Cities in Illinois by single-family housing units authorized by building permits, 2025

Plainfield, IL had the highest single-family housing units authorized by building permits of 224 cities in 2025, at 740. Westchester, IL had the lowest, at 0. The median was 8. Source: the U.S. Census Bureau.

Highest740Plainfield, IL

Lowest0Westchester, IL

Median8224 cities

Top 40 cities, 2025

count. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey: final annual estimates of new privately owned housing units in 1-unit structures authorized by permit-issuing place, including imputation. Retrieved 2026-10-12.

Full ranking

Rank	Cities	2025 count	Change on 2024
1	Plainfield, IL Estimated	740	+60.9%
2	Aurora, IL Estimated	385	-17%
3	Chicago, IL Estimated	371	+14.2%
4	Huntley, IL Estimated	306	+3%
5	Joliet, IL Estimated	271	+89.5%
6	Oswego, IL Estimated	267	+47.5%
7	Yorkville, IL Estimated	259	+22.2%
8	Naperville, IL Estimated	224	-1.8%
9	Elgin, IL Estimated	201	-7.8%
10	Algonquin, IL Estimated	164	-7.9%
11	Lemont, IL Estimated	156	+14.7%
12	Bolingbrook, IL Estimated	131	+6.5%
13	Rockford, IL Estimated	124	+25.3%
14	Frankfort, IL Estimated	115	+11.7%
15	Springfield, IL Estimated	106	+53.6%
16	Woodridge, IL Estimated	103	+71.7%
17	New Lenox, IL Estimated	99	-46.5%
18	Tinley Park, IL Estimated	98	+48.5%
19	Lockport, IL Estimated	97	+5.4%
20	Crystal Lake, IL Estimated	95	-31.7%
21	Bartlett, IL Estimated	88	-21.4%
22	Normal, IL Estimated	86	+50.9%
23	Bloomington, IL Estimated	82	+24.2%
24	South Elgin, IL Estimated	81	-65.4%
25	Champaign, IL Estimated	80	+321.1%
26	Elmhurst, IL Estimated	74	+13.8%
27	O'Fallon, IL Estimated	72	-28%
28	Glenview, IL Estimated	71	+153.6%
29	Troy, IL Estimated	69	+35.3%
30	Mundelein, IL Estimated	67	-36.8%
31	Sycamore, IL Estimated	63	+53.7%
32	Urbana, IL Estimated	62	+21.6%
33	Pingree Grove, IL Estimated	61	-59.9%
34	DeKalb, IL Estimated	59	+637.5%
35	Manhattan, IL Estimated	57	-27.8%
36	Batavia, IL Estimated	56	+21.7%
37	North Aurora, IL Estimated	55	+27.9%
38	Mahomet, IL Estimated	53	-3.6%
39	Taylorville, IL Estimated	52	+8.3%
40	Channahon, IL Estimated	51	-27.1%
40	Woodstock, IL Estimated	51	+750%
42	Lisle, IL Estimated	48	+336.4%
42	St. Charles, IL Estimated	48	+71.4%
44	Schaumburg, IL Estimated	42	-54.8%
45	Loves Park, IL Estimated	41	+10.8%
46	Downers Grove, IL Estimated	39	-36.1%
47	Homer Glen, IL Estimated	36	-20%
47	Peoria, IL Estimated	36	0%
49	Waterloo, IL Estimated	34	+25.9%
50	Lindenhurst, IL Estimated	33	+3.1%
51	Lombard, IL Estimated	32	-27.3%
51	Oak Forest, IL Estimated	32	+3,100%
53	Hinsdale, IL Estimated	30	+11.1%
54	Orland Park, IL Estimated	29	+26.1%
55	Shiloh, IL Estimated	28	-26.3%
56	Geneva, IL Estimated	27	+145.5%
56	Marion, IL Estimated	27	0%
58	Rock Island, IL Estimated	26	n/a
58	Shorewood, IL Estimated	26	-16.1%
58	Western Springs, IL Estimated	26	-13.3%
61	Chatham, IL Estimated	25	n/a
61	Machesney Park, IL Estimated	25	+1,150%
