In 1867, ten men purchased Highland Park for $39,198.70. They were the original stockholders of the Highland Park Building Company. Following construction of the Chicago and Milwaukee Railroad, a depot was established at Highland Park and a plat, extending south to Central Avenue, was laid out in 1856. Highland Park was established as a city on March 11, 1869, with a population of 500, and evolved from two settlements—St. John and Port Clinton.[4] Highland Park was named from its parklike setting at a lofty elevation relative to the lake, and was given its name from Walter S. Gurnee.[5] The town annexed the village of Ravinia in 1899.

 

The Willits House

Highland Park has several attractions including a vibrant downtown shopping district and the Ravinia Festival. Ravinia Festival is an open-air pavilion seating 3,200, which hosts classical, pop and jazz concerts in the summers. It has been the summer home of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra since 1936. Concert-goers can purchase seats in the covered pavilion or tickets to sit on the lawn. Many visitors arrive early and picnic on the lawn before and during concerts.[6] The festival is located in Ravinia District, originally an artists' colony, which still retains much of its early character and architecture.

Highland Park has several landmark structures listed in the National Register of Historic Places, notably the Willits House by Frank Lloyd Wright. In addition to several houses designed by Wright, the National Register lists homes designed by prominent architects including John S. Van Bergen, Howard Van Doren Shaw, Robert E. Seyfarth, and David Adler. Landscape architect Jens Jensen lived in Highland Park and designed a number of projects in the community that are listed on the register.

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There are three public beaches in Highland Park: Rosewood Beach, Moraine Beach (part of which is available for off-leash dogs) and Park Avenue Beach (which also has a boating facility). Highland Park is also home to the North Shore Yacht Club.

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According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 12.2 square miles (31.7 km2), of which 12.2 square miles (31.6 km2) is land and 0.039 square miles (0.1 km2), or 0.27%, is water.[7] Its geographic features include a 100-foot-high (30 m) bluff running along 6 miles (10 km) of Lake Michigan shoreline and deep, wooded ravines extending up to 1 mile (1.6 km) inland. Elevations range from 580 to 725 feet (177 to 221 m) above sea level.

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Historical population

CensusPop.%±

18801,154—

18902,16387.4%

19002,80629.7%

19104,20950.0%

19206,16746.5%

193012,20397.9%

194014,47618.6%

195016,80816.1%

196025,53251.9%

197032,26326.4%

198030,599−5.2%

199030,575−0.1%

200031,3652.6%

201029,763−5.1%

Est. 201629,641[2]−0.4%

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U.S. Decennial Census[8]

As of the 2010 United States Census,[9] there were 29,763 people residing in the city. The racial makeup of the city was 91.05% White, 1.84% Black or African American, 2.9% Asian, 0.18% Native American, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 2.51% of some other race and 1.48% of two or more races. 7.28% were Hispanic or Latino (of any race).

As of the census[10] of 2000, there were 31,365 people, 11,521 households, and 8,917 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,537.5 people per square mile (979.8/km2). There were 11,934 housing units at an average density of 965.5/sq mi (372.8/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 91.20% White, 1.78% African American, 0.08% Native American, 2.28% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 3.46% from other races, and 1.18% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 8.90% of the population.

There were 11,521 households out of which 36.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 69.9% were married couples living together, 5.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.6% were non-families. 19.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.71 and the average family size was 3.09.

In the city the population was spread out with 27.0% under the age of 18, 4.6% from 18 to 24, 25.5% from 25 to 44, 27.8% from 45 to 64, and 15.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.5 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $100,967, and the median income for a family was $317,235. Males had a median income of $83,121 versus $41,175 for females. The per capita income for the city was $55,331. About 2.3% of families and 3.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.9% of those under age 18 and 3.1% of those age 65 or over.

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Highland Park is governed by the council-manager form of government. The non-partisan City Council consists of seven members, including an elected mayor and six councilmembers, all elected at-large and serving staggered four-year terms. The current city council consists of:

PositionNameFirst electedTerm expires

MayorNancy Rotering2011*2019

CouncilmanAnthony Blumberg20112019

CouncilmanDaniel Kaufman20132021

CouncilwomanAlyssa Knobel20132021

CouncilmanAdam Stolberg20172019

CouncilwomanKim Stone20132021

CouncilwomanMichelle Holleman20152019

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Highland Park is considered a Democratic stronghold. Highland Park voters overwhelmingly broke for Illinois Senator Barack Obama in the 2008 presidential election, choosing him over Arizona Senator John McCain, 76.3%–23.1%.[needs update] Highland Park voters also tend to prefer Democrats in local races.

At the state level, Highland Park is a part of the 58th House District, represented by Scott Drury (D-Highwood), and the 29th Senate District, represented by Julie Morrison (D-Deerfield). At the county level, the city is split between Districts 11 and 12, represented by former Highland Park City Councilman Paul Frank (D-Highland Park) and former Lake Forest Mayor Mike Rummel (R-Lake Forest), respectively.

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The international headquarters of Solo Cup Company used to be located in Highland Park, before relocating to neighboring Lake Forest in 2009.