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Highland Park, IL

Frequently asked questions

Highland Park, IL

Highland Park is a suburban city located in the southeastern part of Lake County, Illinois, United States, about 25 miles (40 km) north of downtown Chicago. Highland Park is one of several municipalities located on the North Shore of the Chicago metropolitan area.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 12.2 square miles (31.7 km²), of which 12.2 square miles (31.6 km²) is land and 0.039 square miles (0.1 km²), or 0.27%, is water. Its geographic features include a 100-foot-high (30 m) bluff running along 6 miles (10 km) of Lake Michigan shoreline and deep, wooded ravines extending up to 1 mile (1.6 km) inland. Elevations range from 580 to 725 feet (177 to 221 m) above sea level.

A traveler in the area in 1833 described visiting a village of bark-covered structures where he ate roasted corn with a chief named Nic-sa-mah at a site likely located south of present-day Clavey Road and east of the Edens Expressway.

In 1847, two German immigrants, John Hettinger and John Peterman founded a town along Lake Michigan, which they called St. John's. Soon, the town was abandoned, due to questions regarding ownership of the land. Three years later, another German Immigrant, Jacob Clinton Bloom, founded Port Clinton, which happened to be just south of St. John's. Port Clinton was described by Elijah Middlebrook Haines as "one of the most promising villages in the city". In 1854, a lighthouse was built in Port Clinton, thanks to funding by the US Congress and sponsorships from Illinois representatives. Despite having a functioning lighthouse with a keeper, a pier, a sawmill, and a plank road, Port Clinton did not have a train station in 1855. In 1860, Port Clinton stopped growing as a town, and the lighthouse was shut down.

Highland Park has several attractions including a downtown shopping district and the Ravinia Festival. Ravinia Festival is an open-air pavilion seating 3,200, which hosts classical, pop, jazz, and Latin concerts in the summers. It has been the summer home of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra since 1936. Concert-goers can purchase seats in the covered pavilion or tickets to sit on the lawn. Many visitors arrive early and picnic on the lawn before and during concerts. The festival is located in Ravinia District, originally an artists' colony, which still retains much of its early character and architecture.

Health and wellness are integral aspects of life in Highland Park. The city boasts a robust healthcare system, anchored by institutions such as Highland Park Hospital providing comprehensive medical services to residents. Explore the parks, facilities, and programs offered by the Highland Park Parks and Recreation Department. These spaces provide opportunities for outdoor activities such as walking, jogging, sports, and picnicking. Join local fitness centers and gyms to participate in exercise programs, fitness classes, and strength training. Some popular options include Anytime Fitness, Pulse Boxing and Fitness and Studio SPIN. Discover the walking and biking trails in and around Highland Park, such as the Heller Nature Preserve Loop and Robert McClory Bike Path. These trails offer opportunities for outdoor exercise and the enjoyment of nature.

Top sites in Highland Park, IL are Chicago Botanic Garden, Rosewood Beach, and Ward W. Willits House.

Population: 30,794 (2024). ZIP codes: 60035, 60036, 60037. Area codes: 847, 224. Elevation: 653 ft (199 m). Area: 12.28 sq mi (31.79 km²).

FAQs

Is Highland Park, IL a good neighborhood?

Highland Park is in Lake County and is one of the best places to live in Illinois. Living in Highland Park offers residents a dense suburban feel and most residents own their homes. In Highland Park, there are a lot of restaurants, coffee shops, and parks. Many retirees live in Highland Park and residents tend to lean conservative.

What is Highland Park, IL is known for?

Still mainly residential, the city also manufactures paper and plastic products. Ravinia Park (36 acres [15 hectares]) was established in 1904 as an amusement park. The park hosts one of the country’s most prominent music festivals and is the summer home (since 1936) of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. 

Is Highland Park, IL expensive?

Highland Park is 14% more expensive than the national average and 13% more expensive to live in than the average city in Illinois. This assumes a $72,000 annual salary and a 2-bedroom Apt. Food costs in Highland Park are more affordable than average in the United States. Transportation costs in Highland Park are as affordable as average in the United States.

Sources

Wikipedia

City of Highland Park

Highland Park Hospital

Highland Park Parks and Recreation Department

Anytime Fitness

Pulse Boxing and Fitness 

Studio SPIN

Heller Nature Preserve Loop 

Robert McClory Bike Path

Chicago Botanic Garden

Rosewood Beach

Ward W. Willits House

Niche

Britannica

Erieri

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