Lake County, IL Property Records
Property records in Lake, Illinois, document ownership, transfers, legal descriptions, assessed values, tax information, mortgages, liens, and other recorded interests tied to real estate. These records are useful for verifying property ownership, researching sales history, estimating tax obligations, reviewing encumbrances, and supporting real estate transactions, legal matters, or local market research.
Users can access official Lake property records through Lake County government offices, including the Recorder of Deeds for recorded documents and the county’s assessment and tax offices for valuation and tax details. For recorded deeds, mortgages, and related documents, start with the Lake County Recorder’s official property records search.
Lake County, IL Property Records & Statistics
Lake County is among the most expensive housing markets in Illinois. The median rent is $1,546, about double the state median of $762 and far above the national median of $840.25. The median home value of $281,400 is much higher than the Illinois figure of $116,950 and well above the national figure of $173,750.
Property taxes are also steep. The county's median property tax rate of 2.58% is above the state rate of 1.8% and more than three times the national rate of 0.74%. On homes of this value, owners face substantial annual tax bills.
Incomes are high as well. The median household income of $105,729 is far above the Illinois figure of $65,699.50 and the national figure of $65,108. Unemployment is the exception, with a rate of 3.44% that is higher than the state rate of 2.92% and the national rate of 2.87%.
Renter-occupied housing makes up 20.69% of occupied homes, above the state share of 18.61% and just under the national share of 21.81%. Overall, Lake County pairs high rents, home values, and taxes with high incomes and a somewhat tighter job market than the state and nation.
Median Rent
Median Property Tax Rate
Median Home Value
Median Income
Unemployment Rate
Renter Occupied Housing
Property Records, Assessments, and Valuations in Lake
Lake County property records cover tax assessments, recorded deeds and mortgages, property valuations, and foreclosure filings. The county has 289,251 total parcels, including 252,453 residential and 15,363 commercial parcels, and tax records cover 88.61% of the population for the 2024 assessment year. Recorded documents include 701,741 deeds and 891,800 mortgages, and valuation data is available for 220,417 properties.
| Key Data | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Parcels | 289,251 |
| Residential Parcels | 252,453 |
| Commercial Parcels | 15,363 |
| Tax Record Coverage | 88.61% |
| Assessment Year | 2024 |
| Deed Records | 701,741 |
| Mortgage Records | 891,800 |
| Properties with Valuation Data | 220,417 |
| Latest Valuation Update | August 19, 2025 |
| Notice of Sale Records | 619,004 |
Assignment and Release Records
Assignment and release records show what happens to a mortgage after it is recorded. An assignment documents that a mortgage was transferred from one lender or loan holder to another, and a release documents that the loan was paid off and the lien removed from the property.
Lake County has 888,545 assignment and release records, including 112,579 assignment documents and 774,991 release documents, along with 975 other documents. They were recorded from January 3, 2005, through August 6, 2025. Search them through the Lake County property records search.
These records help buyers, owners, and researchers confirm that earlier mortgages were released, follow a loan as it moved between lenders, and spot liens that may still be open before a sale or refinance. The date range also helps narrow a search to a specific period in a property's history.
How to Search Lake County, IL Property Records
Property records in Lake County are maintained by the Lake County Recording Division in Waukegan, which records deeds, mortgages, and other documents affecting real estate. These records support research on the county's 289,251 parcels, including ownership history, recorded transfers, and loans tied to a property.
The Lake County property records search is the online tool for finding recorded documents. The Lake County Recording Division page provides office information, the forms page lists recording paperwork, and the eRecording page explains how to submit documents electronically. The office is at 18 N County St, Waukegan, IL, 60085, and is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Call 847-377-2575 with questions.
To search, start with the property address, owner name, or parcel number. Enter the most complete details you have, review the matching documents, and open the one that fits the property. Recorder data runs from November 23, 1993, for deeds and from October 1, 1997, for mortgages, through August 5, 2025.
If a result is incomplete or you need a certified copy, contact the Recording Division directly.
Lake Registrar of Deeds
The Lake County Probate Office is located at 18 N County St, Waukegan, IL, 60085 and can be reached at 847-377-2575. Office hours are Monday-Friday 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM. Records can be accessed through lakecountyil.gov or the official website lakecountyil.gov.
Lake County Recording Division
Lake County Property Records FAQ
How can I search Lake County property records by address?
Use the Lake County property records search to look up recorded documents tied to a property. If an address search does not return a match, try the owner's name or parcel number, since recorded documents are often indexed by name. You can also call the Recording Division at 847-377-2575.
How can I find property owners in Lake County?
Owners are named on recorded deeds. The county holds 701,741 deed records dating from November 23, 1993. Search them through the property records search by name or parcel, or visit the Recording Division at 18 N County St, Waukegan.
How can I check a property's assessed value in Lake County?
The county's tax data reflects the 2024 assessment year. To find the assessed value of a specific parcel, visit the Lake County government website and look for the assessment and property tax offices, or call the Recording Division at 847-377-2575 for direction. Have the parcel number or address ready.
Where can I find Lake County property tax bills and payment records?
In Illinois, property tax bills are issued and collected at the county level. Start at the Lake County government website and look for the office that handles property tax bills and payments. You can also call 847-377-2575 to be pointed to the right department. Keep your parcel number or address ready.
How can I find deeds and other recorded documents in Lake County?
Deeds, mortgages, assignments, and releases can be searched through the Lake County property records search. The Recording Division at 18 N County St, Waukegan, can provide copies and is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Recording paperwork is on the forms page.
Where can I access Lake County parcel maps and GIS information?
Lake County has 289,251 parcels, and parcel maps show their boundaries. The Lake County government website lists the departments that maintain mapping and GIS information. You can also call the Recording Division at 847-377-2575 to ask where current maps are kept. Maps are a reference tool, not a substitute for a professional survey.
How can I check permits and zoning information in Lake County?
Permit and zoning rules depend on whether a property is inside a city or village or in unincorporated county territory. Check the Lake County government website for the county's departments. If the property is in a municipality such as Waukegan or Libertyville, contact that municipality for its own requirements.
How can I create a list of property owners in Lake County?
The county's online tools are built for property-by-property lookups, so a larger owner list generally requires a request. Call the Lake County Recording Division at 847-377-2575 to ask what searches or copies of recorded documents can be provided for a given area or date range, and whether copying fees apply.