Community Description for Cook County Age and gender U.S. Census Bureau population estimates for 2017 indicate that approximately 22% of the population in Cook County is under 18 years old and 14% is age 65 or older (U.S. Census Bureau, 2017). The percentage of individuals identifying as male or female in Cook County is approximately equal (U.S. Census Bureau, 2017). Data for the transgender and gender non-conforming populations in Cook County is limited. Based on preliminary analyses of Healthy Chicago Survey data, the Chicago Department of Public Health estimates that 10,500 adults living in Chicago identify as transgender or gender non-conforming.
Race and ethnicity In 2017, the U.S. Census Bureau estimated that 42% of the population in Cook County identified as nonHispanic white, 24% identified as non-Hispanic African American/black, 8% identified as non-Hispanic Asian, 2% identified as two or more races, and 26% identified as Hispanic/Latinx (U.S. Census Bureau, 2017).
Immigration An estimated 21% of Chicago residents and 20% of Suburban Cook County residents are foreign-born (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey, 2012-2016). In 2016, 1.6 million Illinois residents were nativeborn Americans who had at least one immigrant parent (American Immigration Council, 2017). In 2015, the top countries of origin for foreign-born individuals living in Illinois were Mexico (38.2% of immigrants), India (8.1%), Poland (7%), the Philippines (5%), and China (4.3%) (American Immigration Council, 2017).
Population density The most densely populated communities are on the North, West, Southwest, and Southeast Sides of Chicago and West suburban communities directly adjacent to the city (Cicero, Berwyn, Oak Park, and Elmwood Park).
Population shifts Since 2000, Cook County as a whole has continued to experience a loss in population. However, the majority of population loss occurred in Chicago, while suburban Cook County’s population has grown by almost one percent. While growth has been modest, the racial and ethnic make-up of Cook County has changed drastically. Overall, there has been a 10% decrease in the white population of Cook County. However, the population loss is not consistent across the area. Suburban Cook County had more than double the decrease in non-Hispanic white populations (14%) compared to Chicago (6%). Between 2000 and 2010, the African American/black population in Chicago has decreased by over 15% and increased 18% in Suburban Cook County. Along with most of the nation, Cook County experienced an increase in the Hispanic/Latinx populations between 2000 and 2010. However, the increase was greatest in Suburban Cook County (47%). Other demographic shifts are not only increasing the size of priority populations in Suburban Cook County, but also shifting the distribution of the social determinants of health geographically. For example, poverty is increasing in the suburbs and decreasing in Chicago. While Chicago saw very little change in poverty and even experienced a 3% decrease in child poverty, Suburban Cook County saw dramatic rises in its poverty levels with child poverty increasing by over 75% between 2000 and 2010.
Additional priority populations In addition to marginalized racial and ethnic groups, the Alliance has identified several additional priority populations including: • homeless individuals and families; • justice-involved youth and adults; • people living with mental health conditions and/or substance use disorders; Alliance for Health Equity12