Population714,342 (2020 Census)
Lake Michigan Shores Meet Inland Communities
Lake County, IllinoisWaukegan anchors a county stretching from the Lake Michigan shore to inland lakes and suburban communities. Its geography includes a substantial area of Lake Michigan water. This guide brings together a starting point for county information, public services and local connections. Begin with Waukegan, then use the resource links to plan the details of a visit or an everyday errand. Check directly with each provider for current hours, access and service availability before setting out.
Lake County at a Glance
Population714,342 (2020 Census)
County SeatWaukegan
Largest MunicipalityWaukegan
Established1839
ZIP Codes37 ZIP codes wholly or partly within the county (checked October 4, 2026)
Total Area1,368.3 sq mi (land and water; 2020 Census geography)
Major RoutesInterstate 41; Interstate 94; U.S. Route 12; U.S. Route 14; U.S. Route 41
Area Codes224 / 847 (common local area codes)
Meet Your County Advertisers
Local Connections for Everyday Needs
Explore Mary's Greenhouse for plants and garden selections.
Discover Lake County
Lake County
The county was established in 1839 and named for Lake Michigan. Waukegan became its county seat as communities developed along the shore and farther inland. Today, Waukegan remains the county seat, while Waukegan is its largest municipality. The 2020 Census counted 714,342 residents across the county. Its towns and surrounding countryside offer different ways to understand the same place: through public buildings, transportation routes and the communities that connect them. Local records and historical collections provide a starting point for exploring how those connections changed over time.
Life in Lake County extends beyond a single town center. Shoreline and inland lake communities are part of the local setting, alongside the routine needs of households, schools and businesses. Use county offices for the services they administer and contact municipal or township offices when a question concerns a specific address. Planning around the actual destination helps make visits, appointments and local errands more practical, especially when travel crosses town or county boundaries.
What Shapes Us
Local Heritage
Established in 1839, Lake County has a history recorded in its communities and public institutions. Start with local collections to explore specific people, buildings and events.
Landscape and Connections
Shoreline and inland lake communities help distinguish Lake County. Its county seat, Waukegan, provides a useful starting point for understanding how nearby communities connect across the area.
Everyday Community
County and local offices connect residents with practical services. Follow the linked providers for details specific to your destination, address and purpose in Lake County.
Explore the towns, follow the stories, make local connections.
A Look Around
Scenes from Lake County
Places and details that tell a local story.
Lake County, IL (.gov)
Lake County Service Area Notice for the Wildwood Water System
Read the full story at Lake County, IL (.gov).
Read the Story Oct 19, 2026 • Local news
Around Lake County
Stories from every corner of Lake County.
Lake County Service Area Notice for the Wildwood Water System
Read the full story at Lake County, IL (.gov).
Oct 19, 2026 • Local news
Message from Lake County - Department of Public Works
Read the full story at Lake County, IL (.gov).
Oct 17, 2026 • Local news
Lake County Emergency Service Area Notice for the Wildwood Water System
Read the full story at Lake County, IL (.gov).
Oct 16, 2026 • Local news
Lake County Sheriff’s Office K-9 team participates in calendar
Read the full story at Shaw Local.
Oct 15, 2026 • Local news
As 7-OH ban looms, Lake County providers and families brace for what’s next
Read the full story at Shaw Local.
Oct 15, 2026 • Local news
Keep These Businesses in Mind
Start with a Direct Conversation
Contact Mary's Greenhouse directly to ask about current options, availability and the services you need.
County Resources
Find the Right Local Connection
Start with the responsible public agency or service provider. Statewide links are labeled so you can locate the office that serves your address.
Government
County & Local Resources
Supervisor of Assessments
Property assessments, exemptions and assessment office information.
Phone (847) 377-2050
Schools
County & Local Resources
Hospitals and Health
County & Local Resources
Northwestern Lake Forest Hospital
Address 1000 N WESTMORELAND ROAD, Lake Forest
Phone (847) 234-5600
Public Safety
County & Local Resources
Illinois State Police
Statewide or federal resource; select the office or service for your address.
Illinois State Police contacts
Find the appropriate State Police contact; call 911 for emergencies.
FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center
Report cyber-enabled crime through the federal complaint portal; emergencies require 911.
Emergency Services
County & Local Resources
Illinois Emergency Management Agency and Office of Homeland Security
Statewide or federal resource; select the office or service for your address.
National Weather Service
Statewide or federal resource; select the office or service for your address.
State Parks
County & Local Resources
Volo Bog State Natural Area
Ingleside, Lake County. Check facilities and access notices.
Chain O'Lakes State Park
Spring Grove — regional option in McHenry County. Check facilities and access notices.
Moraine Hills State Park
McHenry — regional option in McHenry County. Check facilities and access notices.
William W. Powers Conservation Area
Chicago — regional option in Cook County. Check facilities and access notices.
Trails
County & Local Resources
Chain O'Lakes State Park
Spring Grove — regional option in McHenry County. Check trail access and permitted uses.
Moraine Hills State Park
McHenry — regional option in McHenry County. Check trail access and permitted uses.
Lake View Nature Center
Oakbrook Terrace — regional option in Dupage County. Check trail access and permitted uses.
Springbrook Nature Center
Itasca — regional option in Dupage County. Check trail access and permitted uses.
