County of cook
illinois
History & Founding
Located in the northeastern corner of Illinois, this county holds a unique place in the state’s history and landscape. Established in 1831 from portions of DuPage and Lake counties, its name honors Richard Robert Wright, a Revolutionary War veteran and early settler. While Wright’s contribution is recognized, the spelling evolved from the original "Cook" to the current “Cook” due to a clerical error during the official naming process, a quirk that continues to fascinate local historians. The county’s early years were intertwined with the burgeoning settlement of Chicago, and it played a crucial role in Illinois’s growth as a transportation and commercial hub, particularly with the development of railroads and the expansion of the Great Lakes shipping industry.
Geography & Landscape
The county’s geography is predominantly flat, characteristic of the Illinois plains. Situated along the shores of Lake Michigan, it covers 946 square miles. The Chicago River, a vital waterway, flows through the heart of the county, dividing the city and providing a crucial transportation route. While lacking significant mountains or dramatic terrain, the county’s landscape features a mix of urban development, agricultural fields, and pockets of natural beauty. The climate is continental, experiencing cold winters and warm, humid summers. The proximity to Lake Michigan moderates temperatures somewhat, but the area is still prone to significant snowfall in winter and occasional severe weather events.
Economy & Communities
This county is overwhelmingly urban and suburban, with Chicago serving as its county seat and the dominant population center. It encompasses 122 cities and towns, each contributing to the county’s diverse economic and social fabric. While agriculture once played a more significant role, today the economy is driven by a wide range of industries including finance, manufacturing, healthcare, technology, and professional services. Major employers include financial institutions, healthcare systems, and companies in the technology sector. The county's economy is deeply intertwined with Chicago's, and it serves as a major commercial and industrial center for the entire Midwest. While some agricultural activity persists in the more rural areas, the character of the county is primarily defined by its dense urban and suburban communities.
Points of Interest
The county boasts an impressive array of points of interest. Millennium Park, with its iconic Cloud Gate sculpture ("The Bean"), is a major draw for tourists and locals alike. The Art Institute of Chicago, one of the world’s leading art museums, resides within its borders. Numerous historic neighborhoods, such as Lincoln Park and Pullman, offer glimpses into the county’s rich past. Forest Preserves of Cook County provide extensive parkland and recreational opportunities. The county is also home to numerous festivals and events throughout the year, celebrating everything from blues music to ethnic heritage. Notably, with a population of over 5.3 million, it is the second most populous county in the United States, and its sheer size and diversity contribute to its unique character and enduring significance.
Information
- State
- illinois
- Type
- County
- Population
- 5,376,741
- Land area
- 946 sq mi
- Capital
- Chicago
- Time zone
- UTC-6
- FIPS
- 17031
122 Cities
| City | Population | Elevation |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago | 2,896,016 | 596 ft (182 m) |
| Cicero | 85,616 | 606 ft (185 m) |
| Arlington Heights | 76,031 | 700 ft (213 m) |
| Schaumburg | 75,386 | 799 ft (244 m) |
| Evanston | 74,239 | 600 ft (183 m) |
| Palatine | 65,479 | 741 ft (226 m) |
| Skokie | 63,348 | 607 ft (185 m) |
| Des Plaines | 58,720 | 640 ft (195 m) |
| Mount Prospect | 56,265 | 665 ft (203 m) |
| Oak Lawn | 55,245 | 615 ft (187 m) |
| Berwyn | 54,016 | 610 ft (186 m) |
| Oak Park | 52,524 | 620 ft (189 m) |
| Orland Park | 51,077 | 700 ft (213 m) |
| Hoffman Estates | 49,495 | 780 ft (238 m) |
| Tinley Park | 48,401 | 698 ft (213 m) |
| Buffalo Grove | 42,909 | 685 ft (209 m) |
| Glenview | 41,847 | 650 ft (198 m) |
