Waukegan city, Illinois Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Waukegan city, Illinois has a total population of 88,919, the 9th largest city in Illinois, with a median household income of $70,578, which is 14% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 15.3%.
Waukegan city Quick Facts
How Waukegan city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
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: 60 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Waukegan city Rankings in Illinois
Explore Illinois Rankings
Cities Similar to Waukegan city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cicero town | 83,223 | $68,548 | $236,000 | 11.0% | 13.1% |
| Champaign city | 88,822 | $57,544 | $199,700 | 53.6% | 23.9% |
| Bloomington city | 78,703 | $75,449 | $198,800 | 48.9% | 11.2% |
| Springfield city | 113,714 | $65,537 | $155,200 | 35.1% | 16.5% |
| Schaumburg village | 76,780 | $94,690 | $312,200 | 50.6% | 6.0% |
Population Overview
Waukegan city is a mid-sized community located in Illinois. The total population is 88,919. It ranks as the 9th most populous out of 1,445 cities and towns in Illinois.
Age Demographics
The median age in Waukegan city is 34.6 years. This is 11% lower than the state median of 38.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Waukegan city is $70,578. This is 14% lower than the state median of $81,702. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 10% lower. The poverty rate stands at 15.3%. This is 31% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.7%. The unemployment rate is 5.3%. This is 8% lower than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $177,600. Housing costs are 29% lower than the state median of $250,500. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.5x, Waukegan city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 50.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 24% lower than the state average of 66.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Waukegan city is Hispanic or Latino, making up 57.0% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 18.1%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (18.1%) is well below the state average of 58.8%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (57.0% vs 18.5%).
Education
21.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 43% lower than the state rate of 37.2%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 76.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Waukegan city, Illinois is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. 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. For official data, visit data.census.gov.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Waukegan city, Illinois?
Waukegan city, Illinois has a population of 88,919 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Waukegan city, IL?
The median household income in Waukegan city is $70,578, which is 10% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Waukegan city, IL?
The poverty rate in Waukegan city is 15.3%. This means approximately 13,412 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Waukegan city, Illinois?
Waukegan city's population is 18.1% White, 15.7% Black, 57.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 5.9% Asian.
What is the median home value in Waukegan city, IL?
The median home value in Waukegan city is $177,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.5x.
How educated is Waukegan city, Illinois?
21.0% of adults (25+) in Waukegan city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 6.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.