Wadsworth, Illinois Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Wadsworth, Illinois had a total population of 3,686, the 398th largest village in Illinois, with a median household income of $142,738, which is 71% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 8.5%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 71% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in Illinois.
- 47.4% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Illinois.
- Unemployment rate of 13.3% is notably above the national average.
Wadsworth Quick Facts
How Wadsworth 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 | 3,535 | 3,686 | +4.3% |
| Median household income | $121,583 | $142,738 | +17.4% |
| Median home value | $377,900 | $378,900 | +0.3% |
How Wadsworth 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+)
Wadsworth 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 Wadsworth
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Smithton | 3,680 | $135,455 | $256,300 | 40.6% | 3.4% |
| Germantown Hills | 3,436 | $147,341 | $264,900 | 56.9% | 5.4% |
| Hainesville | 3,524 | $129,911 | $210,500 | 35.1% | 16.1% |
| Deer Park | 3,711 | $174,458 | $661,300 | 72.4% | 1.3% |
| St. Joseph | 3,778 | $120,789 | $270,900 | 35.3% | 4.1% |
Population Overview
Wadsworth is a small community located in Illinois, within Lake County. The total population is 3,686. It ranks as the 398th most populous out of 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois.
Age Demographics
The median age in Wadsworth is 38.5 years. This is 1% lower than the state median of 39.0 years. 13.6% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Wadsworth is $142,738. This is 71% higher than the state median of $83,390. It is also 77% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 8.5%. This is 28% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.8%. The unemployment rate is 13.3%. This is 128% higher than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $378,900. Housing costs are 44% higher than the state median of $263,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.7x, Wadsworth is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 92.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 38% higher than the state average of 67.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Wadsworth is White (non-Hispanic), making up 71.8% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 18.0%. The Black or African American population (3.2%) is well below the state average of 13.3%. The Asian population (0.8%) is well below the state average of 5.9%.
Education
47.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Wadsworth in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 25% 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 90.6%. Notably, 20.5% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Wadsworth, 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 Wadsworth, Illinois?
Wadsworth, Illinois has a population of 3,686 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Wadsworth, IL?
The median household income in Wadsworth is $142,738, which is 77% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Wadsworth, IL?
The poverty rate in Wadsworth is 8.5%. This means approximately 312 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Wadsworth, Illinois?
Wadsworth's population is 71.8% White, 3.2% Black, 18.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.8% Asian.
What is the median home value in Wadsworth, IL?
The median home value in Wadsworth is $378,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.7x.
How educated is Wadsworth, Illinois?
47.4% of adults (25+) in Wadsworth hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 20.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.