Palatine (/ˈpælətn/) is a village in Cook County, Illinois, United States. It is a northwestern residential suburb of Chicago. As of the 2020 census, it had a population of 67,908.[4] As of the 2010 Census, it was the seventh-largest community in Cook County[5] and the 18th-largest in Illinois.[6]

Palatine, Illinois
Palatine Village Hall
Palatine Village Hall
Official logo of Palatine, Illinois
Motto: 
A Real Home Town
Location of Palatine in Cook County, Illinois
Location of Palatine in Cook County, Illinois
Palatine is located in Greater Chicago
Palatine
Palatine
Palatine is located in Illinois
Palatine
Palatine
Palatine is located in the United States
Palatine
Palatine
Coordinates: 42°07′01″N 88°02′26″W / 42.11694°N 88.04056°W / 42.11694; -88.04056
CountryUnited States
StateIllinois
CountyCook
TownshipPalatine
Government
 • MayorJim Schwantz
Area
 • Total
14.28 sq mi (36.98 km2)
 • Land14.11 sq mi (36.56 km2)
 • Water0.16 sq mi (0.42 km2)
Elevation741 ft (226 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
67,908
 • Density4,811.39/sq mi (1,857.69/km2)
DemonymPalatinian
Time zoneUTC−6 (CST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
ZIP Code(s)
60067, 60074, 60078, 60094, 60095, 60173, 60195
Area codes847, 224
FIPS code17-57225
Home value:$254,600 (2013)[3]
Wikimedia CommonsPalatine, Illinois
Websitewww.palatine.il.us

History

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The first European-American to settle in Palatine is generally thought to be George Ela, who built a log cabin in the area now called Deer Grove. Ela was one of the first of a wave of pioneers to migrate to northern Illinois following the Black Hawk War. A road that passes through the western edge of Palatine is called Ela Road in his honor. Palatine is thought to be named after a town in New York.[7]

 
The Palatine Metra station along the Union Pacific Northwest Line

The Village of Palatine was founded in 1866. It was built around a station on the new Chicago and North Western Railway. Joel Wood surveyed and laid out the village, earning him the title of Palatine's founder. One of Palatine's original downtown streets is named after Wood.

In 1920, the Indian Fellowship League held its first American Indian Day celebration at Camp Reinberg, in Palatine. According to the Daily Herald, the festivities were attended by 60,000 people, which packed the highways leading to the camp with motorists.[8]

 
Palatine's historic George Clayson House was built in 1873.

A shortline railroad, the Palatine, Lake Zurich and Wauconda Railroad, was built in 1911, and began full passenger service to Wauconda, Illinois, in 1912. The line was closed in 1924 after a series of financial misfortunes and the improvement of roads in the area. The PLZ&W provided transportation to Dr. Wilson's Deer Grove Park, just north of Dundee Road in Palatine.[9]

Palatine's first suburb-style subdivision was called Palanois Park, built shortly after World War II. The town has experienced rapid growth since the 1970s, part of Chicago's growing suburban sprawl. Palatine was home to the Cook County Fair from 1914 to 1931. The fairgrounds are now a subdivision, Fairgrounds Park, whose name pays tribute to Palatine's former fairgrounds.

During the early 1990s, Palatine along with neighboring Rolling Meadows and far northern suburb Zion were sued by atheist activist Rob Sherman over its village seal and seal-defaced flag, which had a Christian cross, among other things, inside an outline of an eagle.[10] A 1992 advisory referendum to keep the seal passed, but another referendum to use public funds to defend the seal failed, leading the village to drop the seal.[11] While Rolling Meadows and Zion developed new seals with the crosses removed, Palatine has since been without an official seal or flag, and is Illinois' largest city or village to be so.[citation needed] The French tricolor reflecting the village's sister city relationship with Fontenay-le-Comte, France, has flown at times on the flagpole meant for the village flag outside the village hall.

In 1993, a multiple homicide, the Brown's Chicken massacre, received national attention.

Palatine has been in the process of revitalizing its downtown area since December 1999.[12] This process has spawned a new passenger train station, a nearby parking garage, and several new condominiums, rowhouses, and commercial buildings.

