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Des Plaines, IL


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Des Plaines, Illinois

Introduction to Des Plaines, Illinois

Des Plaines, Illinois, in Cook county, is 16 miles NW of Chicago, Illinois. The city is included in the Chicago metropolitan area. As of the year 2000 census, 58,720 people lived in Des Plaines.

Des Plaines History

The present day City of Des Plaines was once inhabited by the Potawatomi, Ottawa, and Chippewa Indians. Settlers from New England and New York arrived here around 1833. The area was named after the Des Plaines River. Des Plaines was originally incorporated in 1869 as a village. Franklin Whitcomb was the first Village President. It was reincorporated in 1873. The city form of government was adopted in 1925 and H.T. Bennet became the first mayor of Des Plaines.

Des Plaines and nearby Attractions

  • Des Plaines Historical Museum
  • Brookfield Zoo
  • Friendship Park Conservatory
  • Kiddieland Amusement Park
  • The American Toby Jug Museum
  • Blackhawk Park

Things To Do In Des Plaines

While staying in Des Plaines, you can enjoy fishing and boating on Shagbark Lake, Opeka Lake, Peterson Lake, and Des Plaines Lake. The local parks include Des Plaines Manor Park, Eton Park, Northshire Park, Kuthen Park, and Jaycee Park. You can also visit the Des Plaines History Center. Leisure hours can be spent at the Market Place Shopping Center and at the Oaks Shopping Center.

Des Plaines Transportation

Chicago O’Hare International Airport is nearby.

Des Plaines Higher Education

Higher educational facilities are provided by Oakton Community College, Triton College, and Devry Institute of Technology.

High Points

Des Plaines strengths, compared to Peers (similar size places nationally) or State (other places in Illinois):

CategoryTrophy
Racial Diversity
(vs. State)		Top 6%Des Plaines Racial Diversity
Well-Paid Single Women
(vs. State)		Top 11%Des Plaines Well-Paid Single Women
Well-Paid Single Men
(vs. State)		Top 12%Des Plaines Well-Paid Single Men
Public Transportation Use
(vs. State)		Top 12%Des Plaines Public Transportation Use
Median Family Income
(vs. State)		Top 17%Des Plaines Median Family Income
Low Rate of Poverty
(vs. Peers)		Top 19%Des Plaines Low Rate of Poverty

Comparative Profile of Des Plaines, IL

Comparing Des Plaines to similar size places nationwide (Peers) and to other places in Illinois (State):

Ratings range from 1 (lowest) to 10 (highest).


The People

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers		Compared
to State
Age of the Population98
Senior Citizens97
Well-Paid Single Men99
Well-Paid Single Women89
Racial Diversity810
Female Share of the Population65
Male Share of the Population56
Children Under 5 Years Old33

Families

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers		Compared
to State
Portion of People Married75
Average Household Size67

Wealth

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers		Compared
to State
People Above Poverty98
People in Middle Class or Better88
Median Family Income89
College Educated Adults68

Commute & Sprawl

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers		Compared
to State
Public Transportation Use99
Working at Home55
Walking and Biking to Work47
Short Commute Times44

Housing

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers		Compared
to State
People Living Alone66
Housing Recently Built46
Studio & One-Bedroom Rentals48
Affordability of Rents42
Seasonal and Vacation Housing35
Affordability of Property Taxes33

Detailed pages on related topics: Des Plaines colleges • Des Plaines travel • Des Plaines mortgage and property.

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Additional Details

Des Plaines CollegesDes Plaines Colleges
Des Plaines colleges and trade schools.
Des Plaines Hotels & TravelDes Plaines Hotels & Travel
Des Plaines hotels, landmarks, tourism, transportation.
Des Plaines MortgageDes Plaines Mortgage
Des Plaines property, mortgage, and real estate.

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