Skokie Illinois Real Estate
Formerly referred to as Niles Centre, a village incorporated in 1888, the village of Skokie in Cook County, Illinois is an active community of diverse cultures, a warm atmosphere, and a solid economy. Home to over 66,000 residents in just a 10.0 square mile neighborhood, the township’s name was changed to Skokie in 1940 to avoid confusion with the bordering village of Niles. Today, with a steadily growing population, constant commercial developments, and a strong manufacturing and retail base, Skokie is in the upper echelon of all Chicago suburbs.
Though real estate prices in Skokie did decline throughout 2007, vacant homes are few and far between. With 23,687 houses, 17,426 of which are owner occupied, it is equally as hard for renters to move into the area as well. Most of the houses were built between 1950 and 1969 with 2-3 bedrooms and in a variety of architectural styles. The median sale price for one of these single-family homes by the end of 2007 was right around $325,000.
Every aspect of this northern Chicago suburb from its citizens to its economic development bode very well for its future. Merely 12 miles north of Chicago and all the modern amenities of the Windy City, the village of Skokie has an ideal location on the border of Interstate 94. With an already sound economic base, Forest City Enterprises has also undertaken plans to add jobs in the Health Sciences industry by refurbishing the old Pfizer research facilities in the downtown grid. In 2003, the Insurance Services Office also named Skokie the first municipality in America to have nationally accredited police, fire, and public works departments. Furthermore, in that same year, Money Magazine ranked the township in the nation’s top 80 fastest-growing suburbs. Skokie is even where map publishers Rand McNally keep their corporate headquarters.
As impressive as its flourishing economy is the character of the Skokie community and landscape. The city takes great pride in the Skokie Park District which totals over 240 acres and has received national recognition for maintenance and management. In addition, with a sizeable Jewish community and countless other cultures and races represented, the village constantly publicly celebrates its diversity. In fact, every May since 1991 the park district has hosted an annual Festival of Cultures.
Children in Skokie attend elementary school, junior high and high school in several different school systems including districts 65, 68, 69, 72, 73, and 73.5. In addition, Skokie is also home to five reputable Hebrew Day Schools and two Catholic elementary schools.
