Waukegan, Illinois Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Waukegan, Illinois had a total population of 89,076, the 10th largest city in Illinois, with a median household income of $71,919, which is 14% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 15.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Waukegan Quick Facts
How Waukegan 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 | 88,919 | 89,076 | +0.2% |
| Median household income | $70,578 | $71,919 | +1.9% |
| Median home value | $177,600 | $190,900 | +7.5% |
How Waukegan 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 diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 61 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Waukegan Rankings in Illinois
Explore Illinois Rankings
Other Cities in Lake County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Lake Zurich | 19,832 | $135,968 | 3.4% | $435,300 |
Cities Similar to Waukegan
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cicero | 82,797 | $70,842 | $249,400 | 10.8% | 14.6% |
| Champaign | 89,996 | $56,118 | $210,900 | 52.7% | 25.9% |
| Bloomington | 78,907 | $77,384 | $203,300 | 48.8% | 11.0% |
| Springfield | 113,330 | $66,064 | $162,100 | 36.3% | 16.8% |
| Schaumburg | 76,868 | $97,514 | $330,400 | 50.4% | 5.7% |
Population Overview
Waukegan is a mid-sized community located in Illinois, within Lake County. The total population is 89,076. It ranks as the 10th most populous out of 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois.
Age Demographics
The median age in Waukegan is 35.5 years. This is 9% lower than the state median of 39.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Waukegan is $71,919. This is 14% lower than the state median of $83,390. It is also 11% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 15.3%. This is 29% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.8%. The unemployment rate is 6.4%. This is 9% higher than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $190,900. Housing costs are 27% lower than the state median of $263,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.7x, Waukegan is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 50.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 25% lower than the state average of 67.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Waukegan is Hispanic or Latino, making up 57.9% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 16.7%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (16.7%) is well below the state average of 58.1%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (57.9% vs 18.8%).
Education
20.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 45% 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 75.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Waukegan, 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 Waukegan, Illinois?
Waukegan, Illinois has a population of 89,076 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Waukegan, IL?
The median household income in Waukegan is $71,919, which is 11% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Waukegan, IL?
The poverty rate in Waukegan is 15.3%. This means approximately 13,385 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Waukegan, Illinois?
Waukegan's population is 16.7% White, 16.6% Black, 57.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 5.4% Asian.
What is the median home value in Waukegan, IL?
The median home value in Waukegan is $190,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.7x.
How educated is Waukegan, Illinois?
20.9% of adults (25+) in Waukegan hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.