Arlington Heights

by The Linguist

Arlington Heights, Illinois

Arlington Heights is a city located in northwest Cook County, Illinois, United States. As of the 2020 census, the population of Arlington Heights was 75,864 making it the largest suburb northwest of Chicago. Some key facts about Arlington Heights:

History

The first settlers arrived in what is now Arlington Heights in the 1830s. By the late 1880s Arlington Heights had about 100 inhabitants and consisted of farms, houses, a church, and a train stop. The population quickly grew following World War II due to the expansion of suburban housing. Between 1950 and 1970, the population increased from 2,500 to 64,884.

Some key moments in Arlington Heights history:

  • 1836 – First settler Hiram Kennicott arrives
  • 1854 – Chicago and North Western Railway railroad stop established
  • 1887 – Village of Arlington Heights incorporated with population of about 100
  • 1927 – Arlington Racetrack opens
  • 1940s-1970s – Rapid suburban growth

For more history see the Arlington Heights Historical Society.

Economy

Arlington Heights has a thriving local economy. Some of the major employers include:

  • Walter E. Deuchler Associates: 4709 Illinois Rd, Crystal Lake, IL 60014, (815) 444-3355 – Engineering Firm
  • Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.: 2850 Golf Rd, Rolling Meadows, IL 60008, (630) 773-3800 – Insurance Brokerage
  • GE Healthcare: 9900 W Innovation Dr, Wauwatosa, WI 53226, (866) 281-7545 – Medical Equipment Manufacturer
  • Siemens: 3501 Algonquin Rd, Rolling Meadows, IL 60008, (847) 215-1000 – Conglomerate Company
  • Swedish Covenant Hospital: 5145 N California Ave, Chicago, IL 60625, (773) 578-0000 – Hospital

Arlington Heights serves as the headquarters for notable companies like Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. (insurance brokerage), CIBC (bank), DiMaggio’s Restaurants, Transcell Oncology, and Link Solutions (IT services). The largest employment sectors are healthcare, professional services, manufacturing, and retail.

Major shopping and entertainment destinations include Arlington Town Square, the Arlington Heights Restaurant District, and Arlington Park Racetrack.

Landmarks

Some of the most notable landmarks and attractions in Arlington Heights include:

  • Arlington International Racecourse (2200 W Euclid Ave, Arlington Heights, IL 60006) – Horse racing track
  • Arlington Heights Historical Museum (110 W Fremont St, Arlington Heights, IL 60004) – Local history museum
  • Arlington Heights Memorial Library (500 N Dunton Ave, Arlington Heights, IL 60004) – Public library
  • Christian Church of Arlington Heights (333 W Thomas St, Arlington Heights, IL 60004) – Historical church
  • Frontier Park (1933 N Kennicott Dr, Arlington Heights, IL 60004) – Large community park
  • Hersey High School (1900 E Thomas St, Arlington Heights, IL 60004) – Public high school

Some key landmarks with geographic coordinates:

  • Arlington International Racecourse: 42.110°, -87.9367°
  • Arlington Heights Historical Museum: 42.0977°, -87.9792°
  • Arlington Heights Memorial Library: 42.0868°, -87.9807°

Transportation

Public transportation in Arlington Heights is provided by the Metra commuter rail system and Pace buses. The Metra Union Pacific Northwest line has three stations in the village – Arlington Heights, Arlington Park, and Palatine. Pace bus routes serve Arlington Heights, connecting to neighboring suburbs and downtown Chicago.

Local Resources

Here are some additional local resources in Arlington Heights: