Waukegan ZIP Codes — Lake County, IL

There are 3 unique ZIP codes in Waukegan, Illinois. Area code: 224/847.

ZIP codes

27.75

sq mi land

2.42

sq mi water

224/847

area code

Waukegan, IL ZIP code map

About Waukegan, IL

Waukegan, Illinois, is a vibrant city located in Lake County, known for its rich cultural diversity and historic charm. Situated along the shores of Lake Michigan, Waukegan offers a mix of urban amenities and scenic beauty. Residents and visitors enjoy a variety of recreational activities, local events, and a strong sense of community.

Location & geography

Waukegan is situated in northeastern Illinois, approximately 40 miles north of downtown Chicago. The city is bordered by the beautiful shores of Lake Michigan to the east and is surrounded by nearby cities such as North Chicago just 3 miles to the south, and Lake Forest about 10 miles to the southwest. Waukegan covers a total land area of 27.75 square miles, with an additional 2.42 square miles of water, offering both urban and waterfront landscapes.

Community & economy

The character of Waukegan is defined by its welcoming neighborhoods and a rich tapestry of cultural influences. The city is home to various industries, including manufacturing and healthcare, which contribute to its economic vibrancy. Daily life in Waukegan is marked by community events, local dining options, and access to recreational facilities along the waterfront.

Transportation

Waukegan is easily accessible via major highways, including Interstate 94, which connects travelers to the greater Chicago area. The nearest airport is the Chicago Executive Airport, located about 20 miles away, while public transportation options, including Metra train services, provide efficient commuting to surrounding areas. Additionally, local bus services enhance connectivity within the city and to nearby destinations.

History

Waukegan was founded in the early 19th century and became an important port city due to its location along Lake Michigan. Key industries have historically included shipping, manufacturing, and trade, which played a crucial role in the city's development. Notable events in Waukegan's past are linked to its early settlement days and its growth as a cultural hub in Lake County.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Waukegan is that it is the birthplace of famous comedian and actor Jack Benny, who grew up in the city. Additionally, the city hosts the annual Waukegan Harbor Dog Fest, attracting visitors from afar to enjoy canine-related activities and festivities.

ZIP codes for Waukegan, IL (3)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
60079	Waukegan	Lake	View map
60085	Waukegan	Lake	View map
60087	Waukegan	Lake	View map

Demographics & statistics

99,280

Population

33.9

Median age

$63,563

Median household income

$27,503

Per capita income

$161,050

Median home value

$1,183

Median monthly rent

51.9%

Home ownership

14.4%

Poverty rate

5.9%

Unemployment

18,459

Housing units

18.8%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

2,962

Under 5

3,064

3,498

5–9

3,618

3,436

10–14

3,553

3,967

15–19

4,102

4,144

20–24

4,285

7,181

25–34

7,426

6,695

35–44

6,923

5,904

45–54

6,106

3,087

55–59

3,192

2,359

60–64

2,439

3,465

65–74

3,584

1,485

75–84

1,535

624

85+

646

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	24,897	25.3%
18 and over	74,383	74.8%
65 and over	11,339	12.0%
Median age	33.9 years

Race & ethnicity

Hispanic or Latino 27.5%

White 26.1%

Other race 16%

Two or more races 13.3%

Black or African American 12%

Asian 4.3%

American Indian / Alaska Native 0.8%

Group	Count	%
Hispanic or Latino	37,671	27.5%
White	35,677	26.1%
Other race	21,901	16%
Two or more races	18,259	13.3%
Black or African American	16,453	12%
Asian	5,858	4.3%
American Indian / Alaska Native	1,108	0.8%

Household income

Under $10k 3.8%

$10k–$15k 3.7%

$15k–$25k 7.3%

$25k–$35k 9.1%

$35k–$50k 14.2%

$50k–$75k 17.5%

$75k–$100k 17.0%

$100k–$150k 16.5%

$150k–$200k 6.0%

$200k+ 5.0%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	3.8%
$10k–$15k	3.7%
$15k–$25k	7.3%
$25k–$35k	9.1%
$35k–$50k	14.2%
$50k–$75k	17.5%
$75k–$100k	17.0%
$100k–$150k	16.5%
$150k–$200k	6.0%
$200k+	5.0%
Median income	$63,563

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 8.8%

$50k–$100k 7.7%

$100k–$150k 25.4%

$150k–$200k 31.1%

$200k–$300k 21.8%

$300k–$500k 4.4%

$500k–$1M 0.7%

$1M+ 0.4%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$161,050
Median rent / month	$1,183
Owner occupied	51.9%
Renter occupied	48.2%
Vacant	4.5%
Single-family detached	51.9%
Large apartment buildings	11.8%
Mobile homes	5.4%
Median rooms	5.0
Avg household size (owned)	3.02

