1600s
La Rivière des Plaines
French explorers thought the trees along the river looked like European plane trees and called it La Rivière des Plaines. The city still carries the name.
Source: Wikipedia: Des Plaines, Illinois
Living in Des Plaines, Illinois
A river city about 17 miles northwest of the Chicago Loop, just north of O’Hare, with Metra service downtown.
01 — At a Glance
A river city with a downtown on the Metra.
Des Plaines was settled in the 1830s and incorporated in 1869. It’s named for the Des Plaines River, which runs just east of downtown. The 2020 census counted 60,675 residents. The city sits just north of O’Hare International Airport, with I-90 and I-294 crossing it. ZIP codes run from 60016 to 60019, and the land area is about 14.2 square miles.
02 — History
The story of Des Plaines.
French explorers named the river, a grist mill started the town, and a camp meeting ground from 1860 is still going. A few chapters from the city’s past.
1852
A mill on the river
Developers built a steam-powered mill to cut railroad ties. Socrates Rand bought it and made it a grist mill, which drew farmers from all around.
Source: Wikipedia: Des Plaines, Illinois
1857
The town of Rand
The railroad platted a town called Rand next to the mill. It later took the river’s name, Des Plaines.
Source: Wikipedia: Des Plaines, Illinois
1860
The camp ground
The Des Plaines Methodist Camp Ground is older than the city. It’s on the National Register of Historic Places and still hosts concerts and day camps every summer.
Source: Wikipedia: Des Plaines, Illinois
1925
The Des Plaines Theater
The downtown movie house opened in 1925. It was renovated and reopened in 2021 and now hosts all kinds of shows.
Source: Wikipedia: Des Plaines, Illinois
03 — Education
A tradition of learning.
Des Plaines grade schools come from Districts 62, 59 and 63, and the city’s high school district is Maine Township District 207.
Boundaries follow the address. Confirm school assignment for each address with the district before you buy.
Search HomesPublic · PreK–8
Elementary districts
Three districts serve different parts of the city.
- District 62
- District 59
- District 63
Public · Grades 9–12
Maine Township High School District 207
The city’s public high school district.
- Maine West High School
Independent
Private schools
A few private options in the city.
- Immanuel Lutheran School
- The Science and Arts Academy
- The Willows Academy
Higher Education
Oakton College
The community college opened in 1969 and has a campus in Des Plaines.
- Associate degrees
Source: Wikipedia: Des Plaines, Illinois
04 — Lifestyle
Everyday life in Des Plaines.
The river, the old theater and a summer camp ground that’s been running since 1860 give Des Plaines its character.
Parks & Outdoors
Lake Park
Home to Lake Opeka, with paths along the water.
Big Bend Lake
A lake linked to the Des Plaines River by a spillway, and a fishing spot.
Mystic Waters
The city’s family aquatic center.
Arts & History
Des Plaines Theater
The 1925 theater, restored and reopened in 2021.
Des Plaines History Center
The city’s local history museum.
Methodist Camp Ground
Concerts, day camps and swimming every summer since 1860.
Commuter Access
Des Plaines Station
Metra’s Union Pacific Northwest Line stops downtown.
I-90 and I-294
Both tollways cross the city.
O’Hare
The airport sits just south of the city.
Source: Wikipedia: Des Plaines, Illinois