Lake In The Hills real estate.

The Village of Lake in the Hills is within McHenry County and 41 miles northwest of the Chicago Loop. The Village is set around Woods Creek Lake.

Towns neighboring Lake in the Hills include Crystal Lake to the north, Cary to the east, Sleepy Hollow to the south, and Huntley to the west.

The population of Lake in the Hills grew by nearly 400% (17,000 residents) in the 1990s, making it the fastest growing Chicago suburb at the time.

Outside of the village’s older section, this small village is divided into 14 distinct neighborhoods: Princeton Crossing, Cunat Court, Boulder Ridge, Big Sky, Harvest Gate, Spring Lake Farm North, Spring Lake Farm South, Bellchase, Summer Glen, Provence, Heron Bay, Meadowbrook, Cheswick Place, and Fox Ridge Farm.

Population (2006) - Total 29,195
Density 2,461.9/sq mi
White 91.59%
African American 1.50%
Native American 0.1%
Asian 3.33%
Hispanic/ Latino 6.31%
Other 1.86%
Median income $80,892

The Village of Lake in the Hills is a relatively new development, having begun in 1923 by Federal Judge Walter J. La Buy. La Buy purchased a total of 472 acres of land over the next three years and built five stucco homes along Woods Creek Lake.

One of the homes remains in its original state, while the other four still stand but have gone through renovations and changes over the years.

At this time farms and dirt roads were scattered across the landscape.

Like many Chicago suburbs, Lake in the Hills was initially a temporary respite from the fast-paced city life of Chicago, and was mainly used as a vacation spot. By 1950 a number of these vacationers began to make the Village their home.

Lake in the Hills was formally incorporated in 1952 when the need for public services and a local government became apparent due to its slowly growing population.

Over the years, and throughout much of the 20th Century, Lake in the Hills remained a small village with little change. For most of this time, this close-knit community relied on the neighboring towns of Crystal Lake and Algonquin for services.

Lake in the Hills, reluctant to grow too large or too fast, didn’t see its first shopping center until 1987. Then, in the late 1980s and early 1990s, the Village made a series of annexations. These large annexations included the land west of Randall Road, extending until Illinois Route 47.

In the 1990s, Lake in the Hills saw a sudden boom in population as their numbers skyrocketed. In 1995, alone, the Village had issued over 1,000 residential permits to build Lake in the Hills homes.

Lake in the Hills’ population spiked by nearly 400% (17,000 residents). By the year 2,000 the little village reached a population of 23,152. A special census was taken in 2006, showing the Village has continued to grow to a population of 29,175.
 

Lake in the Hills real estate is known for being set amongst pristine landscapes of shimmering lakes and ponds, wooded areas, running streams, immaculate parks, and fresh air.

Lake in the Hills homes for sale come in a wide range of styles. Lake in the Hills properties include duplexes, ranch-style houses, single- and two-story homes, townhouses and condos.

Some Lake in the Hills property managers include: KMW Property Management, High Point Property Management, Rescu LLC, Northwest Property & Financial Management, and Banner Property Management Inc.

Lake in the Hills single-family homes range in cost of $70,000 to over 1 million. Townhouses and condos cost between $50,000 and $325,000. Two to three bedroom Lake in the Hills apartments can cost up to $1,500 in monthly rent. Search for Lake in the Hills Real Estate.
 

In nearby Crystal Lake, residents of Lake in the Hills properties can board the Metra Union Pacific/ Northwest Line at the Pingree Road Station (570 Congress Pkwy, Crystal Lake, IL). This train provides service to the Ogilvie Transportation Center in downtown Chicago.

In Elgin, to the South, residents will find service through the Metra Milwaukee District/ West Line at the Big Timber Station (2025 Big Timber Rd, Elgin, IL). This train travels to Chicago Union Station.

Residents can use Illinois Route 31 to connect to I-90, which leads into Chicago and has connections to get throughout the Chicagoland area.

The Lake in the Hills Airport, located on Pyott Road in the northern part of the Village, services the greater McHenry County area.
 