61	Swansea, IL Estimated	25	+13.6%
64	Godfrey, IL Estimated	24	+9.1%
64	Northbrook, IL Estimated	24	-4%
66	Belvidere, IL Estimated	23	-4.2%
66	Bourbonnais, IL Estimated	23	+91.7%
66	Edwardsville, IL Estimated	23	+4.5%
66	Effingham, IL Estimated	23	+64.3%
66	Highland Park, IL Estimated	23	+4.5%
66	Mokena, IL Estimated	23	-14.8%
66	Montgomery, IL Estimated	23	n/a
66	Quincy, IL Estimated	23	-23.3%
74	Carol Stream, IL Estimated	22	+175%
74	Glen Carbon, IL Estimated	22	+10%
74	Wilmette, IL Estimated	22	-8.3%
77	East St. Louis, IL Estimated	21	n/a
78	Morris, IL Estimated	20	+5.3%
79	Granite City, IL Estimated	19	n/a
79	Washington, IL Estimated	19	+72.7%
81	Arlington Heights, IL Estimated	18	-10%
81	Bradley, IL Estimated	18	+5.9%
83	Wheeling, IL Estimated	17	-67.9%
84	Glen Ellyn, IL Estimated	16	-23.8%
84	Highland, IL Estimated	16	-5.9%
84	Lake Forest, IL Estimated	16	+14.3%
84	Morton, IL Estimated	16	+33.3%
88	Zion, IL Estimated	15	-50%
89	Burbank, IL Estimated	14	+100%
89	Herrin, IL Estimated	14	-36.4%
89	Park Ridge, IL Estimated	14	-12.5%
92	Waukegan, IL Estimated	13	+550%
93	Des Plaines, IL Estimated	12	+300%
93	Moline, IL Estimated	12	0%
93	Mount Vernon, IL Estimated	12	+100%
93	North Chicago, IL Estimated	12	+20%
97	Wauconda, IL Estimated	11	+120%
97	Westmont, IL Estimated	11	+120%
99	Burr Ridge, IL Estimated	10	-28.6%
99	Columbia, IL Estimated	10	-28.6%
99	Dixon, IL Estimated	10	-16.7%
99	Evanston, IL Estimated	10	+100%
99	Justice, IL Estimated	10	+100%
99	McHenry, IL Estimated	10	-52.4%
99	Minooka, IL Estimated	10	+66.7%
106	Campton Hills, IL Estimated	9	-30.8%
106	Kankakee, IL Estimated	9	-50%
106	Ottawa, IL Estimated	9	-30.8%
106	Vernon Hills, IL Estimated	9	+12.5%
106	Wheaton, IL Estimated	9	+50%
106	Winnetka, IL Estimated	9	-52.6%
112	Charleston, IL Estimated	8	+100%
112	East Peoria, IL Estimated	8	+33.3%
112	Fairview Heights, IL Estimated	8	-71.4%
112	Mattoon, IL Estimated	8	+14.3%
116	Alsip, IL Estimated	7	+40%
116	Pekin, IL Estimated	7	0%
118	Cary, IL Estimated	6	-40%
118	Danville, IL Estimated	6	n/a
118	Hickory Hills, IL Estimated	6	+100%
118	La Grange, IL Estimated	6	-40%
118	Lake Zurich, IL Estimated	6	-57.1%
118	Villa Park, IL Estimated	6	0%
124	Libertyville, IL Estimated	5	-90.6%
124	Oak Lawn, IL Estimated	5	+400%
124	Prospect Heights, IL Estimated	5	+66.7%
124	Wood River, IL Estimated	5	+150%
124	Worth, IL Estimated	5	+66.7%
129	Addison, IL Estimated	4	-71.4%
129	Antioch, IL Estimated	4	+100%
129	Chicago Ridge, IL Estimated	4	+300%
129	Deerfield, IL Estimated	4	-33.3%
129	Evergreen Park, IL Estimated	4	n/a
129	Glendale Heights, IL Estimated	4	n/a
129	Hoffman Estates, IL Estimated	4	-33.3%
129	Wood Dale, IL Estimated	4	-20%
137	Belleville, IL Estimated	3	-87.5%
137	Berwyn, IL Estimated	3	-50%
137	Decatur, IL Estimated	3	0%
137	Fox Lake, IL Estimated	3	+200%
137	Gurnee, IL Estimated	3	+50%
137	Lincolnwood, IL Estimated	3	n/a
137	Palatine, IL Estimated	3	-40%
