Facts about Waukegan
FrenchLake County, 36 miles N of the Loop. traders were familiar with the
Waukegan area as early as 1650, and explorers Louis Jolliet and Jacques
Marquette encamped there in 1673 on their journey to find the Mississippi River.
By 1725 traders established the Little Fort trading post, which existed until 1760.
Thomas Jenkins of Chicago constructed a two-story frame structure on Lake Michigan in
1835 (on the site of the old trading post), and by 1841 Little Fort was established as
the county seat of Lake County. In March 1849 residents approved the name Waukegan,
the Potawatomi equivalent to Little Fort.
Waukegan Population (year 2000): 87,901.
Waukegan Estimated population in July 2005: 91,396 (+4.0% change)
Males: 44,621 (50.8%), Females: 43,280 (49.2%)
Waukegan Zip codes: 60085, 60087.
Waukegan Median resident age: 29.0 years
Waukegan Median household income: $42,335 (year 2000)
Waukegan Median house value: $118,200 (year 2000)
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Waukegan Radar
Quick Links for Waukegan
Waukegan Main Street
Waukegan Official City Web site
Waukegan Historical Society
Waukegan Public Schools
Waukegan Public Library
Waukegan Park District
Waukegan was incorporated in 1859. Major employers include Lake County Government, and Cherry Electrical Products.
Recreation
Waukegan offers many recreational and community activities, including the Waukegan Symphony Orchestra and Waukegan Municipal Band. Community facilities include 42 park sites encompassing 600 acres, 5 golf courses, 3 bowling alleys, two recreation centers with public swimming pools, a senior citizen center, Lake County Sports Ice & Fitness Center, and a YMCA.
Schools
Waukegan Unit School District #60 operates one pre-school, 14 public elementary schools, five middle schools and a high school with total school enrollment of 16,100. There are six parochial elementary schools in the City. Shimer College, a liberal arts college, is located in Waukegan. The College of Lake County's Lakeshore Campus offers associate degrees and adult education classes.
Housing
The 2000 median house value was $118,200 and the median rent cost was $647. (U.S. Census Bureau, 2000)
Medical Facilities
Hospital care for Waukegan residents is provided by St. Therese Medical Center and Victory Memorial Hospital.
Government Services
The Waukegan Police Department has 169 sworn officers on staff. The Waukegan Fire Department has five stations and 110 full-time firefighters.
Transportation
Pace bus lines link Waukegan with inland communities. Metra's Chicago & North Western/North Line commuter rail provides transportation to Chicago and other shoreline communities. Service for private aircraft is available at the Waukegan Regional Airport.
- Distance to the Chicago Loop: 45 miles
- Distance to O'Hare Airport: 37 miles
- Distance to Mitchell Field: 43 miles