Waukegan, IL Demographics

A map of Waukegan's Population by Race

Waukegan, Illinois has an estimated population of 89,076, a less than 1% change from the 89,321 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 57.9% Hispanic, 16.7% White, 16.6% Black, 5.4% Asian, 2.7% Multiracial, and 0.7% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Waukegan, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Waukegan has become more racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is about as diverse as Illinois overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In Waukegan, that probability was 59.2% in 2020 and 60.6% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Waukegan is ranked the 10th most populous place in Illinois, out of 1,461 places. This ranking is based on the Census definition of a place, which includes incorporated places like cities, towns, and villages, as well as unincorporated census-designated places (CDPs). Waukegan was ranked the 9th most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Waukegan's White Population

14,914 residents of Waukegan, or 16.7% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Waukegan is significantly lower than in Illinois overall, where 58.1% of the population is White. Waukegan ranks 1430th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 1,461 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Waukegan's White population has grown by an estimated 6.5%. White residents' share of Waukegan's population has increased from 15.7% to 16.7%.

Waukegan is more White than neighboring Park City (10.8% White). Waukegan is less White than neighboring North Chicago (25.1% White), Beach Park (32.8% White), Gurnee (58.2% White), and Green Oaks (74.1% White).

Waukegan's Black Population

14,749 residents of Waukegan, or 16.6% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Waukegan is slightly higher than in Illinois overall, where 13.3% of the population is Black. Waukegan ranks 101st statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 1,461 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Waukegan's Black population has remained roughly the same. Black residents' share of Waukegan's population has remained roughly unchanged at 16.6%.

Waukegan is more Black than neighboring Park City (6.4% Black), Beach Park (10.9% Black), Gurnee (7.7% Black), and Green Oaks (1.4% Black). Waukegan is less Black than neighboring North Chicago (23.7% Black).

Waukegan's Asian Population

4,836 residents of Waukegan, or 5.4% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Waukegan is comparable to the share in Illinois overall, where 5.9% of the population is Asian. Waukegan ranks 119th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 1,461 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Waukegan's Asian population has grown by an estimated 5.7%. Asian residents' share of Waukegan's population has remained roughly unchanged at 5.4%.

Waukegan is less Asian than neighboring Park City (6.3% Asian), North Chicago (6.1% Asian), Beach Park (7.2% Asian), Gurnee (12.9% Asian), and Green Oaks (9.4% Asian).

Waukegan's Hispanic Population

51,565 residents of Waukegan, or 57.9% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Waukegan is significantly higher than in Illinois overall, where 18.8% of the population is Hispanic. Waukegan ranks 13th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 1,461 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Waukegan's Hispanic population has declined by an estimated 2.9%. Hispanic residents' share of Waukegan's population has decreased from 59.5% to 57.9%.

Waukegan is more Hispanic than neighboring North Chicago (40.5% Hispanic), Beach Park (47.8% Hispanic), Gurnee (17% Hispanic), and Green Oaks (10.7% Hispanic). Waukegan is less Hispanic than neighboring Park City (75.1% Hispanic).

Waukegan's Native American/Other Population

624 residents of Waukegan, or 0.7% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Waukegan is comparable to the share in Illinois overall, where 0.5% of the population is Native American/Other. Waukegan ranks 103rd statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 1,461 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Waukegan's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 36.4%. Native American/Other residents' share of Waukegan's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.7%.

Waukegan is more Native American/Other than neighboring Park City (0.4% Native American/Other), Beach Park (0.3% Native American/Other), Gurnee (0.4% Native American/Other), and Green Oaks (0.4% Native American/Other). Waukegan is less Native American/Other than neighboring North Chicago (1% Native American/Other).

Waukegan's Multiracial Population

2,388 residents of Waukegan, or 2.7% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Waukegan is comparable to the share in Illinois overall, where 3.4% of the population is Multiracial. Waukegan ranks 1185th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 1,461 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Waukegan's Multiracial population has grown by an estimated 18.7%. Multiracial residents' share of Waukegan's population has remained roughly unchanged at 2.7%.

Waukegan is more Multiracial than neighboring Park City (1% Multiracial), and Beach Park (1% Multiracial). Waukegan is less Multiracial than neighboring North Chicago (3.6% Multiracial), Gurnee (3.9% Multiracial), and Green Oaks (4% Multiracial).

Sources: Most recent population estimates are from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. 2020 population counts and map data are from 2020 Census State Redistricting Data. Geographic data are from Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.