WaucondaAreaLibraryFrontEntrance, 2019
Wauconda’s story
177 years in pictures
Census counts: 298 in 1880, 14,084 in 2020. The archive holds 4 old photos and papers going back to 2019 and 5 maps from 1920 on.
- 1849Wauconda is settled
WaucondaIL
Trash & recycling3 bordering townsMap →
Photo: Transport6087 · CC BY-SA 4.0
Population
13,993
2025 Census estimate · −0.7% since 2020
Typical home
$350K
+5.8% in a year
Household income
$111K
median
Median age
36.6
years
Jobs based here
5,556
Balanced
TownGrade
A
#95 of 767 in IL
Why does Wauconda grade so well?
Wauconda is one of the best-graded places in America: an A, 95th among Illinois's 767 graded towns. It reports less crime per resident than 95% of U.S. towns, residents are healthier than 85% of U.S. towns on CDC estimates, and the median household earns $111K. Its lowest mark, a C+, is in cost of living. 11% of residents are 65 or older in Wauconda, against 19% in Illinois’ towns and 18% across U.S. towns. The biggest park or preserve is Lakewood Forest Preserve, at 114 acres.
What makes Wauconda stand out
Where Wauconda beats most towns.
How Wauconda grades
Each subject compared with towns across the country (schools within Illinois), ordered by how far Wauconda is from typical.
SafetyA+Open →HealthAdvocate Good Shepherd Hospital 6 miles awayA−Open →Jobs & incomeA−Open →WalkabilityEPA walkability 7.4 of 20; 3.6% of households have no car; 3.1% of workers walk, bike or ride transitB+Open →Cost of livingC+Open →SchoolsBeat 59% of Illinois districts on tests and graduationBOpen →Hazard riskinland flooding tops the listBOpen →
Character Graded, but not part of the overall grade.
Outdoors1 mile of trail; 7% conserved landBOpen →HistoryC+Open →Civic life3.8 community nonprofits per 1,000 residentsB−Open →
Described, not graded Taste, not quality: snow or an older crowd is neither good nor bad.
How TownRatings grades towns →
Getting set up
The full setup list →Moving to Wauconda: who provides what
Who provides power, water and the rest in Wauconda, and how to reach them.
PowerCommonwealth Edison17.7¢/kWh · EIA 2025HIFLD · EIA
WaterWauconda water systemNo health-based violations in 5 years · EPAEPA
Internet5 providers100% of addresses get 100/20 MbpsFCC
Trash & dumpWauconda facility (Village drop-off facility)Town’s haulerTown site
SchoolsMundelein Consolidated High School District 120Wauconda Community Unit School District 1182 districts serve Wauconda; which school depends on your address and gradeNCES
Register to voteOnlineIn Illinois you can register online until 16 days before Election Day, in person up to and including Election Day, or by mail (postmarked 28 days before).vote.govWho runs elections hereLake County ClerkLake County; contacts on the Handbook page.FVAP, Jul 2024
ZIP code6008460084 100%Census 2020
EPA SDWIS (Oct 9, 2026) · HIFLD + EIA-861 2025 · Census 2020 ZCTAs · NCES 2024–25 · registration: vote.gov, updated Sep 12, 2025.
The data
Ordered by what stands out in Wauconda.
SafetyA+
Wauconda’s grade for safety is an A+
Violent crime is rare: 6 reported in 2025, 0.4 per 1,000 residents.
Wauconda’s property crime rate is 1.1 per 1,000 residents.
95%of U.S. towns report more crimeA+Safety Grade
| Wauconda | Illinois towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Property crimes per 1,000 (2025) | 1.1 per 1,000 residents | 7.9 | 9.9 |
| Violent crimes per 1,000 (2025) | 0.4 per 1,000 residents | 1 | 1.6 |
Violent crime per 1,000 residents
Wauconda0.4
Illinois2.6
U.S.3.3
Property crime per 1,000 residents
Wauconda1.1
Illinois15.6
U.S.15.5
95th
percentile among U.S. towns we grade
97th
percentile among IL towns
6
violent crimes reported in 2025
16
property crimes reported in 2025
FBI crime data, 2025 · crimes reported to police
HealthA−
Wauconda’s grade for health is an A−
30% of adults feel lonely in Wauconda. Wauconda beats the Illinois average on 9 of 32 CDC measures and trails it on 0. 32% of adults sleep under 7 hours in Wauconda.
