Is Gurnee Safe, Pros and cons of living in Gurnee

Gurnee, Illinois, offers a blend of suburban living with convenient access to major metropolitan areas. Situated in Lake County, it lies approximately 40 miles north of Chicago and 50 miles south of Milwaukee, providing residents with the option for urban exploration or a quieter lifestyle. The village was founded in 1928 and is named after Walter S. Gurnee, a former Chicago mayor.

The community is a significant regional draw, largely due to its prominent attractions. These include the Six Flags Great America amusement park and its water park, Hurricane Harbor Chicago, as well as the Gurnee Mills shopping mall and the Great Wolf Lodge resort. These establishments collectively attract millions of visitors annually, contributing significantly to the local economy and shaping Gurnee’s identity as a tourist destination.

Is it Safe to Live in Gurnee?

Gurnee’s overall crime rate is higher than the national average. The total crime rate in Gurnee is 14% higher than the national average per 100,000 residents, leading to approximately 1.98 daily crimes (0.14 violent daily crimes and 1.85 daily property crimes) (as reported by AreaVibes). When compared to other communities of similar population size, Gurnee’s combined violent and property crime rate is notably above average.

Specifically, violent crime occurs at a rate higher than in most communities of all population sizes in America. The chance of becoming a victim of violent crime in Gurnee is 1 in 611, which translates to a rate of 2 per one thousand inhabitants (as reported by NeighborhoodScout). Regarding property crime, the rate is 2.24% (as reported by ERI Economic Research Institute).

Violent Crime Statistics

Within violent crime categories, Gurnee shows varied statistics compared to national averages. For instance, the rate of assault in Gurnee is 83.2, significantly lower than the national average of 282.7 (as reported by Niche). Conversely, the murder rate in Gurnee is 3.3, which is lower than the national average of 6.1 (as reported by Niche).

The rape rate in Gurnee is 59.9, which is higher than the national average of 40.7 (as reported by Niche). Robbery rates in Gurnee are 20, which is considerably lower than the national average of 135.5 (as reported by Niche). Overall, while some violent crime metrics are higher than national averages, others are considerably lower.

Property Crime Statistics

Property crime rates in Gurnee present a mixed picture when compared to national figures. The rate of burglary in Gurnee is 196.4, which is lower than the national average of 500.1 (as reported by Niche). Similarly, the theft rate in Gurnee stands at 1,910.7, also lower than the national average of 2,042.8 (as reported by Niche).

However, motor vehicle theft in Gurnee is at 136.5, which is lower than the national average of 284 (as reported by Niche). While the overall property crime rate is higher than the national average, specific categories like burglary and theft show lower rates (as reported by Niche).

Cost of Living

The cost of living in Gurnee, Illinois, is higher than both the national and state averages. Gurnee’s overall cost of living index is 117, signifying it is 17% higher than the national average (as reported by AreaVibes). This makes Gurnee one of the more expensive cities in the United States, ranking 967th out of 2202 cities nationally (as reported by Livingcost.org).

Housing costs are a significant contributor to this higher cost. Housing expenses in Gurnee are 42.7% higher than the national average, affecting both homeownership and rental prices (as reported by AreaVibes). This elevated cost of housing is a primary driver of Gurnee’s overall cost of living index.

Housing Costs

Housing in Gurnee comes with a premium compared to national figures. The median home value in Gurnee is approximately $368,528, showing a 5.0% increase over the past year (as reported by Zillow). This figure is considerably higher than the national median home value, with Gurnee housing costs being 43% higher than the national average (as reported by AreaVibes).

Rental prices also reflect this trend, with the average rent for an apartment in Gurnee being $1,810 per month, a 1.98% increase from the previous year (as reported by RentCafe). This average rent is 5% higher than the national average rent price (as reported by Apartments.com).

