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Joliet, IL

Frequently asked questions

Joliet, IL

Joliet is a city in Will and Kendall counties in the U.S. state of Illinois, 35 miles (56 km) southwest of Chicago. It is the county seat of Will County. It had a population of 150,362 at the 2020 census, making it the third-most populous city in Illinois.

According to the 2010 census, Joliet has a total area of 62.768 square miles (162.57 km²), of which 62.11 square miles (160.86 km²) (or 98.95%) are land and 0.658 square miles (1.70 km²) (or 1.05%) is covered by water. It has a sprawling, irregular shape that extends into nine different townships, more than any other Illinois city. They are Joliet, Plainfield, Troy, New Lenox, Jackson, Channahon, and Lockport in Will County, and Na-Au-Say and Seward in Kendall County. Joliet developed along the Des Plaines River, and its downtown is located in the river valley.

Joliet has a "west side" and "east side", referring to areas about the river.

With the construction of highways and suburban development to the west, many businesses moved from the downtown area to the expanding areas west of the river. Many stores relocated to the west side in new strip malls and shopping centers with more parking and easier access. These changes resulted in the decline of the downtown shopping district, which is still felt today. Today, Joliet has a "west side" and a "far west side" (which includes all city limits in Kendall County). This has given rise to a newly referenced "Central Joliet" portion of the city, which essentially is all land west of the Des Plaines River and east of Interstate 55. This new reference may soon change the current meaning of "west side" to west of I-55.

In 1673, Louis Jolliet, along with Father Jacques Marquette, paddled up the Des Plaines River and camped on a huge earthwork mound, a few miles south of present-day Joliet. Maps from Jolliet's exploration of the area showed a large hill or mound downriver from Chicago, labeled Mont Joliet. The mound has since been flattened due to mining.

In 1833, following the Black Hawk War, Charles Reed built a cabin along the west side of the Des Plaines River. Across the river in 1834, James B. Campbell, treasurer of the canal commissioners, laid out the village of "Juliet", a corruption of "Joliet" that was also in use at the time. Just before the economic depression of 1837, Juliet incorporated as a village, but to cut tax expenses, Juliet residents soon petitioned the state to rescind that incorporation. 

Joliet places a strong emphasis on health and wellness, with numerous healthcare facilities serving the community. Presence Saint Joseph Medical Center is a prominent hospital in the city, providing comprehensive healthcare services. 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. Spavia Day Spa offers a wide range of personalized spa services, including therapeutic massages, skin care treatments, and body wraps.

Top sites in Joliet, IL are Rialto Square Theatre, Chicagoland Speedway, and The Art Institute of Chicago.

Population: 151,837 (2024). ZIP codes: 60431–60436, 60441, 60586. Area codes: 815, 779. Elevation: 610 ft (190 m). Area: 65.82 sq mi (170.48 km²).

FAQs

Is Joliet, IL a nice place to live?

Living in Joliet offers residents a sparse suburban feel and most residents own their homes. In Joliet, there are a lot of parks. Many families and young professionals live in Joliet and residents tend to have moderate political views. The public schools in Joliet are above average.

What is Joliet, IL famous for?

The quarrying of limestone, with a bluish-white tinge, earned Joliet the nickname “City of Stone.” The Illinois & Michigan Canal was both a consumer of stone in the building of locks, bridges, and aqueducts and, after its completion in 1848, an artery for shipping stone to regional customers. In 1858 the state of Illinois located a new penitentiary in Joliet, in part because of the abundance of stone for prison walls and cell houses.

What is the poverty rate in Joliet, IL?

Joliet is currently declining at a rate of -0.06% annually and its population has decreased by -0.25% since the most recent census, which recorded a population of 150,221 in 2020. The average household income in Joliet is $99,841 with a poverty rate of 10.78%. The median age in Joliet is 34.3 years: 33.8 years for males, and 35 years for females.

Sources

City of Joliet

Wikipedia

worldpopulationreview

encyclopediachicagohistory

Niche

Presence Saint Joseph Medical Center

The Peninsula Hotel

AIRE Ancient Baths

The Spa at the Ritz-Carlton

King Spa & Sauna

Spavia Day Spa

Rialto Square Theatre

Chicagoland Speedway

The Art Institute of Chicago

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.