Indian Population in Illinois: Cities, Jobs, Income & Community Trends
Illinois has a large, well-established Indian community centered on the Chicago metro, especially the western suburbs like Naperville, Schaumburg, and Aurora. Devon Avenue in Chicago is a historic South Asian commercial hub. Exact counts vary by ACS/Census definition.
Last updated: July 21, 2026
Indian Population in Illinois — Quick Facts
- 2020 Census (Asian Indian alone)
- 260,055 — 2.03% of Illinois's population
- National rank by total count
- #5 — Fifth-largest total count nationally.
- Growth, 2010→2020 Census
- +38%
- Major Indian metro areas
- Chicago, Naperville, Schaumburg
- Main employers
- Consulting and finance in the Loop (the large accounting and strategy firms, CME, Citadel), healthcare across the Northwestern and Rush systems, pharma and medical devices at Abbott and AbbVie in the northern suburbs, and a substantial IT-services presence in the western corridor.
- University hubs
- UIUC, the University of Chicago, Northwestern, and UIC draw many Indian students, with UIUC a major engineering and CS feeder.
- Community drivers
- Tech, healthcare, business
- Best-known Indian areas
- Chicago, Naperville, Schaumburg, Aurora, Bloomington-Normal
How many Indians live in Illinois?
The 2020 Census counted 260,055 people as “Asian Indian alone” in Illinois — 2.03% of the state's population, and #5 nationally by that measure, up +38% from the 2010 Census. Illinois has a large, long-established Indian-origin population centered on Chicago.
Illinois Census snapshot — Asian Indian alone
2020 Census
260,055
2.03% of Illinois's population
2010 Census
188,328
Same definition, for comparison
Growth, 2010→2020
+38%
Approx. national rank
#5
Fifth-largest total count nationally.
Fees, timelines, forms, and agency rules can change. Always verify with official government sources before filing or making decisions.
Both years use “Asian Indian alone”, so the growth figure is comparable; the rank is approximate. Full definitions and sources are on the pillar guide.
Where Indians live in Illinois
Indian neighbourhoods and commercial hubs in Illinois
Devon Avenue, Chicago
Signposted as Gandhi Marg — the Midwest's oldest Indian commercial street, and still where people drive in for groceries and gold.
Naperville and Aurora
The western-suburb centre of gravity: schools, temples, and a large second generation.
Schaumburg and Hoffman Estates
North-west suburban cluster tied to the consulting and telecom employers along the I-90 corridor.
Why Indians move to Illinois
- IT, consulting, and finance jobs
- Healthcare and pharma employment
- Strong suburban schools (Naperville/Aurora)
- Established Indian businesses and temples
- Central-U.S. logistics and business base
Who hires Indian professionals in Illinois
Consulting and finance in the Loop (the large accounting and strategy firms, CME, Citadel), healthcare across the Northwestern and Rush systems, pharma and medical devices at Abbott and AbbVie in the northern suburbs, and a substantial IT-services presence in the western corridor.
IT, consulting, healthcare, finance, and a broad small-business base.
Indian students in Illinois
UIUC, the University of Chicago, Northwestern, and UIC draw many Indian students, with UIUC a major engineering and CS feeder.
What Illinois costs an Indian family
Illinois taxes income at a single flat rate rather than a graduated one, which tends to favour higher earners relative to New Jersey or California. Property taxes in Cook and DuPage counties are high enough to reverse that for a family buying in the suburbs.
Indian Americans in Illinois are active in IT, healthcare, finance, and small business, contributing significantly to the local economy — though exact tax contribution by state is not published as a simple official number.
Visa and immigration patterns in Illinois
Balanced mix of citizens, green card holders, and H-1B workers.
Indian communities by region in Illinois
Gujarati communities
Long-established business community.
Telugu communities
Growing tech and professional community.
Tamil communities
Engineering and academia families.
Punjabi communities
Historic presence around Devon Avenue.
Settlement patterns, not Census counts — the Census does not record Indian state of origin.
Indian Population in Illinois — FAQ
How many Indians live in Illinois?
The 2020 Census counted 260,055 people as "Asian Indian alone" in Illinois — 2.03% of the state, up from 188,328 in 2010. Fifth-largest total count nationally.
Where do most Indians live in Illinois?
Chicago, Naperville, Schaumburg hold the densest communities. Devon Avenue, Chicago is the commercial centre: signposted as Gandhi Marg — the Midwest's oldest Indian commercial street, and still where people drive in for groceries and gold.
Why do Indians move to Illinois?
IT, consulting, and finance jobs; Healthcare and pharma employment; Strong suburban schools (Naperville/Aurora). Illinois has a large, long-established Indian-origin population centered on Chicago.
Who hires Indian professionals in Illinois?
Consulting and finance in the Loop (the large accounting and strategy firms, CME, Citadel), healthcare across the Northwestern and Rush systems, pharma and medical devices at Abbott and AbbVie in the northern suburbs, and a substantial IT-services presence in the western corridor.
Are there many Indian students in Illinois?
UIUC, the University of Chicago, Northwestern, and UIC draw many Indian students, with UIUC a major engineering and CS feeder.
Which Indian communities are common in Illinois?
Illinois has visible Gujarati, Telugu, Tamil, Punjabi communities. Gujarati: long-established business community. These are settlement patterns, not Census counts — the Census does not record Indian state of origin.
Is the Indian population in Illinois growing?
Yes — +38% between the 2010 and 2020 Censuses on one consistent definition, from 188,328 to 260,055.
What does living in Illinois cost an Indian family?
Illinois taxes income at a single flat rate rather than a graduated one, which tends to favour higher earners relative to New Jersey or California. Property taxes in Cook and DuPage counties are high enough to reverse that for a family buying in the suburbs.
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Written / reviewed by Deepak Middha · CA, Series 65
Last updated: July 21, 2026