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 2017, at 525. Wheeling, IL had the lowest, at 0. The median was 10. Source: the U.S. Census Bureau.

Highest525Chicago, IL

Lowest0Wheeling, IL

Median10223 cities

Top 40 cities, 2017

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	2017 count	Change on 2016
1	Chicago, IL Estimated	525	-14.4%
2	Naperville, IL Estimated	337	+0.6%
3	Pingree Grove, IL Estimated	333	+26.6%
4	Joliet, IL Estimated	221	+12.2%
5	Arlington Heights, IL Estimated	172	+35.4%
6	Yorkville, IL Estimated	152	-1.3%
7	O'Fallon, IL Estimated	148	+2.1%
8	Plainfield, IL Estimated	144	+0.7%
9	Elgin, IL Estimated	141	-19.4%
9	New Lenox, IL Estimated	141	-17.1%
11	Champaign, IL Estimated	133	-5.7%
12	Aurora, IL Estimated	127	-18.1%
13	Channahon, IL Estimated	107	+256.7%
14	Lockport, IL Estimated	98	-14.8%
15	Elmhurst, IL Estimated	97	-24.2%
16	Bloomington, IL Estimated	95	+15.9%
17	Frankfort, IL Estimated	94	+20.5%
18	South Elgin, IL Estimated	92	+33.3%
19	Matteson, IL Estimated	91	-22.9%
20	Des Plaines, IL Estimated	87	+234.6%
21	Lemont, IL Estimated	85	+16.4%
21	Manhattan, IL Estimated	85	+11.8%
23	Shorewood, IL Estimated	80	-17.5%
24	Downers Grove, IL Estimated	74	+7.2%
25	Mokena, IL Estimated	73	-14.1%
25	Waterloo, IL Estimated	73	+19.7%
27	McHenry, IL Estimated	72	+800%
28	Woodridge, IL Estimated	69	+19%
29	Mahomet, IL Estimated	65	-30.9%
29	Mundelein, IL Estimated	65	+80.6%
31	Orland Park, IL Estimated	64	+3.2%
32	Quincy, IL Estimated	62	-3.1%
33	Troy, IL Estimated	61	+10.9%
34	Hoffman Estates, IL Estimated	59	+96.7%
34	Normal, IL Estimated	59	-23.4%
36	Springfield, IL Estimated	57	-23%
37	Antioch, IL Estimated	55	+1,733.3%
38	Chatham, IL Estimated	54	-28%
39	Homer Glen, IL Estimated	52	-31.6%
39	Oswego, IL Estimated	52	+4%
41	Rockford, IL Estimated	50	-41.9%
41	Woodstock, IL Estimated	50	+11.1%
43	Shiloh, IL Estimated	49	+48.5%
44	Sycamore, IL Estimated	48	+9.1%
44	Wilmette, IL Estimated	48	+37.1%
46	Gurnee, IL Estimated	47	+1,466.7%
47	Northbrook, IL Estimated	46	+2.2%
47	Wheaton, IL Estimated	46	-6.1%
49	Columbia, IL Estimated	39	-9.3%
49	Palatine, IL Estimated	39	+30%
51	Park Ridge, IL Estimated	38	-24%
52	Glenview, IL Estimated	35	-69.8%
52	Lisle, IL Estimated	35	+191.7%
52	North Aurora, IL Estimated	35	+169.2%
55	Belleville, IL Estimated	34	-19%
56	Algonquin, IL Estimated	33	+22.2%
56	Libertyville, IL Estimated	33	0%
58	Edwardsville, IL Estimated	32	+3.2%
58	Geneva, IL Estimated	32	-61.4%
58	Peoria, IL Estimated	32	-17.9%
61	Romeoville, IL Estimated	31	+63.2%
62	Morton, IL Estimated	30	-16.7%
62	Swansea, IL Estimated	30	+50%
64	Bartlett, IL Estimated	29	+222.2%
64	Ottawa, IL Estimated	29	+16%
66	Urbana, IL Estimated	28	-17.6%
66	Western Springs, IL Estimated	28	-36.4%
68	Hinsdale, IL Estimated	27	-12.9%
68	St. Charles, IL Estimated	27	-22.9%
70	Barrington, IL Estimated	25	+92.3%
70	Burr Ridge, IL Estimated	25	-16.7%
70	Highland Park, IL Estimated	25	+4.2%
70	Huntley, IL Estimated	25	-77.7%
70	Loves Park, IL Estimated	25	+13.6%
70	Tinley Park, IL Estimated	25	-13.8%
70	Washington, IL Estimated	25	-47.9%
77	Bourbonnais, IL Estimated	24	-31.4%
77	Fox Lake, IL Estimated	24	+166.7%
77	Marion, IL Estimated	24	-17.2%
77	Winfield, IL Estimated	24	+9.1%
81	Glen Ellyn, IL Estimated	23	+35.3%
81	Herrin, IL Estimated	23	-4.2%
83	Glen Carbon, IL Estimated	22	-43.6%
83	Warrenville, IL Estimated	22	+266.7%
85	Effingham, IL Estimated	21	+16.7%
86	Lombard, IL Estimated	19	-5%
86	Winnetka, IL Estimated	19	-38.7%
88	Buffalo Grove, IL Estimated	18	+5.9%
88	East Peoria, IL Estimated	18	+5.9%
90	Godfrey, IL Estimated	17	+21.4%
90	Grayslake, IL Estimated	17	-48.5%
92	Addison, IL Estimated	16	+433.3%
92	Moline, IL Estimated	16	+6.7%
94	Burbank, IL Estimated	15	+66.7%
94	Crestwood, IL Estimated	15	+1,400%
94	Lake in the Hills, IL Estimated	15	-6.3%
97	Belvidere, IL Estimated	14	+75%
97	Bradley, IL Estimated	14	+16.7%
97	Deerfield, IL Estimated	14	-39.1%
97	Highland, IL Estimated	14	-36.4%
97	Minooka, IL Estimated	14	-65%
97	Morris, IL Estimated	14	+16.7%
103	Bellwood, IL Estimated	13	+550%
103	Bolingbrook, IL Estimated	13	-51.9%
103	Darien, IL Estimated	13	-13.3%
106	Centralia, IL Estimated	12	+500%
106	La Grange, IL Estimated	12	+71.4%
