Wauconda, IL

Illinois · Metropolitan Area

Wauconda is a small city in Illinois with a population of 14,010. Residents earn $112,438 per year, which is 50% above the national average.

4.7 /5.0
A+ Excellent
14,010 Population 2,763/sq mi density
$112,438 Median Income $45,602 per capita
$268,300 Home Value $332,097 Zillow
$1,304 Median Rent
48°F Avg Temperature
A+
Overall
4.7 / 5.0
Excellent overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A+
Economy
4.9 / 5.0
$112,438 median income, 2.6% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$268,300 home value, $1,304/mo rent
A
Education
4.2 / 5.0
39.4% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $112,438
50% higher than US avg
Home Value $268,300
5% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 39.4%
17% higher than US avg
Median Rent $1,304
12% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate 33.0%
3% higher than US avg
Unemployment 2.6%
28% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 5.2%
58% lower than US avg

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

People

Population14,010
Median Age36.9 yrs
Density2,763/mi²
Male / Female49% / 51%
Largest GroupWhite 76%

Economy

A+
Median Income$112,438
Per Capita$45,602
Unemployment2.6%
Poverty5.2%
County GDP$15,983M
Commute31 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$268,300
Rent$1,304
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$332,097

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity33.0%
UninsuredN/A
Depression20.1%
Heart Disease4.7%

Climate

Avg Temp48°F
AQI43 (Good)
Rain38.5 in/yr
Elevation809 ft

Education

A
Bachelor's+39.4%
High School+91.9%
School Score5.34

Community

2024 VoteR 52% / D 47%
Commute31 min
EV Stations2
Libraries13

Is Wauconda a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Wauconda receives an overall livability score of 4.7 out of 5.0, earning a grade of A+. Key strengths include above-average household incomes, low unemployment, a highly educated population, a low poverty rate. Wauconda stands out as an excellent place to live, with strong marks across most quality-of-life indicators.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Wauconda is $112,438, which is significantly higher than the national average — 50% above $75,149. This places Wauconda among higher-income communities. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 2.6%. Only 5.2% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 31 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Wauconda is $268,300, roughly aligned with the national median of $281,900. Renters pay a median of $1,304 per month. At just 2.4x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

Educational attainment is solid, with 39.4% holding a bachelor's degree or higher, near the national average. 91.9% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.3/10.

Climate & Weather

Wauconda experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 48°F. Winters average 21°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 38.5 inches, including 43.1 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Wauconda has a population of 14,010 with a density of 2,763 people per square mile. The median age is 36.9 years, 5% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (75.6%).

Population

14,010
Total Population
2,763
People / sq mi
36.9yrs
Median Age
5% below US avg
5.1mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 49.3%
Female 50.7%

Race & Ethnicity

Wauconda vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only76.8%
2% below US avg
Spanish23.2%
73% above US avg

Social Characteristics

Wauconda vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Wauconda is $112,438, which is 50% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 2.6% (below the 3.6% US average). 5.2% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 31 minutes.

Income: Wauconda vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$112,438
50% above US avg
Per Capita Income$45,602
Avg Weekly Wage$1,060
IRS Avg AGI$93,804

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment2.6%
28% below US avg
Poverty Rate5.2%
58% below 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 Rate3.25%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time30.5 min
Work from Home14.2%

Walkability

The median home value in Wauconda is $268,300, 5% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,304 (12% above US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $332,097.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$268,300
5% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$332,097
Median List Price$392,237

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$392,237
$/Sq Ft$184
Homes Sold13
Sale-to-List Ratio99.5%
Price Drops17.9%
Inventory28

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,304
12% 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-Occupied79.6%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$8,712
149% above US avg
Effective Rate3.25%
In Wauconda, 33.0% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 20.1% report depression. 18.2% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Wauconda vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity33.0%
3% above US avg
Diabetes9.0%
Heart Disease4.7%
High Blood Pressure28.6%
Asthma9.4%
COPD5.0%
Stroke2.5%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking18.4%
Physical Inactivity18.2%
Depression20.1%
Mental Distress15.4%
Physical Distress10.6%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate93.5%
Checkup Rate74.6%
Premature Death5,730/100K

Food & Exercise

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

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)18

Safety Score

Wauconda has an average annual temperature of 48°F (9°C). Winters average 21°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. Annual precipitation is 38.5 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

21°F Jan (-6°C) 72°F Jul (22°C)
Annual Average47.9°F
11% below US avg
January Average21°F (-6°C)
July Average72°F (22°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall38.5 inches
1% above US avg
Snowfall43.1 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation809 ft (247 m)
Area5.1 sq mi (13.1 km²)
Population Density2,763/sq mi
Coordinates42.2770°N, 88.1353°W
County FIPS17111
It is classified as Metro — 1 million+. 39.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (17% above 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+39.4%
17% above US avg
High School+91.9%
School Test Score5.34
A Education Grade (4.2/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 1Metro — 1 million+
Population Density2,763/sq mi
Total Area5.1 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations2
Alt Fuel Stations2
Public Libraries13
Healthcare Facilities846
Restaurants645
Retail Stores816

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)18

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute30.5 min
Work from Home14.2%

Nearby Cities

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