Lake Bluff, Illinois Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Lake Bluff, Illinois had a total population of 6,041, the 303rd largest village in Illinois, with a median household income of $204,000, which is 145% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 1.5%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 145% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in Illinois.
- An exceptionally low poverty rate of 1.5% — among the lowest in Illinois.
- 81.6% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Illinois.
Lake Bluff Quick Facts
How Lake Bluff 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 | 5,834 | 6,041 | +3.5% |
| Median household income | $205,735 | $204,000 | -0.8% |
| Median home value | $739,400 | $776,700 | +5.0% |
How Lake Bluff 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+)
Lake Bluff 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 Lake Bluff
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inverness | 7,275 | $207,434 | $715,600 | 68.5% | 2.6% |
| Northfield | 5,487 | $161,500 | $878,300 | 80.7% | 3.2% |
| Volo | 6,706 | $160,792 | $319,700 | 52.2% | 2.1% |
| South Barrington | 5,021 | $221,575 | $908,300 | 73.6% | 1.0% |
| Spring Grove | 5,917 | $134,210 | $398,400 | 44.9% | 1.4% |
Population Overview
Lake Bluff is a small city located in Illinois, within Lake County. The total population is 6,041. It ranks as the 303rd most populous out of 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois.
Age Demographics
The median age in Lake Bluff is 46.3 years. This is 19% higher than the state median of 39.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Lake Bluff is $204,000. This is 145% higher than the state median of $83,390. It is also 153% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 1.5%. This is 87% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.8%. This exceptionally low poverty rate indicates strong economic prosperity across the community. The unemployment rate is 4.4%. This is 25% lower than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $776,700. Housing costs are 195% higher than the state median of $263,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.8x. 92.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 37% higher than the state average of 67.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Lake Bluff is White (non-Hispanic), making up 83.7% of the population. Asian residents account for 6.5%. The Hispanic or Latino population (6.2%) is well below the state average of 18.8%.
Education
81.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Lake Bluff in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 115% 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 99.6%. Notably, 42.2% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Lake Bluff, 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 Lake Bluff, Illinois?
Lake Bluff, Illinois has a population of 6,041 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Lake Bluff, IL?
The median household income in Lake Bluff is $204,000, which is 153% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Lake Bluff, IL?
The poverty rate in Lake Bluff is 1.5%. This means approximately 89 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Lake Bluff, Illinois?
Lake Bluff's population is 83.7% White, 0.0% Black, 6.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 6.5% Asian.
What is the median home value in Lake Bluff, IL?
The median home value in Lake Bluff is $776,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.8x.
How educated is Lake Bluff, Illinois?
81.6% of adults (25+) in Lake Bluff hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 42.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.