Lake in the Hills is proud of their tightly-nit school district providing quality education for all families of the community. In 2006, the Lincoln Prairie Elementary School was Illinois School District 300’s highest scoring elementary school in the Iowa Test of Basic Skills.

Canterbury Elementary, 875 Canterbury Dr (Crystal Lake)
Chesak Elementary, 10910 Reed Rd (Lake in the Hills)
Conley Elementary, 750 Academic Dr (Algonquin)
Crystal Lake Central High, 45 W Franklin Ave (Crystal Lake)
Glacier Ridge Elementary, 1120 Village Rd (Crystal Lake)
Heinemann Middle School, 725 Academic Dr (Algonquin)
Indian Prairie Elementary, 651 Village Rd (Crystal Lake)
Lake in the Hills Elementary, 519 Willow St (Lake in the Hills)
Lincoln Prairie Elementary, 500 W Harvest Gate (Lake in the Hills)
Mackeben Elementary, 800 Academic (Algonquin)
Marlowe Middle School, 9625 Haligus Rd (Lake in the Hills)
Martin Elementary, 10920 Reed Rd (Lake in the Hills) 
Jacobs High School, 2601 Bunker Hill (Algonquin)
Lundahl Middle School, 560 Nash Rd (Crystal Lake)
Richard Bernotas Middle School, 170 N Oak St (Crystal Lake)
Westfield Community School, 2100 Sleepy Hollow Rd (Algonquin)
Woods Creek Elementary, 1100 Alexandra Blvd (Crystal Lake)
 

Residents of Lake in the Hills houses revel in their seclusion, their quiet streets and calm nights; but when the time comes to hit the night they find plenty to do in surrounding towns like Crystal Lake, Algonquin, Cary and other charming small towns.

In the heart of nearby Crystal Lake is Duke’s Alehouse & Kitchen (110 N Main St, Crystal Lake, IL, 815-356-9980), a favorite hotspot of the region. Duke’s Alehouse is popular for their great selection of brews and quality pub fare like pizza, burgers and sandwiches. They also offer fun evening events like Karaoke Sundays, live Mexican jazz as well as rock, comedy nights, and a beer school.

For an elegant evening out in the Chicago suburbs, locals stop by Martinis On Main (8 S Main St, Algonquin, IL, 847-658-5600). Martinis On Main is a quaint two-story building, with large windows and a sophisticated décor. They offer great specials like their Pink Panther cocktail for $4.50 on Fridays and their $6 Ultimate Orange Julius Martini on Saturdays. Their menu is full of succulent steak and seafood dishes, perfect for pairing with your favorite martini.

Wool Street Grill & Sports Bar (800 Feinberg Ct, Cary, IL, 847-462-9665) is a lively environment of excellent pub fare, terrific service, cheap daily drink specials, and a whole bunch of TVs playing all your favorite games. Wool Street Grill & Sports Bar also has live entertainment every Friday and Saturday night.

Cyrstal’s Party Bar (800 S Illinois Route 31, Crystal Lake, IL, 815-356-6000) is where locals go when they feel like clubbing. Crystal’s Party Bar offers not only a great place to dance, but also some of the best drink specials in the region. This club features DJs, a dance stage, a dance screen, lounge areas, games and pool.
 

Crystal Ice House (320 E Prairie St, Crystal Lake, IL, 815-356-8500) is a family skating facility located in the heart of Crystal Lake. Crystal Ice House has 3 rinks, a snack shop and Jerry’s Pro Shop for all your hockey equipment needs. They also offer challenging leagues and organized speed skating contests.

Par-King Miniature Golf (21711 N Milwaukee Ave, Lincolnshire, IL, 847-634-0333) has had residents from all over Chicagoland returning for nearly 50 years. Par-King Miniature Golf features a fun-filled 18-hole miniature golf course—one hole sports a Sears Tower replica, another Mount Rushmore, and the course ends with a roulette wheel. Par-King also boasts an arcade, a snack bar and picnic areas.