106	Machesney Park, IL Estimated	12	+500%
106	Westmont, IL Estimated	12	0%
110	Batavia, IL Estimated	11	-31.3%
110	Hickory Hills, IL Estimated	11	+450%
112	Campton Hills, IL Estimated	10	+11.1%
112	Fairview Heights, IL Estimated	10	-16.7%
112	Lake Forest, IL Estimated	10	-52.4%
115	Collinsville, IL Estimated	9	+28.6%
115	Oak Lawn, IL Estimated	9	-35.7%
117	Decatur, IL Estimated	8	-46.7%
117	Evanston, IL Estimated	8	-33.3%
117	Vernon Hills, IL Estimated	8	-61.9%
117	Wood River, IL Estimated	8	-73.3%
121	Bensenville, IL Estimated	7	-12.5%
121	Crystal Lake, IL Estimated	7	+133.3%
121	Dixon, IL Estimated	7	-56.3%
121	Galesburg, IL Estimated	7	0%
121	Mattoon, IL Estimated	7	+16.7%
121	Morton Grove, IL Estimated	7	+75%
121	Palos Hills, IL Estimated	7	+40%
121	Rolling Meadows, IL Estimated	7	-80%
121	Schaumburg, IL Estimated	7	+250%
130	Markham, IL Estimated	6	0%
130	Mount Vernon, IL Estimated	6	-14.3%
132	Brookfield, IL Estimated	5	+25%
132	Carbondale, IL Estimated	5	-54.5%
132	Crest Hill, IL Estimated	5	-50%
132	Forest Park, IL Estimated	5	n/a
132	Granite City, IL Estimated	5	+66.7%
132	Sterling, IL Estimated	5	+25%
132	Villa Park, IL Estimated	5	+66.7%
132	Wauconda, IL Estimated	5	+400%
140	Berwyn, IL Estimated	4	+300%
140	Bridgeview, IL Estimated	4	n/a
140	Charleston, IL Estimated	4	+100%
140	Chicago Ridge, IL Estimated	4	+300%
140	Jacksonville, IL Estimated	4	+33.3%
140	La Grange Park, IL Estimated	4	+33.3%
140	Lake Zurich, IL Estimated	4	-20%
140	North Chicago, IL Estimated	4	n/a
140	Pekin, IL Estimated	4	-50%
140	Plano, IL Estimated	4	+100%
140	River Forest, IL Estimated	4	-87.5%
140	Roselle, IL Estimated	4	-78.9%
140	Skokie, IL Estimated	4	-20%
140	Taylorville, IL Estimated	4	+100%
154	Blue Island, IL Estimated	3	n/a
154	Danville, IL Estimated	3	-40%
154	Kewanee, IL Estimated	3	0%
154	Mount Prospect, IL Estimated	3	-40%
154	Oak Park, IL Estimated	3	-85%
154	Waukegan, IL Estimated	3	-40%
154	West Chicago, IL Estimated	3	-25%
161	DeKalb, IL Estimated	2	0%
161	East Moline, IL Estimated	2	0%
161	Evergreen Park, IL Estimated	2	+100%
161	Homewood, IL Estimated	2	0%
161	Lincoln, IL Estimated	2	0%
161	Lincolnwood, IL Estimated	2	-50%
161	Lindenhurst, IL Estimated	2	n/a
161	Montgomery, IL Estimated	2	-50%
161	Northlake, IL Estimated	2	n/a
161	Oak Forest, IL Estimated	2	+100%
161	Pontiac, IL Estimated	2	+100%
161	Prospect Heights, IL Estimated	2	0%
161	Rantoul, IL Estimated	2	0%
161	Round Lake Beach, IL Estimated	2	+100%
161	Wood Dale, IL Estimated	2	+100%
176	Bloomingdale, IL Estimated	1	-50%
176	Canton, IL Estimated	1	n/a
176	Elmwood Park, IL Estimated	1	-85.7%
176	Freeport, IL Estimated	1	n/a
176	Justice, IL Estimated	1	-66.7%
176	Lyons, IL Estimated	1	-66.7%
176	Macomb, IL Estimated	1	0%
176	Melrose Park, IL Estimated	1	n/a
176	Niles, IL Estimated	1	-66.7%
176	Norridge, IL Estimated	1	-85.7%
176	Rock Island, IL Estimated	1	-75%
176	Schiller Park, IL Estimated	1	-50%
176	Worth, IL Estimated	1	-66.7%
176	Zion, IL Estimated	1	n/a
190	Alsip, IL Estimated	0	n/a
190	Alton, IL Estimated	0	-100%
190	Beach Park, IL Estimated	0	-100%
190	Calumet City, IL Estimated	0	n/a
190	Carol Stream, IL Estimated	0	-100%
190	Carpentersville, IL Estimated	0	n/a
190	Cary, IL Estimated	0	n/a
190	Chicago Heights, IL Estimated	0	n/a
190	Cicero, IL Estimated	0	n/a
190	Country Club Hills, IL Estimated	0	n/a
190	Dolton, IL Estimated	0	n/a
190	East St. Louis, IL Estimated	0	n/a
190	Elk Grove Village, IL Estimated	0	n/a
190	Franklin Park, IL Estimated	0	n/a
190	Glendale Heights, IL Estimated	0	n/a
190	Hanover Park, IL Estimated	0	n/a
190	Harvey, IL Estimated	0	n/a
190	Hazel Crest, IL Estimated	0	n/a
190	Kankakee, IL Estimated	0	n/a
190	Lansing, IL Estimated	0	n/a
190	Maywood, IL Estimated	0	n/a
190	Midlothian, IL Estimated	0	n/a
190	Palos Heights, IL Estimated	0	n/a
190	Park Forest, IL Estimated	0	n/a
190	Richton Park, IL Estimated	0	n/a
190	River Grove, IL Estimated	0	n/a
190	Riverdale, IL Estimated	0	n/a
190	Round Lake, IL Estimated	0	n/a
190	South Holland, IL Estimated	0	n/a
190	Streamwood, IL Estimated	0	-100%
190	Streator, IL Estimated	0	-100%
190	Summit, IL Estimated	0	-100%
190	Westchester, IL Estimated	0	n/a
190	Wheeling, IL Estimated	0	-100%

