Village · Illinois

Fox Lake, Illinois

Fox Lake, village, mostly in Lake County (94.2% of its 2020 residents), with a part in McHenry County, Illinois. Fox Lake had 10,849 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 1.1% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 10,978 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 11,131 (±492). GEOID 1727442.

Residents, July 2025 estimate

10,849

Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 10,978 · ACS 2020-2024: 11,131 ±492

Median household income

$70,819

±$9,787 (90% margin)
Illinois: $83,390

Median home value

$228,100

±$13,227 (90% margin)
Illinois: $263,300

Median gross rent

$1,047

±$94 (90% margin)
Illinois: $1,274

Where is Fox Lake and what county is it in?

Fox Lake is a village mostly in Lake County (94.2% of its 2020 residents), with a part in McHenry County, Illinois. It covers 7.8 square miles of land, 1,401 residents per square mile in 2020.

Fox Lake is in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metropolitan statistical area, which takes in 13 counties (Census Bureau delineation, July 2023).

Fox Lake lies mostly within Grant Township (Lake County) and reaches into Antioch Township and Burton Township (McHenry County), towns or townships with their own local government (2020 census blocks).

Fox Lake's 2020 Census population by county (Census place-by-county parts)
County2020 residentsShare
Lake County10,33994.2%
McHenry County6395.8%
Fox Lake (marked with a dot) in Lake County, Illinois. Boundaries: Census Bureau 2024.

Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files

How many people live in Fox Lake, and is it growing?

The Census Bureau estimates that 10,849 people lived in Fox Lake on July 1, 2025, down 1.1% since 2020, in line with Illinois (−0.8%). The 2020 Census counted 10,978 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 11,131 (±492).

  • July 2020→2021 −29 (10,933)
  • 2021→2022 −56 (10,877)
  • 2022→2023 −18 (10,859)
  • 2023→2024 +19 (10,878)
  • 2024→2025 −29 (10,849)
ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates (counts) with the change from 2015-2019
Measure Fox LakeLake CountyIllinois Change since 2015-2019
Total population 11,131 ±492 714,223 12,694,798 no clear change
Households 5,281 ±341 258,455 5,036,449 +644
Average household size 2.10 ±0.14 2.69 2.46 −0.20
Housing units 5,998 ±382 270,618 5,457,452 +664

Fox Lake's population since 2000

From 9,178 in 2000 to 10,849 in 2025: up 18.2%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Fox Lake as it was drawn that year: a place that annexed land, or a community that has since incorporated, covered a different area then. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.

  • 2000 Census 9,178
  • 2005 (estimate) 10,003
  • 2010 Census 10,579
  • 2015 (estimate) 10,545
  • 2020 Census 10,978
  • 2025 (estimate) 10,849

Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates

Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); Census PEP Vintage 2025 (SUB-EST2025, CO-EST2025); 2020 Census P.L. 94-171 · Check it at data.census.gov

Who lives in Fox Lake?

The median resident of Fox Lake is 42.9 years old; 16.3% are under 18 and 21.1% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 74.7%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 18.0%. 10.9% of residents were born outside the United States.