137	Rantoul, IL Estimated	3	n/a
137	Rolling Meadows, IL Estimated	3	+200%
137	Warrenville, IL Estimated	3	+200%
147	Bensenville, IL Estimated	2	-50%
147	Blue Island, IL Estimated	2	0%
147	Brookfield, IL Estimated	2	-50%
147	Centralia, IL Estimated	2	0%
147	Crestwood, IL Estimated	2	-33.3%
147	Darien, IL Estimated	2	n/a
147	Grayslake, IL Estimated	2	-75%
147	Jacksonville, IL Estimated	2	+100%
147	La Grange Park, IL Estimated	2	-33.3%
147	Lincoln, IL Estimated	2	n/a
147	Morton Grove, IL Estimated	2	-96.2%
147	Palos Hills, IL Estimated	2	-81.8%
147	River Forest, IL Estimated	2	+100%
147	Round Lake, IL Estimated	2	-33.3%
147	Winfield, IL Estimated	2	-33.3%
162	Alton, IL Estimated	1	n/a
162	Barrington, IL Estimated	1	-75%
162	Bloomingdale, IL Estimated	1	-75%
162	Buffalo Grove, IL Estimated	1	n/a
162	Carbondale, IL Estimated	1	-50%
162	Collinsville, IL Estimated	1	-87.5%
162	Elmwood Park, IL Estimated	1	n/a
162	Forest Park, IL Estimated	1	n/a
162	Galesburg, IL Estimated	1	n/a
162	Lake in the Hills, IL Estimated	1	-66.7%
162	Lyons, IL Estimated	1	-75%
162	Macomb, IL Estimated	1	0%
162	Matteson, IL Estimated	1	n/a
162	Melrose Park, IL Estimated	1	-66.7%
162	Mount Prospect, IL Estimated	1	-66.7%
162	Niles, IL Estimated	1	-75%
162	Palos Heights, IL Estimated	1	-83.3%
162	Pontiac, IL Estimated	1	0%
162	Richton Park, IL Estimated	1	n/a
162	Roselle, IL Estimated	1	-66.7%
162	Round Lake Beach, IL Estimated	1	-66.7%
162	Skokie, IL Estimated	1	-80%
162	Sterling, IL Estimated	1	-50%
162	Streator, IL Estimated	1	n/a
162	West Chicago, IL Estimated	1	-50%
187	Beach Park, IL Estimated	0	-100%
187	Bellwood, IL Estimated	0	n/a
187	Bridgeview, IL Estimated	0	n/a
187	Cahokia Heights, IL Estimated	0	n/a
187	Calumet City, IL Estimated	0	n/a
187	Canton, IL Estimated	0	-100%
187	Carpentersville, IL Estimated	0	n/a
187	Chicago Heights, IL Estimated	0	n/a
187	Cicero, IL Estimated	0	n/a
187	Country Club Hills, IL Estimated	0	n/a
187	Crest Hill, IL Estimated	0	-100%
187	Dolton, IL Estimated	0	n/a
187	East Moline, IL Estimated	0	-100%
187	Elk Grove Village, IL Estimated	0	n/a
187	Franklin Park, IL Estimated	0	n/a
187	Freeport, IL Estimated	0	-100%
187	Hanover Park, IL Estimated	0	n/a
187	Harvey, IL Estimated	0	n/a
187	Hazel Crest, IL Estimated	0	n/a
187	Homewood, IL Estimated	0	n/a
187	Kewanee, IL Estimated	0	-100%
187	Lansing, IL Estimated	0	n/a
187	Markham, IL Estimated	0	n/a
187	Maywood, IL Estimated	0	-100%
187	Midlothian, IL Estimated	0	-100%
187	Norridge, IL Estimated	0	n/a
187	Northlake, IL Estimated	0	n/a
187	Oak Park, IL Estimated	0	n/a
187	Park Forest, IL Estimated	0	n/a
187	Plano, IL Estimated	0	-100%
187	River Grove, IL Estimated	0	n/a
187	Riverdale, IL Estimated	0	n/a
187	Romeoville, IL Estimated	0	-100%
187	Schiller Park, IL Estimated	0	n/a
187	South Holland, IL Estimated	0	n/a
187	Streamwood, IL Estimated	0	n/a
187	Summit, IL Estimated	0	n/a
187	Westchester, IL Estimated	0	n/a

