Gurnee, Illinois Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Gurnee, Illinois had a total population of 30,510, the 63rd largest village in Illinois, with a median household income of $119,628, which is 43% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 5.2%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 43% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in Illinois.
- 56.7% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Illinois.
Gurnee Quick Facts
How Gurnee 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 | 30,486 | 30,510 | +0.1% |
| Median household income | $121,410 | $119,628 | -1.5% |
| Median home value | $331,100 | $344,300 | +4.0% |
How Gurnee 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 diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 61 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Gurnee 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 |
| 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 |
| Lake Zurich | 19,832 | $135,968 | 3.4% | $435,300 |
Cities Similar to Gurnee
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake in the Hills | 28,800 | $117,151 | $321,900 | 35.8% | 4.1% |
| Algonquin | 30,067 | $134,525 | $351,000 | 43.6% | 4.1% |
| Mundelein | 31,915 | $108,340 | $309,700 | 46.0% | 8.2% |
| St. Charles | 32,854 | $114,300 | $377,400 | 52.0% | 4.5% |
| O'Fallon | 32,262 | $105,982 | $295,700 | 52.4% | 6.2% |
Population Overview
Gurnee is a mid-sized community located in Illinois, within Lake County. The total population is 30,510. It ranks as the 63rd most populous out of 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois.
Age Demographics
The median age in Gurnee is 40.1 years. This is 3% higher than the state median of 39.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Gurnee is $119,628. This is 43% higher than the state median of $83,390. It is also 48% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 5.2%. This is 56% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.8%. The unemployment rate is 4.8%. This is 18% lower than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $344,300. Housing costs are 31% higher than the state median of $263,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.9x, Gurnee is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 76.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 13% higher than the state average of 67.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Gurnee is White (non-Hispanic), making up 58.1% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 17.0%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (12.9% vs 5.9%).
Education
56.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Gurnee in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 50% 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 95.7%. Notably, 22.3% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Gurnee, 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 Gurnee, Illinois?
Gurnee, Illinois has a population of 30,510 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Gurnee, IL?
The median household income in Gurnee is $119,628, which is 48% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Gurnee, IL?
The poverty rate in Gurnee is 5.2%. This means approximately 1,583 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Gurnee, Illinois?
Gurnee's population is 58.1% White, 7.7% Black, 17.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 12.9% Asian.
What is the median home value in Gurnee, IL?
The median home value in Gurnee is $344,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.9x.
How educated is Gurnee, Illinois?
56.7% of adults (25+) in Gurnee hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 22.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.