| Calumet City | 39,071 | 589 ft (180 m) |
| Park Ridge | 37,775 | 640 ft (195 m) |
| Bartlett | 36,706 | 810 ft (247 m) |
| Streamwood | 36,407 | 820 ft (250 m) |
| Elk Grove Village | 34,727 | 700 ft (213 m) |
| Wheeling | 34,496 | 650 ft (198 m) |
| Northbrook | 33,435 | 650 ft (198 m) |
| Chicago Heights | 32,776 | 650 ft (198 m) |
| Niles | 30,068 | 625 ft (191 m) |
| Harvey | 30,000 | 603 ft (184 m) |
| Lansing | 28,332 | 630 ft (192 m) |
| Oak Forest | 28,051 | 672 ft (205 m) |
| Burbank | 27,902 | 622 ft (190 m) |
| Wilmette | 27,651 | 615 ft (187 m) |
| Maywood | 26,987 | 627 ft (191 m) |
| Dolton | 25,614 | 605 ft (184 m) |
| Elmwood Park | 25,405 | 635 ft (194 m) |
| Rolling Meadows | 24,604 | 715 ft (218 m) |
| Blue Island | 23,463 | 635 ft (194 m) |
| Park Forest | 23,462 | 720 ft (219 m) |
| Melrose Park | 23,171 | 630 ft (192 m) |
| Morton Grove | 22,451 | 625 ft (191 m) |
| South Holland | 22,147 | 600 ft (183 m) |
| Evergreen Park | 20,821 | 625 ft (191 m) |
| Bellwood | 20,535 | 630 ft (192 m) |
| Alsip | 19,725 | 600 ft (183 m) |
| Homewood | 19,543 | 650 ft (198 m) |
| Franklin Park | 19,434 | 640 ft (195 m) |
| Brookfield | 19,085 | 620 ft (189 m) |
| Palos Hills | 17,665 | 600 ft (183 m) |
| Prospect Heights | 17,081 | 668 ft (204 m) |
| Westchester | 16,824 | 645 ft (197 m) |
| Country Club Hills | 16,169 | 675 ft (206 m) |
| Forest Park | 15,688 | - |
| La Grange | 15,608 | 640 ft (195 m) |
| Bridgeview | 15,335 | 620 ft (189 m) |
| Riverdale | 15,055 | 600 ft (183 m) |
| Hazel Crest | 14,816 | 648 ft (198 m) |
| Norridge | 14,582 | 645 ft (197 m) |
| Midlothian | 14,315 | 615 ft (187 m) |
| Chicago Ridge | 14,127 | 600 ft (183 m) |
| Hickory Hills | 13,926 | - |
| La Grange Park | 13,295 | 625 ft (191 m) |
| Lemont | 13,098 | 720 ft (219 m) |
| Matteson | 12,928 | 693 ft (211 m) |
| Markham | 12,620 | - |
| Richton Park | 12,533 | 710 ft (216 m) |
| Western Springs | 12,493 | 673 ft (205 m) |
| Winnetka | 12,419 | 650 ft (198 m) |
| Lincolnwood | 12,359 | 603 ft (184 m) |
| Justice | 12,193 | 625 ft (191 m) |
| Northlake | 11,878 | 650 ft (198 m) |
| Schiller Park | 11,850 | 640 ft (195 m) |
| River Forest | 11,635 | 627 ft (191 m) |
| Palos Heights | 11,260 | 625 ft (191 m) |
| Crestwood | 11,251 | - |
| Worth | 11,047 | 615 ft (187 m) |
| River Grove | 10,668 | 630 ft (192 m) |
| Summit | 10,637 | - |
| Sauk Village | 10,411 | 650 ft (198 m) |
| Lyons | 10,255 | 620 ft (189 m) |
| Barrington | 10,168 | 830 ft (253 m) |
| Steger | 9,682 | 715 ft (218 m) |
| Flossmoor | 9,301 | 674 ft (205 m) |
| Glenwood | 9,000 | 620 ft (189 m) |
| Riverside | 8,895 | 616 ft (188 m) |
| Glencoe | 8,762 | 670 ft (204 m) |
| Calumet Park | 8,516 | 604 ft (184 m) |
| Harwood Heights | 8,297 | 650 ft (198 m) |
| Broadview | 8,264 | 628 ft (191 m) |
| Hillside | 8,155 | 659 ft (201 m) |
| Lynwood | 7,377 | 615 ft (187 m) |
| Orland Hills | 6,779 | 720 ft (219 m) |
| Inverness | 6,749 | 853 ft (260 m) |
| North Riverside | 6,688 | 620 ft (189 m) |
| University Park | 6,662 | - |
| Robbins | 6,635 | 600 ft (183 m) |
| Stickney | 6,148 | 604 ft (184 m) |
| Countryside | 5,991 | 675 ft (206 m) |
| Northfield | 5,389 | 630 ft (192 m) |
| Berkeley | 5,245 | 670 ft (204 m) |
| Stone Park | 5,127 | 640 ft (195 m) |
| Willow Springs | 5,027 | 620 ft (189 m) |
| Olympia Fields | 4,732 | 675 ft (206 m) |
| Posen | 4,730 | 603 ft (184 m) |
| Palos Park | 4,689 | 700 ft (213 m) |
| Hometown | 4,467 | 620 ft (189 m) |
| Rosemont | 4,224 | - |
| Burnham | 4,170 | 585 ft (178 m) |
| South Chicago Heights | 3,970 | 717 ft (219 m) |
| Dixmoor | 3,934 | 600 ft (183 m) |
| Barrington Hills | 3,915 | - |
| South Barrington | 3,760 | 858 ft (262 m) |
| Indian Head Park | 3,685 | 700 ft (213 m) |
| Ford Heights | 3,456 | 635 ft (194 m) |
| Thornton | 2,582 | 603 ft (184 m) |
| Kenilworth | 2,494 | 610 ft (186 m) |
| Phoenix | 2,157 | 600 ft (183 m) |
| Hodgkins | 2,134 | 608 ft (185 m) |
| Merrionette Park | 1,999 | 623 ft (190 m) |
| East Hazel Crest | 1,607 | 620 ft (189 m) |
| Forest View | 778 | 593 ft (181 m) |
| Bedford Park | 574 | 612 ft (187 m) |
| Golf | 451 | 635 ft (194 m) |
| McCook | 254 | 615 ft (187 m) |