Population 714,223 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Lake County
Household size in Lake County
| Period | Lake County | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.91 | 2.79 | 2.69 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.89 | 2.82 | 2.71 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.85 | 2.75 | 2.66 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.77 | 2.66 | 2.58 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.13 | −0.12 | −0.11 | −0.03 |
The typical household in Lake County holds 2.77 people, slightly more than the U.S. average of 2.65. Since 2006–10, household size has dropped from 2.91, a much bigger shift than nationally. Few Illinois counties have larger households: only five of 102.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in Lake County
| Period | Lake County | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 37.0 | 36.8 | 37.6 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 38.5 | 37.8 | 38.5 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 39.6 | 38.9 | 39.6 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 39.5 | 39.7 | 40.2 | 40.1 |
| Change | +2.5 | +3.0 | +2.6 | +2.3 |
At 39.5, the median age in Lake County is close to the national median of 40.1, so its age mix looks much like the country's. The median age has climbed from 37.0 in 2006–10, in line with the national trend. Of Illinois' 102 counties, only eight are younger.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in Lake County
| Period | Lake County | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 10.0% | 12.0% | 11.7% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 10.2% | 12.0% | 11.7% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 10.0% | 11.2% | 11.1% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 10.0% | 11.5% | 11.3% | 11.6% |
| Change | +0.0 pts | −0.5 pts | −0.4 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are a bit less common in Lake County than nationally: 10.0%, against 11.6%. The single-parent share has barely moved since 2006–10, while the national share fell.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in Lake County
Renters in Lake County
| Period | Lake County | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 21.7% | 32.1% | 30.8% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 24.9% | 34.8% | 33.1% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 27.0% | 35.5% | 33.9% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 25.2% | 34.5% | 32.9% | 34.8% |
| Change | +3.5 pts | +2.3 pts | +2.1 pts | +1.5 pts |
Most households in Lake County own their homes; 25.2% rent, below the national share of 34.8%. Among homeowners, 37.3% have no mortgage at all, about the same as nationally. Renting is most common in the east and least common in the southwest. Since 2006–10, the renter share has risen 3.5 points, mirroring the country.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in Lake County
| Period | Lake County | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 7.8% | 9.8% | 10.0% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 7.8% | 9.8% | 10.1% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 7.6% | 8.9% | 9.8% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 5.8% | 7.2% | 8.1% | 9.6% |
| Change | −2.0 pts | −2.6 pts | −1.9 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy is on the low side in Lake County: 5.8% of homes sit empty, against 9.6% nationally, which points to steady demand for housing. Vacancy is down 2.0 points from 2006–10, mirroring the country. Of Illinois' 102 counties, only seven have a lower vacancy rate.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in Lake County
| Period | Lake County | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1978 | 1966 | 1966 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1978 | 1967 | 1967 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1979 | 1967 | 1968 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1980 | 1970 | 1970 | 1980 |
| Change | +2 | +4 | +4 | +6 |
The typical home in Lake County was built around 1980, the same vintage as the country's housing overall. Homes here are newer than in the Chicago area overall, where the median home dates to 1970. The newest homes are mostly in the west, the oldest in the east.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in Lake County
| Period | Lake County | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $1,179 | $1,060 | $953 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $1,295 | $1,142 | $1,028 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $1,514 | $1,306 | $1,165 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,746 | $1,602 | $1,428 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$567 | +$542 | +$475 | +$606 |
The median renter in Lake County pays $1,746 a month for rent and utilities, above the national median of $1,571. Rents are up $567 a month from 2006–10, a 48% rise, a slower climb than the nation's. Rent takes 30.6% of the typical renter's income, just over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent. Rents run highest in the southeast and lowest in the northeast.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in Lake County
Bachelor's degrees in Lake County
| Period | Lake County | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 41.0% | 33.9% | 31.2% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 42.0% | 35.2% | 32.4% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 44.6% | 37.9% | 34.7% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 45.6% | 40.9% | 37.7% | 35.6% |
| Change | +4.6 pts | +7.0 pts | +6.5 pts | +7.2 pts |
More than four in ten adults 25 and older in Lake County (45.6%) have a bachelor's degree or higher, above the national share of 35.6%. The share with a degree is up 4.6 points from 2006–10, mirroring the country. Only three of Illinois' 102 counties have a higher share of college graduates.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in Lake County
| Period | Lake County | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 88.3% | 85.6% | 86.3% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 88.8% | 86.7% | 87.5% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 90.3% | 88.4% | 89.1% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 90.5% | 89.5% | 90.3% | 89.3% |
| Change | +2.2 pts | +3.9 pts | +4.0 pts | +4.3 pts |
About as many adults in Lake County have finished high school as nationally: 90.5%, against 89.3%. The share with a diploma has risen 2.2 points since 2006–10, mirroring the country.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in Lake County
| Period | Lake County | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 7.6% | 9.1% | 8.7% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 9.1% | 10.8% | 10.2% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 5.2% | 6.3% | 6.1% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 4.9% | 6.3% | 6.0% | 5.4% |
| Change | −2.8 pts | −2.8 pts | −2.7 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in Lake County is close to the national rate: 4.9% of the labor force, against 5.4%. The rate is lower than in the Chicago area overall (6.3%). Unemployment has fallen 2.8 points since 2006–10, as it has nationally.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
Lake County compared with nearby counties
| County | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake County | 2.77 | 39.5 | 10.0% | 25.2% | 5.8% | 1980 | $1,746 | 45.6% | 90.5% | 4.9% |
| McHenry County | 2.71 | 41.4 | 9.3% | 17.3% | 4.3% | 1985 | $1,557 | 35.3% | 93.6% | 4.6% |
| Boone County | 2.78 | 41.0 | 12.1% | 18.2% | 5.2% | 1984 | $1,234 | 24.0% | 86.8% | 6.7% |
| Winnebago County | 2.49 | 40.4 | 13.9% | 34.1% | 8.2% | 1972 | $1,110 | 25.1% | 88.5% | 7.6% |
| Stephenson County | 2.26 | 46.2 | 11.4% | 29.1% | 9.7% | 1960 | $779 | 21.2% | 92.3% | 4.4% |
| Van Buren County | 2.48 | 42.5 | 11.8% | 19.4% | 15.2% | 1977 | $958 | 22.7% | 89.8% | 4.3% |
| Jo Daviess County | 2.12 | 50.8 | 8.7% | 19.6% | 17.5% | 1969 | $859 | 28.9% | 93.2% | 3.6% |
| Kalamazoo County | 2.47 | 37.5 | 10.8% | 35.5% | 7.6% | 1975 | $1,167 | 40.8% | 94.3% | 5.3% |
| Dubuque County | 2.38 | 40.0 | 7.9% | 26.7% | 6.0% | 1974 | $1,015 | 33.3% | 93.9% | 3.5% |
| Calhoun County | 2.51 | 41.0 | 12.4% | 27.3% | 11.0% | 1963 | $1,006 | 22.7% | 91.3% | 6.5% |
| Delaware County | 2.36 | 45.3 | 7.3% | 20.4% | 10.4% | 1967 | $739 | 22.3% | 93.3% | 1.7% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: Cobb County, GA · DeKalb County, GA · Essex County, MA · Jefferson County, KY · Bernalillo County, NM · Suffolk County, MA · San Mateo County, CA · San Joaquin County, CA · Oklahoma County, OK · Norfolk County, MA
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up Lake County. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
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