Other periods

About this ranking

Annual number of new privately owned housing units in 1-unit structures (detached and attached single-family homes) authorized by building permits, from the US Census Bureau Building Permits Survey.

Part of building_permit_units, which also counts units in buildings with two or more units. Counts housing units, not starts, completions or sales.

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 in 1-unit structures authorized by permit-issuing place, including imputation. https://www2.census.gov/econ/bps/Place/Midwest%20Region/mw2025a.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. (2026). Building Permits Survey: final annual estimates of new privately owned housing units in 1-unit structures authorized by permit-issuing place, including imputation (Cities in Illinois by single-family housing units authorized by building permits, 2025) [Data set]. Retrieved October 12, 2026, from https://www2.census.gov/econ/bps/Place/Midwest%20Region/mw2025a.txt

MLA 9

Building Permits Survey: final annual estimates of new privately owned housing units in 1-unit structures authorized by permit-issuing place, including imputation, Cities in Illinois by single-family housing units authorized by building permits, 2025. U.S. Census Bureau, 14 May 2026, https://www2.census.gov/econ/bps/Place/Midwest%20Region/mw2025a.txt. Invokely, https://invokely.ai/rankings/single-family-building-permits/illinois-cities. Accessed 12 Oct. 2026.

Chicago (author-date)

U.S. Census Bureau. 2026. Building Permits Survey: final annual estimates of new privately owned housing units in 1-unit structures authorized by permit-issuing place, including imputation. Cities in Illinois by single-family housing units authorized by building permits, 2025. Dataset. Accessed October 12, 2026. https://www2.census.gov/econ/bps/Place/Midwest%20Region/mw2025a.txt. Also distributed by Invokely, https://invokely.ai/rankings/single-family-building-permits/illinois-cities.

Harvard

U.S. Census Bureau (2026) Building Permits Survey: final annual estimates of new privately owned housing units in 1-unit structures authorized by permit-issuing place, including imputation, Cities in Illinois by single-family housing units authorized by building permits, 2025 [Dataset]. Available at: https://www2.census.gov/econ/bps/Place/Midwest%20Region/mw2025a.txt, via Invokely: https://invokely.ai/rankings/single-family-building-permits/illinois-cities (Accessed: 12 October 2026).

BibTeX

@misc{census_cities_in_illinois_by_2025,
  author = {{U.S. Census Bureau}},
  title = {{Building Permits Survey: final annual estimates of new privately owned housing units in 1-unit structures authorized by permit-issuing place, including imputation: Cities in Illinois by single-family housing units authorized by building permits, 2025}},
  year = {2026},
  howpublished = {Data set},
  url = {https://www2.census.gov/econ/bps/Place/Midwest%20Region/mw2025a.txt},
  urldate = {2026-10-12},
  note = {Accessed via Invokely, https://invokely.ai/rankings/single-family-building-permits/illinois-cities. Publisher attribution: U.S. Census Bureau. Building Permits Survey: final annual estimates of new privately owned housing units in 1-unit structures authorized by permit-issuing place, including imputation. https://www2.census.gov/econ/bps/Place/Midwest\%20Region/mw2025a.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 in 1-unit structures authorized by permit-issuing place, including imputation: Cities in Illinois by single-family housing units authorized by building permits, 2025
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/05/14
PB  - U.S. Census Bureau
DB  - Invokely
UR  - https://www2.census.gov/econ/bps/Place/Midwest%20Region/mw2025a.txt
L2  - https://invokely.ai/rankings/single-family-building-permits/illinois-cities
Y2  - 2026/10/12
N1  - Accessed via Invokely, https://invokely.ai/rankings/single-family-building-permits/illinois-cities.
N1  - Publisher attribution: U.S. Census Bureau. Building Permits Survey: final annual estimates of new privately owned housing units in 1-unit structures authorized by permit-issuing place, including imputation. https://www2.census.gov/econ/bps/Place/Midwest%20Region/mw2025a.txt. Retrieved 2026-10-12.
ER  -

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Questions

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

Plainfield, IL, with 740 in 2025, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

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

Westchester, IL, with 0 in 2025.

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 in 1-unit structures authorized by permit-issuing place, including imputation. Retrieved 2026-10-12.