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.0%
2010–2019	2.1%
2000–2009	6.3%
1990–1999	14.0%
1980–1989	11.7%
1970–1979	17.0%
1960–1969	12.4%
1950–1959	18.3%
1940–1949	5.7%
1939 or earlier	12.6%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	2.2%
1 bedroom	15.8%
2 bedrooms	33.1%
3 bedrooms	35.7%
4 bedrooms	11.0%
5+ bedrooms	2.3%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	8.8%
1 vehicle	34.4%
2 vehicles	33.4%
3 or more	23.6%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	77.6%
Electricity	19.1%
Propane / LP gas	2.2%
Wood	0.2%
No fuel used	0.9%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	14,813	45.9%
Cohabiting couple	2,754	7.5%
Male householder, no spouse	7,118	19.6%
Female householder, no spouse	9,603	27.2%
Households with children under 18	12,243	36.4%
Households with seniors (65+)	8,581	25.9%
Average household size	2.84

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	42.6%	37.5%
Married	46.4%	43.4%
Separated	1.2%	2.4%
Widowed	2.3%	6.1%
Divorced	7.7%	10.8%

Education

Less than 9th grade 13.0%

Some HS, no diploma 10.5%

HS graduate 31.8%

Some college, no degree 19.6%

Associate's degree 6.4%

Bachelor's degree 11.9%

Graduate / professional 6.9%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	76.5%
Bachelor's or higher	18.8%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	1,188	4.0%
Kindergarten	1,757	7.1%
Elementary school	10,947	41.8%
High school	6,519	24.8%
College / grad school	5,834	22.2%

Employment

Industry of employment

Manufacturing 19.6%

Education & healthcare 18.4%

Retail trade 13.2%

Professional & management 12.0%

Arts, food & hospitality 9.3%

Transportation & utilities 5.8%

Construction 5.6%

Finance & real estate 4.5%

Public administration 3.8%

Other services 3.7%

Wholesale trade 3.5%

Information 0.8%

Agriculture & mining 0.1%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	26.6%
Service	20.4%
Sales & office	20.3%
Natural resources & construction	7.6%
Production & transportation	25.2%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	85.2%
Government	11.8%
Self-employed	2.9%
Unpaid family workers	0.2%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	74.5%
Carpool	15.9%
Public transit	1.9%
Walk	0.8%
Other means	2.2%
Avg commute (minutes)	26.8

Poverty

All people 14.4%

Under 18 years 23.4%

18 and over 11.4%

Married-couple families 5.9%

Female-led households 27.1%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	25.6%
Retirement income	22.6%
Supplemental Security	5.2%
Cash public assistance	2.2%
Food stamps / SNAP	18.0%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	30.3%
High cholesterol	28.1%
Heart disease	5.3%
Stroke	3.0%
Asthma	10.1%
Arthritis	21.4%
Kidney disease	2.8%
Pulmonary disease	5.9%
Cancer	4.5%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	13.6%
No physical activity	32.1%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	34.6%
Fair or poor health	19.0%
Poor mental health	14.1%
Poor physical health	10.7%
No health insurance	22.7%
Visited doctor (checkup)	74.8%
Visited dentist	57.8%
Cholesterol screening	86.5%
Teeth loss	19.7%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	3,276	4.4%

Disability	%
Any disability	11.1%
Under 18	4.0%
18–64 years	9.7%
65 and over	34.3%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	55.9%
Public insurance	38.9%
Uninsured under 19	6.2%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	93,254	93.8%
Spanish	21,214	22.3%
Other Indo-European	19,266	20.2%
Asian & Pacific Islander	503	0.4%
Other languages	1,211	1.5%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	69,270	71.7%
Born in same state	66,843	68.8%
Born in different state	53,848	54.9%
Foreign born	2,427	3.0%
Naturalized citizen	30,010	28.3%
Not a US citizen	11,271	39.7%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Italian	3,276	3.3%
Arab	2,932	3%
French	2,217	2.2%
Polish	560	0.6%
English	254	0.3%

Ancestry	Count	%
Norwegian	185	0.2%
Dutch	134	0.1%
Irish	90	0.1%
German	59	0.1%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	34.7%
Internet access	94.8%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2025 estimates.

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Waukegan, IL have?

Waukegan, IL has two ZIP codes: 60085 and 60087. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.