Evanston

by The Linguist

Evanston, Illinois

Evanston is a city in Cook County, Illinois, with a population of around 75,570 as of 2019 according to the United States Census Bureau. Evanston is home to Northwestern University and borders Chicago to the south.

History

Evanston was founded in 1863 and named after John Evans, one of the founders of Northwestern University. The city expanded rapidly in the late 19th century after the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 as people moved north of the city. Evanston was a dry community from the time it was incorporated in 1863 until 1972, when the City Council voted to allow restaurants and hotels to serve liquor on their premises.

Some key moments in Evanston’s history include:

  • 1841 – Settlement established along Lake Michigan
  • 1863 – Town of Evanston incorporated
  • 1873 – Northwestern University moved to Evanston
  • 1908 – Evanston Public Library opens
  • 1919 – Northwestern University establishes permanent campus
  • 1960s – Interstate 94 constructed through Evanston
  • 1968 – Evanston History Center founded
  • 1972 – Liquor legalized in Evanston

Learn more Evanston history at the Evanston History Center.

Population

According to 2019 estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau, Evanston has a population of 75,570 residents. It is the 13th largest city in Illinois. Evanston has grown 3.5% since the 2010 census, when the population was 74,486.

The racial makeup of Evanston is:

  • 66.9% White
  • 18.1% Black or African American
  • 8.6% Asian
  • 4.3% Hispanic or Latino
  • 0.3% Native American
  • 4.7% Two or more races

The median age in Evanston is 32.8 years old. Evanston has more children under age 5 than residents over age 65.

Economy

Evanston has a diverse economy anchored by education, healthcare and retail. The largest employers in Evanston are:

Other major employers include Comcast, Morris Technical Solutions, First Bank & Trust and Hilton Orrington.

In 2019, Evanston had a per capita income of $71,517, compared to the statewide average of $37,912. The unemployment rate as of December 2022 was 2.9%.

Learn more about economic development in Evanston at the City’s Economic Development Division.

Transportation

Evanston is located just 12 miles north of downtown Chicago, making it easily accessible via public transportation:

  • CTA Purple Line – Serves Evanston via the Davis, Dempster, Main, South Blvd and Central stations
  • Metra Union Pacific North Line – Davis Street Station and Main Street Station
  • Pace buses – Serve Evanston and connect to CTA and Metra

Major roads running through Evanston:

  • Interstate 94
  • Lake Shore Drive (US-41)
  • Sheridan Road (IL-42)
  • Dempster Street (IL-43)
  • Chicago Avenue (IL-64)
  • Main Street (IL-68)
  • Ridge Avenue
  • Green Bay Road

Evanston is also home to a small general aviation airport, Lawrence Hall Airport.

For public parking options, visit the City of Evanston’s parking website.

Landmarks

Some of the most notable landmarks in Evanston include:

  • Northwestern University – Founded in 1851, Northwestern sprawls across 240 acres along Lake Michigan. Notable buildings include University Hall, Deering Library, Welsh-Ryan Arena, and Annie May Swift Hall.
    GPS Coordinates: 42.056872, -87.674199
  • Grosse Point Lighthouse – Built in 1873, this lighthouse sits on the shore of Lake Michigan. It is on the National Register of Historic Places.
    GPS Coordinates: 42.043715, -87.667132 2601 Sheridan Road
  • Evanston Public Library – Founded in 1908, the main library building opened in 1964. It houses over 220,000 books and materials.
    GPS Coordinates: 42.049632, -87.696868 1703 Orrington Avenue

Other landmarks include the Mitchell Museum of the American Indian, Lighthouse Beach, Dawes Park and Leahy Community Center.

Museum and Arts

Evanston is home to several museums and cultural institutions:

Evanston’s arts scene also includes several live music venues and independent movie theaters. The city hosts free lakeside concerts and movies during the summer as part of their “Lakeshore Arts” program.

Public Library

The Evanston Public Library has three branches:

  • Main Library – 1703 Orrington Avenue, Evanston, IL 60201
  • North Branch – 2026 Central Street, Evanston, IL 60201
  • South Branch – 949 Chicago Avenue, Evanston, IL 60202

The library offers books, ebooks, movies, music, databases, computer and tech classes, programs for kids and more. Library cards are free for Evanston residents. Visit the library’s website for more details on services and hours.

County Information

Evanston is located in Cook County, Illinois. The Cook County government offices are located at:

118 North Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60602 Phone: (312) 603-6400

Cook County services relevant to Evanston residents include the Assessor’s Office, County Clerk, Treasurer’s Office, and the Bureau of Vital Records for birth certificates.

School Districts

Evanston is served by School District 65 for elementary and middle schools, and District 202 for high schools:

Private schools located in Evanston include Roycemore School, Chiaravalle Montessori School, Saint Sebastian School, and Pope John XXIII School.

Local Resources

Here are some additional local resources for Evanston residents:

The largest hospitals located in Evanston are NorthShore University HealthSystem and Northwestern Medicine.

Popular annual events include the Evanston Ethnic Arts Festival, Festival of the Arts, July 4th celebration, and the Evanston Lakeshore Arts Festival.