Facts about Zion
Lake County, 41 miles N of the Loop. On New Year's Day 1900,
John Alexander Dowie announced to the church he had established in 1896, the
Christian Catholic Apostolic Church, that he planned to build a utopian city on a tract of
land at the extreme northeastern edge of Illinois. When Zion City was incorporated in 1902,
5,000 inhabitants joined the Christian utopia. Named after the mountain upon which
Jerusalem was built, Zion City was to be communitarian and theocratic, a place of
Christian cooperation, racial harmony, and strict fundamentalist morals.
Zion Population (year 2000): 22,866.
Zion Estimated population in July 2005: 24,303 (+6.3% change)
Males: 11,095 (48.5%), Females: 11,771 (51.5%)
Zion Zip code: 60099
Zion Median resident age: 30.1 years
Zion Median household income: $45,723 (year 2000)
Zion Median house value: $115,700 (year 2000)
Zion Forecasts |
Zion Maps |
Zion Radar
Quick Links for Zion
Official City of Zion web site
Zion Chamber of Commerce
Zion Park District web site
Recreation
Located on the Lake Michigan shoreline, the city presents outstanding recreational opportunities. Other recreational facilities include two recreation centers, 17 park sites totaling 525 acres, two public swimming pools, a 9 hole public golf course and an 18 hole public golf course, a bowling alley, and an indoor theater. Zion is within 10 minutes from the 1,500 slip North Point Marina.
Schools
There are seven elementary schools with a total enrollment of 2,607 serving students in Zion District #6. High school students attend Zion-Benton Township High School District #126 with enrollment of 2,061. Parochial education is available at six schools in the Zion area.
Housing
The 2000 median house value was $115,700 and the median rent cost was $651. (U.S. Census Bureau, 2000) Rental units are moderately priced, and Shiloh and Carmel House provide comfortable, fully subsidized housing for senior citizens.
Medical Facilities
Midwestern Regional Medical Center contains 160 beds and 250 physicians and has medical/health care specialists on staff.
Government Services
The Zion Police Department has 56 sworn officers. Fire protection is provided by Zion Fire and Rescue, possessing 24 full-time firefighters at two stations. Access to reading and research materials are available to Zion residents at the Zion-Benton Public Library.
Transportation
For residents who commute to the Loop, Metra's Union Pacific North Line stops in Zion. Pace buses run to Lakehurst Mall, Zion High School, and the train station.
- Distance to the Chicago Loop: 55 miles
- Distance to O'Hare Airport: 45 miles
- Distance to Mitchell Field: 35 miles