Last Updated on: 2nd November 2023, 12:17 pm
The city of Evanston is a suburb on the Northern side of Chicago. It is located in Cook County, Illinois on the North Shore of Lake Michigan with about a 37-minute drive to Downtown Chicago, and about an hour and a 20-minute drive to Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Evanston is known for being an ethnically diverse and liberal college town that is home to Northwestern University, one of the leading research and teaching universities in the United States. Evanston was named after John Evans, a politician, physician, and founder of Northwestern University. Originally the land was home to the Potawatomi tribe until the 1830s. In the 1840s the area was settled by farmers of German descent. Some land in the area was purchased for the creation of Northwestern University, following this the town was incorporated in 1863. Due to the heavy presence of the methodist church, in its early days it was nicknamed “Heavenston”, later on, that switched to “The City of Churches”. Many famous people originated from Evanston, like famous actor Marlon Brando, comedian Bill Murray, Sean Evans, host of Hot Ones, and late-night talk show host Seth Meyers.
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Evanston Population & Demographics
Evanston has a population of 74,587 people with a population density of 9,245.30/sq mi. The median age in Evanston is 36.1 years old. Being a college town, there is also a significant part of the population that is between 20-and 25. The city is diverse, with 59.2% of the population being white, 15.9% being black or African American, 9.4% Asian, 11% Hispanic, and 4.0% identifying as two or more races. There are more women than men living in Evanston, making up 52.2% of the population. Men make up 47.8% of the population.
The median household income of Evanston is $78,904, with a growth rate of 1.36% a year. For comparison, in the state of Illinois, the median income is $57,574 so those living in Evanston are wealthier on average.
Evanston is a safe place to live. The total crime rate is 2,771 per 100K people. The violent crime is 61.9% lower than the rest of the state of Illinois, and the murder rate is 84.4% lower. The most common type of crime is property crime, specifically larceny-theft. Evanston has 157 police officers, and 212 total law enforcement employees.
Cost of Living In Evanston IL
Evanston, Everyday Living Prices
Here is some information on average costs for everyday goods and services:
- Milk (1 gallon) $2.83
- Meal, Inexpensive restaurant $16.50
- 3-course meal at midrange restaurant for 2 guests $65
- Fitness Club Fee for 1 adult $86.67
- Preschool (or Kindergarten), Full Day, Private, Monthly for 1 Child $1350
Source: Numbeo
Information from the Economic Policy Institute shows that a family of 4 will need to earn $891,87 per year to afford to live in Evanston. The average sale price for a house is $381,500 and homes stay on the market for around 55 days. The average rent for an apartment in Evanston IL is $2,148, with most apartments coming in at a moderately spacious 781 sq ft.
Evanston Neighborhoods| Where to Live in Evanston
Downtown Evanston is very lively, with lots of opportunities to eat, shop and attend events. Northwest University is located downtown. Evanston has a neighborhood called North Evanston which is divided from the rest by the North Shore Channel. It is home to Gilson Beach and Gilson park, along with Rocky Miller Park. SouthEast Evanston boasts South Boulevard Beach and Lee Street Beach along with more than 12 parks. Whichever neighborhood you choose is bound to have a lot of personality and community. Some of the best places to live in Evanston are by the beaches, which become a swimming hotspot in the summer. Evanston is 20 miles from the center of Chicago. Evanston is a 2-and-a-half-hour drive away from Champaign IL. Why not check out some homes for sale in Evanston IL?
Evanston Weather & Climate
Evanston has a wide range of temperatures. In the summer, it does not get too hot, with temperatures averaging about 82°. Perfect weather for putting on your swimsuit and taking a dip in local pools. It’s also an excellent opportunity to utilize Evanston’s beaches for swimming and sunbathing. It almost never gets above 92°. For Evanston winters, you need to layer up and be ready with a jacket, mittens/ gloves, a scarf, and a warm hat. Temperatures average around 21°F, with the possibility of snowfall up to 8 inches! Residents of Evanston always get to experience a White Christmas.
Things to do in Evanston
Evanston has lots of fun things to do, with many attractions, activities, and places to visit. Everyone should be able to find a place to visit that is entertaining for them, their family, and friends.
Tour Northwestern University
Arguably the most important landmark in Evanston, North Western’s 231-acre Campus is worth checking out. Visit “The Rock” a campus attraction, which is just a large rock with constantly alternating graffiti. While you are over there, visit the Dearborn Observatory.
633 Clark St, Evanston, IL 60208 +18474913741
Block Museum of Art
Visiting the block museum is a completely free activity to do with your family. Here, you will also find The Block Cinema which does screenings of classic and contemporary films completely for free, with a first come first serve audience.
