Everything You Should Know Before Moving to Great Lakes, IL
Considering a move to Great Lakes, IL? With a young, diverse population of about 18,500, this military-influenced community offers affordable living—median home prices around $205,000 and typical rents near $1,300. Commute times average a quick 24 minutes, and the local area features solid schools and access to quality healthcare. Crime rates are moderate, and you'll enjoy four seasons, with warm summers and crisp winters. Explore cost-effective housing, a tight-knit community, and easy access to nearby amenities for your next chapter.
Demographics - Great Lakes, IL
Demographics - Great Lakes, IL
Great Lakes, IL is home to approximately 18,500 residents, featuring a notably young median age of 23 and a male-dominated population due to its military influence. The community is ethnically diverse, with over 17% of residents speaking a language other than English at home, making it a vibrant and multicultural area.
Population:
18,500
Density:
2,100 per sq mi
Median Age:
23.0
Gender Ratio:
240 males per 100 females
Non-English Speakers Percentage:
17.2%

Ethnic Composition
White:
55.0%
Black:
18.0%
Asian:
5.5%
Others:
21.5%
Cost Of Living
What is the average cost of living in Great Lakes, IL?
Living in Great Lakes is relatively affordable compared to national averages, with median home values at $205,000 and typical monthly rents around $1,300. The cost of living index sits just below the U.S. average, allowing residents to enjoy a good balance of value and amenities, especially in housing and daily expenses.
Median House Value:
$205,000
Gross Rent:
$1,300
Monthly Electricity Charges:
$110
Auto Insurance:
$1,250
House Owner Cost With Mortgage:
$1,500
House Owner Cost Without Mortgage:
$570
State Taxes:
Low:
4.95%
|
High:
4.95%
Cost Of Living Index:
97.0
Grocery:
96.5
Housing:
88.0
Utilities:
100.2
Transportation:
98.1
Health Care:
98.7
Miscellaneous:
95.3
Crime
Is Great Lakes, IL a safe place to live?
Great Lakes experiences moderate crime rates, with violent crime at 290 incidents per 100,000 residents and property crime at 1,495 per 100,000. Residents have a 1 in 345 chance of experiencing violent crime, reflecting safety levels typical for mid-sized communities.
Violent Crimes Per 100k:
290
Property Crimes Per 100k:
1,495
Crime Index:
1,785
Chance Of Violent Crime:
1 in 345
Chance Of Property Crime:
1 in 67
Weather
What is the weather like in Great Lakes, IL year-round?
Residents enjoy four distinct seasons, with warm summers reaching highs around 81°F and winters dipping to lows near 17°F. The area receives about 36.5 inches of rainfall annually and sees sunshine roughly 53% of the year, offering a classic Midwest climate with diverse weather throughout the year.

Winter
Min:
17°F
Max:
32°F

Spring
Min:
38°F
Max:
61°F

Summer
Min:
61°F
Max:
81°F

Fall
Min:
40°F
Max:
64°F
Average Rainfall Inches:
36.5 inches
Sunny Days Percentage:
53%
Neighbors
Households in Great Lakes have a median income of $61,500, with 91% of adults holding at least a high school diploma. The area has a relatively low unemployment rate of 5.4%, a poverty rate of 17%, and an average commute time of just over 24 minutes, supporting a stable and connected community.
Median Income:
$42,000
Household Income:
$61,500
Family Income:
$68,000
Per Capita Income:
$24,500
Income Male:
$30,500
Income Female:
$24,000
Poverty Rate:
17.0%
Non English Speakers:
17.2%
Rent:
$1,300
Unemployment Rate:
5.4%
Public Transport Usage:
2.3%
Commute Time:
24.2 minutes

Education
High School or Higher:
91.0%
Bachelors or More:
18.0%
Education
How are the schools in Great Lakes, IL?
Great Lakes offers a range of educational options, including well-rated public schools like North Chicago Community High School and Forrestal Elementary, as well as private and nearby college choices. With a student-to-teacher ratio around 15:1 in public schools and access to institutions like College of Lake County and Lake Forest College, families and students have solid opportunities for quality education.

Public Schools
Name:
North Chicago Community High School
Street:
1717 17th St
Phone:
847-578-7400
Students:
1,050
Student Teacher Ratio:
15.5
Name:
Forrestal Elementary School
Street:
2833 Washington Ave
Phone:
847-689-6310
Students:
370
Student Teacher Ratio:
14.2

Private Schools
Name:
St. Anastasia School
Street:
629 Glen Flora Ave
Phone:
847-623-8320
Students:
210

Colleges
Name:
College of Lake County
City:
Grayslake
State:
IL
Distance:
12 miles
Students:
14,000
Name:
Lake Forest College
City:
Lake Forest
State:
IL
Distance:
8 miles
Students:
1,600
Healthcare
Residents have access to quality healthcare, including major hospitals like Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center and Vista Medical Center East. Healthcare coverage is high at 91.5%, and the area enjoys a strong physician presence, ensuring most medical needs are well met locally.

Major Hospitals
Name:
Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center
Address:
3001 Green Bay Rd, North Chicago, IL 60064
Phone:
(224) 610-3714
Type:
General & Surgical
Emergency Services:
Yes
Name:
Vista Medical Center East
Address:
1324 N Sheridan Rd, Waukegan, IL 60085
Phone:
(847) 360-3000
Type:
General & Surgical
Emergency Services:
Yes
Physicians Per 1000:
2.2
Health Insurance Coverage:
91.5%
Health Care Index:
68.0
Housing Market
What is the housing market like in Great Lakes, IL?
The housing market in Great Lakes is accessible, with a median home price of $205,000 and average two-bedroom rents at $1,300. With a home appreciation rate of nearly 4% and a rental vacancy rate of 7.2%, both buyers and renters can find opportunities in this stable market.
Median Home Price:
$205,000
Average Rent For 2 Bedroom:
$1,300
Owner Occupied Rate:
24.5%
Rental Vacancy Rate:
7.2%
Home Appreciation Rate (1yr):
3.9%
New Construction Rate:
0.7%
Foreclosure Rate:
0.8%
DMV Information
Residents can access full driver and vehicle services at the Illinois Secretary of State facility in nearby Waukegan. The DMV provides convenient support for licensing, registration, and related needs, making it easy to stay current with state requirements.
State:
Illinois
Department:
Illinois Secretary of State - Driver Services Facility
Address:
617 S. Green Bay Rd., Waukegan, IL 60085
Phone:
1-800-252-8980
Website:
Disclaimer: The information provided on this page is based on publicly available sources including AccuWeather, U.S. Census Bureau, local government data, and third-party partners such as Neustar. While we strive to ensure accuracy, all data is provided “as is” and should be independently verified before making any decisions. Movers.com makes no guarantees regarding the completeness or reliability of the information.