85%healthier than U.S. townsA−Health Grade
| Wauconda | Illinois towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feel lonely (CDC PLACES) | 30% | 33% | 33% |
| Sleep under 7 hours (CDC PLACES) | 32% | 35% | 36% |
| Frequent mental distress (CDC PLACES) | 15% | 17% | 17% |
| Depression (CDC PLACES) | 20% | 22% | 23% |
32 measures vs. Illinois
9 better23 too close to call0 worse
| What stands out | Wauconda | IL |
|---|---|---|
| Fewer adults facing food insecurity | 11.4% | 15.9% |
| Fewer adults without reliable transportation | 6.1% | 8% |
Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital
6 mi away · emergency room
1 of 3
care shortages: mental health
76th
percentile among IL towns
CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · CMS · HRSA
Climate
Snowy winters and pleasant summers in Wauconda
Wauconda has cold, snowy winters and pleasant summers. The July high in Wauconda is 83°F.
43″snow a winter
Typical low → high °F
Winter18–33°
Spring37–58°
Summer60–81°
Fall42–61°
Oct 20
typical first frost
Apr 29
typical last frost
+1.2°
vs. the 20th-century average
NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020
HousingCost of living grade C+
Homes in Wauconda are worth about $350K, by Zillow’s estimate
The typical Wauconda home is worth about $350,000, up 5.8% in a year, 18% above the Illinois typical home.
$350KZillow home value
| Wauconda | Illinois towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median rent | $1,371 a month | $1,128 a month | $1,185 a month |
| Households that own their home | 76% | 75% | 73% |
Typical home value
Wauconda$350K
Illinois$296K
Market temperature
60
days on market
100%
sale-to-list price
+5.8%
value change, 1 year
15
homes sold in May
Zillow Home Value Index · Redfin Data Center
Work & commuteJobs & income grade A−
With 0.8 jobs for every working resident, most of Wauconda’s workers commute out
Most working residents leave Wauconda for work: only 7% work in town. Since 2013, Wauconda has added 535 jobs, to 5,556 in 2023. 6.2% of Wauconda residents live below the poverty line.
7%work in town
| Wauconda | Illinois towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average trip to work | 31 minutes | 26 minutes | 25 minutes |
| Median household income | $111,000 | $83,000 | $80,000 |
| Work from home | 15% | 11% | 11% |
| Below the poverty line | 6.2% | 8.4% | 9.6% |
Where working residents work
In Wauconda7%
Chicago12%
Mundelein3%
Lake Zurich3%
Vernon Hills3%
14 mi
median commute distance
5,556
jobs based in Wauconda
Balanced
jobs vs. working residents
B+
Walkability grade: more walkable than 66% of U.S. towns
Census LEHD 2023 · ACS
Who lives here
More children than Illinois overall
Children under 18 are 28% of residents (22% statewide); people 65 and older are 11% of residents (17% statewide). 38% of adults 25 and older have a bachelor’s degree or more, vs 38% across Illinois.
36.6median age · IL 39
| Wauconda | Illinois towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 18 | 28% | 22% | 22% |
| Median age | 36.6 years | 40.7 years | 40.5 years |
| Bachelor’s degree or more, 25+ | 38% | 29% | 29% |
WaucondaIllinoisUnited States
Ages · share of residents
17%
Education · adults 25 and older
No diploma9%
High school19%
Some college23%
Associate’s11%
Bachelor’s23%
Graduate16%
Women and men · all residents
49% women, 51% men
That’s an even split within the survey’s margin of ±2.2 points. Across Illinois, 50.6% of residents are women. Median age: women 36.5, men 36.8.
| Wauconda | IL | U.S. | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 10 | 15.1% | 11.5% | 11.6% |
| 10 to 17 | 13% | 10.4% | 10.3% |
| 18 to 24 | 9% | 9.1% | 9.1% |
| 25 to 34 | 9.1% | 13.6% | 13.7% |
| 35 to 44 | 16.9% | 13.3% | 13.2% |
| 45 to 54 | 13.2% | 12.4% | 12.2% |
| 55 to 64 | 12.5% | 12.8% | 12.7% |
| 65 to 74 | 8.2% | 10% | 10.2% |
| 75 and older | 3% | 7% | 7% |
| No diploma | 8.7% | 9.5% | 10.4% |
| High school | 19.3% | 25.1% | 26% |
| Some college | 23.2% | 19.2% | 19.1% |
| Associate’s | 10.6% | 8.3% | 8.8% |
| Bachelor’s | 22.7% | 22.6% | 21.6% |
| Graduate | 15.5% | 15.3% | 14.1% |
U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates
OutdoorsB
Wauconda has set aside 6.9% of its land for conservation
0.7 miles of trail in 9 parks and preserves.
