A City With Deep Roots
ABOUT WAUKEGAN
One of Illinois' oldest communities — a river port turned manufacturing center, now a growing, diverse city on the shore of Lake Michigan.
Our History
FROM LITTLE FORT TO WAUKEGAN
First visited by Père Marquette in 1673, Waukegan began as a French trading post and Potawatomie settlement known as “Little Fort.” In 1829, the Potawatomie ceded the surrounding land to the federal government, and the settlement grew quickly — from 150 residents in 1844 to 2,500 by 1859, when it was officially incorporated as a city.
Early growth came from its role as a port, shipping grain and produce from Lake and McHenry County farms to Chicago. The arrival of the Illinois Parallel Railroad in 1855 turned Waukegan into a manufacturing center, a role it would hold for the next century.
Where the name comes from: On March 31, 1849, residents renamed their growing town from “Little Fort” to Waukegan — the Potawatomie word for “fort” or “trading post.”
89,321
Total Population
43,605
Total Labor Force
39,392
9.7%
Who Calls Waukegan Home
A DIVERSE COMMUNITY
Waukegan's population reflects a wide range of backgrounds, per the 2020 U.S. Census.
Fast Facts:
- 89,321 residents as of the 2020 Census
- One of the largest cities in Lake County, IL
- Population has held steady since 1998, following decades of growth from 1980–1998
- 43,605-person labor force with 90.3% employment
Source: 2020 U.S. Census; Illinois Dept. of Employment Security (2020 annual average)
Completed Projects
EXPLORE THE WORK
Additional data, planning documents, and workforce resources for Waukegan and Lake County.