Facts about Lake Forest
LakeCounty, 27 miles N of the Loop. Lake Forest, a favorite retreat of Chicago's upper class,
is tied to the network of suburbs north of Chicago along Lake Michigan regarded as the North Shore.
Earliest white habitation, circa 1834, was for farming. The area was initially beyond Chicago's reach,
but starting in 1855 railroads enabled daily commutation.
Lake Forest Population (year 2000): 20,059.
Estimated Lake Forest population in July 2005: 21,123 (+5.3% change)
Males: 9,545 (47.6%), Females: 10,514 (52.4%)
Zip code: 60045
Lake Forest Median resident age: 41.0 years
Lake Forest Median household income: $136,462 (year 2000)
Lake Forest Median house value: $662,400 (year 2000)
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Quick Links for Lake Forest
City of Lake Forest Web site
Lake Forest-Lake Bluff Historical Society
Lake Forest Open Lands
Lake Forest Community Portal
The City of Lake Forest, incorporated as a City under a charter granted by the Illinois State Legislature in 1861, was primarily founded to support the establishment of church-related educational institutions. Lake Forest's claim to historic distinction however, rests on many factors that are both physical and social.
Present-day Lake Forest is physically distinctive not only because of its picturesque street plan, but because of the early date when it was platted.
It is these same factors that give Lake Forest its historical significance, that also make the estate areas of residential Lake Forest historically and visually distinctive. In addition, it was the concentration in Lake Forest, probably more so than in any other community west of the Hudson River, of a vast assemblage of impressive estates laid out by important architects for some of most influential families of Chicago that makes both Lake Forest and its estates especially significant. Coupled with its unusual location high on the bluffs overlooking an inland sea, and its equally rare early picturesque plan, Lake Forest is a unique place of special historical and physical distinction.
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Recreation
The Lake Forest Recreation Department features 423 acres of playing fields, tennis courts and wildlife areas, as well as two public recreation centers. In addition to a 133 acre, 18 hole public golf course, there are also three private golf courses.
Schools
The majority of Lake Forest elementary school students attend District #67 with six schools and enrollment of 2,010 students. Rondout District #72 serves a small portion of Lake Forest elementary students. High school students are served mainly by Lake Forest Community High School District #115 with 1,400 students. Other high schools serving small portions of Lake Forest are Libertyville District #128, Township District #113, and Adlai E. Stevenson District #125.
Housing
Lake Forest's housing displays a wide variety of residential units, including apartments and condominiums. The 2000 median house value was $662,400 and the median rent cost was $1005. (U.S. Census Bureau, 2000)
Medical Facilities
Facilities include the 166 bed Lake Forest Hospital, which is located at the center of a 160-acre health care campus. Included in the health care complex is an 88 bed long-term care facility, and a community health conference center.
Government Services
The Lake Forest Fire Department has 35 full-time firefighters and 3 paid on call at two stations. The Lake Forest Police Department's 32 sworn officers provide police protection.
Transportation
Commutes to Chicago are available on Metra's Chicago & North Western/North Line or the Milwaukee District/North Line commuter trains. Interstate 94 and U.S. Rte. 41 provide north-south access.
- Distance to the Chicago Loop: 30 miles
- Distance to O'Hare Airport: 25 miles
- Distance to Mitchell Field: 50 miles