Crystal Lake, Illinois Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Crystal Lake, Illinois had a total population of 40,579, the 39th largest city in Illinois, with a median household income of $108,418, which is 30% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 6.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 30% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in Illinois.
Crystal Lake Quick Facts
How Crystal 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 | 40,436 | 40,579 | +0.4% |
| Median household income | $105,428 | $108,418 | +2.8% |
| Median home value | $287,400 | $311,400 | +8.4% |
How Crystal 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+)
Crystal Lake Rankings in Illinois
Explore Illinois Rankings
Other Cities in McHenry County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake in the Hills | 28,800 | $117,151 | 4.1% | $321,900 |
| McHenry | 28,074 | $86,315 | 4.7% | $266,500 |
| Woodstock | 26,147 | $82,758 | 6.0% | $245,700 |
| Cary | 17,923 | $113,026 | 4.8% | $309,800 |
| Harvard | 9,598 | $67,617 | 11.8% | $175,400 |
| Marengo | 7,040 | $73,523 | 15.7% | $229,900 |
| Johnsburg | 6,386 | $121,023 | 12.1% | $328,300 |
| Spring Grove | 5,917 | $134,210 | 1.4% | $398,400 |
| Lakewood | 4,707 | $173,625 | 3.5% | $552,600 |
| Wonder Lake | 4,292 | $94,655 | 2.9% | $252,200 |
Cities Similar to Crystal Lake
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Romeoville | 41,152 | $106,325 | $257,100 | 28.3% | 5.5% |
| Carol Stream | 39,460 | $102,309 | $335,000 | 42.8% | 6.4% |
| Streamwood | 39,001 | $101,218 | $271,200 | 27.8% | 10.2% |
| Bartlett | 40,501 | $133,240 | $375,700 | 49.5% | 4.2% |
| Lombard | 43,619 | $100,362 | $335,700 | 49.9% | 7.2% |
Population Overview
Crystal Lake is a mid-sized community located in Illinois, within McHenry County. The total population is 40,579. It ranks as the 39th most populous out of 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois.
Age Demographics
The median age in Crystal Lake is 39.3 years. This is about the same as the state median of 39.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Crystal Lake is $108,418. This is 30% higher than the state median of $83,390. It is also 34% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 6.8%. This is 42% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.8%. The unemployment rate is 4.2%. This is 27% lower than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $311,400. Housing costs are 18% higher than the state median of $263,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.9x, Crystal Lake is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 77.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 16% higher than the state average of 67.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Crystal Lake is White (non-Hispanic), making up 78.3% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 13.8%. The Black or African American population (0.6%) is well below the state average of 13.3%.
Education
42.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 11% higher 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 93.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Crystal 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 Crystal Lake, Illinois?
Crystal Lake, Illinois has a population of 40,579 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Crystal Lake, IL?
The median household income in Crystal Lake is $108,418, which is 34% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Crystal Lake, IL?
The poverty rate in Crystal Lake is 6.8%. This means approximately 2,734 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Crystal Lake, Illinois?
Crystal Lake's population is 78.3% White, 0.6% Black, 13.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 3.7% Asian.
What is the median home value in Crystal Lake, IL?
The median home value in Crystal Lake is $311,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.9x.
How educated is Crystal Lake, Illinois?
42.0% of adults (25+) in Crystal Lake hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 13.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.