Why Live in Channel Lake
Channel Lake in Fox Lake is a rural neighborhood known for its wooded residential streets and lakefront homes, dating back to the mid-20th century. The area features a mix of ranch-style homes, bi-levels, Cape Cods, and Colonial Revivals, with newer estates showcasing traditional and Craftsman architecture. Home sizes range from modest properties to larger estates exceeding 2,000 square feet. Gravel driveways and detached garages are common, though newer homes often have attached garages and paved driveways. Channel Lake itself is a clean, 352-acre body of water, historically used for ice in meatpacking, and connects with Lake Catherine and Lake Marie. Residents enjoy private docks or use Turtle Beach Marina for access to the Chain O’Lakes, with boat rentals available. The nearby Gander Mountain Forest Preserve offers trails for birding, hiking, and cross-country skiing.
Most shopping and dining options are found in Antioch, 3 miles east, featuring local spots like Little Bean Coffee Company and Rivalry Alehouse. Grocery stores include Jewel-Osco, Walmart, Aldi, and Menards. Annual events on Chain O’Lakes include boat rallies, water ski shows, and ice fishing tournaments, with popular festivals like the Cardboard Boat Race & Youth Fishing Derby. The Lakefront Park Friday Night Concert Series runs from June to August. Residents primarily rely on cars for transportation, with the nearest emergency room 15 miles away in Grayslake. Chicago is a 60-mile drive or a 90-minute Metra ride from Antioch. Students attend Antioch Community High School, which has a high rating, along with other schools in the Antioch Central Consolidated School District 34.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Channel Lake a good place to live?
Channel Lake is a good place to live. Channel Lake is considered very car-dependent and somewhat bikeable. Channel Lake is a suburban neighborhood with a crime score of 2, making it safer than the average neighborhood in the U.S. Channel Lake has 6 parks for recreational activities. It is sparse in population with 0.6 people per acre and a median age of 47. The average household income is $83,878 which is below the national average. College graduates make up 20% of residents. A majority of residents in Channel Lake are home owners, with 21.6% of residents renting and 78.4% of residents owning their home. A
local real estate agent serving Channel Lake can help you decide if this neighborhood is the right one for you. Learn more on our
Channel Lake neighborhood guide.
Is Channel Lake, IL a safe neighborhood?
Channel Lake, IL is safer than the average neighborhood in the United States. It received a crime score of 2 out of 10.
How much do you need to make to afford a house in Channel Lake?
The median home price in Channel Lake is $299,995. If you put a 20% down payment of $60,000 and had a 30-year fixed mortgage with an interest rate of 6.72%, your estimated principal and interest payment would be $1,550 a month plus property taxes, HOA fees, home insurance, PMI, and utilities. Using the 28% rule, you would need to make at least $66K a year to afford the median home price in Channel Lake. The average household income in Channel Lake is $84K.
What are the best public schools in Channel Lake?
The best public schools that serve Channel Lake are:
What are the most popular zip codes in Channel Lake, Fox Lake, IL?
What are the most popular neighborhoods near Channel Lake, Fox Lake, IL?
Home Trends in Channel Lake, IL
On average, homes in Channel Lake, Fox Lake sell after 34 days on the market compared to the national average of 50 days. The median sale price for homes in Channel Lake, Fox Lake over the last 12 months is $287,500, up 7% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Median Sale Price
$287,500
Median Single Family Sale Price
$297,245
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$233
Number of Homes for Sale
16
Last 12 months Home Sales
35
Median List Price
$299,995
Median Change From 1st List Price
2%
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
7%