6.9%conserved
| Wauconda | Illinois towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Miles of trail per square mile | 0.1 miles per square mile | 0.3 | 0.4 |
| Conserved land | 6.9% | 3.6% | 4.3% |
6.9%
conserved · 253 of 3,672 acres
0.7 mi
of trails · 0.1 per sq mi
| Biggest places to walk | Trails | Acres |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Homer T. Cook Memorial Park | 0.3 mi | 47 |
| 2. Lakewood Forest Preserve | — | 114 |
| 3. Fieldbrook Park | — | 10 |
Trails & parks © OpenStreetMap contributors · Conserved land: USGS PAD-US
Natural hazardsHazard risk grade B
Inland flooding leads a moderate hazard risk in Wauconda
Expected storm and flood damage is higher than in 52% of U.S. communities. Since 1978, 22 flood insurance claims have been paid out in Wauconda.
52risk score of 100
FEMA risk score
Inland floodingTornadoesCold waves
22
paid flood claims since 1978
6
federal disasters paid out here
FEMA flood insurance claims · FEMA National Risk Index · OpenFEMA
Nearby attractions
All 187 attractions →Wrigley Field and 130 more within 40 miles
Museums, parks, gardens and other places to visit around Wauconda. Close and well known come first.
Big draw34 mi Stadium & arenaWrigley Field
Big draw39 mi Stadium & arenaSoldier Field
Big draw12 mi Theme parkSix Flags Great America3.0M visitors a year
Big draw36 mi Stadium & arenaUnited Center
23 mi Stadium & arenaAllstate Arena
Big draw38 mi MuseumArt Institute of Chicago1.5M visitors a yearSources: National Park Service · ski areas © OpenSkiMap / OpenStreetMap contributors · Wikidata · Wikipedia readership · photos via Wikimedia Commons
Photo credits
Wrigley Field: Ryan Dickey, CC BY 2.0 · Soldier Field: Photo by Joon Han Contact: [email protected], CC BY-SA 3.0 · Six Flags Great America: Feather Better, CC BY 4.0 · United Center: User:JeremyA, CC BY-SA 2.5 · Allstate Arena: Nkon21, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Art Institute of Chicago: ajay_suresh, CC BY 2.0
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Keep exploring
Everything we know about Wauconda
19pages on Wauconda
The big questions
SchoolsBBeat 59% of IL districtsSafetyA+0.4 violent crimes per 1,000 residents (2025)HealthA−Better than IL on 9 of 32 CDC measuresCost of livingC+$350K typical home · up 5.8% in a yearWork & commuteA−$111K median household income · 5,556 jobs hereNatural hazardsBFEMA risk higher than 52% of U.S. communities · inland flooding
Out and about
The story
After high school
Colleges nearby
7 within 15 miles of the center of Wauconda
University of Saint Mary of the LakeUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · Mundelein6.9 miCollege of Lake CountyCommunity college · Public · Grayslake8.2 mi$4,788 in-state tuitionMcHenry County CollegeCommunity college · Public · Crystal Lake12 mi$4,162 in-state tuition
About 6 of every 100 Wauconda residents are enrolled in college, about the same as Illinois.
About Wauconda
Village in Illinois, United States
Wauconda ( or ) is a village in Lake County, Illinois, United States, a northwest suburb of Chicago. Per the 2020 census, the population was 14,084. It is the site of the Wauconda Bog Nature Preserve, a National Natural Landmark. Wauconda Community Unit School District 118 serves students from Pre-K through 12th grade who live in Wauconda and surrounding communities (Island Lake, Lakemoor, Volo, and unincorporated sections of McHenry County). Fremont School District 79 also serves students from communities from northern part of Wauconda.
From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0 · facts via Wikidata (CC0)
- Established
- 1849
- Area
- 5.8 sq mi
- Elevation
- 804 ft
- ZIP code
- 60084
Wauconda’s neighbors
3 towns share a border with Wauconda.
Wauconda TownshipFremont TownshipLake BarringtonWauconda
How the neighbors grade
| Town | IL rank | Overall | Cost | Safety | Schools | Health |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wauconda | #95 | A | C+ | A+ | B | A− |
| Wauconda Township | #301 | B+ | C | — | B | A− |
| Fremont Township | #173 | A− | C− | — | A− | A |
| Lake Barrington | #299 | B+ | D− | — | A | A |
Wauconda Township, Fremont Township and Lake Barrington report no FBI crime data of their own. Compare Wauconda with a neighbor →
Questions about Wauconda
Short answers, built from the data on this page.
Is Wauconda, IL a good place to live?
Yes, by almost any measure. Wauconda grades A overall, better than 92% of U.S. towns and #95 of 767 in Illinois. It grades A− for health, A+ for safety and B for schools.
Is Wauconda, IL expensive?
That is 3.8 years of the area's median household income ($90,887 across the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area). Cost of living, which also weighs rents, property taxes and how many households pay 30% or more of their income for housing, grades C+.