Age, origin, education and moves, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates. Race groups are non-Hispanic; Hispanic includes any race.
Measure Fox LakeLake CountyIllinois Change since 2015-2019
Median age 42.9 ±4.2 39.1 39.0 no clear change
Under 18 years 16.3% ±3.4 pts 23.3% 21.8% –
65 years and over 21.1% ±3.6 pts 15.8% 17.0% –
Male 48.6% ±2.9 pts 50.3% 49.4% –
Hispanic or Latino (any race) 18.0% ±6.3 pts 24.9% 18.8% +9.5 pts
White alone, not Hispanic 74.7% ±6.4 pts 56.2% 58.1% −12.4 pts
Black or African American alone, not Hispanic 3.6% ±2.7 pts 6.3% 13.3% –
Asian alone, not Hispanic 1.3% ±1.0 pts 8.6% 5.9% –
American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic 0.0% ±0.3 pts 0.1% 0.1% –
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic 0.1% ±0.2 pts 0.0% 0.0% –
Two or more races, not Hispanic 2.0% ±1.1 pts 3.3% 3.4% –
Some other race alone, not Hispanic 0.3% ±0.5 pts 0.6% 0.4% –
Born outside the United States 10.9% ±3.6 pts 19.8% 14.7% +4.9 pts
Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) 16.5% ±5.6 pts 31.4% 24.0% –
Civilian veterans (age 18+) 4.9% ±2.3 pts 4.7% 4.8% –
With a disability 15.5% ±3.5 pts 9.8% 12.1% –
No health insurance coverage 11.3% ±6.6 pts 6.9% 6.9% +8.4 pts
High school graduate or higher (age 25+) 91.9% ±3.4 pts 90.6% 90.5% –
Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) 25.7% ±5.6 pts 47.7% 37.8% no clear change
Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) 8.0% ±2.6 pts 20.1% 15.3% –
Lived in the same house a year earlier 87.2% ±4.4 pts 88.4% 88.9% –
Moved from another state in the past year 1.1% ±0.8 pts 2.9% 1.6% –

Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov

What do households in Fox Lake earn?

Half of Fox Lake's 5,281 households earn less than $70,819 a year (±$9,787), against $110,416 in Lake County and $83,390 in Illinois. In 2015-2019 it was $74,125 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 13.1% of residents live below the poverty line.

Income and poverty in 2024 dollars, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates; 2015-2019 dollars adjusted with the R-CPI-U-RS
Measure Fox LakeLake CountyIllinois Change since 2015-2019
Median household income $70,819 ±$9,787 $110,416 $83,390 no clear change
Mean household income $87,603 ±$7,921 $155,726 $115,638 –
Per capita income $42,203 ±$3,790 $57,153 $46,406 no clear change
People below the poverty line 13.1% ±5.8 pts 8.3% 11.8% no clear change
Children under 18 below the poverty line 21.7% ±18.5 pts 11.5% 15.1% –
Households receiving SNAP 16.7% ±5.3 pts 9.4% 13.8% –
Households with a computer 93.1% ±3.9 pts 97.2% 95.2% –
Households with a broadband subscription 89.6% ±4.2 pts 94.3% 90.8% –

Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov

What does housing cost in Fox Lake?

Owners occupy 67.9% of Fox Lake's occupied homes and renters 32.1%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $228,100 by its owner (±$13,227). The median renter pays $1,047 a month including utilities, and 48.8% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.

Housing, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates. Home values are owners' own estimates.
Measure Fox LakeLake CountyIllinois Change since 2015-2019
Median home value (owner-occupied) $228,100 ±$13,227 $345,700 $263,300 +$29,835
Median gross rent $1,047 ±$94 $1,477 $1,274 −$255
Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent 48.8% ±11.4 pts 40.1% 39.0% no clear change
Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage $1,831 ±$151 $2,503 $1,987 –
Owner-occupied homes 67.9% ±6.1 pts 74.8% 67.1% no clear change
Renter-occupied homes 32.1% ±6.1 pts 25.2% 32.9% –
Housing units 5,998 ±382 270,618 5,457,452 +664
Homeowner vacancy rate 2.6% ±2.8 pts 0.9% 1.0% –
Rental vacancy rate 5.1% ±4.3 pts 3.7% 5.0% –
Single-family detached homes 45.4% ±5.5 pts 66.6% 58.2% –
Mobile homes 0.2% ±0.2 pts 1.6% 2.3% –
Built 2020 or later 0.5% ±0.6 pts 0.6% 0.7% –
Built 2010 to 2019 3.3% ±1.9 pts 4.9% 5.0% –
Built 1939 or earlier 11.4% ±3.9 pts 8.4% 20.2% –
Households with no vehicle 5.4% ±2.5 pts 4.6% 11.0% –

Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov

How many new homes is Fox Lake building?

Builders took permits for 305 new housing units in Fox Lake in 2025 (3 in single-family houses), 28.1 per 1,000 residents against 1.5 across Illinois.

