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Waukegan, Illinois is a perfect blend of big-city amenities and small-town charm. The most populous city in Lake County is an industrial suburb of Chicago lying 26 miles north of its city limits. Waukegan is now in a transition mode and it is rapidly becoming a hot residential spot.
Situated between the thriving metropolises of Chicago and Milwaukee, Waukegan is a prominent choice to start a business, to permanently relocate, or to stay for a couple of years to taste the rich culture and ethnic heritages. So is Waukegan on your list of cities shortlisted to move in?
Before you make the final call, you need to know why moving to Waukegan is so special. And here we’ve got the genuine reasons.
Nestled along the western shores of Lake Michigan, Waukegan tops the list of best cities to relocate with its low cost of living, growing jobs, unlimited entertainment options, year around festivals, and much more
Our ultimate Waukegan moving guide covers everything you need to know about the tenth most populous city in Illinois.
As of 2020, Waukegan has a population of 89,751. The density of the population is 3.762.8lsq miles. Waukegan is highly diverse when it comes to race. The city’s median age is 31.5 and the population and about 24.7% of the residents here are below the poverty line.
To know the population better, here are a few stats.
As you plan to relocate to Waukegan, you may also be curious to know how much time it will take to drive from home to the office and to home from the office. Interestingly, the commute time in Waukegan is almost the same as the national average. On average, a resident here spends 26.2 minutes on the road which is shorter than the US average of 26.4 minutes. However, this can also be longer than in many US cities.
If you are keen to know how the city residents reach the office regularly in Waukegan, here are the latest stats.
Tip: While moving the home, safety of your belongings is the priority and you need a trustworthy mover at your side. Know the top-rated moving companies in Waukegan, IL.
The city has a humid continental climate with warm to hot summers and cold and snowy winters. The city receives moderate rainfall throughout the year, with occasional thunderstorms during the summer months.
Here are a few Waukegan weather facts
Waukegan is one of the hot spots in Illinois when it comes to moving. And the city has got its own reasons. To help you, we have filtered out 7 positives of Waukegan.
Before you make up your mind to pack the bags to Waukegan, it is vital to analyze both the pros and cons of moving here.
To help you, we’ve got the best and worst of Waukegan. Cross-check both before you take the final call.
You would have decided to relocate to Waukegan. However, you would need a place to reside. And living in a decent neighborhood is important especially when you have a family.
And you are lucky that there are many fabulous neighborhoods around Waukegan to raise a family. We’ve filtered out the best neighborhoods near Waukegan.
Here are the 10 best neighborhoods in Waukegan and around to rent or buy a house.
| Rank | City | Population | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Grayslake | 21,053 | $285,436 |
| 2 | Park City | 7,867 | $123,458 |
| 3 | North Chicago | 30,039 | $127,547 |
| 4 | Beach Park | 14,183 | $162,636 |
| 5 | Great Lakes | 13,251 | $265,366 |
| 6 | Gurnee | 30,254 | $266,976 |
| 7 | Wardsworth | 3,495 | $299,857 |
| 8 | Green Oaks | 4,080 | $571,378 |
| 9 | Zion | 24,239 | $149,445 |
| 10 | Lake Bluff | 5,589 | $374,113 |
Tip: When you’ve got a home to move in Waukegan, IL, getting the best moving quote will be your goal. Request moving company quotes to save on moving cost.
Moving to Waukegan means you are closer to Chicago, many big Illinois cities. While you stay at Waukegan, you spend much less than you would have at Chicago but with the same amenities.
The cost of living is much lesser here as you could own or rent a home, buy groceries, commute on public transport, or avail healthcare facilities on a pocket-friendly budget.
| Living Expense | Waukegan | Illinois | National Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 84.6 | 93.7 | 100 |
| Grocery | 94.2 | 94 | 100 |
| Health | 96.3 | 96.9 | 100 |
| Housing | 58 | 80.2 | 100 |
| Median Home Cost | $181,800 | $234,000 | $291,700 |
| Utilities | 93.4 | 97.7 | 100 |
| Transportation | 86.9 | 106.2 | 100 |
| Miscellaneous | 141 | 107.8 | 100 |
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The attractive location makes Waukegan a hot job destination. It is the industrial suburb of Chicago and moving here almost promises a job with a decent salary.
Waukegan is home to several large manufacturers such as American Axle & Manufacturing Inc., USG Corporation and General Motors Corp., along with pharmaceutical companies Pfizer Inc., Abbott Laboratories and AbbVie Inc.
And we’ve got a few job-related facts in Waukegan, which may benefit you.
Here is a breakdown table to better understand the Waukegan job market.
| Employment Information | Waukegan, Illinois | United States |
|---|---|---|
| The income per Cap | $21,571 | $31,177 |
| Household Income | $48,551 | $57,652 |
| Unemployment Rate | 10.2 | 6.0% |
| Recent Job Growth | -7.65% | -6.18% |
| Future Job Growth | 30.52% | 33.51% |
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START MY QUOTEWaukegan’s economy is booming and it results in job growth. There are many opportunities to try in Waukegan and surrounding areas. When you have a list of jobs that are high in demand, it becomes easier to make moving decisions. You’d know whether you will find a decent one in just days after reaching here. And fortunately, we’ve got a list of 10 fastest-growing jobs in Waukegan and neighboring areas.
