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Summit, IL

Frequently asked questions

Summit, IL

Summit is a city in Cook County, Illinois, United States. The population was 11,161 at the 2020 census. The name Summit, in use since 1836, refers to the highest point on the Chicago Portage between the northeast-flowing Chicago River and the southwest-flowing Des Plaines River located just north of the city.

Argo is a subdivision annexed by Summit in 1911 when it was new. Named for the nearby cornstarch and baking powder manufacturing plant, it developed separately from the older part of the city. The name "Argo" is still widely used but is not part of the name of the city itself.

According to the 2010 census, Summit has a total area of 2.257 square miles (5.85 km²), of which 2.12 square miles (5.49 km²) (or 93.93%) is land and 0.137 square miles (0.35 km²) (or 6.07%) is water. Most of Summit is in the floodplain of the Des Plaines River.

The area around Summit has been hunted and traveled through for 12,000 years but only been continuously occupied since 900CE. When Europeans first arrived the area was inhabited or used by the Meskwaki, Illini, Miami, Sauk, and Chippewa-Ottawa-Potawatomi tribes. In 1673 the Marquette-Joliet expedition arrived at the portage north of the city and went on to the location of Chicago. At that time the importance of a portage was noted. A local trading network developed from that time until the Native Americans were removed beginning in 1816.

Surveyed in 1821, in 1830 land was for sale by the Illinois and Michigan Canal Commission. There may have been a tavern at "Summit Ford" in 1832, by 1835 there was a sub-divided settlement with a tavern, blacksmith shop, and stagecoach stop. "Summit Corners" was where westbound Archer Ave. turned south and Lyons-Summit Rd. (now approximately Lawndale Ave.) went west. Chicago politician "Long John" Wentworth bought much of the surrounding area and used it for farming.

Between 1836 and 1848 the Illinois and Michigan Canal was built through the subdivision. Most of the canal workers were Irish laborers and many were able to buy property with their canal script pay. In 1850 gravel and clay pits were opened in the area for local use. After 1865 limestone quarries north of the canal provided jobs into the 1920s, when they were closed, often used as garbage dumps, then covered over. Today's Hanover Park is a filled gravel and clay pit.

Health and wellness are prioritized in Summit, with the presence of healthcare facilities catering to the community's well-being. The Summit Medical Center plays a crucial role in providing healthcare services to residents. Explore the parks, facilities, and programs the Summit Parks and Recreation Department 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. A popular option includes Summit Fitness. Discover the walking and biking trails in and around Summit, such as the Bemis Woods South, Illinois & Michigan Canal State Trail, and Tall Grass Greenway Trail. These trails offer opportunities for outdoor exercise and enjoyment of nature.

The top sites in Summit, IL are the Chicago Portage National Historic Site, Salt Creek Trail System, and Bemis Woods.

Population: 11,161 (2020). ZIP Code: 60501. Area code: 708. Elevation: 604 ft (184 m). Area: 2.26 sq mi (5.85 km²).

FAQs

Is Summit, IL a good place to live?

Living in Summit offers residents a dense suburban feel and most residents own their homes. In Summit there are a lot of bars, restaurants, and parks. Many families live in Summit and residents tend to be liberal. The public schools in Summit are highly rated.

What is the ethnicity of Summit, IL?

Summit, IL is home to a population of 11k people, of which 77.1% are citizens. As of 2022, 40.4% of Summit, IL residents were born outside of the country (4.46k people). In 2022, there were 1.05 times more Other (Hispanic) residents (3.22k people) in Summit, IL than any other race or ethnicity. There were 3.08k White (Hispanic) and 1.73k Two+ (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

What is the poverty rate in Summit, IL?

In 2022, the median household income of Summit households was $51,040. Summit households made slightly more than Naplate households ($51,000) and Rock Island Arsenal households ($50,972). However, 13.2% of Summit families live in poverty.

Sources

Wikipedia 

Village of Summit

Summit Medical Center 

Summit Parks and Recreation Department 

Summit Fitness

Illinois & Michigan Canal State Trail 

Tall Grass Greenway Trail

Bemis Woods South

Chicago Portage National Historic Site

Salt Creek Trail System

Bemis Woods

Niche

Data USA

Illinois Demographics

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