Channel Lake, IL
Full City Profile · Illinois · McHenry County County
3.6
/5.0
B+
Good
1,988
Population
1,104/sq mi density
$63,958
Median Income
$33,993 per capita
$210,400
Home Value
$245,832 Zillow
$1,526
Median Rent
44.9% income on rent
49°F
Avg Temperature
B+
Overall
3.6 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.4 / 5.0
$63,958 median income, 3.8% 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
Channel Lake experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 49°F (9°C). Winters average 22°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 40.2 inches. The area receives 43.4 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.
Temperature
22°F Jan (-5°C)
73°F Jul (23°C)
| Annual Average | 48.6°F |
| 10% below US avg | |
| January Average | 22°F (-5°C) |
| July Average | 73°F (23°C) |
Geography
| Elevation | 759 ft (231 m) |
| Area | 1.8 sq mi (4.7 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,104/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 42.4827°N, 88.1471°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | McHenry County County |
| Nearest Airport | Kenosha Regional (ENW) 14 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 43.0 |
| Rating | Good |
| Good Days % | 66.9% |
| Unhealthy Days | 1 |
Air Pollutants (EPA 2023)
| Ozone (O₃) | 0.0484 ppm |
| PM2.5 (Fine Particles) | 9.1 μg/m³ |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Moderate |
| Risk Score | 90.8 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 10.6 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 84.0 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively High |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | Relatively High |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively High |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Tsunami History
1 tsunami recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 3.0 m (10 ft).
| Year | Location | Cause | Max Wave | Deaths | Distance |
| 1954 | MICHIGAN CITY, IN (LAKE MICHIGAN) | Avalanche | 3.0 m | 7 | 136 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database. Sorted by wave height.
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 22°F (-5°C) | 1.7 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 25°F (-4°C) | 3.0 in | |
| March | 35°F (2°C) | 2.4 in | |
| April | 47°F (8°C) | 3.7 in | |
| May | 58°F (15°C) | 4.1 in | |
| June | 68°F (20°C) | 5.2 in | Wettest |
| July | 73°F (23°C) | 4.6 in | Warmest |
| August | 72°F (22°C) | 4.0 in | |
| September | 64°F (18°C) | 3.6 in | |
| October | 52°F (11°C) | 3.2 in | |
| November | 39°F (4°C) | 2.6 in | |
| December | 28°F (-2°C) | 2.1 in |
Channel Lake has a seasonal temperature swing of 51°F / from 22°F in January to 73°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 40.2 inches, with June being the wettest month (5.2") and January the driest (1.7").