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Crystal Lake, IL

Frequently asked questions

Crystal Lake, IL

Crystal Lake is a city in McHenry County, Illinois, United States. Named after a lake 1.6 miles (2.6 km) southwest of the city's downtown, Crystal Lake is 45 miles (72 km) northwest of Chicago. The population was 40,269 as of the 2020 census. Crystal Lake is the most populous city in McHenry County, part of the Chicago metropolitan area.

According to the 2010 census, Crystal Lake has a total area of 18.957 square miles (49.10 km²), of which 18.35 square miles (47.53 km²) (or 96.8%) is land and 0.607 square miles (1.57 km²) (or 3.2%) is water.

The City of Crystal Lake traces its origin to two separate communities which were established in the 1800s. Those communities were generally known as Nunda and Crystal Lake. In 1835, Ziba S. Beardsley had come to the shores of the lake and commented that the "waters were as clear as crystal", thereby giving the lake its name. Ziba Beardsley continued south to Naperville. In February 1836, the first white settlers, Beman and Polly Crandall and six of their ten children, came from New York State traveling to Crystal Lake in a covered wagon. Their original cabin was built in the vicinity of today's intersection of Virginia Street and Van Buren Street. Four of the Crandall children were born there. Najah Beardsley's family was the second to settle in the area; his grandson, William Beardsley, was the first white child born on the Crystal Lake prairie, on May 7, 1837.

The town was first known as Crystal Ville. It was changed to Crystal Lake sometime before 1840. The area known today as downtown Crystal Lake was first called Dearborn and later, Nunda (pronounced locally as "Nun-day"), from an area in New York where many settlers originated. The village of Dearborn was founded in the 1850s after an extension of railroads through the area. The first train station was built in 1856, although it was pre-fabricated and shipped from Chicago on a flatcar. At that time, the main business district for the village of Crystal Lake was located on Virginia Street, about one mile (1.6 km) southwest of the railroad station. The railroad served to connect both the people and industries of Crystal Lake and Dearborn to Chicago and the rest of the country.

On October 7, 1868, Dearborn's name was changed to Nunda. The village was platted in 1868 by local surveyor, John Brink, after whom a downtown street is now named. The village included the area now generally bounded by Illinois Route 176 on the north, Crystal Lake Avenue on the south, Main Street on the east, and Walkup Avenue on the west. Much of the land was originally owned by two early settlers, Daniel Ellsworth and Simon S. Gates. The villages of Crystal Lake and Nunda were both incorporated in 1874. In 1908, the name of the village of Nunda changed its name to North Crystal Lake. Several attempts were made to consolidate the two villages, and finally, after much disagreement, the village of North Crystal Lake was annexed to the Village of Crystal Lake in 1914, and a consolidated city government was established.

Crystal Lake prioritizes the health and wellness of its residents. The Northwestern Medicine McHenry Hospital serves as a cornerstone in providing comprehensive healthcare services to the community. Bodyworks Massage Therapy specializes in therapeutic and sports massages, as well as myofascial release and trigger point therapy. Soothe offers in-home massage services, bringing professional therapists directly to clients’ homes. Massage Envy is a well-known chain with numerous locations across Illinois. They offer a variety of massage services including Swedish, deep tissue, trigger point, and sports massages. Athletico Physical Therapy provides orthopedic rehabilitation, sports medicine, work rehabilitation, and women’s health services. ATI Physical Therapy is known for its comprehensive care including manual therapy, therapeutic exercise, aquatic therapy, and hand therapy.

Top sites in Crystal Lake, IL are Moraine Hills State Park, Three Oaks Recreation Area, and Raue Center For The Arts.

Population: 41,513 (2024). ZIP codes: 60012, 60014, 60039. Area codes: 815, 779. Elevation: 942 ft (287 m). Area: 19.53 sq mi (50.59 km²).

FAQs

Is Crystal Lake, IL a good place to live?

Crystal Lake is a suburb of Chicago with a population of 40,463. Crystal Lake is in McHenry County and is one of the best places to live in Illinois. Living in Crystal Lake offers residents a sparse suburban feel and most residents own their homes. In Crystal Lake, there are a lot of parks.

Can you walk around Crystal Lake, IL?

Hiking trails are open year-round during regular park hours. The trails are open for walking, hiking, running, and biking. All trails begin at the main parking lot. The largest and most popular trail is a .75-mile sandy trail that meanders along the lake and connects to shoreline fishing.

What is the best neighborhood in Crystal Lake, IL?

Some of the best neighborhoods in or around Crystal Lake, Illinois are Four Colonies, Coventry, and Downtown Crystal Lake. Consider buying or renting a home in one of these popular neighborhoods. Is this area right for me? A local agent can help you zero in on the area that's perfect for you, no commitment is required.

Sources

City of Crystal Lake

Wikipedia

Realtor

Niche

Northwestern Medicine McHenry Hospital

Bodyworks Massage Therapy

Soothe

Massage Envy

Athletico Physical Therapy

ATI Physical Therapy

Moraine Hills State Park

Three Oaks Recreation Area

Raue Center For The Arts

The content herein is provided for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Medical information changes constantly, and therefore the content on this website should not be assumed to be current, complete or exhaustive. Always seek the advice of your doctor before starting or changing treatment. If you think you may have a medical emergency, please call your doctor or 9-1-1 (in the United States) immediately.