In 2008, Palatine made news by threatening to secede from Cook County over the latter's sales tax hike; as a result of the tax hike, Palatine's sales tax is 9.0%. In 2009, residents of Palatine Township (which includes the village of Palatine) overwhelmingly voted to pass an advisory referendum stating that they would like to secede from Cook County.

Geography

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Undeveloped wooded marshland near Euclid Avenue in southern Palatine

According to the 2021 census gazetteer files, Palatine has a total area of 14.28 square miles (36.99 km2), of which 14.11 square miles (36.54 km2) (or 98.87%) is land and 0.16 square miles (0.41 km2) (or 1.13%) is water.[13] Palatine's shape resembles that of the head of an axe.[14]

Palatine is in a wooded marshland where several streams rise around the village. Most of these streams meet up with Salt Creek which rises at Wilke Marsh on the village's east side. The most notable exception is the northeast side, where its streams lie in the Buffalo Creek watershed. A small part of the east and southeast sides lies in the McDonald Creek watershed.

Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note
1880731
189089121.9%
19001,02014.5%
19101,14412.2%
19201,2105.8%
19302,11875.0%
19402,2224.9%
19504,07983.6%
196011,504182.0%
197026,050126.4%
198032,16623.5%
199039,25322.0%
200065,47966.8%
201068,5574.7%
202067,908−0.9%
U.S. Decennial Census[15]
2010[16] 2020[17]

As of the 2020 census[18] there were 67,908 people, 26,804 households, and 17,120 families residing in the village. The population density was 4,756.79 inhabitants per square mile (1,836.61/km2). There were 29,058 housing units at an average density of 2,035.44 per square mile (785.89/km2). The racial makeup of the village was 63.88% White, 12.95% Asian, 3.11% African American, 0.85% Native American, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 9.79% from other races, and 9.40% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 19.59% of the population.

There were 26,804 households, out of which 30.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.00% were married couples living together, 11.57% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.13% were non-families. 28.32% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.17% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.15 and the average family size was 2.52.

The village's age distribution consisted of 24.0% under the age of 18, 6.3% from 18 to 24, 28.9% from 25 to 44, 26.9% from 45 to 64, and 13.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37.8 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.4 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $83,495, and the median income for a family was $108,166. Males had a median income of $55,157 versus $39,378 for females. The per capita income for the village was $43,978. About 7.2% of families and 9.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.7% of those under age 18 and 3.8% of those age 65 or over.

Palatine village, Illinois – Racial and ethnic composition
Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.
Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic) Pop 2000[19] Pop 2010[16] Pop 2020[17] % 2000 % 2010 % 2020
White alone (NH) 49,029 46,246 41,673 74.88% 67.46% 61.37%
Black or African American alone (NH) 1,343 1,798 2,024 2.05% 2.62% 2.98%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) 68 61 58 0.10% 0.09% 0.09%
Asian alone (NH) 4,928 7,043 8,754 7.53% 10.27% 12.89%
Pacific Islander alone (NH) 22 19 14 0.03% 0.03% 0.02%
Other race alone (NH) 55 109 217 0.08% 0.16% 0.32%
Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) 787 934 1,863 1.20% 1.36% 2.74%
Hispanic or Latino (any race) 9,247 12,347 13,305 14.12% 18.01% 19.59%
Total 65,479 68,557 67,908 100.00% 100.00% 100.00%

The village is home to a large Sikh gurdwara on its northwest side that is visited by Sikhs from across the country.

Economy

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Weber-Stephen Products' headquarters in Palatine

Weber-Stephen Products, manufacturer of the Weber grill, is headquartered in Palatine.

