U.S. Spanish speakers study
607,865 people speak Spanish at home in Chicago. That's 23.7% of residents age 5 and older, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
Here's what that number means for your business, and where it makes sense to start.
| Measure | Chicago | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 2,711,226 | 12,694,798 | 334,922,499 |
| Speak Spanish at home | 607,865 | 1,681,635 | 42,869,908 |
| Share (age 5+) | 23.7% | 14% | 13.6% |
| Margin of error, speakers | ±6,194 | ±8,915 | ±143,809 |
| English less than "very well" | 260,609 | 659,015 | 17,218,782 |
| As a share of Spanish speakers | 42.9% | 39.2% | 40.2% |
| Median household income | $77,902 | $83,390 | $80,734 |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2020-2024, tables C16001, B01003 and B19013. Speaking Spanish at home isn't the same as being Hispanic. Chicago ranks number 4 by speakers among the 118 cities of 100,000 or more that clear 20%.
Chicago is the Midwest's major market of Spanish speakers, with a deeply rooted Mexican community and a Puerto Rican community with its own neighborhood. Its winters change what people need and buy, and its neighborhoods have such strong identities that many customers prefer to buy from someone local.
Pilsen, Little Village with its 26th Street, and Humboldt Park with Paseo Boricua are landmarks. The suburbs of Cicero and Berwyn are also very strong markets.
In Chicago, Spanish speakers are an important group but not the whole market. Start with the services and neighborhoods where people already call you in Spanish, track the inquiries and expand when you see a response.
42.9% of Spanish speakers here say they speak English less than "very well". Prioritize what builds trust: prices, guarantees, payment options and who to contact.
You already have foot traffic. Add your Google profile, reviews and WhatsApp so people coming from the suburbs can find you too.
Get your ads ready before winter. When the heat fails in January, people want a quick answer, ideally in their own language.
Publish key dates early: rosca de Reyes, Día de Muertos and Lent. These are planned purchases you can advertise in advance.
If you'd like the step-by-step, read our Spanish marketing guide. It helps you decide what to publish first and how to measure it.
Publicidad.Express
We're based in Querétaro, Mexico, and we don't have an office in Chicago. We work with you by video call, WhatsApp and email, which lets us charge less than an agency with a U.S. office usually would.
In winter, Querétaro and Chicago share the same time. In summer, Chicago is one hour ahead.
Message us on WhatsApp or email [email protected].
You can pay in U.S. dollars or Mexican pesos, whichever you prefer.
607,865 people age 5 and older speak Spanish at home in Chicago, with a margin of error of ±6,194. That's 23.7% of that population. The number comes from the Census Bureau's 2020-2024 American Community Survey.
In Chicago, Spanish speakers are an important group but not the whole market. Start with the services and neighborhoods where people already call you in Spanish, track the inquiries and expand when you see a response.
The best way to decide is to review your own calls and inquiries: if people in Chicago already ask you questions in Spanish, that's your starting point.
No. We're based in Querétaro, Mexico, and we work with Chicago businesses by video call, WhatsApp and email. In winter, Querétaro and Chicago share the same time. In summer, Chicago is one hour ahead.
The agency plan starts at $97 USD per month. Ad spend is separate, plus 15% for management. A website starts at $2,500 MXN, plus $990 MXN per year for hosting and renewal. Before we start, you get the scope and cost in writing.
Reviewed on November 7, 2026.
Video call
Choose a time that suits you. Thirty minutes to understand your business and explain how we can help.
Can’t see the calendar? Open calendar in a new tab ↗
