Living in Waukegan, IL offers a rich cultural experience with a strong connection to the arts and the natural beauty of Lake Michigan. Known as the 'Art and Soul of Lake County,' Waukegan is home to a vibrant arts community and a historic downtown area. The Genesee Theatre, a beautifully restored venue, hosts concerts, Broadway shows, and other live performances, making it a cultural centerpiece of the city.
Waukegan’s dining scene is diverse, offering everything from classic American diners to international cuisine, reflecting the city’s multicultural population. The annual ArtWauk event transforms downtown Waukegan into an open-air gallery, showcasing local artists and musicians. The city’s parks, including Bowen Park and Hinkston Park, offer facilities for sports, picnics, and community events.
For outdoor enthusiasts, Waukegan’s location on the shores of Lake Michigan provides plenty of opportunities for recreation. The Waukegan Municipal Beach is a popular spot for swimming, sunbathing, and beach volleyball, while the nearby Waukegan Harbor offers boating, fishing, and scenic views of the lake. The Illinois Beach State Park, just a short drive away, is perfect for hiking, birdwatching, and enjoying the natural beauty of the region.
Waukegan is also known for its strong sense of community and cultural diversity. The city hosts a variety of events throughout the year, including the Scoop Waukegan Festival and the Ray Bradbury Dandelion Wine Arts & Music Festival, celebrating the city's literary heritage and creative spirit. The local farmers market offers fresh produce, artisanal goods, and live entertainment, making it a popular spot for residents.
For those considering a move to Illinois, Waukegan offers a unique blend of cultural vibrancy, natural beauty, and community warmth. Whether you're drawn by its arts scene, outdoor activities, or lakeside living, living in Waukegan, IL provides a dynamic and enriching lifestyle.
Commute
The high commute score in this area could imply easy access to public transportation, as well as shorter-than-average commute times to your workplace.
Cost Of Living
Everyday cost of living expenses like goods and services, housing, groceries, transportation, health care and utilities are far below the national average.
Housing
Impressive scores in the housing category characterize this area, potentially attributed to the availability of affordable housing, strong appreciation rates and high home values.
Health & Safety
Accessible health facilities like hospitals, doctors offices, clinics and nursing homes as well as good air quality are all factors that have led to a high score in this category.
Amenities
The majority of amenities will be difficult to reach within a short walk, often requiring residents to use a vehicle or public transportation for access.
Crime
Reporting high crime rates per 100,000 people, this area may be perceived as an unsafe place to reside. These statistics encompass both violent and property crime rates.
Schools
The low schools score might be a result of factors like lower than average education levels, lackluster reading and math scores and the inaccessibility of local elementary and high schools.
Ratings
Through surveys and polls, AreaVibes obtained feedback from local residents in the area, and the results did not indicate a favorable outlook on factors like local amenities and the safety of the area.
Waukegan is a mid-sized city located in the state of Illinois. The city has a population of 87,157 people. With a population density of 3,597 people per square mile, Waukegan is well above the nation's average density level. More than a quarter of the residents of Waukegan identify themselves as Hispanic or Latino, and 44% of the population speak Spanish as their primary or secondary language. If you are a young adult or student, you might be pleased to know that the average age of all Waukegan residents is 33. Waukegan is not known to have a high population (over 15 years old) of married people. At only 49% married, this city falls well below the national average. On a daily basis, the typical American spends approximately 26 minutes on their one-way work commute. Reduced travel times not only contributes to increased overall happiness, but also affords more opportunities to cherish moments with family and friends. If you're living in Waukegan, your commute time will align closely with the national average, spanning a one-way duration of approximately 27 minutes.
Are you trying to ascertain if living in Waukegan is the right fit for your lifestyle? To ensure a positive experience before relocating to any new city in Illinois, you will probably want to make sure that you check all of the most important boxes. Several key factors deserve attention. For one, safety is paramount, ensuring that your new area is low in crime is key. Proximity to workplaces or schools minimizes commute times and fosters convenience. Access to essential amenities like parks, grocery stores, food, fitness, shops and healthcare facilities enhances daily life. Efficient public transportation options provide mobility and connectivity. The sense of community creates a welcoming and supportive environment. Lastly, the overall atmosphere, encompassing the vibe, aesthetics, and lifestyle offerings, contributes to a fulfilling living experience. Considering these elements helps identify the ideal neighborhood for your needs and preferences. Finding the best places to live in Waukegan and nearby areas is a much easier task when you can rely on information and data from the livability score, which includes crime, commute, health & safety, education and other important metrics.
Using data and statistics Waukegan has received a livability score of 73 out of 100. This score is ranked in the 85th percentile when compared to all other cities. There are nine total categories that create the livability score. Waukegan scores well for cost of living (B+) and housing (A) Waukegan does not do well for the following: amenities (D-) and education (F). It might be a good idea to take a closer look at each category to find out why.
A healthy real estate market serves as a key economic indicator. It could signify overall local economic strength, stability and reflects consumer confidence in the area. Based on multiple factors including: median home and rental prices, appreciation rates and home affordability, Waukegan has received high marks in the housing category. Based on these calculations, the apartment rental and real estate market appears to be very healthy.
Assuming that Waukegan meets all of your requirements like low crime rates, good schools and great local amenities, the next most important item to examine is the affordability of real estate in Waukegan. Everything else becomes a lot less important if it turns out that home prices in Waukegan are simply unattainable. Median real estate prices in Waukegan come in at $140,300, which is 19.7% lower than the Illinois average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Waukegan, the home price to income ratio is 2.6, which is 13.3% lower than the Illinois average.
| Statistic | Waukegan | Illinois | National |
| Average one way commute | 27min | 29min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 72.2% | 73.4% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 18.8% | 8.3% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 3.1% | 9.2% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 0.1% | 0.6% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 0.6% | 3.1% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 3.6% | 4.4% | 4.6% |
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