Top employers

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According to Palatine's 2020 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report,[20] the top employers in the city are:

# Employer # of Employees
1 Community Consolidated School District 15 2,444
2 Township High School District 211 2,055
3 United States Postal Service 1,900
4 Community College District 512 840
5 Little City Foundation 735
6 Weber-Stephen Products 400
7 Village of Palatine 346
8 Intec Group, Inc. 175
8 Arlington Plating 175
10 United Parcel Service 155

Arts and culture

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2019 Oktoberfest celebration
  • Streetfest: Similar to Taste of Chicago, this event includes lines of food vendors down the streets of Downtown Palatine, with music playing and games and other fun activities going on at the same time. This happens at the end of every summer (August) every year and is meant for families and friends to enjoy.[21]
  • Fourth of July Celebration: Another tradition of Palatine is the schedule of Fourth of July events that occur every year. From an annual parade, to fireworks which traditionally occur on the third of July, to the carnival that comes into town, Palatine is full of the traditional celebration of every Fourth of July holiday. Events are for members of all ages, and are things that occur every year.[22]
  • Oktoberfest A newer tradition, this celebration started in 2008 and is hosted by the Rotary Club of Palatine. Live German music, craft and imported beer, and local food vendors celebrate Palatine's German roots. This is an all-ages celebration, but Family Day on Saturday morning has activities geared toward younger folks. The event begins Friday night on the third weekend in September.[23]

Parks and recreation

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Birchwood Park

The Palatine Park District serves 85,000 residents within the Palatine, Rolling Meadows, Arlington Heights, Inverness, Hoffman Estates and Barrington communities. It is governed by five elected park commissioners who oversee a professional staff.

The Palatine Park District operates swimming pools at Family Aquatic Center, Birchwood, and Eagle, as well as recreational centers at its Community Center, Birchwood, and Falcon Park – which opened in January 2010. The district purchased Palatine Stables in 1989, and the facility is home to approximately 70 horses.[24][25]

Government

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Palatine operates under the Council–manager form of local government. Six councilmen are elected from their respective districts, while the entire village elects the Village Clerk and the Mayor. The council then hires a Village Manager to oversee the town's day-to-day operation. The current mayor is Jim Schwantz.

Education

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Public schools

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Harper College
 
William Fremd High School
 
Palatine High School

Palatine is part of Community Consolidated School District 15 for public elementary schools and Township High School District 211 for public high schools. Schools located in Palatine include:[26][27]

  • Gray M. Sanborn School
  • Hunting Ridge School
  • Jane Addams School
  • Lake Louise School
  • Lincoln School
  • Marion Jordan School
  • Pleasant Hill School
  • Stuart R. Paddock School
  • Virginia Lake School
  • Walter R. Sundling Junior High
  • Winston Campus Junior High
  • Palatine High School
  • William Fremd High School
  • District 211 Academy-North[28]

Private schools

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  • Saint Theresa (Catholic) (Preschool-8)
  • Saint Thomas of Villanova (Catholic) (Preschool-8)
  • Immanuel Lutheran (Lutheran) (Preschool-8)

Independent schools

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College

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Transportation

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The Palatine station provides Metra commuter rail service along the Union Pacific Northwest Line. Trains travel southeast to Ogilvie Transportation Center in Chicago, and northwest to Harvard station or McHenry station.

Pace provides bus service on Routes 604 and 697 connecting Palatine to the Northwest Transportation Center in Schaumburg, and other destinations.[32]

Notable people

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Sister cities

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Musical group

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  • Born of Osiris, Metal band; most of the members attended William Fremd High School.

