In the 1980s, the downtown Waukegan neighborhood was home to several industrial buildings on the lakefront. Decades later, the area is still dealing with the environmental ramifications of its industrial past, as there are still three Superfund sites in the city close to the lake. Amid all that, the city is undergoing an ambitious revitalization effort by transforming the shores of Lake Michigan into an inviting development with residential, commercial, and recreational opportunities. “It’s a long process, but things are happening fast,” says Niya Simone, public relations specialist for the City of Waukegan. “There have been trendy businesses that have opened, and it’s a very walkable downtown. There are plans to upgrade the infrastructure to make it more so.”
Classic theatre is still a downtown Waukegan centerpiece
The Genesee Theater was built about 100 years ago but was closed for many years during downtown Waukegan’s decline in the 1980s. It reopened in 2004 and is the site of many performances. “I’m a frequent visitor,” Simone says. “They have cool throwback movies and music and kids shows.” Across the street is Nightshade and Dark’s Pandemonium Brewing. “It’s LGBTQ-friendly with periodic drag shows. They have an 80s night and food trucks available,” she adds. “There’s an Instagram-famous hairdresser that opened a studio called Hair Culture. If you want to be a business owner, now is a really good time. It’s pretty affordable.” Lucky Scottie Restaurant is a bar, restaurant, and gaming haven with periodic live music. Reyes Grocery is locally owned in the heart of downtown, while chains like Aldi and Jewel-Osco are a few miles away.
Waukegan visitors will notice the variety of murals and street art.
Enjoy live theatre and shows at the Genesee Theatre in Waukegan.
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Walking culture in downtown Waukegan
The Walk Score website gives most of downtown Waukegan a high walkability score. “I don’t drive, and it’s a 15-minute walk from where I live to the Metra station,” Simone says. “There are plans to make the station even more accessible for pedestrians.” The trip to the Ogilvie Transportation Center in downtown Chicago takes about an hour. Pace buses are on several major roads. Those who prefer to travel by car can hook up with Interstate 94, about 6 miles west, for the 40-mile trip to downtown Chicago.
Grab a quick bite to eat at the food trucks in Downtown Waukegan.
Downtown Waukegan features public parks, including Jack Benny Park.
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ArtWauk emphasizes public art
On the third Saturday of every month, art is displayed in the Arts & Entertainment District on Genesee and Washington Streets in an event that has been going on for over a decade. During Art Wauk, galleries in the area open their doors and art lovers can purchase paintings and sculptures. Even when Art Wauk is not going on, art lovers and critics can check out the murals on the sides of buildings.
Waukegan residents can enjoy the public displays and murals at Art Park.
Art Park features murals.
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Older houses in Downtown Waukegan
Houses from the late 1800s and early 1900s are dominant in the downtown area. Prices range from homes that need some work around $100,000 to those that have been renovated around $400,000. National Folk, American Foursquare, bungalows and ranch-style are the most popular styles. Multifamily homes range from $100,000 to $200,000. There are also several apartments, some on the second floor of downtown buildings. The CAP crime score is 6, with some violent crimes scoring higher on the list.
National homes are the dominant home style in Downtown Waukegan.
Some homes in Downtown Waukegan feature front porches and tidy lawns.
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Service-learning at Waukegan High School
Grade school students in the Downtown Waukegan neighborhood attend public school in the Waukegan Community Unit School District 60, which includes North Elementary School. It earns a C-minus grade from Niche. Robert E. Abbott Middle School, with a 13-to-1 student-teacher ratio, also earned a C-minus grade. Waukegan High School students attend classes in two buildings. The Brookside campus is for ninth and tenth graders, and the Washington Street campus is for juniors and seniors. The school, which also scores a C-minus, offers a service-learning program that combines in-class learning with real-world environments. The program enhances students’ civic participation and prepares them for life skills that could help them in the future. Learning and discovery at any age happen at the Waukegan Public Library, which holds an annual creative contest named after famed author Ray Bradbury, who was born and spent his formative years in Waukegan.
North Elementary School is part of Waukegan Community Unit School District 60.
Waukegan High School is a public school located in Waukegan, IL.
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Markers honor author at Ray Bradbury Park
One of the parks in the downtown area is named after Bradbury, who often mentions his boyhood home in his semi-autobiographical stories but renames it Green Town. The park is close to where he grew up and contains an informational display and an honorary plaque commemorating him. The park, which used to be called Powell Park, and the steps leading to the Waukegan Ravine inspired one of his short stories. It’s fitting that the park has a take-one/leave-one book kiosk for the community to share literature. Besley Park is less than an acre but contains a playground and a community garden. Water-related recreation options are close to Lake Michigan, such as the Waukegan Harbor & Marina, which has almost 700 slips. During the summer, the crowds form at Waukegan Municipal Beach.
Downtown Waukegan features public parks, including Jack Benny Park.
Enjoy the walking trail and bridge at Ray Bradbury Park in Waukegan.
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Superfund sites near Lake Michigan
Three EPA-defined Superfund sites in Waukegan are near downtown and the lake. One is near the intersection of Pershing and Dahringer Roads, the site of a former manufactured gas plant. A companion plant also being remediated is south on Pershing Road. The third is the Outboard Marine Corporation site at the north part of Waukegan Harbor, which was once the home of an onboard-boat-motor manufacturing plant and a former coal gasification facility.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Sandra Giron,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Ray Bradbury Park
Corrine J. Rose Park
Larsen Nature Preserve Park
Greenbelt Forest Preserve
Bike Trails
Fishing
Lake
Dugdale Park
Eugene P King Park
Plonien Park
Besley Park
Roosevelt Park
Transit
Airport
Chicago O'Hare International
44 min drive
Bus
Belvidere & Mcalister
Bus
Genesee St & Washington St
Bus
Sheridan Rd & Madison St
Bus
Washington St & West St
Bus
Grand Ave & West St
Bus
542 Washington St
Bus
Sheridan Rd & Grand Ave & Mathon Dr
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Downtown Waukegan
US
Homicide
7
4
Sexual Assault
7
4
Assault with Weapon
8
4
Robbery
8
4
Burglary
5
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
6
4
Larceny
4
4
Crime Score
6
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Downtown Waukegan, Waukegan sell after 6 days on the market compared to the national average of 47 days. The average sale price for homes in Downtown Waukegan, Waukegan over the last 12 months is $145,000, down 28% from the average home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Prime Commercial Location Available - Bring Your Vision! This exceptional commercial property is situated on a busy street, offering high visibility and excellent exposure to potential customers. B-3 Zoning: Allows for a wide range of commercial uses. High Traffic Area, Utilities to the Site, "Sold As Is",No survey, SELLER FINANCING AVAILABLE: Flexible terms: We are eager to discuss seller
Madison West Apartments is a clean and quiet place to live. Located near the downtown area we are close to public transportation including the train station which is a 10 minute walk! Go a little further and you will find yourself at the beach or harbor for a relaxing time on the pier. We are 10 minutes from major highways and large shopping centers. We have on site management as well as on site
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Sandra Giron,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Total Population
2,627
Median Age
36
Population under 18
22.1%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
12%
Below the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$34,166
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$50,232
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
73.5%
Below the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
20.2%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
2.8%
% Population in Labor Force
58.8%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
34''
Average Winter Low Temperature
16°F
Average Summer High Temperature
81°F
Annual Snowfall
30''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
26/ 100
Very Walkable
Walk Score®
83/ 100
Some Transit
Transit Score®
46/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
