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Wauconda, Illinois Demographics & Population 2026

During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Wauconda, Illinois had a total population of 14,027, the 176th largest village in Illinois, with a median household income of $111,239, which is 33% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 6.2%.

Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes

Key Takeaways

Wauconda Quick Facts

Population 14,027
Median Household Income $111,239
Median Home Value $278,600
Poverty Rate 6.2%
Unemployment Rate 4.9%
Median Age 36.6 years
Homeownership Rate 76.0%
Affordability Ratio 2.5x
Bachelor's Degree or Higher 38.2%
High School Graduation Rate 91.3%
Diversity Index 44/100
Population 14,027 176th of 1,445
Median Income $111,239 top 20%
Poverty Rate 6.2% 50% lower than national
Median Home Value $278,600 top 20%

How Wauconda Changed

Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.

Metric2019–20232020–2024Change
Population14,01014,027+0.1%
Median household income$112,438$111,239-1.1%
Median home value$268,300$278,600+3.8%

How Wauconda Compares

Economy & Housing

Household Income Distribution

Under $25K 7.5%
$25K-$50K 9.9%
$50K-$100K 27.3%
$100K+ 55.4%
Detailed income brackets
Under $10K
2.8%
$10K-$15K
0.9%
$15K-$20K
0.8%
$20K-$25K
3.1%
$25K-$30K
2.0%
$30K-$35K
1.5%
$35K-$40K
2.5%
$40K-$45K
1.5%
$45K-$50K
2.4%
$50K-$60K
7.6%
$60K-$75K
5.5%
$75K-$100K
14.2%
$100K-$125K
10.4%
$125K-$150K
16.2%
$150K-$200K
13.7%
$200K+
15.1%

Employment

4.9% Unemployment Rate State: 5.8%|National: 5.2%
74.6% Labor Force Participation

Housing Overview

Owner 76.0%
Renter 24.0%
Affordability Index Very Affordable
2.5x home value to income ratio
Median gross rent $1,371/mo 14.8% of median household income annually

People & Demographics

Diversity Index

44out of 100
Moderate Diversity

Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.

State average: 61 | National average: 61

Education

Wauconda Rankings in Illinois

#176 Population of 1,445
#160 Median Income of 1,374
#221 Education of 1,444
#200 Home Value of 1,372

Other Cities in Lake County

CityPopulationMedian IncomePovertyHome 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 Wauconda

These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.

CityPopulationMedian IncomeHome ValueBachelor's+Poverty
Channahon13,927$119,494$327,90028.3%5.9%
Chatham14,639$106,773$243,20053.3%3.3%
Antioch14,859$108,899$306,70039.2%7.9%
Glen Carbon13,977$97,168$282,00050.8%4.9%
Lincolnwood13,112$109,731$496,40056.5%6.3%

Population Overview

Wauconda is a small city located in Illinois, within Lake County. The total population is 14,027. It ranks as the 176th most populous out of 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois.

Age Demographics

The median age in Wauconda is 36.6 years. This is 6% lower than the state median of 39.0 years. With 28.1% of the population under 18, Wauconda has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Wauconda is $111,239. This is 33% higher than the state median of $83,390. It is also 38% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 6.2%. This is 48% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.8%. The unemployment rate is 4.9%. This is 17% lower than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $278,600. Housing costs are 6% higher than the state median of $263,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.5x, Wauconda is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 76.0% 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 Wauconda is White (non-Hispanic), making up 72.2% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 18.6%. The Black or African American population (0.4%) is well below the state average of 13.3%.

Education

38.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 1% 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 91.3%. Notably, 15.5% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Wauconda, 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 Wauconda, Illinois?

Wauconda, Illinois has a population of 14,027 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What is the median household income in Wauconda, IL?

The median household income in Wauconda is $111,239, which is 38% higher than the national median of $80,734.

What is the poverty rate in Wauconda, IL?

The poverty rate in Wauconda is 6.2%. This means approximately 860 residents live below the federal poverty line.

What is the racial makeup of Wauconda, Illinois?

Wauconda's population is 72.2% White, 0.4% Black, 18.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 5.1% Asian.

What is the median home value in Wauconda, IL?

The median home value in Wauconda is $278,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.5x.

How educated is Wauconda, Illinois?

38.2% of adults (25+) in Wauconda hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 15.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.