Channel Lake, IL

Illinois · Metropolitan Area

Channel Lake is a small town in Illinois with a population of 1,988. Residents earn $63,958 per year, which is 15% below the national average.

3.7 /5.0
B+ Good
1,988 Population 1,104/sq mi density
$63,958 Median Income $33,993 per capita
$210,400 Home Value
$1,526 Median Rent
49°F Avg Temperature
B+
Overall
3.7 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.7 / 5.0
$63,958 median income, 2.3% unemployment
A+
Affordability
4.8 / 5.0
$210,400 home value, $1,526/mo rent
C+
Education
2.6 / 5.0
19.9% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $63,958
15% lower than US avg
Home Value $210,400
25% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 19.9%
41% lower than US avg
Median Rent $1,526
31% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate 35.4%
10% higher than US avg
Unemployment 2.3%
36% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 17.1%
38% higher than US avg

How Channel Lake Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population1,988
Median Age34.8 yrs
Density1,104/mi²
Male / Female55% / 45%
Largest GroupWhite 89%

Economy

B+
Median Income$63,958
Per Capita$33,993
Unemployment2.3%
Poverty17.1%
County GDP$15,983M
Commute33 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$210,400
Rent$1,526
OwnershipN/A

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity35.4%
UninsuredN/A
Depression22.0%
Heart Disease5.6%

Climate

Avg Temp49°F
AQI43 (Good)
Elevation759 ft

Education

C+
Bachelor's+19.9%
High School+94.8%
School Score5.34

Community

2024 VoteR 52% / D 47%
Commute33 min
Libraries13

Is Channel Lake a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Channel Lake receives an overall livability score of 3.7 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include an elevated poverty rate. Channel Lake offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Channel Lake is $63,958, 15% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 2.3%. The poverty rate of 17.1% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 33 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Channel Lake is $210,400, 25% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $1,526 per month, significantly above the national average of $1,163. A price-to-income ratio of 3.3x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Education

19.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 94.8% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.3/10.

Climate & Weather

Channel Lake experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 49°F. Winters average 22°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Channel Lake has a population of 1,988 with a density of 1,104 people per square mile. The median age is 34.8 years, 11% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (88.9%), with 1.1% Black.

Population

1,988
Total Population
1,104
People / sq mi
34.8yrs
Median Age
11% below US avg
1.8mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 55.2%
Female 44.8%

Race & Ethnicity

Channel Lake vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only97.5%
24% above US avg
Spanish2.5%
81% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Channel Lake vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Channel Lake is $63,958, which is 15% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 2.3% (below the 3.6% US average). 17.1% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 33 minutes.

Income: Channel Lake vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$63,958
15% below US avg
Per Capita Income$33,993
Avg Weekly Wage$1,060
IRS Avg AGI$93,804

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment2.3%
36% below US avg
Poverty Rate17.1%
38% above US avg
Establishments (County)7,928
County GDP$15,983M

Business (County)

Restaurants645
Healthcare846
Retail816
Manufacturing432

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$8,712
149% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate4.14%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time32.9 min
Work from Home14.5%

Walkability

The median home value in Channel Lake is $210,400, 25% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,526 (31% above US avg).

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$210,400
25% below US avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

$/Sq Ft$333
Homes Sold2
Sale-to-List Ratio87.8%
Price Drops0.0%
Inventory6

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,526
31% above US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$774
1 Bedroom$854
2 Bedrooms$1,063
3 Bedrooms$1,370
4 Bedrooms$1,561

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied78.7%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$8,712
149% above US avg
Effective Rate4.14%
In Channel Lake, 35.4% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 22.0% report depression. 19.4% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Channel Lake vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity35.4%
10% above US avg
Diabetes9.7%
Heart Disease5.6%
High Blood Pressure31.3%
Asthma10.0%
COPD6.2%
Stroke2.9%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking19.0%
Physical Inactivity19.4%
Depression22.0%
Mental Distress17.5%
Physical Distress11.8%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate94.7%
Checkup Rate74.0%
Premature Death5,730/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.8/10
Exercise Access93.1%
Healthcare Facilities846

Crime Rates: Channel Lake vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)18

Safety Score

Channel Lake has an average annual temperature of 49°F (9°C). Winters average 22°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

22°F Jan (-5°C) 73°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average48.6°F
10% below US avg
January Average22°F (-5°C)
July Average73°F (23°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation759 ft (231 m)
Area1.8 sq mi (4.7 km²)
Population Density1,104/sq mi
Coordinates42.4827°N, 88.1471°W
County FIPS17111
It is classified as Metro — 1 million+. 19.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (41% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 5.3-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 51.9%
D 46.6%

Winner: Republican by 5.3 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+19.9%
41% below US avg
High School+94.8%
School Test Score5.34
C+ Education Grade (2.6/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 1Metro — 1 million+
Population Density1,104/sq mi
Total Area1.8 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries13
Healthcare Facilities846
Restaurants645
Retail Stores816

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)18

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute32.9 min
Work from Home14.5%

Nearby Cities

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