Everyday Expenses

Beyond housing, everyday expenses in Gurnee also tend to be higher than the national average. Transportation costs in Gurnee are 4.3% higher than the national average (as reported by AreaVibes). Food expenses are also above average, with a cost of living index that includes elevated prices for groceries and dining.

While some costs like energy, transportation, and healthcare might be lower in specific calculations, the overall basket of goods and services contributes to Gurnee being more expensive than the national average. For instance, the cost of living is 6% higher than the national average according to ERI Economic Research Institute.

Job Market and Economy

Gurnee’s job market is influenced by its proximity to Chicago and Milwaukee, as well as its own significant local attractions. The village has a working population of approximately 16,500 residents (as reported by Data USA). The primary employment sectors for Gurnee residents include manufacturing, healthcare and social assistance, and retail trade (as reported by Data USA).

The unemployment rate in Gurnee is 4.8% (as reported by Point2Homes), which is lower than the national average (as reported by AreaVibes). This suggests a relatively stable job market for those living in the area, with opportunities spread across various industries.

Major Employers

Several major employers contribute to Gurnee’s employment landscape. Six Flags Great America and Hurricane Harbor Chicago are significant employers, with the amusement park alone employing around 3,315 individuals (as reported by Wikipedia). Woodland School District 50 and Warren Township High School are also substantial employers within the education sector, providing hundreds of jobs.

Other notable companies with a presence in Gurnee include Nosco Inc., a packaging solutions provider, and various retail giants such as Walmart, McDonald’s, and Target, which are significant employers in the retail and service industries (as reported by Indeed.com and Wikipedia). Jabil, a manufacturing solutions provider, and OMC, a medical device manufacturer, are also key players in the local economy.

Income and Salaries

Gurnee offers a higher median household income compared to the national average. The median household income in Gurnee is approximately $119,628 (as reported by Point2Homes), which is 82% higher than the national average (as reported by AreaVibes). This higher income level is partly attributed to a well-educated population, with 51% of adults holding bachelor’s degrees or higher, compared to 31% nationwide (as reported by BestNeighborhood.org).

The average annual salary in Gurnee is around $43,358, with most salaries ranging between $32,121 and $52,550 (as reported by ZipRecruiter). However, other sources indicate a higher median household income, suggesting a strong earning potential for residents, particularly those in higher-skilled professions.

Climate and Environment

Gurnee experiences a climate characterized by distinct seasons, with warm, wet summers and cold, snowy winters. Temperatures typically range from 16°F to 82°F throughout the year, rarely falling below -4°F or exceeding 91°F (as reported by Weather and Climate). The village is situated near Lake Michigan, which can influence local weather patterns, often moderating extreme temperatures.

Annual precipitation averages around 37 inches, with snowfall accumulating about 39 inches per year (as reported by Livability.com). June is typically the wettest month, while January is the driest, receiving less snowfall (as reported by Weather and Climate and myPerfectWeather).

Temperature and Rainfall

Summers in Gurnee are warm and humid, with July being the hottest month, averaging a high of 82°F and a low of 63°F (as reported by myPerfectWeather). Winters are cold and windy, with January seeing average highs of 31°F and lows of 17°F (as reported by Weather and Climate). The shoulder seasons of spring and fall offer milder temperatures, with comfortable weather often extending from mid-May through September.

Gurnee receives an average annual precipitation of approximately 37 inches (as reported by Livability.com). The majority of this precipitation falls during the spring and summer months, with June being the wettest month. Winter months see less rainfall and more snowfall, contributing to the 39 inches of average annual snowfall (as reported by Livability.com).

Education and Schools

Gurnee is served by the Lake County R-1 School District, which includes elementary, middle, and high schools (as reported by Movoto). The public school system in Gurnee educates a significant portion of the student population, with 96% of K-12 students attending public schools (as reported by Niche). The overall student-teacher ratio in Gurnee public schools is approximately 12 to 1 (as reported by Niche).

