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Des Plaines, IL

Frequently asked questions

Des Plaines, IL

Des Plaines is a city in Cook County, Illinois, United States. Per the 2020 census, the population was 60,675. The city is a suburb of Chicago and is located just north of O'Hare International Airport. It is situated on and is named after the Des Plaines River, which runs through the city just east of its downtown area.

Potawatomi, Ottawa, and Ojibwe (Chippewa) Native American tribes inhabited the Des Plaines River Valley before the Europeans' arrival. When French explorers and missionaries arrived in the 1600s in what was then the Illinois Country of New France, they named the waterway La Rivière des Plaines (English translation: "Plains River") as they felt that trees on the river resembled European plane trees. The first white settlers came from the eastern United States in 1833, after the 1833 Treaty of Chicago was negotiated, followed by many German immigrants during the 1840s and '50s. In the 1850s, the land in this area was purchased by the Illinois and Wisconsin Land Company along a railroad line planned between Chicago and Janesville, Wisconsin. In 1852, the developers built a steam-powered mill next to the river to cut local trees into railroad ties. Socrates Rand then bought the mill and converted it into a grist mill, which attracted local farmers. The Illinois and Wisconsin Railroad made its first stop in the area in the fall of 1854.

Des Plaines was reincorporated in 1873 and elected a village board the following year. Local brick manufacturer Franklin Whitcomb served as the first Village President. In 1925, village residents voted to convert to a city form of government and annexed the village of Riverview to the south. Subsequent annexations included the Orchard Place area in 1956. The city experienced rapid growth after World War II and with the opening of nearby O'Hare International Airport. In 1955, Des Plaines became the site of the first McDonald's franchise, which was torn down in 1984 and replaced by a museum the following year. The museum was demolished in 2018 after repeated flooding.

According to the 2021 census gazetteer files, Des Plaines has a total area of 14.38 square miles (37.24 km²), of which 14.24 square miles (36.88 km²) (or 98.98%) is land and 0.15 square miles (0.39 km²) (or 1.02%) is water. Des Plaines is traversed by two interstate highways – I-90 (the Northwest Tollway) and I-294 (the Tri-State Tollway).

Des Plaines is named for the Des Plaines River, which flows through it. The name is from 18th-century French referencing the American sycamore which resembles the European plane tree. Portions of Des Plaines are underlain by the "Des Plaines Disturbance," an area in which the layers of sedimentary rock are highly abnormal. This probably represents an ancient meteorite crater, 75 to 200 feet (23 to 61 m) beneath the town. The bedrock was highly fractured by the impact, with large blocks of sediment upended. The crater was eventually filled by glacial activity so that no trace now remains on the surface.

Addresses in the city limits of Des Plaines have their numbering system. Areas in unincorporated Maine Township have Des Plaines postal addresses that follow the Chicago numbering system. Devon Avenue in Des Plaines is 3200 South, while it is 6400 North in Chicago. Golf Road runs through a large unincorporated area as 9600 North with a Des Plaines mailing address but is 0 North/South when entering the Des Plaines city limits. As sections become incorporated, they take on the city numbering system. For instance, in 2003, land at 9661 West Golf Road, Des Plaines, became 2323 East Golf Road, Des Plaines, when it was formally incorporated into the city limits. The largest unincorporated areas are in the O'Hare area and east of the Tri-State Tollway.

Des Plaines places a strong emphasis on health and wellness, with several healthcare facilities catering to the needs of its residents. The Advocate Lutheran General Hospital, located in the city, is a leading healthcare provider offering comprehensive medical services. Allyu Spa offers a serene environment focusing on holistic treatments and eco-friendly practices. Services include massages, facials, body treatments, and energy healing. Located within The Peninsula Hotel, this luxurious spa features an extensive menu including massages, body treatments, facials, and advanced beauty services. It also offers unique amenities like a relaxation lounge and a half-Olympic-length swimming pool. AIRE Ancient Baths offers a unique experience inspired by ancient Roman, Greek, and Ottoman traditions. The spa features thermal baths at varying temperatures, including a hot bath, a cold plunge, and a saltwater flotation pool. The Spa at the Ritz-Carlton provides a luxurious retreat with a range of bespoke treatments, including signature massages, facials, and body therapies. King Spa & Sauna is a Korean-style jjimjilbang that offers a variety of saunas, pools, and relaxation areas.

Top sites in Des Plaines, IL are Rivers Casino Des Plaines, Mystic Waters Family Aquatic Center, Mountain View Adventure Center, and Des Plaines Theatre.

Population: 58,010 (2023). ZIP codes: 60016–60019. Area codes: 847, 224. Elevation: 642 ft (196 m). Area: 14.38 sq mi (37.26 km²).

FAQs

Is Des Plaines, IL a good area?

Des Plaines is a town in Illinois with a population of 60,087. Des Plaines is in Cook County and is one of the best places to live in Illinois. Living in Des Plaines offers residents an urban suburban mix feel and most residents own their homes. In Des Plaines, there are a lot of restaurants, coffee shops, and parks.

Is Des Plaines, IL a suburb of Chicago?

Des Plaines, city, Cook County, northeastern Illinois, U.S. Lying on the Des Plaines River, it is a suburb of Chicago, 17 miles (27 km) northwest of downtown. The area was originally inhabited by Potawatomi, Ottawa, and Ojibwa peoples.

What is Des Plaines, IL known for?

It is home to award-winning schools and parks, beautiful walking and biking trails, friendly neighborhoods, community festivals, more than 100 diverse restaurants, a vibrant downtown with a recently renovated historic theatre featuring live entertainment and so much more! Des Plaines is also home to a world-class gaming experience and excellent dining at Rivers Casino. This city has been recognized as a Better Business Town (2021), a Best Place to Live (35 out of 100, 2017), and a Best Place to Retire (one of 8 in the U.S., 2018). 

Sources

City of Des Plaines

Wikipedia

Britannica

Niche

Advocate Lutheran General Hospital

Allyu Spa

The Peninsula Hotel

AIRE Ancient Baths

The Spa at the Ritz-Carlton

King Spa & Sauna

Rivers Casino Des Plaines 

Mystic Waters Family Aquatic Center  

Mountain View Adventure Center 

Des Plaines Theatre

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.