Indian community in the Chicago area

The Indian community in the Chicago metropolitan area is one of the oldest and

largest in the United States, with a population of approximately 255,523 as of

2023.

Indian Americans are the largest Asian subgroup in the region, making up

roughly 2.5% of the total population.

Most Populated Neighborhoods & Suburbs

The community is divided between a historic urban center and rapidly growing suburban hubs:

• Chicago (The City): The West Ridge neighborhood, specifically the 15-block
  
  stretch along Devon Avenue known as “Little India,” is the historic heart of the
  
  community.

• Suburban Hubs: Nearly 80% of the area’s Indian population lives in the
  
  suburbs:

• Naperville: Home to the largest Indian population outside the city, exceeding
  
  5,000 residents.

• Schaumburg: A major hub for IT professionals, with over 4,800 Indian
  
  residents.

• Other Key Areas: Aurora, Skokie, Hoffman Estates, Buffalo Grove, Morton
  
  Grove, and Vernon Hills.

Origin and Language

• States of Origin: Immigrants primarily hail from Gujarat, Punjab,
  
  Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh, supported by
  
  associations like TAGC, TTA, CTA, CHITA, MMC, GSC, CTS, and TNF.

• Languages Spoken: While 84% are proficient in English, common languages
  
  spoken at home include Hindi, Gujarati, Telugu, Tamil, Kannada,
  
  Malayalam, Punjabi, Bengali, and Marathi.

Why They Chose Chicagoland

• High-Tech Jobs: Proximity to major employers like Motorola (Schaumburg)
  
  and Lucent Technologies (Lisle).

• Top-Tier Schools: Elite systems in Naperville and Buffalo Grove (Stevenson
  
  High School district).

• Community Infrastructure: Extensive shopping on Devon Avenue, numerous
  
  temples, Gurudwaras, and grocery chains like Patel Brothers.