Des Plaines Illinois Real Estate
Adopting the nickname of the “City of Destiny,” the northern Chicago suburb of Des Plaines is one of the largest and most expensive suburbs in Cook County, Illinois. Once a prairie inhabited by Native Americans until the Treaty of Chicago in 1833, this 15.9 square miles of land is now home to a diverse population of nearly 57,000 residents. Not surprisingly, Des Plaines is also a hotbed of commercial activity, economic growth and the site of continuous revitalization to its downtown areas.
Most of the homes in the Des Plaines community were built during the 1950’s, and 60’s following the end of World War II, the annexation of the Orchard Place areas and the subsequent construction of the Chicago O’Hare airport there. As of the year 2000 there were 22,959 homes within Des Plaines’ city limits. 22,474 of those were inhabited and a total of 17,907 homes were owner occupied. Though the homes do vary in size and architectural style, typical owner occupied homes have two to three bedrooms whereas rental homes have only one or two. Finally, the median house sales price from the beginning of 12/07 to the end of 2/08 was $300,000 with an average cost per square foot of $249.
Resting right at the intersection of two major interstates, the 294 and 90, residents of Des Plaines have easy access to Chicago O’Hare International Airport and downtown City of Chicago. This ideal location is just one of the many reasons why Des Plaines is able to sustain such a lively and growing business community with several Fortune 500 companies headquartered there. This community has also played a major role in providing the private investment needed to fund the countless revitalization efforts downtown headed by the city’s Economic Development Commission.
Des Plaines is literally filled with activities for residents and tourists alike. Local hot spots include Lake Park Golf Course, Peterson Lake, The Oaks Shopping Center, and Gibson’s Bar and Steakhouse. In addition, there are countless opportunities for recreation at any of the nine public parks.
Children attend elementary and middle schools in either School District 59 or District 62 before heading to either Maine West High School in District 207 or Elk Grove High School in District 214.
For more information about the community of Des Plaines go to their official website.
