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

Chicago, IL had the highest single-family housing units authorized by building permits of 223 cities in 2016, at 613. Zion, IL had the lowest, at 0. The median was 11. Source: the U.S. Census Bureau.

Highest613Chicago, IL

Lowest0Zion, IL

Median11223 cities

Top 40 cities, 2016

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	2016 count	Change on 2015
1	Chicago, IL Estimated	613	+21.9%
2	Naperville, IL Estimated	335	+2.1%
3	Pingree Grove, IL Estimated	263	-7.7%
4	Joliet, IL Estimated	197	+37.8%
5	Elgin, IL Estimated	175	-35.7%
6	New Lenox, IL Estimated	170	+4.9%
7	Aurora, IL Estimated	155	+63.2%
8	Yorkville, IL Estimated	154	+83.3%
9	O'Fallon, IL Estimated	145	+8.2%
10	Plainfield, IL Estimated	143	+2.9%
11	Champaign, IL Estimated	141	+72%
12	Elmhurst, IL Estimated	128	-7.2%
13	Arlington Heights, IL Estimated	127	-9.3%
14	Matteson, IL Estimated	118	+637.5%
15	Glenview, IL Estimated	116	-26.1%
16	Lockport, IL Estimated	115	+173.8%
17	Huntley, IL Estimated	112	-29.1%
18	Shorewood, IL Estimated	97	0%
19	Mahomet, IL Estimated	94	+4.4%
20	Rockford, IL Estimated	86	+377.8%
21	Mokena, IL Estimated	85	+37.1%
22	Geneva, IL Estimated	83	+9.2%
23	Bloomington, IL Estimated	82	-17.2%
24	Frankfort, IL Estimated	78	-7.1%
25	Normal, IL Estimated	77	+11.6%
26	Homer Glen, IL Estimated	76	+72.7%
26	Manhattan, IL Estimated	76	+40.7%
28	Chatham, IL Estimated	75	+5.6%
29	Springfield, IL Estimated	74	-3.9%
30	Lemont, IL Estimated	73	-28.4%
31	Downers Grove, IL Estimated	69	-9.2%
31	South Elgin, IL Estimated	69	+11.3%
33	Quincy, IL Estimated	64	0%
34	Orland Park, IL Estimated	62	-55.4%
35	Waterloo, IL Estimated	61	+27.1%
36	Woodridge, IL Estimated	58	-12.1%
37	Troy, IL Estimated	55	+27.9%
38	Oswego, IL Estimated	50	-28.6%
38	Park Ridge, IL Estimated	50	+2%
40	Wheaton, IL Estimated	49	+8.9%
41	Washington, IL Estimated	48	-44.2%
42	Northbrook, IL Estimated	45	+18.4%
42	Woodstock, IL Estimated	45	+15.4%
44	Sycamore, IL Estimated	44	-42.1%
44	Western Springs, IL Estimated	44	-34.3%
46	Columbia, IL Estimated	43	-20.4%
47	Belleville, IL Estimated	42	+281.8%
48	Minooka, IL Estimated	40	+21.2%
49	Glen Carbon, IL Estimated	39	+30%
49	Peoria, IL Estimated	39	-20.4%
51	Morton, IL Estimated	36	+5.9%
51	Mundelein, IL Estimated	36	+260%
53	Bourbonnais, IL Estimated	35	+9.4%
53	Rolling Meadows, IL Estimated	35	+337.5%
53	St. Charles, IL Estimated	35	+29.6%
53	Wilmette, IL Estimated	35	-27.1%
57	Urbana, IL Estimated	34	+61.9%
58	Grayslake, IL Estimated	33	+3,200%
58	Libertyville, IL Estimated	33	+83.3%
58	Shiloh, IL Estimated	33	-28.3%
61	River Forest, IL Estimated	32	n/a
62	Edwardsville, IL Estimated	31	-40.4%
62	Hinsdale, IL Estimated	31	-44.6%
62	Winnetka, IL Estimated	31	+24%
65	Burr Ridge, IL Estimated	30	+11.1%
65	Channahon, IL Estimated	30	+50%
65	Hoffman Estates, IL Estimated	30	-3.2%
65	Palatine, IL Estimated	30	-3.2%
65	Wood River, IL Estimated	30	+328.6%
70	Marion, IL Estimated	29	+45%
70	Tinley Park, IL Estimated	29	+31.8%
