Largest Cities in Illinois
Illinois’ population is heavily anchored by the Chicago metropolitan area, often referred to as “Chicagoland,” which contains the vast majority of the state’s largest cities. Beyond the suburban ring, several “downstate” cities serve as vital regional hubs for industry, education, and government.
The following table lists the 10 largest cities in Illinois based on 2026 population estimates.
| Rank | City Name | Population (Est.) | Region | Key Industry/Feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chicago | 2,711,200 | Cook County | Global Finance, Tech, Transportation |
| 2 | Aurora | 179,900 | Fox Valley (Chicagoland) | Manufacturing, Retail, Tech |
| 3 | Naperville | 150,700 | Western Suburbs (Chicagoland) | Tech, Corporate HQ, Research |
| 4 | Joliet | 150,450 | Southwest Suburbs (Chicagoland) | Logistics, Gaming, Transportation |
| 5 | Rockford | 147,500 | Northern Illinois | Aerospace, Healthcare, Logistics |
| 6 | Elgin | 115,000 | Fox Valley (Chicagoland) | Manufacturing, Education |
| 7 | Springfield | 113,300 | Central Illinois | State Government, Healthcare |
| 8 | Peoria | 112,200 | Central Illinois | Manufacturing, Healthcare, Ag-Tech |
| 9 | Champaign | 90,000 | Central Illinois | Higher Ed (U of I), Tech Startups |
| 10 | Waukegan | 89,100 | Lake County (North Shore) | Manufacturing, Port Services |