Academic performance in Gurnee’s public schools shows some variation. The average math proficiency score is 23%, and the reading proficiency score is 27%, which is slightly below the Illinois state averages of 27% and 30%, respectively (as reported by Niche). Minority enrollment in Gurnee public schools is 68%, which is higher than the Illinois state average of 55% (as reported by Niche).

School Performance

Top-ranked public schools in Gurnee include Warren Township High School, Woodland Intermediate School, and Woodland Middle School (as reported by Niche). Warren Township High School is recognized for its strong test scores, high graduation rate, and low dropout rates, ranking in the top 25% of Illinois high schools (as reported by SchoolDigger.com).

However, some schools, such as Viking School and River Trail School, lag behind state averages in academic performance (as reported by SchoolDigger.com). The Gurnee School District No. 56, which includes these schools, has an overall Niche grade of C+ (as reported by Niche). Conversely, the Woodland CCSD 50 district, which includes Woodland Intermediate and Middle Schools, appears to be outperforming Gurnee School District 56.

Demographics

Gurnee’s population is approximately 30,510 residents (as reported by Census Dots). The village has experienced a slight population decline, with a less than 1% change from the 2020 Census figure of 30,706 (as reported by Census Dots). The median age in Gurnee is 40.1 years, with a nearly even split between males and females (as reported by Census Dots).

The racial composition of Gurnee is diverse. White residents make up 58.2% of the population, followed by Hispanic residents at 17.0%, Asian residents at 12.9%, and Black residents at 7.7% (as reported by Census Dots). Gurnee is considered to be about as diverse as Illinois overall.

Population Breakdown

In Gurnee, 81.2% of the population are U.S.-born citizens, while 13.4% have naturalized citizenship, and 5.4% are non-citizens (as reported by Point2Homes). The age distribution shows that approximately 15.1% of residents are under 15, 16.1% are between 15 and 24, 24.6% are between 25 and 44, 28.6% are between 45 and 64, and 15.5% are 65 or older (as reported by Point2Homes).

The median household income in Gurnee is $105,573, placing it in the 93rd percentile for median household income in the United States (as reported by BestNeighborhood.org). This indicates a generally affluent population, with a poverty rate of 5.2% (as reported by Census Dots).

Pros and Cons of Living in Gurnee

Gurnee offers a compelling mix of attractions and amenities, making it an attractive place to live for many. Its proximity to Chicago and Milwaukee provides access to big-city benefits without the need to live directly in the urban center. The presence of major entertainment and shopping destinations like Six Flags Great America and Gurnee Mills significantly boosts its appeal.

However, Gurnee also presents certain challenges. The cost of living, particularly housing, is higher than the national average, which can be a barrier for some. Additionally, while specific crime rates vary, the overall crime rate is higher than the national average, which is a factor for safety-conscious individuals.

Advantages of Gurnee

One of the primary advantages of Gurnee is its robust economy and job market, supported by major employers in retail, manufacturing, and entertainment. The median household income is significantly higher than the national average, suggesting good earning potential for residents (as reported by BestNeighborhood.org). Furthermore, the village provides a family-friendly environment with a variety of recreational and entertainment options.

The educational system, while having some areas for improvement, is home to highly-rated schools like Warren Township High School, which ranks in the top 25% of Illinois high schools (as reported by SchoolDigger.com). The community’s diverse demographics and its strategic location within the Chicago metropolitan area add to its overall desirability.

Disadvantages of Gurnee

The most significant disadvantage of living in Gurnee is its elevated cost of living, especially concerning housing. With median home values and average rents considerably higher than national averages, affordability can be a concern for prospective residents (as reported by Zillow and RentCafe). The higher-than-average crime rate, particularly for property crime, is another factor that may deter some individuals seeking a more secure environment.

While Gurnee offers many amenities, its reliance on tourism for a significant portion of its economic activity means that the community can experience seasonal fluctuations in traffic and activity. Furthermore, some public schools in Gurnee do not perform as well as the state average, which could be a consideration for families prioritizing education (as reported by Niche).