References

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  1. ^ "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 15, 2022.
  2. ^ "USGS detail on Newtown". Retrieved October 21, 2007.
  3. ^ "Palatine, Illinois (IL 60067) profile: Population, maps, real estate, averages, homes, statistics, relocation, travel, jobs, hospitals, schools, crime, moving, houses, news, sex offenders".
  4. ^ "Palatine village, Illinois". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 15, 2022.
  5. ^ "Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (G001): All Places fully within/partially within Cook County, Illinois". U.S. Census Bureau, American Factfinder. Archived from the original on February 12, 2020. Retrieved March 18, 2013.
  6. ^ "Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (G001): All Places within Illinois". U.S. Census Bureau, American Factfinder. Archived from the original on February 12, 2020. Retrieved March 18, 2013.
  7. ^ "Palatine, IL". 2005.
  8. ^ LaPier, Rosalyn (2015). City Indian: Native American Activism in Chicago, 1893-1934. Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press.
  9. ^ Whitney, Richard. Old Maud: The Story of The Palatine, Lake Zurich and Wauconda Railroad. Polo, Illinois: Transportation Trails, 1992. ISBN 0-933449-14-3
  10. ^ "Atheist Targets Palatine Seal". tribunedigital-chicagotribune. March 26, 1991. Retrieved February 16, 2016.
  11. ^ "Palatine's Cross Heads Into Sunset". tribunedigital-chicagotribune. November 11, 1992. Retrieved February 16, 2016.
  12. ^ Village of Palatine. "Downtown Land Use Guide Update. Online: "Downtown Palatine". Archived from the original on April 18, 2007. Retrieved April 25, 2007..
  13. ^ "Gazetteer Files". Census.gov. Retrieved June 29, 2022.
  14. ^ "Village of Palatine Street Map" (PDF). Village of Palatine. Retrieved March 26, 2013.
  15. ^ "Decennial Census of Population and Housing by Decades". US Census Bureau.
  16. ^ a b "P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Palatine village, Illinois". United States Census Bureau.
  17. ^ a b "P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Palatine village, Illinois". United States Census Bureau.
  18. ^ "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved June 28, 2022.
  19. ^ "P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Palatine village, Illinois". United States Census Bureau.
  20. ^ Mehring, Paul. "COMPREHENSIVE ANNUAL FINANCIAL REPORT". Village of Palatine. Retrieved June 14, 2021.
  21. ^ Pareti, Tim (August 24, 2000). "Downtown Streetfest To Give A Warm Summer Send-off". Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on February 22, 2013. Retrieved November 14, 2012.
  22. ^ "Hometown Fest 2012" (PDF). Palatine Jaycees. Retrieved November 14, 2012.
  23. ^ "Oktoberfest". Palatine Rotary. Retrieved June 13, 2018.
  24. ^ "Journal & Topics Media Group".
  25. ^ "Palatine's Horse Farm Trotting To Bigger Profit - tribunedigital-chicagotribune". Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016.
  26. ^ "About District 15". Community Consolidated School District 15. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
  27. ^ Township High School District 211 Facilities (PDF) (Map). Township High School District 211. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
  28. ^ Welcome to the Academy-North Website!
  29. ^ "Acton Palatine | Homeschool Resource| Northwest Chicago". Schole Ministries.
  30. ^ "Contact Us." Chicago Northwest Suburban Chinese School. Retrieved on February 24, 2014. "The school is located at the William Fremd High School, 1000 South Quentin Road, Palatine, Illinois 60067"
  31. ^ a b "Palatine Chinese school shows its versatility." Chicago Daily Herald. February 6, 2011. Retrieved on February 24, 2014.
  32. ^ "RTA System Map" (PDF). Retrieved January 30, 2024.
  33. ^ Archived at Ghostarchive and the Wayback Machine: "(LIVE) KILL TONY #435 - THE BIG THREE". YouTube.
  34. ^ "Lynn Smith II and Michael Durnil". The New York Times. November 29, 2015. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved June 17, 2021.
  35. ^ Writer, SHEILA SMITH-H&R Staff (June 21, 2008). "Decatur native J. Michael Durnil new senior vice president of Gay and Lesibian Alliance Against Defamation". Herald-Review.com. Retrieved June 17, 2021.
  36. ^ Encarnacion, Lisa (January 11, 2011). "Palatine Resident Named CEO of Simon Youth Foundation". TribLocal Palatine. Archived from the original on December 5, 2013. Retrieved June 17, 2021.
  37. ^ "Palatine High alum wins Oscar for work with 'Avatar'". March 8, 2010.
  38. ^ "Gudy Gaskill, 'Mother of the Colorado Trail'". Colorado Trail Foundation. Retrieved January 3, 2018.
  39. ^ Denovomagazine.com Archived July 9, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
  40. ^ 'Illinois Blue Book 1979-1980,' Biographical Sketch of Richard A. Mugalian, pg. 71
  41. ^ 'Illinois Blue Book 1997-1998, Biographical Sketch of Bernard E. Pedersen, pg. 61
  42. ^ Keeshan, Charles (July 30, 2019). "Trump's intelligence director pick Ratcliffe was born in Mount Prospect, grew up in Palatine". Daily Herald. Retrieved October 1, 2019.
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