Lake of the Woods 65 Good
Lake of the Woods Livability #609 ranked city in Illinois#12,596 ranked city in the USARanks better than 57% of areas
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Pros and Cons of Living in Lake of the Woods

PROS
  • Cost Of Living Cost Of Living

    Residents in this area benefit from an affordable cost of living. This includes goods and services, transportation, housing, utilities, groceries and healthcare.

  • Crime Crime

    This area is characterized by a crime rate, per 100,000 individuals, that falls well below the national average, indicating its potential as a very safe place to live.

  • Housing Housing

    The housing category in this area boasts higher than average scores, likely influenced by a positive home affordability ratio, robust appreciation rates or elevated home values.

CONS
  • Amenities Amenities

    It appears that many amenities may not be conveniently situated within walking distance, potentially necessitating the use of a vehicle or public transit.

  • Commute Commute

    Commuters in this area may experience longer-than-average work commute times due to limited public transportation access.

  • Health & Safety Health & Safety

    Factors like poor air quality and the absence of essential health-related facilities like hospitals, clinics, nursing homes and pharmacies could have played a role in the low score in this category.

  • Schools Schools

    Factors such as lower than average graduation rates, lackluster reading and math scores and the limited accessibility of local elementary and high schools could contribute to the low schools score.

What's it like Living in Lake of the Woods?

Located in the state of Illinois, Lake of the Woods is a small city with a population of 2,612 people. If we look at the most recent Census, Lake of the Woods is known to have a predominantly White population. The next two most common races are Black and Asian. With an average age of 32 years old, Lake of the Woods could be a great place to live for young adults as this age is well below the national average. Long travel times to work can be one of the most frustrating things in the world - right behind housework! If you decide that living in Lake of the Woods is the right fit for you, your one way commute time will average 24 minutes, which is about average when compared to the national commute time of 26 minutes.

Are you trying to ascertain if living in Lake of the Woods is the right fit for your lifestyle? To ensure a good experience before moving to any new city in Illinois, you will probably want to make sure that you check all of the most important boxes. Several key factors deserve attention. For one, safety is paramount, ensuring that your new area is low in crime is key. Proximity to workplaces or schools minimizes commute times and fosters convenience. Access to essential amenities like parks, grocery stores, food, fitness, shops and healthcare facilities enhances daily life. Efficient public transportation options provide mobility and connectivity. The sense of community creates a welcoming and supportive environment. Lastly, the overall atmosphere, encompassing the vibe, aesthetics, and lifestyle offerings, contributes to a fulfilling living experience. Considering these elements helps identify the ideal neighborhood for your needs and preferences. The best areas in Lake of the Woods and in surrounding cities are easier to find when you are able to make informed decisions. Using data from amenities, crime, commute, health & safety, employment, you will see a detailed breakdown of the most important information as well as comparisons to the Illinois and national averages.

The livability score in Lake of the Woods is 66/100 and the city is ranked in the 63rd percentile of all cities across America. If we take a closer look at each of the categories on their own, we see that Lake of the Woods ranks well for crime (A+), cost of living (A+), employment (B-) and housing (A+). There is at least one category that did not score well in Lake of the Woods. The following was graded with a less than perfect score: amenities (F) and education (D-).

A healthy real estate market serves as a key economic indicator. It could signify overall local economic strength, stability and reflects consumer confidence in the area. Based on multiple factors including: median home and rental prices, appreciation rates and home affordability, Lake of the Woods has received high marks in the housing category. Based on these calculations, the apartment rental and real estate market appears to be very healthy.

Certain items on your wish list like shopping, restaurants, nightlife, parks and proximity to public transportation are all important things to look for. Having said that, perhaps the most important metric to consider when contemplating a move to Lake of the Woods is real estate affordability. The median home price for Lake of the Woods homes is $265,466, which is 14% lower than the Illinois average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Lake of the Woods, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 3.1, which is 11.4% lower than the Illinois average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Lake of the Woods

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Compare Lake of the Woods, IL Livability

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      Lake of the Woods transportation information

      Statistic Lake of the Woods Illinois National
      Average one way commute24min29min26min
      Workers who drive to work81.5%73.4%76.4%
      Workers who carpool17.3%8.3%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit0.0%9.2%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.0%0.6%0.6%
      Workers who walk1.3%3.1%2.8%
      Working from home0.0%4.4%4.6%
      Source: The Lake of the Woods, IL data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) and include 2026 modeled data developed using proprietary methodologies.