Welcome to Waukegan, Illinois, where big-city amenities and small-town charm blend to form a community that is culturally rich, economically secure and family friendly.
With an area of nearly 25 miles, Waukegan is home to over 88,000 residents. Centered between the thriving metropolises of Chicago and Milwaukee, at the northeast corner of Illinois near the Wisconsin border, Waukegan is literally “At the Top of Illinois.” The city is special in that it offers a diverse blend of cultures, backgrounds and ethnic heritages.
Residents are provided excellent educational opportunities with award-winning schools and parks. Waukegan provides easy access to major transportation systems along with a vital downtown and thriving business climate. We also are home to some of the most picturesque residential areas in Northern Illinois. It’s ideal location, nestled along the western shores of Lake Michigan, attributes to its reputation as an ideal place to live, work and play.
Whether starting a business, relocating your family or just visiting, Waukegan’s cooperative approach will help you succeed. We invite you to take a closer look at Waukegan and experience its beauty, diversity and growth first-hand. We guarantee that once you come for a visit, you’ll want to stay for a lifetime.
City of Waukegan At a Glance
Population: 89,078
Housing units: 30,746
Area: 24.41 square miles
County: Lake
Township: Waukegan
Government: Mayor-Aldermanic
Incorporated: Feb. 2, 1859
Distance from Chicago: 37 miles
Elementary Schools: Carman-Buckner Elementary School, Andrew Cooke Magnet School, Greenwood Elementary School, Lyon Magnet School, Oakdale Elementary School, John S. Clark Elementary School, Glen Flora Elementary School, Hyde Park Elementary School, H. R. McCall Elementary School, Washington Elementary School, Clearview Elementary School, Glenwood Elementary School, Little Fort Elementary School, North Elementary School, Whittier Elementary School
Middle Schools: Robert Abbot Middle School, Jack Benny Middle School, Thomas Jefferson Middle School, Miguel Juarez Middle School, Daniel Webster Middle School
High schools: WHS-Washington Campus, WHS-Brookside Campus, Alternative/Optional Education Center
Area churches: Over 44 in the Waukegan area
Health care: Vista Health System, Oak Street Health, Lake Behavioral Health, PromptMed Urgent Care, Waukegan Immediate Care Center