Living in Waukegan, Illinois
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Waukegan · Census data 2020–2024
Waukegan has 89,076 residents with a median age of 35.5. The median household income is $71,919 (14% lower than the Illinois median), the median home value is $190,900, the median rent is $1,205/month.
Waukegan at a glance
- Population
- 89,076
- Median age
- 35.5State: 39
- Median household income
- $71,919State: $83,390
- Median home value
- $190,900State: $263,300
- Median rent
- $1,205/moState: $1,274
- Homeowners
- 50.2%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 20.9%
- Average commute
- 26 min
Is Waukegan a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 27% lower than the state median; an average commute of 26 minutes.
Cons: Median household income 14% lower than the Illinois median; unemployment of 6.4%; a poverty rate of 15.3%.
The weather is best in June to September.
Cost of living in Waukegan
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Waukegan the median home value is $190,900, 43% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $1,205 per month, which is 29.4% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,682 a month in housing costs.
Waukegan median household income
The median household income in Waukegan is $71,919 and the income per person is $33,249. 15.3% of residents live below the poverty line (Illinois: 11.8%).
Housing in Waukegan: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 33,229
- Owner-occupied
- 50.2%
- Renter-occupied
- 49.8%
- Vacant
- 3.6%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1967
- Average household size
- 2.72
Waukegan demographics
- Population
- 89,076
- Median age
- 35.5
- Under 18
- 22.8%
- 65 and older
- 12.1%
- Households
- 32,042
- Foreign-born
- 31%
- Veterans
- 3.9%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Waukegan ›
Education in Waukegan
20.9% of adults 25 and older in Waukegan have a bachelor's degree or higher (Illinois: 37.8%), and 7.2% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Waukegan
- Unemployment rate
- 6.4%State: 5.8%
- Average commute
- 26 minState: 28 min
- Work from home
- 7.6%
- Drive alone
- 70.1%
- Public transit
- 2.1%
- Walk to work
- 0.9%
- Homes with broadband
- 90%
Waukegan vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Waukegan | 89,076 | $71,919 | $190,900 | $1,205 |
| Park City | 7,827 | $60,171 | $57,400 | $1,110 |
| Gurnee | 30,510 | $119,628 | $344,300 | $1,655 |
| North Chicago | 30,643 | $60,172 | $159,600 | $1,426 |
| Beach Park | 14,115 | $85,664 | $245,800 | $1,254 |
| Green Oaks | 4,096 | $147,614 | $673,100 | $1,356 |
| Gages Lake | 10,819 | $103,318 | $310,500 | $1,693 |
| Knollwood | 1,864 | $138,618 | $393,000 | $1,659 |
| Lake Bluff | 6,041 | $204,000 | $776,700 | $2,063 |
More for people moving to Waukegan
Waukegan ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Waukegan: FAQ
What is the median household income in Waukegan, IL?
The median household income in Waukegan is $71,919, 14% lower than the Illinois median of $83,390 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Waukegan?
The median home value in Waukegan is $190,900, compared with $263,300 in Illinois.
How much is rent in Waukegan?
The median gross rent in Waukegan is $1,205 per month, about 29.4% of household income.
Is Waukegan, IL a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 27% lower than the state median; an average commute of 26 minutes. Minuses: median household income 14% lower than the Illinois median; unemployment of 6.4%; a poverty rate of 15.3%.
What is the median age in Waukegan?
The median age in Waukegan is 35.5 years (Illinois: 39).
How long is the commute in Waukegan?
The average commute to work in Waukegan is 26 minutes; 7.6% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Waukegan?
The unemployment rate in Waukegan is 6.4% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Waukegan?
20.9% of adults in Waukegan have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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