72	Algonquin, IL Estimated	27	+12.5%
72	Bolingbrook, IL Estimated	27	-78.2%
74	Des Plaines, IL Estimated	26	+225%
75	Ottawa, IL Estimated	25	+19%
75	Wheeling, IL Estimated	25	+1,150%
77	Herrin, IL Estimated	24	+9.1%
77	Highland Park, IL Estimated	24	+33.3%
79	Beach Park, IL Estimated	23	+35.3%
79	Deerfield, IL Estimated	23	-4.2%
81	Highland, IL Estimated	22	+83.3%
81	Loves Park, IL Estimated	22	+15.8%
81	Winfield, IL Estimated	22	+37.5%
84	Lake Forest, IL Estimated	21	-8.7%
84	Vernon Hills, IL Estimated	21	+23.5%
86	Lombard, IL Estimated	20	+5.3%
86	Oak Park, IL Estimated	20	-31%
86	Swansea, IL Estimated	20	-48.7%
89	Romeoville, IL Estimated	19	0%
89	Roselle, IL Estimated	19	+11.8%
91	Effingham, IL Estimated	18	-5.3%
92	Buffalo Grove, IL Estimated	17	-26.1%
92	East Peoria, IL Estimated	17	-22.7%
92	Glen Ellyn, IL Estimated	17	-57.5%
95	Batavia, IL Estimated	16	0%
95	Dixon, IL Estimated	16	+23.1%
95	Lake in the Hills, IL Estimated	16	+166.7%
98	Darien, IL Estimated	15	+114.3%
98	Decatur, IL Estimated	15	+150%
98	Moline, IL Estimated	15	0%
101	Carol Stream, IL Estimated	14	+40%
101	Godfrey, IL Estimated	14	-26.3%
101	Oak Lawn, IL Estimated	14	+40%
104	Barrington, IL Estimated	13	+8.3%
104	North Aurora, IL Estimated	13	-55.2%
106	Bradley, IL Estimated	12	-7.7%
106	Evanston, IL Estimated	12	-29.4%
106	Fairview Heights, IL Estimated	12	+9.1%
106	Lisle, IL Estimated	12	-76.5%
106	Morris, IL Estimated	12	-7.7%
106	Westmont, IL Estimated	12	-40%
112	Carbondale, IL Estimated	11	+1,000%
113	Crest Hill, IL Estimated	10	+900%
114	Bartlett, IL Estimated	9	+125%
114	Burbank, IL Estimated	9	-25%
114	Campton Hills, IL Estimated	9	-10%
114	Fox Lake, IL Estimated	9	+200%
118	Belvidere, IL Estimated	8	n/a
118	Bensenville, IL Estimated	8	+700%
118	McHenry, IL Estimated	8	0%
118	Pekin, IL Estimated	8	-76.5%
122	Collinsville, IL Estimated	7	-41.7%
122	Elmwood Park, IL Estimated	7	-22.2%
122	Galesburg, IL Estimated	7	n/a
122	La Grange, IL Estimated	7	-63.2%
122	Mount Vernon, IL Estimated	7	-36.4%
122	Norridge, IL Estimated	7	-22.2%
128	Markham, IL Estimated	6	+50%
128	Mattoon, IL Estimated	6	+50%
128	Summit, IL Estimated	6	-57.1%
128	Warrenville, IL Estimated	6	-57.1%
132	Danville, IL Estimated	5	+66.7%
132	Lake Zurich, IL Estimated	5	-78.3%
132	Mount Prospect, IL Estimated	5	-16.7%
132	Palos Hills, IL Estimated	5	-28.6%
132	Skokie, IL Estimated	5	-50%
132	Waukegan, IL Estimated	5	-82.1%
138	Brookfield, IL Estimated	4	0%
138	Lincolnwood, IL Estimated	4	+100%
138	Montgomery, IL Estimated	4	-85.7%
138	Morton Grove, IL Estimated	4	-55.6%
138	Rock Island, IL Estimated	4	-71.4%
138	Sterling, IL Estimated	4	-33.3%
138	West Chicago, IL Estimated	4	+33.3%
145	Addison, IL Estimated	3	-25%
145	Antioch, IL Estimated	3	+50%
145	Crystal Lake, IL Estimated	3	+50%
145	Granite City, IL Estimated	3	-57.1%
145	Gurnee, IL Estimated	3	+200%
145	Jacksonville, IL Estimated	3	n/a
145	Justice, IL Estimated	3	n/a
145	Kewanee, IL Estimated	3	+200%
145	La Grange Park, IL Estimated	3	-25%
145	Lyons, IL Estimated	3	+50%
145	Niles, IL Estimated	3	-57.1%
