Wilmette is an affluent neighborhood on the North Shore about 14 miles north of Chicago and features luxurious waterfront homes on the eastern shore with stunning views of Lake Michigan. The village core is about a mile from the lake — a charming, walkable area with shops and green spaces. It boasts historical buildings, including the Wilmette Historical Society building and the Frank Baker House, which Frank Lloyd Wright designed. While the northeastern part of town has larger estates and a few new builds, Southern Wilmette has cozy homes on smaller lots. Wilmette is close to Northwestern University and Evanston and provides a quick commute to Chicago.
Business Week named Wilmette one of the ten best places to raise kids. The school system ranks high, and there are numerous activities for children. Wilmette offers all the advantages of living in a small town but has access to the big city, so residents get the best of both worlds.
Wilmette has a laid-back atmosphere. It has a great neighborly feel, and the people are friendly and welcoming. The village is not touristy, but people occasionally come to the area to visit or to attend festivals and events.
The village’s downtown area is pedestrian and bicycle friendly. Locals often ride their bikes along the scenic streets where they can take in the beauty of the area. There is a lot of greenery and amazing views of the lake, which looks as vast as the ocean.
Residents can access the PACE bus, which helps them get around Wilmette and neighboring areas. The village also has a Metra Station, which is great for those that commute to Chicago for work or play.
There are several business districts in the village. Plaza Del Lago has an old-world look with a Spanish flair. This mixed-use space has dozens of boutiques and restaurants. A bit farther west is Yogaview. This trendy studio offers daily yoga classes and select merchandise.
Downtown Wilmette also has shops and eateries like the Backyard Barbecue Store, which sells barbecue equipment and accessories. The store also offers classes and provides catering services. The elegant Sophia Steak is also downtown. It serves mouth-watering steaks and delicious seafood. Another good place is Valley Lodge Tavern, just a block away. It is a bit more casual with a pub-like vibe.
The community has multiple events yearly, like the Wilmette French Market, which is always a good time. It has live music, fresh produce, and multiple vendors. The Summer Beach Bash is one of many fun events at Wilmette. This fundraiser for the park district is at Gillson Park and has drinks, food trucks, and music. Gillson Park is a wonderful place to go at other times too. People spend time at the beach, have picnics, and rent sailboats there. It also has an amphitheater and, in colder months, it has an outdoor ice rink.
Centennial Park has something for everyone. There is a community garden where gardeners can contract and maintain their own plots. There is also an indoor ice rink, tennis courts, and an aquatic center.
Visitors come from all over to visit the Bahá'í House of Worship. It was designed as a place of prayer open to all people, regardless of religion or culture. The building is known for combining different architectural styles, and its high domed roof can be seen from afar.
Wilmette Public School District 39 and Avoca School District 37 serve Wilmette and surrounding communities. Several area schools are listed below:
27,895 people live in Wilmette, where the median age is 45.6 and the average individual income is $97,355. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau.
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Wilmette has 10,331 households, with an average household size of 2.69. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau. Here’s what the people living in Wilmette do for work — and how long it takes them to get there. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau. 27,895 people call Wilmette home. The population density is 5,163.1 and the largest age group is Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau.
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