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.

Waukegan, IL Population, Income & Demographics 2026

CSAChicago-Naperville MSAChicago-Naperville-Elgin#6/303 Population

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Demographics — 2024 ACS 5-Year Estimatesi

Census

Populationi

89,076

Median Agei

35.5

Race & Ethnicityi

Hispanic/Latino

57.9%51,565

White

16.7%14,914

Black

16.6%14,749

Asian

5.4%4,836

Two or More

2.7%2,388

Other

0.6%540

American Indian/Alaska Native

0.1%75

Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander

0%9

Educational Attainment (Age 25+)i

GED/Alternative

5.1%3,010

High School Diploma

23.6%13,939

Some College (<1 yr)

7.2%4,269

Some College (1+ yr)

11.7%6,922

Associate's Degree

6.7%3,947

Bachelor's Degree

13.8%8,140

Master's Degree

5.3%3,101

Professional Degree

1.1%632

Doctorate

0.8%489

HS or Higher

75.3%

BA or Higher

20.9%

Graduate+

7.2%

Housingi

Median Home Valuei

$190,900

Median Renti

$1,205

Tenure

Owner-Occupied

50.2%16,090

Renter-Occupied

49.8%15,952

Total Units

33,229

Homeownership

50.2%

Vacancy Rate

3.6%

Home Values

Under $50K

4%640

$50K–$100K

4.4%702

$100K–$150K

13.3%2,145

$150K–$200K

34.1%5,482

$200K–$300K

29.4%4,723

$300K–$500K

11.5%1,846

$500K–$1M

2.2%357

$1M+

1.2%195

Rent Distribution

Under $500

828

$500–$750

721

$750–$1,000

2,934

$1,000–$1,250

3,877

$1,250–$1,500

2,978

$1,500–$2,000

3,076

$2,000+

901

Year Built

2010–2019

1.6%538

2000–2009

6.4%2,132

1990–1999

13.4%4,440

1980–1989

10.3%3,431

1970–1979

14.4%4,800

1960–1969

14%4,639

1950–1959

16.1%5,360

1940–1949

5.4%1,797

1939 or earlier

18.3%6,092

Heating Fuel

Utility Gas

73%23,403

Electricity

23.4%7,508

Bottled/LP Gas

3%970

No Fuel

0.3%105

Wood

0.1%26

Other

0.1%18

Fuel Oil

0%12

Economyi

Median Household Incomei

$71,919

Mean Household Incomei

$92,476

Per Capita Incomei

$33,249

Poverty Ratei

15%

Unemploymenti

6.3%

Labor Forcei

48,749

Household Income Distribution

Under $10K

5%1,595

$10K–$15K

3.2%1,025

$15K–$20K

3.2%1,025

$20K–$25K

3.2%1,033

$25K–$30K

4.1%1,321

$30K–$35K

3.9%1,253

$35K–$40K

3.9%1,260

$40K–$45K

3.7%1,175

$45K–$50K

4.5%1,454

$50K–$60K

6.5%2,095

$60K–$75K

11.4%3,641

$75K–$100K

15.3%4,917

$100K–$125K

9.7%3,094

$125K–$150K

5.9%1,882

$150K–$200K

7.9%2,517

$200K+

8.6%2,755

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

2,357

Residentsi

3,573

Avg. Tenant Renti

$420/mo

Avg. Waitlisti

9 months

Programs in this community

Public Housing179 homes61% occupied$441/mo rent

Government-owned housing managed by local housing authorities

Housing Choice Vouchers1,064 homes64% occupied$435/mo rent

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

Project Based Section 81,091 homes93% occupied$402/mo rent

Privately owned apartments with rent subsidies tied to the building

811/PRAC23 homes94% occupied$390/mo rent

Household Incomei

Based on area median of $71,919/yr

Extremely low incomeUnder $22K/yr

82.3%

Very low income$22K–$36K/yr

14.9%

Low income$36K–$58K/yr

2.6%

Moderate / aboveOver $58K/yr

0.2%

Who Receives This Housing

70% of subsidized households are headed by a single mother

89.1% of subsidized households are minority

21.7% of subsidized households include someone with a disability

32% of subsidized households include a senior (62+)

Commute & Transportationi

Workersi

44,085

Avg. Commutei

26.1 min

How People Get to Work

Travel Time to Work

Workforce

Total Employed

45,192

Occupations

Industries

Social Characteristicsi

Marital Status (15+)i

Veteransi

2,645(3.9% of civilian adults)