  • 2019 25 units
  • 2020 5 units
  • 2021 0 units
  • 2022 1 units
  • 2023 10 units
  • 2024 1 units
  • 2025 305 units

Counts of units in permits a local office issued; not every permitted unit is built. A year marked with months was reported for part of the year.

Source: Building Permits Survey, annual place files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey

How do people in Fox Lake work and get to work?

72.9% of Fox Lake's workers drive alone and 12.7% work from home. The average trip to work takes 33.8 minutes.

Work and commuting, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates (workers 16 and over)
Measure Fox LakeLake CountyIllinois Change since 2015-2019
In the labor force (age 16+) 64.4% ±4.9 pts 68.2% 65.0% –
Unemployment rate 4.2% ±3.0 pts 5.2% 5.8% –
Drove alone to work 72.9% ±5.1 pts 65.7% 65.9% –
Carpooled 8.0% ±3.9 pts 8.5% 7.8% –
Public transportation 1.8% ±1.6 pts 2.7% 5.8% –
Walked 1.8% ±2.0 pts 2.1% 2.8% –
Worked from home 12.7% ±3.9 pts 19.5% 15.9% +7.4 pts
Mean travel time to work 33.8 min ±2.9 28.5 min 27.8 min no clear change

Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov

What census tracts are in Fox Lake?

2 census tracts lie mostly in Fox Lake, and 7 more reach into it (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $58,894 (Tract 8609.03) to $61,719 (Tract 8609.08).

Census tracts in Fox Lake, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates
TractResidents, 2020-2024Median household incomeMedian home valueShare of tract in Fox Lake
Tract 8609.03Lake County6,238 $58,894 $214,80077%
Tract 8609.05Lake County5,316 $92,420 $236,90025%
Tract 8609.08Lake County1,939 $61,719 $265,80057%
Tract 8608.07Lake County3,479 $66,500 $223,10031%
Tract 8609.06Lake County11,060 $138,844 $285,9006%
Tract 8701.05McHenry County4,024 $130,817 $344,20013%
Tract 8609.07Lake County3,636 $98,977 $263,4006%
Tract 8608.05Lake County2,090 $80,833 $227,4004%
Tract 8701.06McHenry County2,638 $125,038 $405,5001%

Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 block assignment files (tract share = share of the tract's census blocks in Fox Lake) · Census block assignment files

How does Fox Lake compare with other places in Illinois?

By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Fox Lake is the 3,035th-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 212th-most populous of 1,294 in Illinois.

Fox Lake ranks 829th of 1,380 places in Illinois with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.

Fox Lake's rank in Illinois (1 = highest): by population among the state's incorporated places with a 2025 estimate; by the other measures among places of 1,000+ residents with a reliable estimate
MeasureRankOf
Population, July 2025 estimate212th1,294
Growth 2020-2025 (PEP)466th1,347
Residents per square mile472nd1,383
Median household income829th1,380
Per capita income512th1,383
Median home value471st1,379
Median gross rent509th1,280
Poverty rate370th1,119
Bachelor's degree or higher612th1,369
Median age478th1,383
Owner-occupied share1,100th1,382
Work from home399th1,015
Travel time to work93rd1,382

Fox Lake's figures with every place in Illinois (CSV)

Every place in Illinois, sortable · Compare Fox Lake with other places

Source: PlainCities ranks computed from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed

How reliable are the figures for Fox Lake?

14 of the 57 figures for Fox Lake on this page carry a coefficient of variation over 40% and are marked with a ring: they come from a small sample, so read them as rough.

The American Community Survey samples about one household in eight over five years, so every figure is an estimate with a 90% margin of error (shown under each value). A ring marks an estimate whose coefficient of variation is over 40%. A change is called only when the gap between the two periods is larger than their combined 90% margin (the square root of the sum of the two squared margins), the Census Bureau's test. How to read a margin of error.

Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026): margins of error as published · ACS technical documentation

How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections

Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Fox Lake are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' public schools in Fox Lake.