145	Villa Park, IL Estimated	3	-50%
145	Worth, IL Estimated	3	n/a
158	Alton, IL Estimated	2	-66.7%
158	Bellwood, IL Estimated	2	-50%
158	Bloomingdale, IL Estimated	2	-71.4%
158	Centralia, IL Estimated	2	+100%
158	Charleston, IL Estimated	2	-50%
158	DeKalb, IL Estimated	2	-60%
158	East Moline, IL Estimated	2	n/a
158	Hickory Hills, IL Estimated	2	n/a
158	Homewood, IL Estimated	2	-33.3%
158	Lincoln, IL Estimated	2	0%
158	Machesney Park, IL Estimated	2	n/a
158	Plano, IL Estimated	2	n/a
158	Prospect Heights, IL Estimated	2	0%
158	Rantoul, IL Estimated	2	0%
158	Schaumburg, IL Estimated	2	0%
158	Schiller Park, IL Estimated	2	+100%
158	Taylorville, IL Estimated	2	0%
175	Berwyn, IL Estimated	1	n/a
175	Chicago Ridge, IL Estimated	1	n/a
175	Crestwood, IL Estimated	1	-50%
175	Evergreen Park, IL Estimated	1	0%
175	Macomb, IL Estimated	1	-75%
175	Oak Forest, IL Estimated	1	-66.7%
175	Pontiac, IL Estimated	1	n/a
175	Round Lake Beach, IL Estimated	1	n/a
175	Streamwood, IL Estimated	1	n/a
175	Streator, IL Estimated	1	-66.7%
175	Wauconda, IL Estimated	1	0%
175	Wood Dale, IL Estimated	1	-85.7%
187	Alsip, IL Estimated	0	n/a
187	Blue Island, IL Estimated	0	n/a
187	Bridgeview, 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	Cary, IL Estimated	0	-100%
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	Dolton, IL Estimated	0	n/a
187	East St. Louis, IL Estimated	0	-100%
187	Elk Grove Village, IL Estimated	0	-100%
187	Forest Park, IL Estimated	0	-100%
187	Franklin Park, IL Estimated	0	-100%
187	Freeport, IL Estimated	0	n/a
187	Glendale Heights, IL Estimated	0	n/a
187	Hanover Park, IL Estimated	0	-100%
187	Harvey, IL Estimated	0	n/a
187	Hazel Crest, IL Estimated	0	n/a
187	Kankakee, IL Estimated	0	-100%
187	Lansing, IL Estimated	0	n/a
187	Lindenhurst, IL Estimated	0	n/a
187	Maywood, IL Estimated	0	n/a
187	Melrose Park, IL Estimated	0	n/a
187	Midlothian, IL Estimated	0	n/a
187	North Chicago, IL Estimated	0	n/a
187	Northlake, IL Estimated	0	-100%
187	Palos Heights, IL Estimated	0	-100%
187	Park Forest, IL Estimated	0	n/a
187	Richton Park, IL Estimated	0	n/a
187	River Grove, IL Estimated	0	n/a
187	Riverdale, IL Estimated	0	n/a
187	Round Lake, IL Estimated	0	n/a
187	South Holland, IL Estimated	0	n/a
187	Westchester, IL Estimated	0	n/a
187	Zion, 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. 1 cities with data in other periods have no value for 2016 and are left out rather than filled from another source. 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/mw2016a.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. (2017). 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, 2016) [Data set]. Retrieved October 12, 2026, from https://www2.census.gov/econ/bps/Place/Midwest%20Region/mw2016a.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, 2016. U.S. Census Bureau, 1 May 2017, https://www2.census.gov/econ/bps/Place/Midwest%20Region/mw2016a.txt. Invokely, https://invokely.ai/rankings/single-family-building-permits/illinois-cities?period=2016. Accessed 12 Oct. 2026.

