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Western Springs, IL

Frequently asked questions

Western Springs, IL

Western Springs is a village located in Cook County, Illinois, United States, and a suburb of Chicago. As of the 2020 census, the village had a total population of 13,629. It is twinned with Rugeley, Staffordshire, United Kingdom. In July 1962, the towns made telephone history on national television when the chairman of Rugeley Urban District Council made the first telephone call via the new Telstar satellite to the mayor of Western Springs.

Western Springs is located at 41°48'20" North, 87°54'4" West (41.805531, -87.901035). Western Springs is located 15 miles (24 km) west of the Chicago Loop and encompasses roughly the area between Willow Springs Road, Ogden Avenue, Interstate 294, and Plainfield Road. According to the 2010 census, Western Springs has a total area of 2.79 square miles (7.23 km²), all land.

Western Springs, an affluent suburb located along the Burlington Northern Santa Fe (formerly the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad) between Chicago and Aurora, encompasses roughly the area between Willow Springs Road (Gilbert Avenue), Ogden Avenue, Interstate 294, and West Plainfield Road. Named for local mineral springs on the southwest side of town, Western Springs originally consisted of flat prairie land with a swamp on its western border.

Around the turn of the 18th century, nomadic Potawatomi Native Americans settled in the Western Springs area. Whether they built a village is unclear, but evidence of temporary campsites has been found near Flagg Creek in Forest Hills. The natives were gone by the end of 1835, but Potawatomi artifacts may still be found buried in the Springdale neighborhood. The last Cook County campground of the Potawatomi was within what is now the Timber Trails subdivision.

The first known settler in the area near Western Springs was Elijah Wentworth. By 1834, after the Black Hawk War, farmer Joseph Vial had moved from New York and built a cabin along what is now Plainfield Road, a former Native American trail in the south of Western Springs. This cabin served as a stagecoach station, hotel, general store, and post office for the entire area. In 1872, Hill moved to the area from Chicago, and the community began organizing to attract more commuters. Residents built a wooden schoolhouse (1872) and a post office (1873).

Health and wellness are paramount in Western Springs, and the village provides ample resources for residents. The Assisting Hands, located nearby, offers comprehensive healthcare services to the community. Explore the parks, facilities, and programs the Western Springs 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 The SET, I.E. Fitness, and Fitness Western Springs. Discover the walking and biking trails in and around Western Springs, such as the Bemis Woods and Spring Rock Park. These trails offer opportunities for outdoor exercise and enjoyment of nature.

The top sites in Western Springs, IL are Graue Mill and Museum, Tower Museum, and Theatre of Western Springs.

Population: 13,629 (2020). ZIP Code: 60558. Area code: 708. Elevation: 633 ft (193 m). Area: 2.79 sq mi (7.21 km²).

FAQs

Is Western Springs, IL a good place to live?

Western Springs is in Cook County and is one of the best places to live in Illinois. Living in Western Springs offers residents a sparse suburban feel and most residents own their homes. In Western Springs there are a lot of restaurants, coffee shops, and parks. Residents of Western Springs tend to lean conservative. 

What are the demographics of Western Springs, IL?

Western Springs, IL is home to a population of 13.6k people, of which 98.9% are citizens. As of 2022, 4.9% of Western Springs, IL residents were born outside of the country (664 people). In 2022, there were 26.7 times more White (non-Hispanic) residents (12.1k people) in Western Springs, IL than any other race or ethnicity. There were 453 White (Hispanic) and 318 Two+ (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Is Western Springs, IL expensive?

Western Springs, Illinois's cost of living is 54% higher than the national average. Western Springs's housing expenses are 205% higher than the national average and the utility prices are 3% lower than the national average. Transportation expenses like bus fares and gas prices are 25% higher than the national average.

Sources

Wikipedia

Village of Western Springs

Assisting Hands

Western Springs Park District 

The SET

I.E. Fitness 

Fitness Western Springs

Bemis Woods 

Spring Rock Park

Graue Mill and Museum

Tower Museum

Theatre of Western Springs

Niche

DataUSA

Payscale

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