Waukegan Illinois Map

About Waukegan, Illinois

Waukegan is a locality in Lake County, Illinois, United States. It has a population of 89,076. The population density is 1415.2 people per km². Waukegan is located at 42.3636°N, 87.8448°W. It observes the Central Time (America/Chicago) timezone. ZIP code: 60048.

Waukegan unfolds along the western edge of a great, breathing lake, a place where the land gently slopes toward the vast blue expanse. It lies 2.6 miles north of North Chicago, IL (from North Chicago, IL: bearing 356°T), and is situated 3.0 miles east of Gurnee. The air here carries the distinct tang of fresh water, a constant companion to the wide skies that often bloom with dramatic clouds. Streets, some straight and purposeful, others winding with the old contours of the earth, lead toward the lakefront, revealing glimpses of weathered piers and the distant shimmer of boats. The rhythm of Waukegan is one of ebb and flow, a steady pulse set by the seasons and the persistent lapping of waves against the shore. Even the brick buildings, some showing the patina of decades, seem to absorb the diffused light that filters across the water, giving the town a softened, reflective character. The story of Waukegan is deeply entwined with the bounty of Lake Michigan and the fertile land surrounding it. Once a bustling hub for shipbuilding and a vital port for commerce, its industrial past is still visible in the sturdy bones of its older structures. This heritage has given way to a more diverse economy, yet the spirit of enterprise remains, evident in the local businesses that serve the community. The presence of Ravinia Festival, a world-renowned summer concert venue, draws a sophisticated crowd, adding a cultural counterpoint to the town’s working-class roots. Waukegan's history is also marked by the creative sparks of its residents, including the legendary cartoonist and animator Walt Disney, whose formative years were spent here, a testament to the enduring influence of this lakeside locale.

About This Waukegan Map Page

This page provides an embedded street and satellite map of Waukegan, Illinois — switch between views using the small square in the bottom left-hand corner of the map. Coordinates: 42.363633, -87.844794. Live weather conditions are sourced directly from the National Weather Service, with current observations and a 7-day forecast also powered by Open-Meteo. Real-time local news and world news feeds keep the page current, while a Wikipedia summary or an editorially written description provides background on Waukegan and Lake County.

Detailed location data for Waukegan includes the ZIP code (60085), telephone area code (312, 773), county seat of Lake County (Waukegan), and school district assignment (Waukegan Community Unit School District 60). These are among the most commonly searched location details for any US city or town.

Location data is drawn from the USGS Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) and cross-verified against 2020 US Census records by coordinate proximity — ensuring the correct Waukegan is identified even where the name is shared across multiple counties or states. Population figures are sourced from the 2020 US Census.