Regal Crystal Lake Showplace (5000 NW Highway, Crystal Lake, IL, 815-455-3277) is where locals go to escape the heat in the summer and the cold of winter. Regal Crystal Lake provides a safe, clean, family-oriented experience showing all the latest blockbusters. Patrons are a big fan of their popcorn, in particular.

Port Edward Restaurant (20 W Algonquin Rd, Algonquin, IL, 847-658-5441) is the place to go in the northern Chicago suburbs for great seafood. Alpana Singh of the show Check Please! said, “This has got to be one of the most unique restaurants I have ever seen.”  Port Edward Restaurant has unbeatable daily specials like their Cape Cod Clambake for $19.95 that includes fresh Maine Lobster, sausage, clams, mussels, red potatoes, corn on the cob, drawn dipping butter and Key Lime pie for desert.

Krystal Thai (230 W Virginia St, Crystal Lake, IL, 815-444-0004) defies its unassuming outward appearance (it’s located in a strip mall) with fresh, lively, vibrant Thai dishes, a classic interior design, and friendly service. A favorite of the region, patrons come back again and again for the duck noodle soup, yellow curry chicken, stuffed chicken wings, pad Thai, spring rolls and more.

Montarra (1491 S Randall Rd, Algonquin, IL, 847-458-0505) offers an upscale dining experience in a chic and modern environment. A 20-foot waterfall and a blue chandelier set the stage for this one-of-a-kind restaurant. Dishes at Montarra are prepared only with the freshest ingredients and presented with an artful manner. Their menu includes simple, beautiful cuisine like Filet Mignon and Lobster Tail, Lobster Ravioli, Pan Seared Beef Tenderloin Tips, Bacon-wrapped Dates, Short Ribs, and more.

La Trattoria (9541 Ackman Rd, 847-669-9840) has a classic, old world feel of dark woods, a long bar and low lighting. La Trattoria prepares modest, traditional dishes such as Baked Mostacciolli, Penne Bolognase, Cheese Tortallini, Veal Marsala, and Chicken Parmigana. And the bar has a wide assortment of wines to compliment your favorite dish.

For a tasty breakfast or brunch, locals stop by Richard Walker’s Pancake House (5680 NW Highway, Crystal Lake, IL, 815-479-9000). Richard Walker’s Pancake House included the world-famous Baked Apple Pancake, as well as traditional breakfast fare and full lunch menu. They also serve gourmet coffees, Blood Marys and mimosas.
 

The Lake in the Hills Summer Sunset Festival is a terrific way to close out the summer. The Summer Sunset Festival has carnival rides, a craft show, live music, a “Battle of the Bands,” a car show, a fireworks show, food, drinks and games. There’s also horseshoe tournaments, skateboard competitions, and a 5K run to participate in.

The Lake in the Hills Rotary Rib Fest presents locals with the best professional ribbers in the country. With the best grillers and barbecue masters in the country, the Lake in the Hills Rotary Rib Fest is an event that attracts people from all over the Chicagoland area. The Fest also includes classic favorites like funnel cakes, homemade lemonade, roasted corn and more. And, of course, there’s live music to accompany all that great food and drink.

The Village of Lake in the Hills is home to 34 parks, large and small. Residents can also take advantage of the six miles of bike paths winding through the Village.

The Sunset Park Sports Complex (5200 Miller Rd) is the Village’s largest park at 125 acres. Sunset Park includes everything from football fields to baseball fields to a skate park, a splash pad, a playground, a concession stand and more.

Echo Hill Park (32 Echo Hill) is a scenic little park perfect for picnicking near the lake or fishing.

There’s also Dog Park, at Higgins Road and Miller Road, which is known to the locals as “Bark Park”. This park has plenty of shade, drinking water, and lots of space for dogs to run and play.

Butch Hagele Beach (71 Hilltop Dr) is set along Woods Creek Lake and provides scenic views and a place to picnic and swim.

Indian Trail Beach (228 Indian Trail) has a sandy beach for lounging and the lake right there for swimming. Visitors can rent paddle boats or kayaks to take out on the water. There’s also a sand volleyball court and a sheltered area for taking a break from the sun.