City profile · Illinois · Census ACS 2023

Wonder Lake, IL

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Wonder Lake - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

4,141
Residents
$102,829
Median income
$242,300
Median home
$1,781
Median rent (state)

Wonder Lake - the verdict

Wonder Lake ranks in the 79th percentile for household income and the 84th percentile for safety nationally, out of every US city with at least 1,000 residents. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

79th
percentile, household income
54th
percentile, home value
72nd
percentile, median rent
84th
percentile, safety
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Wonder Lake, IL

Illinois's Wonder Lake is a small town, with 4,141 residents per the latest Census Bureau ACS figures. Median household income here is $102,829 per year, placing it in the top quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 3.5%. Home values in Wonder Lake run a median of $242,300, and the median resident age is 33.8 years. About 23.5% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 67.8% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Housing supply pressure shows in Census Building Permit Survey data: 128 residential units were authorized in 2024 (Active). Wonder Lake reports a comparatively low crime rate: FBI UCR figures show 514.5 crimes per 100,000 residents, below the national average (reporting is voluntary across agencies, so treat this as reporting activity rather than a definitive danger score).

Illinois tracks close to the national cost-of-living baseline: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 puts Illinois at 100.0 on a 100-equals-national-average scale (Near Average). Statewide, HUD pegs Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit at $1,781 monthly. Monthly utility costs average around $240 across Illinois, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. On FEMA's National Risk Index, this area rates 90.8 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (Very High).

Population

4,141 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Illinois

Median Household Income

$102,829 /yr

Poverty 3.5%

Cost of Living Index (state)

100.0 (US=100)

Near Average - BEA RPP 2024, Illinois average

How does Wonder Lake compare to other US cities?

Where Wonder Lake sits among all US cities (population 1,000+) on each measure, computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 79% higher than other cities
Home value 54% pricier than other cities
Median rent 72% pricier than other cities
Safety 84% safer than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

A national percentile can hide a lot of local variation: narrowed to Illinois alone, Wonder Lake ranks #113 of 455 Illinois cities by lowest crime rate - a different, more locally useful comparison than stacking it against the entire country.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares Wonder Lake against every qualifying US city; each in-state rank narrows that to Illinois only. Full formula and direction notes: methodology.

Illinois-relative analysis

Median Home Value places Wonder Lake toward the top of Illinois's cities

Among the 1,315 Illinois cities PlainCities tracks with reported median home value data, Wonder Lake ranks #245 - the 81st percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Wonder Lake only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#202 of 1,311
85th percentile in Illinois
Median Gross Rent
#17 of 1,336
77th percentile in Illinois
Median Home Value
#245 of 1,315
81st percentile in Illinois
Poverty Rate
#977 of 1,335
26th percentile in Illinois
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#455 of 1,336
66th percentile in Illinois

Ranked by raw value (highest first); a higher rank is not automatically "better" for every measure, see each metric's own context above. This is a comparison within Illinois only, not a livability score. See the methodology for the source and calculation.

79thIncome percentile
84thSafety percentile

79th percentile nationally for median household income · 84th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Wonder Lake's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Wonder Lake's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 67 Avg. percentile National median
Wonder Lake's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How Wonder Lake's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$242,300 46th percentile more affordable than 46% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). This entry sits in this band. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Wonder Lake $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Wonder Lake, IL Wonder Lake, IL's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Wonder Lake, IL-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Wonder Lake, IL median $102,829/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Wonder Lake, IL's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Wonder Lake, IL. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 23.5%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 3.5%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 67.8%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
4,141
Median Income
$102,829
Median Home Value
$242,300
Median Age
33.8
Poverty Rate
3.5%
Labor force participation
67.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
23.5%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
514.5
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
19.1
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
495.4
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Schools

Total Schools
1
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
3,500 residents4,000 residents4,500 residents5,000 residents5,500 residents6,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 4,004 residents 5,593 residents ▲ +39.7%
Wonder Lake's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

🏗️ Active
Total Permits (2024)
128
housing units authorized
Single-Family
53
detached homes
Multifamily
75
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
30.9
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 0
2020 1
2021 221
2022 186
2023 168
2024 128

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
81.5%
Carpool
4.1%
Public Transit
0.3%
Walk
0.0%
Work from Home
14.1%

Based on 2,146 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for Illinois - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$100
avg/month
Natural Gas
$90
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$50
avg/month
Total Utilities
$240
estimated/month

Estimates reflect Illinois state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a Illinois state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Wonder Lake sits in

Cost of Living Index
100.0
Near Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,781/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
90.8 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Illinois

Coal Valley
4,142 people
Rosemont
4,145 people
Caseyville
4,170 people
Metamora
4,094 people
Kildeer
4,189 people
Scott AFB
4,195 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Wonder Lake's 4,141 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Gibson, AR
4,141 people
Lambertville, NJ
4,141 people
Akwesasne, NY
4,140 people
Newport, SC
4,142 people
Jena, LA
4,139 people
Southport, NC
4,143 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Wonder Lake's $102,829 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Spring Lake Heights, NJ
$102,829 median income
Summitview, WA
$102,830 median income
Marlboro, NJ
$102,813 median income
Sandia Knolls, NM
$102,801 median income
Beachwood, OH
$102,798 median income
Cornwall, PA
$102,861 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Wonder Lake, IL Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Wonder Lake, IL - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 77.7% 15.9% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 25.8% White 77.7% Black or African American 0.0% Asian 1.8% American Indian 0.0% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 4.6% Two or more races 15.9% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Wonder Lake compares to nearby Illinois cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Wonder Lake (this city) 4,141 $102,829
Coal Valley 4,142 $104,781
Rosemont 4,145 $69,153
Caseyville 4,170 $57,919
Census ACS 5-year FIPS IL FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Wonder Lake, IL?

What is the population of Wonder Lake, IL? +

Wonder Lake, IL has a population of 4,141 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Wonder Lake, IL? +

In Wonder Lake, the typical household earns $102,829 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Wonder Lake? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Wonder Lake; the closest available measure is the Illinois state average, a cost of living index of 100.0 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Near Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within Illinois vary by metro area.

Is Wonder Lake, IL safe? +

Wonder Lake has a total crime rate of 514.5 per 100,000 residents, which is below the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in Wonder Lake, IL? +

Homes in Wonder Lake carry a median value of $242,300, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.