Chicago (author-date)

U.S. Census Bureau. 2017. 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, 2016. Dataset. Accessed October 12, 2026. https://www2.census.gov/econ/bps/Place/Midwest%20Region/mw2016a.txt. Also distributed by Invokely, https://invokely.ai/rankings/single-family-building-permits/illinois-cities?period=2016.

Harvard

U.S. Census Bureau (2017) 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, 2016 [Dataset]. Available at: https://www2.census.gov/econ/bps/Place/Midwest%20Region/mw2016a.txt, via Invokely: https://invokely.ai/rankings/single-family-building-permits/illinois-cities?period=2016 (Accessed: 12 October 2026).

BibTeX

@misc{census_cities_in_illinois_by_2016,
  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, 2016}},
  year = {2017},
  howpublished = {Data set},
  url = {https://www2.census.gov/econ/bps/Place/Midwest%20Region/mw2016a.txt},
  urldate = {2026-10-12},
  note = {Accessed via Invokely, https://invokely.ai/rankings/single-family-building-permits/illinois-cities?period=2016. 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/mw2016a.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, 2016
PY  - 2017
DA  - 2017/05/01
PB  - U.S. Census Bureau
DB  - Invokely
UR  - https://www2.census.gov/econ/bps/Place/Midwest%20Region/mw2016a.txt
L2  - https://invokely.ai/rankings/single-family-building-permits/illinois-cities?period=2016
Y2  - 2026/10/12
N1  - Accessed via Invokely, https://invokely.ai/rankings/single-family-building-permits/illinois-cities?period=2016.
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/mw2016a.txt. Retrieved 2026-10-12.
ER  -

Embed this chart

Paste this code into a web page or a blog post. The chart shows the latest figures as they are published, with the source and a link back to this page.

Embed code

<iframe src="https://invokely.ai/embed/rankings/single-family-building-permits/illinois-cities?period=2016" width="760" height="500" title="Cities in Illinois by single-family housing units authorized by building permits, 2016, chart from Invokely" loading="lazy" style="border:0;width:100%;max-width:760px" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin"></iframe>

Sites that read oEmbed links, such as WordPress, can show the chart when you paste the link to this page.

Use this data in your AI agent

Invokely serves this figure to AI assistants through MCP and to code through a REST API, with the source and citation attached. Ask your assistant:

Rank Cities in Illinois by single-family housing units authorized by building permits using official data, and cite the source.

rank_places {"indicator":"building_permit_single_family_units","level":"municipality","within":"Illinois","limit":10}
GET https://invokely.ai/api/v1/rank?indicator=building_permit_single_family_units&level=municipality&within=Illinois&limit=10

Connect Claude, ChatGPT or Cursor in one step. The trial answers 25 calls a day without an account.

Questions

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

Chicago, IL, with 613 in 2016, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

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

Zion, IL, with 0 in 2016.

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. 1 cities have no value for 2016 and are not ranked.