Channel Lake, Illinois Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Channel Lake, Illinois had a total population of 2,052, the 498th largest community in Illinois, with a median household income of $68,250, which is 18% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 23.2%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Channel Lake Quick Facts
How Channel Lake Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,988 | 2,052 | +3.2% |
| Median household income | $63,958 | $68,250 | +6.7% |
| Median home value | $210,400 | $223,000 | +6.0% |
How Channel Lake Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 61 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Channel Lake Rankings in Illinois
Explore Illinois Rankings
Other Cities in Lake County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Waukegan | 89,076 | $71,919 | 15.3% | $190,900 |
| Mundelein | 31,915 | $108,340 | 8.2% | $309,700 |
| North Chicago | 30,643 | $60,172 | 24.5% | $159,600 |
| Gurnee | 30,510 | $119,628 | 5.2% | $344,300 |
| Highland Park | 30,398 | $168,094 | 4.2% | $607,300 |
| Round Lake Beach | 27,079 | $86,059 | 14.8% | $199,200 |
| Vernon Hills | 26,876 | $121,943 | 6.1% | $412,300 |
| Zion | 24,600 | $63,104 | 16.0% | $183,800 |
| Grayslake | 20,929 | $113,972 | 6.3% | $309,500 |
| Libertyville | 20,525 | $165,667 | 4.2% | $512,000 |
Cities Similar to Channel Lake
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Farmington | 2,050 | $65,223 | $101,300 | 25.9% | 11.0% |
| Mackinaw | 1,979 | $67,292 | $158,300 | 23.2% | 8.2% |
| Pecatonica | 2,024 | $73,162 | $143,900 | 23.3% | 7.0% |
| Cambridge | 2,128 | $64,979 | $123,100 | 15.6% | 13.1% |
| Minonk | 1,941 | $69,352 | $120,500 | 20.1% | 10.3% |
Population Overview
Channel Lake is a small community located in Illinois, within Lake County. The total population is 2,052. It ranks as the 498th most populous out of 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois.
Age Demographics
The median age in Channel Lake is 39.4 years. This is 1% higher than the state median of 39.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Channel Lake is $68,250. This is 18% lower than the state median of $83,390. It is also 15% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 23.2%. This is 96% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.8%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 5.3%. This is 9% lower than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $223,000. Housing costs are 15% lower than the state median of $263,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.3x. 81.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 21% higher than the state average of 67.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Channel Lake is White (non-Hispanic), making up 84.4% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 8.0%. The Hispanic or Latino population (8.0%) is well below the state average of 18.8%.
Education
24.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 35% lower than the state rate of 37.9%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 96.7%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Channel Lake, Illinois is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Illinois state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Channel Lake, Illinois?
Channel Lake, Illinois has a population of 2,052 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Channel Lake, IL?
The median household income in Channel Lake is $68,250, which is 15% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Channel Lake, IL?
The poverty rate in Channel Lake is 23.2%. This means approximately 475 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Channel Lake, Illinois?
Channel Lake's population is 84.4% White, 0.0% Black, 8.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Channel Lake, IL?
The median home value in Channel Lake is $223,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.3x.
How educated is Channel Lake, Illinois?
24.8% of adults (25+) in Channel Lake hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.