Fox River Bike Trail & Fabyan Forest Preserve
Geneva — regional option in Kane County. Check trail access and permitted uses.
Utilities
County & Local Resources
Illinois Commerce Commission
Statewide or federal resource; select the office or service for your address.
Illinois 811 — JULIE
Statewide or federal resource; select the office or service for your address.
Illinois energy assistance
Find utility-bill assistance and the local administering agency.
Libraries
County & Local Resources
Barrington Area Library
Address 505 North Northwest Highway Barrington , IL 60010-3399
Phone 847-382-1300
Cook Memorial Public Library District
Address 413 North Milwaukee Avenue Libertyville , IL 60048-2247
Phone 847-362-2330
Courts
County & Local Resources
Illinois Courts
Statewide or federal resource; select the office or service for your address.
Illinois Courts — Forms
Statewide or federal resource; select the office or service for your address.
Illinois Court Help
Court-process information and help for people without an attorney.
DMV
County & Local Resources
Transportation
County & Local Resources
Illinois Department of Transportation
Statewide or federal resource; select the office or service for your address.
Getting Around Illinois
Statewide or federal resource; select the office or service for your address.
Illinois public transportation
Find public transportation information and regional agencies.
IDOT transit programs
Transit program information, including rural and intercity services.
Amtrak Illinois services
Find Illinois intercity rail routes and stations; some counties require travel to a regional station.
Postal Services
County & Local Resources
USPS Location Finder
Statewide or federal resource; select the office or service for your address.
USPS ZIP Code Lookup
Statewide or federal resource; select the office or service for your address.
USPS Informed Delivery
Statewide or federal resource; select the office or service for your address.
Veterans
County & Local Resources
Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs
Statewide or federal resource; select the office or service for your address.
VA Facility Locator
Statewide or federal resource; select the office or service for your address.
Veterans Crisis Line
Statewide or federal resource; select the office or service for your address.
Employment
County & Local Resources
IllinoisJobLink — official job-seeker help
Statewide or federal resource; select the office or service for your address.
Illinois Department of Employment Security
Statewide or federal resource; select the office or service for your address.
Illinois workNet
Statewide or federal resource; select the office or service for your address.
Work for Illinois
Statewide or federal resource; select the office or service for your address.
A Useful Starting Point
County facts and practical links for everyday questions.
Questions and Answers
Get to Know Lake County
Find background and service information below, then follow the provider links for current details.
Waukegan is the county seat. Lake County Government provides county office information; check the office destination before traveling.
Waukegan is the largest municipality listed in the county reference. Countywide statistics include other communities and unincorporated areas as well.
The 2020 Census counted 714,342 residents. This is a decennial count, not a current-year population estimate.
Lake County was established in 1839. The county was established in 1839 and named for Lake Michigan. Waukegan became its county seat as communities developed along the shore and farther inland.
The county covers approximately 1,368.3 sq mi (land and water; 2020 Census geography). This total includes both land and water, rather than land area alone.
Waukegan anchors a county stretching from the Lake Michigan shore to inland lakes and suburban communities. Its geography includes a substantial area of Lake Michigan water.
Six Flags Great America & Hurricane Harbor is in Gurnee, Lake County. Check the provider’s current opening times and visitor information before traveling.
Use USPS ZIP Code Lookup with the full street address. A county boundary does not define a single postal delivery area.
Lambs Farm is in Libertyville, Lake County. Check the provider’s current opening times and visitor information before traveling.
Volo Bog State Natural Area is in Ingleside, Lake County. Basic access is the free activity; extras may carry charges. Check the provider’s current opening times and visitor information before traveling.
Begin with the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs to locate the appropriate service office, or the VA facility locator for federal facilities.
Meet Your County Advertisers
Local Connections for Everyday Needs
Explore Mary's Greenhouse for plants and garden selections.
My Local Guide
Find Something Fun
Explore Local PlacesPlan your next stop around current information from each place.
Kids’ Fun
- Six Flags Great America & Hurricane Harbor — Gurnee, Lake County
- Par-King Skill Golf — Lincolnshire, Lake County
- Stade's Farm & Market — McHenry — regional option in McHenry County
Restaurants
- Bill's Pub North — Grayslake, Lake County
- Wildberry — Libertyville, Lake County
- Mickey Finn's Brewery — Libertyville, Lake County
Shopping & Retail
- Gurnee Mills — Gurnee, Lake County
- Hawthorn Mall — Vernon Hills, Lake County
- Volo Antique Malls — Volo, Lake County
Clothing & Boutiques
- Norton's USA — Barrington — regional option in Cook County
- Makoma House — St. Charles — regional option in Kane County
- Boutique Baby — St. Charles — regional option in Kane County
Outdoor Fun
- Lambs Farm — Libertyville, Lake County
- Volo Bog State Natural Area — Ingleside, Lake County
- Bowen Park — Waukegan, Lake County
Free Things To Do
- Volo Bog State Natural Area — Ingleside, Lake County; basic grounds/trail visit. Rentals, camping, special activities or events may cost extra.
- Illinois Beach State Park — Zion, Lake County; basic grounds/trail visit. Rentals, camping, special activities or events may cost extra.
- Moraine Hills State Park — McHenry — regional option in McHenry County; basic grounds/trail visit. Rentals, camping, special activities or events may cost extra.
Make Time for Local DiscoveriesChoose Your Next Stop