Where does this demographic data come from?

All demographic data comes from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, which samples about 3.5 million households annually. The 5-year estimates provide the most reliable data for small geographies like municipalities.

What is the difference between Census data and ACS data?

The decennial Census (conducted every 10 years) is a full population count focusing on basic demographics. The ACS is an ongoing survey that collects detailed data on income, education, housing, commute patterns, and more. ACS data is updated annually but represents averages over a 5-year period.

How accurate is this data for small towns?

For smaller municipalities, ACS estimates have wider margins of error because fewer residents are sampled. The 5-year estimates reduce this uncertainty by averaging over a longer period. For towns under 5,000 people, treat specific numbers as approximations rather than precise counts.

Gurnee, IL Population, Income & Demographics 2026

CSAChicago-Naperville MSAChicago-Naperville-Elgin#49/303 Population

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Demographics — 2024 ACS 5-Year Estimatesi

Census

Populationi

30,510

Median Agei

40.1

Race & Ethnicityi

White

58.2%17,742

Hispanic/Latino

17%5,191

Asian

12.9%3,930

Black

7.7%2,340

Two or More

3.9%1,191

Other

0.3%99

American Indian/Alaska Native

0.1%17

Educational Attainment (Age 25+)i

GED/Alternative

1.8%380

High School Diploma

12.1%2,533

Some College (<1 yr)

7%1,465

Some College (1+ yr)

11.2%2,347

Associate's Degree

7%1,466

Bachelor's Degree

34.4%7,215

Master's Degree

18.1%3,803

Professional Degree

1.6%346

Doctorate

2.5%532

HS or Higher

95.7%

BA or Higher

56.7%

Graduate+

22.3%

Housingi

Median Home Valuei

$344,300

Median Renti

$1,655

Tenure

Owner-Occupied

76.1%8,961

Renter-Occupied

23.9%2,818

Total Units

12,081

Homeownership

76.1%

Vacancy Rate

2.5%

Home Values

Under $50K

1.5%138

$50K–$100K

0.3%28

$100K–$150K

4.2%377

$150K–$200K

7.8%702

$200K–$300K

22%1,972

$300K–$500K

50.8%4,554

$500K–$1M

12.7%1,134

$1M+

0.6%56

Rent Distribution

Under $500

196

$500–$750

$750–$1,000

243

$1,000–$1,250

394

$1,250–$1,500

207

$1,500–$2,000

1,007

$2,000+

681

Year Built

2020 or later

0.3%32

2010–2019

6.4%773

2000–2009

13.6%1,638

1990–1999

39.3%4,746

1980–1989

19.5%2,359

1970–1979

11.3%1,360

1960–1969

4.1%491

1950–1959

3.3%398

1940–1949

0.9%104

1939 or earlier

1.5%180

Heating Fuel

Utility Gas

79.3%9,342

Electricity

17.9%2,106

Bottled/LP Gas

2.6%309

Other

0.2%22

Economyi

Median Household Incomei

$119,628

Mean Household Incomei

$149,690

Per Capita Incomei

$58,525

Poverty Ratei

5.2%

Unemploymenti

4.7%

Labor Forcei

17,720

Household Income Distribution

Under $10K

2.8%326

$10K–$15K

2.2%255

$15K–$20K

1.9%229

$20K–$25K

1.7%203

$25K–$30K

1.3%153

$30K–$35K

2.3%266

$35K–$40K

1.9%225

$40K–$45K

2.1%242

$45K–$50K

2.3%276

$50K–$60K

5%591

$60K–$75K

7.3%855

$75K–$100K

10.6%1,251

$100K–$125K

10.4%1,229

$125K–$150K

8.7%1,024

$150K–$200K

13%1,530

$200K+

26.5%3,124

Federally Subsidized Housingi

HUD

The federal government helps low-income families, seniors, and people with disabilities afford housing through several programs. Residents typically pay about 30% of their income toward rent, with the government covering the rest. This data shows how many households in this community receive that assistance.

Subsidized Homesi

520

Residentsi

891

Avg. Tenant Renti

$537/mo

Avg. Waitlisti

47 months

Programs in this community

Housing Choice Vouchers279 homes89% occupied$560/mo rent

Rental vouchers (Section 8) that help tenants pay for private-market housing

Project Based Section 8181 homes97% occupied$539/mo rent

Privately owned apartments with rent subsidies tied to the building

202/PRAC60 homes99% occupied$423/mo rent

Household Incomei

Based on area median of $119,628/yr

Extremely low incomeUnder $36K/yr

72.6%

Very low income$36K–$60K/yr

22.3%

Low income$60K–$96K/yr

4.2%

Moderate / aboveOver $96K/yr

0.9%

Who Receives This Housing

82.3% of subsidized households are headed by a single mother

70.3% of subsidized households are minority

25.2% of subsidized households include someone with a disability

41.5% of subsidized households include a senior (62+)

Commute & Transportationi

Workersi

16,671

Avg. Commutei

27.4 min

How People Get to Work

Travel Time to Work

Workforce

Total Employed

16,458

Occupations

Industries

Social Characteristicsi

Marital Status (15+)i

Veteransi

1,094(4.6% of civilian adults)