Wilmette, IL Estimated	19	-9.5%
88	Carol Stream, IL Estimated	18	n/a
88	Northbrook, IL Estimated	18	-70%
88	Roselle, IL Estimated	18	-51.4%
91	Mokena, IL Estimated	17	-5.6%
92	Godfrey, IL Estimated	16	-23.8%
92	Swansea, IL Estimated	16	-94%
94	Winnetka, IL Estimated	15	-25%
95	La Grange, IL Estimated	14	+100%
95	Plano, IL Estimated	14	-74.5%
97	Evergreen Park, IL Estimated	13	+1,200%
97	Lake Zurich, IL Estimated	13	-74.5%
97	North Chicago, IL Estimated	13	+160%
100	Bourbonnais, IL Estimated	12	-63.6%
100	Burr Ridge, IL Estimated	12	-29.4%
100	Geneva, IL Estimated	12	+50%
103	Cary, IL Estimated	11	-85.7%
103	Columbia, IL Estimated	11	-45%
103	Granite City, IL Estimated	11	+57.1%
103	Hickory Hills, IL Estimated	11	+175%
103	Park Ridge, IL Estimated	11	+37.5%
103	Wheaton, IL Estimated	11	-65.6%
103	Wheeling, IL Estimated	11	-83.3%
110	Dixon, IL Estimated	10	+42.9%
110	Fox Lake, IL Estimated	10	+900%
112	Alsip, IL Estimated	9	+50%
112	Burbank, IL Estimated	9	+12.5%
114	Belvidere, IL Estimated	8	-92.2%
114	Bradley, IL Estimated	8	-81%
114	Westmont, IL Estimated	8	+33.3%
117	La Grange Park, IL Estimated	7	-88.3%
117	Morton, IL Estimated	7	-93.2%
117	Taylorville, IL Estimated	7	-58.8%
117	Vernon Hills, IL Estimated	7	-30%
121	Bloomingdale, IL Estimated	6	-40%
121	Lisle, IL Estimated	6	-14.3%
121	Pekin, IL Estimated	6	-73.9%
121	Warrenville, IL Estimated	6	-93.7%
121	Washington, IL Estimated	6	-60%
126	Centralia, IL Estimated	5	-37.5%
126	Decatur, IL Estimated	5	0%
126	Des Plaines, IL Estimated	5	+66.7%
126	Evanston, IL Estimated	5	-96.7%
126	Hoffman Estates, IL Estimated	5	n/a
126	Machesney Park, IL Estimated	5	0%
126	Minooka, IL Estimated	5	n/a
126	Oak Lawn, IL Estimated	5	-37.5%
126	Rantoul, IL Estimated	5	n/a
126	Wood Dale, IL Estimated	5	+150%
126	Wood River, IL Estimated	5	+66.7%
137	Berwyn, IL Estimated	4	+100%
137	Blue Island, IL Estimated	4	+33.3%
137	Charleston, IL Estimated	4	+300%
137	Darien, IL Estimated	4	-94.4%
137	East Moline, IL Estimated	4	+33.3%
137	Elmwood Park, IL Estimated	4	-42.9%
137	Gurnee, IL Estimated	4	+100%
137	Justice, IL Estimated	4	+300%
137	Kankakee, IL Estimated	4	+300%
137	Lincoln, IL Estimated	4	+300%
137	Mount Vernon, IL Estimated	4	-20%
137	Palos Hills, IL Estimated	4	-82.6%
137	Pontiac, IL Estimated	4	+33.3%
137	Prospect Heights, IL Estimated	4	+100%
137	Skokie, IL Estimated	4	-91.3%
152	Bensenville, IL Estimated	3	n/a
152	Freeport, IL Estimated	3	-25%
152	Midlothian, IL Estimated	3	+200%
152	Montgomery, IL Estimated	3	-91.7%
152	Niles, IL Estimated	3	n/a
152	Northlake, IL Estimated	3	n/a
152	Round Lake Beach, IL Estimated	3	+50%
152	Sterling, IL Estimated	3	+50%
152	Streator, IL Estimated	3	+200%
152	Wauconda, IL Estimated	3	0%
152	Waukegan, IL Estimated	3	-88.5%
152	Winfield, IL Estimated	3	-72.7%
152	Worth, IL Estimated	3	-40%
165	Canton, IL Estimated	2	-33.3%
165	Carbondale, IL Estimated	2	-33.3%
165	Chicago Ridge, IL Estimated	2	n/a
165	Collinsville, IL Estimated	2	-66.7%
165	Crestwood, IL Estimated	2	-50%
165	East Peoria, IL Estimated	2	-60%
165	Lake in the Hills, IL Estimated	2	-86.7%
165	Lincolnwood, IL Estimated	2	-66.7%
165	Markham, IL Estimated	2	+100%
165	Matteson, IL Estimated	2	-81.8%
165	Morton Grove, IL Estimated	2	-33.3%
165	River Forest, IL Estimated	2	-50%
165	Round Lake, IL Estimated	2	n/a
165	Schiller Park, IL Estimated	2	n/a
165	Villa Park, IL Estimated	2	n/a
180	Barrington, IL Estimated	1	-66.7%
180	Beach Park, IL Estimated	1	0%
180	Cahokia Heights, IL Estimated	1	0%
180	Crest Hill, IL Estimated	1	-50%
180	Danville, IL Estimated	1	n/a
180	Forest Park, IL Estimated	1	-50%
180	Macomb, IL Estimated	1	n/a
180	Melrose Park, IL Estimated	1	-80%
180	Oak Park, IL Estimated	1	-97.8%
180	Palos Heights, IL Estimated	1	n/a
180	Rock Island, IL Estimated	1	-75%
180	Romeoville, IL Estimated	1	n/a
180	West Chicago, IL Estimated	1	0%
180	Zion, IL Estimated	1	n/a
194	Alton, IL Estimated	0	n/a
194	Bellwood, IL Estimated	0	n/a
194	Bridgeview, IL Estimated	0	n/a
194	Brookfield, IL Estimated	0	-100%
194	Calumet City, IL Estimated	0	n/a
194	Carpentersville, IL Estimated	0	-100%
194	Chicago Heights, IL Estimated	0	n/a
194	Cicero, IL Estimated	0	-100%
194	Country Club Hills, IL Estimated	0	n/a
194	Dolton, IL Estimated	0	n/a
194	Elk Grove Village, IL Estimated	0	n/a
194	Franklin Park, IL Estimated	0	n/a
194	Galesburg, IL Estimated	0	-100%
194	Glendale Heights, IL Estimated	0	n/a
194	Hanover Park, IL Estimated	0	n/a
194	Hazel Crest, IL Estimated	0	n/a
194	Homewood, IL Estimated	0	-100%
194	Jacksonville, IL Estimated	0	n/a
194	Kewanee, IL Estimated	0	-100%
194	Lansing, IL Estimated	0	n/a
194	Lyons, IL Estimated	0	n/a
194	Norridge, IL Estimated	0	n/a
194	Park Forest, IL Estimated	0	-100%
194	Richton Park, IL Estimated	0	n/a
194	River Grove, IL Estimated	0	n/a
194	Riverdale, IL Estimated	0	n/a
194	Rolling Meadows, IL Estimated	0	n/a
194	South Holland, IL Estimated	0	-100%
194	Streamwood, IL Estimated	0	n/a
194	Summit, IL Estimated	0	n/a
194	Westchester, 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/mw2023a.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, 2023) [Data set]. Retrieved October 12, 2026, from https://www2.census.gov/econ/bps/Place/Midwest%20Region/mw2023a.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, 2023. U.S. Census Bureau, 24 Apr. 2024, https://www2.census.gov/econ/bps/Place/Midwest%20Region/mw2023a.txt. Invokely, https://invokely.ai/rankings/building-permit-housing-units/illinois-cities?period=2023. 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, 2023. Dataset. Accessed October 12, 2026. https://www2.census.gov/econ/bps/Place/Midwest%20Region/mw2023a.txt. Also distributed by Invokely, https://invokely.ai/rankings/building-permit-housing-units/illinois-cities?period=2023.

