More Demographics:

The Village of Fox Lake, which is in Grant Township in Lake County, is approximately 50 miles northwest of Chicago.  Fox Lake is known as the "Capital of the Chain o' Lakes", a long-established outdoor recreational area with 64,000 acres of water and over 100 miles of shoreline which draw thousands of seasonal visitors to the area.  Fox Lake's economy has traditionally been based on the recreational activities offered here, but an on-going effort is being successfully made to diversify the village's business base and economic growth opportunities.  This effort has included attracting new industrial and commercial development and the annexation of new residential areas which enhances the value and appeal of the numerous recreation-oriented business such as the ten marinas which serve the area.  To accommodate this growth, recent improvements have included a new, modern municipal facility housing several village service departments, a library which is the center for several civic activities and an expanding retail area near the key intersection of U.S. Route 12 and Illinois State Highway 134, which offers increased exposure to this well-traveled area.

Fox Lake has a current population approaching 10,000 people, composed of 4,050 households, with a projected growth factor of approximately 2% per year.  This level of growth will continue to provide increasing business opportunities to the area and assure the growth of the village's economic base and property values.  The median family income for the area is estimated at $60,000.00 per year and the median age of residents is 38.  The 2001 median sale price of homes was approximately $140,000.00 and is expected to show a steady increase.  Average apartment rentals in Fox Lake are about $625.00 per month and there were 110 single-family building permits issued in 2001, indicating strong residential growth can be expected to continue.

Fox Lake provides commuter rail transportation via the METRA line to Chicago. In addition, a bus line links the community with nearby villages, regional shopping malls and the College of Lake County that is providing increasing educational opportunities to the area as well as an expanding skilled employment base.  The Tri-Stare Tollway (1-94) offers drivers access Horn both Grand Avenue and Illinois Route 120 and U.S. Route 12 is the major north/south thoroughfare, providing access to other Chicago area suburbs as well as to nearby Wisconsin communities.

Fox Lake has an established downtown business district, located along Grand Avenue just east of U.S. Route 12.  This district includes an attractive mix of retail stores, office space, shopping centers and dining and entertainment facilities.  The village has been improving the business district's appeal and value through a series of rehabilitation projects including upgrading and re-doing the area's sidewalks, streetlights, curbs and gutters and installing new metal railings which enhance the visual appeal as well as the access to the area and its businesses.  The central business district includes the Fox Lake Metro (METRA) Station, Fox Lake Restaurant and Lounge, Incognito Restaurant, Grant Law Office, State Farm and Allstate Insurance offices, Lakeland Barber Shop and Black Forest Pastry as well as the local Post Office and a variety of diverse stores and offices.  Based upon a recent survey of the district’s businesses, rental rates for space range from $5.00 to $10.00 per square foot, dependent upon the type and quality of the rental unit.

In addition to the central business district, U.S. Highway 12 provides substantial commercial access and employment opportunities to the Fox Lake area.  Along Route 12, business such as several retail strip centers, gasoline mini-marts, marinas and chain outlets such as McDonald's, Burger King, Walgreen's provide products and services to Fox Lake residents, with Chrysler, and Ford auto dealerships also located here.  Further to the south is the newly-developing retail area at the intersection of Route 12 and Illinois 134.  This development includes Menards, Jewel/Osco, Home Depot, Dominick's and several support retailers.  These developments indicate continued substantial long-term growth for Fox Lake, following the trend of increasing growth and investment in the northwest portion of the Chicago suburban area.