Nestled along Lake Michigan’s North Shore, Winnetka is a community of tree-lined streets, sandy beaches, renowned schools, outstanding parks, quality recreation facilities, and plentiful non-profit and religious organizations. Founded in 1869, the name given to the community was a Native American word meaning “beautiful land.” Natural beauty brought early settlers, but through careful planning, Winnetka has maintained a historic, small town charm, as well as family-oriented neighborhoods, while developing into a thriving village for people to live, work, and visit.

Winnetka was named “one of the best places to live” by CNN Money in 2011. It is located in Cook County, less than 20 miles north of the City of Chicago and is accessible from the Eden’s Expressway (I-94).

Visitors of all types and ages will find an array of activities available—be it leisure time in nature, shopping, or dining. Winnetka boasts numerous shops, restaurants, and specialty merchants in the Village’s four distinct shopping districts (Hubbard Woods, East Elm, West Elm, and Indian Hill). Shops here are frequent stops for local residents, but also destinations for many in the surrounding area.

The Winnetka Community

Winnetka is strategically located within an easy drive, or rail commute, of Chicago’s city center—with its significant business and cultural resources, as well as leisure time activities. The uniqueness of the community can especially be seen in the autumn, when the turning colors of the foliage become a photographer’s paradise.

A 2012 Chicago Tribune feature article on suburban life in Winnetka described the Village: “Winnetka’s downtown (three small districts anchored by Metra train stations), is a hub of rush-hour activity that doubles as a daytime destination for stay-at-home moms and retirees. Its beach-glass-and driftwood shops mimic those in New York’s Hamptons, sans the celebrities. Strip malls and big box stores are absent, while Village Hall supports the ‘shop local’ ideal…While Green Bay Road links the business districts, Sheridan Road is famous for old-money houses with backyards that open to the lake. Parallel to Green Bay is a berm that hides the rail line, which the village lowered in 1943 after dozens of death at railroad crossings.”

Demographics

The Village occupies a land area of 3.81 square miles in Cook County, Illinois. The 2020 Census showed a total Village population of 12,744. Tthere were 4,353 households in Winnetka in 2020 and the average household size was 2.97. Winnetka’s median household income is $250,000. Further community and demographic information can be found on the United States Census Bureau website.

Click Here to Visit the Village of Winnetka Website.