Here are the top 10 fastest-growing jobs in Waukegan and surrounding areas.
| Rank | Job Title | % Growth | Average salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nurse practitioner | 147.8% | $120,680 |
| 2 | Wind turbine service technicians | 141.6% | $56,260 |
| 3 | Motion picture projectionists | 139.1% | $29,350 |
| 4 | Chefs | 133.4% | $30,010 |
| 5 | Data scientists | 129.3% | $100,910 |
| 6 | Information security analysts | 123.2% | $102,600 |
| 7 | Statisticians | 119.0% | $95,570 |
| 8 | Web developers | 118.8% | $77,030 |
| 9 | Animal caretakers | 117.4% | $28,060 |
| 10 | Cab drivers | 115.5% | $29,310 |
| 11 | Medical and health service managers | 114.1% | $101,340 |
What are the jobs in Waukegan that pay you the best? You would be curious to know the highest paying jobs to ensure you are fit to get one. And realizing this, we’ve made a list of the highest-paying jobs.
Here are the highest-paying jobs in Waukegan
| Rank | Job Title | Average Salary | Entry Level Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Surgeons | $255,580 | $142,420 |
| 2 | Obstetricians and gynecologists | $211,500 | $74,560 |
| 3 | Chief executives | $188,500 | $71,670 |
| 4 | Family and general practitioners | $182,930 | $54,560 |
| 5 | Podiatrists | $177,480 | $68,620 |
| 6 | Internists, general | $172,640 | $54,230 |
| 7 | Psychiatrists | $152,080 | $42,980 |
| 8 | Law teachers, postsecondary | $149,420 | $62,250 |
| 9 | Anesthesiologists | $148,460 | $52,480 |
| 10 | Pediatricians, general | $141,320 | $55,130 |
The paycheck is a major factor in determining your lifestyle and it is normal to be curious to know the average pay scale here. While the salary slip would be based on many factors including your proficiency, industry type, and designation, there are some common factors you need to know.
The average income of a Waukegan resident is $20,333 a year. Anything above $34,000 is a good salary here as you’ll be earning more than 50% of the city's population.
Here are a few informative points related to the average salary and income in Waukegan.
As you are on the last leg of packing the bags to Waukegan, it would be good to know the major businesses here. To help you, we’ve listed them out for you.
Once you’re here, you would need to go on job hunting and when you have a list of the best employers in the city, it becomes easier to apply for a job. Check our list of best companies to work in Waukegan.
Here’s our best company list
Perhaps the affordable realty prices draw more people to Waukegan. Despite being more like a Chicago suburb, it is easier to either buy or rent a home here. A normal house costs about 78% cheaper than Chicago. Now you can realize how the other expenses here will be. A house in Waukegan costs about $181,800 and about 55% of the population own a house here, which offers a ray of hope for everyone packing their bags for here.
We’ve got the latest city housing facts for you.
At Waukegan, it is not just home prices but even home rentals are cheaper. This means, renting a normal home won’t need you to rob a bank. We’ve researched the average home rental in the city and the details may help you.
Your take-home salary is greatly based on the tax you pay. When you are required to pay heavy taxes, you need to earn more to have a good living. And knowing the tax structure in Waukegan, IL is a good idea.
Here are a few tax-related facts in Waukegan
A lakefront city, Waukegan is not just a hub of jobs but is also home to many amazing things that may keep you engaged.
Once you move here, be ready to explore the unlimited fun that would keep your holidays and weekends occupied. We’ve got a list of the 10 best things to do in Waukegan, IL
Despite many positives that prompt you to settle in Waukegan, there is a factor that pulls you back – crime. Waukegan records a high crime rate in comparison to many Illinois cities. However, there is a 10% drop in crimes in the last few years, especially in burglary, auto theft, and aggravated assault. About 40% of the population feels safer in Waukegan while 11% lament over the high crime rate.
To help you know the crime stats in Waukegan, we’ve got a few facts.
Tip: Often, you feel like calculating the moving cost before you connect with a moving company. To help you, we've got a free moving cost calculator.
A big positive side of moving to Waukegan is the high stand of education. When you move here with a family, you would easily find a school as there are many high-ranking schools and colleges.
To help you, we’ve prepared a list of top educational institutions with their rankings.
H R Mccall Elementary School
Public, K-5 | 452 students | Rating: 8/10
LEARN 9 In Waukegan
Public, K-5 | 404 students | Rating: 8/10
John S Clark Elementary School
Public, K-5 | 223 students | Rating: 7/10
Little Fort Elementary School
Public, K-5 | 488 students | Rating: 7/10
Oakdale Elementary School
Public, K-5 | 498 students | Rating: 7/10
Thomas Jefferson Middle School
Public, 6-8 | 899 students | Rating: 7/10
Robert E Abbott Middle School
Public, 6-8 | 767 students | Rating: 7/10
Daniel Webster Middle School
Public, 6-8 | 693students | Rating: 5/10
Jack Benny Middle School
Private, 6-8 | 589 students | Rating: 5/10
Miguel Juarez Middle School
Public, 6-8 | 764 students | Rating: 4/10
Waukegan High School
Public, 9-12 | 4,609 students | Rating: 8/10
Lake County Baptist School
Public, PK-12 | 168 students | Rating: 8/10
St Martin De Porres High School
Private, 9-12 | 153 students | Rating: 6/10
Cristo Rey St. Martin College Prep
Private, 9-12 | 242 students | Rating: 4/10
Lake Shore Academy
Public, 7-12 | 630 students | Rating: 4/10
Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science
College of Lake County
Lake Forest College
Trinity International University-Illinois
William Rainey Harper College
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