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. However, many Indian residents now live in the Far North Side and Central/Downtown areas.
• 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, as evidenced by the presence of regional cultural associations like the Tamilnadu Foundation and Maharashtra Mandal.
• Languages Spoken: While 84% of Indian Americans are proficient in English, the most common Indian languages spoken at home in the Chicago area are Urdu, Gujarati, Hindi, Punjabi, Bengali, and Marathi.

Why They Chose Chicagoland

• High-Tech Jobs: Many moved to the suburbs to be near major employers like Motorola (Schaumburg), Lucent Technologies (Lisle), and other tech firms in the East-West Tollway corridor.
• Top-Tier Schools: Suburbs like Naperville and Buffalo Grove (specifically the Stevenson High School district) are prized for their elite education systems.
• Community Infrastructure: The region offers extensive “Little India” shopping on Devon Avenue, numerous Hindu and Jain temples, Gurudwaras, and specialized grocery chains like Patel Brothers.

Income and Professions

• Economic Status: The Indian community is one of the wealthiest in the region. The median household income for Indian Americans in Chicago was $143,056 in 2023—over 75% higher than the U.S. median. In affluent suburbs like Naperville, median family income has historically surpassed $92,000.
• Professional Fields: The majority are employed in professional, scientific, and technical services (25.5%) or education and healthcare services (24.8%). They are particularly prominent in medicine, engineering, management, and the computer industry.