Willow Lake CDP, Illinois Demographics & Population 2026

Population Overview

Willow Lake CDP is a small community located in Illinois. The total population is 838. It ranks as the 749th most populous out of 1,445 cities and towns in Illinois.

Age Demographics

The median age in Willow Lake CDP is 56.6 years. This is 46% higher than the state median of 38.9 years. Only 13.8% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children. 10.5% 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 Willow Lake CDP is $93,750. This is 15% higher than the state median of $81,702. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 19% higher. The poverty rate stands at 6.7%. This is 43% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.7%. The unemployment rate is 0.0%. This is 100% lower than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $154,100. Housing costs are 38% lower than the state median of $250,500. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.6x, Willow Lake CDP is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 94.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 42% higher than the state average of 66.8%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Willow Lake CDP is White (non-Hispanic), making up 84.3% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 13.0%. The Hispanic or Latino population (0.8%) is well below the state average of 18.5%. The Asian population (1.9%) is well below the state average of 5.8%.

Education

24.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 35% 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 91.9%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Willow Lake CDP, 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.