Lake in the Hills, Illinois Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Lake in the Hills, Illinois had a total population of 28,800, the 68th largest village in Illinois, with a median household income of $117,151, which is 40% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 4.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 40% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in Illinois.
- An exceptionally low poverty rate of 4.1% — among the lowest in Illinois.
Lake in the Hills Quick Facts
How Lake in the Hills 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 | 28,853 | 28,800 | -0.2% |
| Median household income | $113,491 | $117,151 | +3.2% |
| Median home value | $296,400 | $321,900 | +8.6% |
How Lake in the Hills 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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 61 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Lake in the Hills Rankings in Illinois
Explore Illinois Rankings
Other Cities in McHenry County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crystal Lake | 40,579 | $108,418 | 6.8% | $311,400 |
| 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 Lake in the Hills
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gurnee | 30,510 | $119,628 | $344,300 | 56.7% | 5.2% |
| Batavia | 27,151 | $120,056 | $387,400 | 56.5% | 5.5% |
| Vernon Hills | 26,876 | $121,943 | $412,300 | 67.8% | 6.1% |
| Glen Ellyn | 28,390 | $140,938 | $544,000 | 68.2% | 6.3% |
| Lockport | 26,409 | $111,981 | $316,000 | 44.5% | 6.8% |
Population Overview
Lake in the Hills is a mid-sized community located in Illinois, within McHenry County. The total population is 28,800. It ranks as the 68th most populous out of 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois.
Age Demographics
The median age in Lake in the Hills is 36.8 years. This is 6% lower than the state median of 39.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Lake in the Hills is $117,151. This is 40% higher than the state median of $83,390. It is also 45% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 4.1%. This is 65% 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 5.9%. The median home value is $321,900. Housing costs are 22% higher than the state median of $263,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.7x, Lake in the Hills is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 84.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 26% higher than the state average of 67.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Lake in the Hills is White (non-Hispanic), making up 66.9% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 20.3%. The Black or African American population (1.8%) is well below the state average of 13.3%.
Education
35.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 6% 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 94.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Lake in the Hills, 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 in the Hills, Illinois?
Lake in the Hills, Illinois has a population of 28,800 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Lake in the Hills, IL?
The median household income in Lake in the Hills is $117,151, which is 45% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Lake in the Hills, IL?
The poverty rate in Lake in the Hills is 4.1%. This means approximately 1,189 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Lake in the Hills, Illinois?
Lake in the Hills's population is 66.9% White, 1.8% Black, 20.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 7.2% Asian.
What is the median home value in Lake in the Hills, IL?
The median home value in Lake in the Hills is $321,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.7x.
How educated is Lake in the Hills, Illinois?
35.8% of adults (25+) in Lake in the Hills hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 11.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.