40 Arts Cir Dr, Evanston, IL 60208 +18474914000
Mitchell Museum of the American Indian
The Mitchel Museum of the American Indian offers a museum experience, tours, events, and film screenings. Children are sure to have an entertaining and educational experience with touch tables, which give them the chance to interact with artifacts, a teaching lodge, and weekend arts and craft programs.
3001 Central St, Evanston, IL 60201 +18474751030
Mount Trashmore
This unique geographical feature is actually a mountain of trash! It’s the first landfill in the United States to be converted into a park. 640,000-tons of garbage were transformed into a 60-foot-tall mountain. The area also has two lakes, Lake Windsor and Lake Trashmore. Here you can find a skatepark, playground, and outdoor fitness stations. The lakes provide the opportunity to go fishing or kayaking.
Evanston has 76 parks, 50 playgrounds, and opportunities for outdoor skating and sledding. Find out more about these recreational places on the city’s website. Other attractions are:
- Leaning Tower Of Niles, a replica of the leaning tower of Piza only a 25-minute drive away.
- Historic Francis Willard House Museum & Evanston History Center
- Amazing Beaches, like Lighthouse Beach, Lee Street Beach & more
There is an endless amount of things to do and events to explore, check out the Evanston City Events Schedule. Shopping in Evanston is also really convenient, with choices like Evanston Plaza, Southpoint Plaza, and Church St Plaza.
Evanston Restaurants
Farm House
Farm House describes itself as “farm to tavern”, boasting ingredients sourced from local farms and homemade condiments and sodas. They try to offer affordable meals and are heavily involved in local charity programs.
703 Church St, Evanston, IL 60201 +18474929700
The Peckish Pig
This is actually Evanstons first brewery-pub. You can enjoy your historic beverage alongside some high-end bar food, a sophisticated take on local nightlife in Evanston.
623 W Howard St, Evanston, IL 60202 +18474916778
Soul & Smoke
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This decadent eatery serves delicious soul food. Come here for a mouthwatering barbeque with a Southern soul and a Chicago twist. They have it all, creamy mac & cheese, St Louis Style Ribs, and all sorts of delectable sandwiches
1601 Payne St, Evanston, IL 60201 +18478592732
Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria
To get a taste of Evanston’s local cuisine, get some Chicago-Style Pizza. This family-owned business has been around since 1971. They offer enormous, filling deep-dish pizzas of many varieties.
1850 Sherman Ave, Evanston, IL 60201 +18473285400
There are many other delicious restaurants in Evanston that you should dine at. Try out some of these eateries:
Jobs in Evanston
The average salary in Evanston IL is $68k with an upwards trend of 0.9%. According to Payscale.com the most popular occupations are Software Engineer (ranging between $70k and $98k), Software Developer (ranging between $62k and $103k), and Project manager ($61k to $107k).
Here are some of the biggest employers:
- Northwestern University
- NorthShore University Health System
- Evanston Skokie School District 65
- Saint Francis Hospital
- City of Evanston
Look for a job that is a good fit for you on Indeed or Ziprecruiter.
Evanston Schools
Evanston IL belongs to the Evanston/Skokie School District 65 which serves more than 8,000 students and has over 1,400 educators. It has 10 elementary schools, 3 middle schools, an early childhood center, and educational facilities for students with special needs. If you have a high schooler, they will most likely attend Evanston Township High School which has a massive 65-acre campus and 270 staff members. To get started on their studies, students can go to the Evanston Library, where there are tons of programs for kids ranging from movie showings to arts and crafts classes, and book clubs. Adults can enjoy tech workshops and social events.
Evanston Statistics & Information
Evanston, located in Cook county has zip codes 60201 and 60204 along with 60208. The area code is 847. It is in the Central Time Zone. Evanston IL has an elevation of 185m or 607feet. The total area it takes up is 7.8 sq miles. The closest airport is Chicago O’Hare.
Map of Evanston
Explore more activities to do, restaurants, and sights with this map of Evanston IL.
Pros & Cons of Living in Evanston
Pros
- Beautiful Beaches to spend summer days on
- Access to NorthWestern’s Amazing Campus
- Student Culture and an active community
Cons
- Cold, snowy winters (but some people love those!)
- Town has fluctuations in how many people there are based on when classes are being held at NorthWestern
So, what do you think? Is Evanston IL the place that you would like to live in? There is a lot to consider, and the suburb does offer a lot of great opportunities. If you are interested in moving enlist the help of Evanston IL movers. Give us a call at 855-850-3847.