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, 2023 [Dataset]. Available at: https://www2.census.gov/econ/bps/Place/Midwest%20Region/mw2023a.txt, via Invokely: https://invokely.ai/rankings/building-permit-housing-units/illinois-cities?period=2023 (Accessed: 12 October 2026).

BibTeX

@misc{census_cities_in_illinois_by_2023,
  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, 2023}},
  year = {2024},
  howpublished = {Data set},
  url = {https://www2.census.gov/econ/bps/Place/Midwest%20Region/mw2023a.txt},
  urldate = {2026-10-12},
  note = {Accessed via Invokely, https://invokely.ai/rankings/building-permit-housing-units/illinois-cities?period=2023. 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/mw2023a.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, 2023
PY  - 2024
DA  - 2024/04/24
PB  - U.S. Census Bureau
DB  - Invokely
UR  - https://www2.census.gov/econ/bps/Place/Midwest%20Region/mw2023a.txt
L2  - https://invokely.ai/rankings/building-permit-housing-units/illinois-cities?period=2023
Y2  - 2026/10/12
N1  - Accessed via Invokely, https://invokely.ai/rankings/building-permit-housing-units/illinois-cities?period=2023.
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/mw2023a.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 3,616 in 2023, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

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

Westchester, IL, with 0 in 2023.

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.