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Lemont, IL

Frequently asked questions

Lemont, IL

Lemont is a village located in Cook, DuPage, and Will counties in the U.S. state of Illinois, and is a southwest suburb of Chicago. The population was 17,629 as of the 2020 census. The village is situated on a hillside along the south banks of the Des Plaines River. It overlooks Waterfall Glen's Midwestern Bluff Savanna on the opposite side. Lemont is home to Argonne National Laboratory and other heavy industrial sites and has a substantial European immigrant population.

According to the 2021 census gazetteer files, Lemont has a total area of 8.74 square miles (22.64 km²), of which 8.37 square miles (21.68 km²) (or 95.71%) is land and 0.38 square miles (0.98 km²) (or 4.29%) is water. The village has 10 exclaves.

Before white settlers arrived in Lemont, Native Americans traveled the Des Plaines River in birch bark canoes on trading trips between the Mississippi River and Lake Michigan. The native Potawatomi lived off the land in this area, directly using natural resources for food, shelter, clothing, and medicine. In the 18th century, French voyageurs traveled down the Des Plaines River, trading Native American metal, beads, and cloth for animal furs.

Lemont was originally known as Keepataw (after a Potawatomi chief) and a post office was established in 1840 as Keepatau. After that, it was named Athens and then Palmyra. The name Lemont (literally, 'the mountain' in French) was chosen in 1850 at the suggestion of Lemuel Brown, the postmaster, and justice of the peace, or perhaps by his brother Nathaniel Brown.

Established in 1836, the village of Lemont stands as one of the oldest American communities in northeastern Illinois. It is historically significant for its role in transforming the northern region of the state from a sparsely settled frontier to a commercial, agricultural, and industrial region that supplied Chicago and areas beyond with commodities. Lemont is also unique in boasting an authentic historic district that remains intact and has been continually used since the 19th century. In 2016, the Lemont Downtown Historic District was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

As of the 2020 census, there were 17,629 people, 5,911 households, and 4,606 families residing in the village. The population density was 2,017.05 inhabitants per square mile (778.79/km²). There were 6,773 housing units at an average density of 774.94 per square mile (299.21/km²). The racial makeup of the village was 89.29% White, 0.91% African American, 0.11% Native American, 2.45% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 1.38% from other races, and 5.83% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 7.12% of the population.

Health and wellness are paramount in Lemont, with the city offering various amenities and services to support the well-being of its residents. The Advocate Health Care stands as a cornerstone in providing comprehensive healthcare services to the community. Explore the parks, facilities, and programs the Lemont Park District offers. 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 Treadfit Lemont, The CORE Fitness & Aquatic Complex, and Anytime Fitness. Discover the walking and biking trails in and around Lemont, such as the Saganashkee Slough and Veterans Memorial Trail. These trails offer opportunities for outdoor exercise and the enjoyment of nature.

The top sites in Lemont, IL are Lemont Quarries Adventure Park, Waterfall Glen, and Lemont Downtown.

Population: 18,203 (2024). ZIP codes: 60439, 60490. Area codes: 630, 331. Elevation: 623 feet (190 m). Area: 8.74 sq mi (22.64 km²).

FAQs

Is Lemont, IL a good place to live?

Lemont is in Cook County and is one of the best places to live in Illinois. Living in Lemont offers residents a sparse suburban feel and most residents own their homes. In Lemont, there are a lot of parks. Residents of Lemont tend to have moderate political views. The public schools in Lemont are highly rated.

What is the ethnicity of Lemont, IL?

Lemont, IL is home to a population of 17.6k people, of which 97.9% are citizens. As of 2022, 15.1% of Lemont, IL residents were born outside of the country (2.64k people). In 2022, there were 26.9 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (15.4k people) in Lemont, IL than any other race or ethnicity. There were 574 Two+ (Hispanic) and 500 White (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

What is a fun fact about Lemont, IL?

Lemont's colorful early history began in the late 1830s with the construction of the Illinois and Michigan Canal, and with the influx of immigrant workers who settled and remained. By the mid-1800s, limestone quarrying became the big business in Lemont and was the main cause of the town's growth. Many fine local examples of buildings constructed with Lemont limestone still exist, including the Historic Chicago Water Tower landmark on Michigan Avenue. Lemont’s historic downtown was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2016.

Sources

Wikipedia

Village of Lemont

Advocate Health Care 

Lemont Park District 

Treadfit Lemont

The CORE Fitness & Aquatic Complex 

Anytime Fitness

Saganashkee Slough 

Veterans Memorial Trail

Lemont Quarries Adventure Park

Waterfall Glen

Lemont Downtown

Niche

Data USA

About Lemont

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