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 2017 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/mw2017a.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. (2018). 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, 2017) [Data set]. Retrieved October 12, 2026, from https://www2.census.gov/econ/bps/Place/Midwest%20Region/mw2017a.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, 2017. U.S. Census Bureau, 1 May 2018, https://www2.census.gov/econ/bps/Place/Midwest%20Region/mw2017a.txt. Invokely, https://invokely.ai/rankings/single-family-building-permits/illinois-cities?period=2017. Accessed 12 Oct. 2026.

Chicago (author-date)

U.S. Census Bureau. 2018. 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, 2017. Dataset. Accessed October 12, 2026. https://www2.census.gov/econ/bps/Place/Midwest%20Region/mw2017a.txt. Also distributed by Invokely, https://invokely.ai/rankings/single-family-building-permits/illinois-cities?period=2017.

Harvard

U.S. Census Bureau (2018) 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, 2017 [Dataset]. Available at: https://www2.census.gov/econ/bps/Place/Midwest%20Region/mw2017a.txt, via Invokely: https://invokely.ai/rankings/single-family-building-permits/illinois-cities?period=2017 (Accessed: 12 October 2026).

BibTeX

@misc{census_cities_in_illinois_by_2017,
  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, 2017}},
  year = {2018},
  howpublished = {Data set},
  url = {https://www2.census.gov/econ/bps/Place/Midwest%20Region/mw2017a.txt},
  urldate = {2026-10-12},
  note = {Accessed via Invokely, https://invokely.ai/rankings/single-family-building-permits/illinois-cities?period=2017. 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/mw2017a.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, 2017
PY  - 2018
DA  - 2018/05/01
PB  - U.S. Census Bureau
DB  - Invokely
UR  - https://www2.census.gov/econ/bps/Place/Midwest%20Region/mw2017a.txt
L2  - https://invokely.ai/rankings/single-family-building-permits/illinois-cities?period=2017
Y2  - 2026/10/12
N1  - Accessed via Invokely, https://invokely.ai/rankings/single-family-building-permits/illinois-cities?period=2017.
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/mw2017a.txt. Retrieved 2026-10-12.
ER  -

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Questions

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

Chicago, IL, with 525 in 2017, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

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

Wheeling, IL, with 0 in 2017.

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 2017 and are not ranked.