Located just 13 miles north of downtown Chicago, the Cook County suburb of Evanston occupies 7.8 square miles and has a population of 75,000. Incorporated in 1863, it boasts outstanding schools, including prestigious Northwestern University, a beautiful Lake Michigan location, extensive recreational facilities including five beaches and 268 acres of park area, excellent transportation and shopping, and a large number of cultural opportunities.
The village was named after John Evans, one of the founders of Northwestern University. The private, co-ed institution is a member of the Big Ten Conference and features two campuses: the one in Evanston, and one in Chicago. Founded in 1851, Northwestern University offers bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees, as well as professional and post-master's certificates.
Younger students may choose from among ten elementary schools, three middle schools, two magnet schools, and three special schools or centers. There are also a variety of other educational choices, including Roycemore School on Lincoln Street, an independent, co-educational college prep day school for students from junior kindergarten through grade 12. Many Evanston residents also attend co-ed Loyola Academy in Wilmette, all-boys Notre Dame High School in Niles, all-girls St. Scholatica Academy in Chicago or Regina Dominican High School in Wilmette, and other area Catholic high schools. Public high school students attend Evanston High School, which has an enrollment of just over 3,000 students.
For recreation, Evanston residents can frolic on Evanston's lakefront and beaches as well as in five public swimming pools. Beaches include Lighthouse Beach, Clark Street Beach, Dempster/Greenwood Street Beach, Lee Street Beach, and South Boulevard Beach. Pets are welcome at Evanston's Dog Beach, located at Church Street and Lake Michigan.
In their leisure time, residents can also visit the Mary and Leigh Block Museum of Art, which is located on the campus of Northwestern University; stop in at the Mitchell Indian Museum of Kendall College in Evanston, visit the Grosse Point Lighthouse and Maritime Museum on Sheridan Road, and shop and dine at more than 275 specialty shops and restaurants in downtown Evanston.
Evanston has a large number of other events that take place year round. These include a popular farmers market, its summer Evmark Summer Concert Series and Starlight Concert Series; its Race to the Finish sponsored by Rotary International; a Fountain Square Arts Festival and a Central Street Arts Fair; an Ethnic Arts Festival; a Community Picnic; a Holiday Tree Lighting; and First Night Evanston, featuring a wide variety of festive events for families on New Year's Eve.
In terms of housing, Evanston has three housing districts that are on the National Register of Historic Places. Condos and townhouses in Evanston are plentiful: prices start at $200,000 and go all the way up to $900,000 for large units in high-rises. Small bungalows can be found starting in the $100,000's, and Tudor, Victorian and Prairie homes can also be found with prices ranging from $400,000 to $900,000. There are also Queen Anne, French provincial, Georgian and colonial estate homes selling for more than $1million dollars.
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Located just 13 miles north of downtown Chicago, the Cook County suburb of Evanston occupies 7.8 square miles and has a population of 75,000. Incorporated in 1863, it boasts outstanding schools, including prestigious Northwestern University, a beautiful Lake Michigan location, extensive recreational facilities including five beaches and 268 acres of park area, excellent transportation and shopping, and a large number of cultural opportunities.
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