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Mount Prospect, Illinois

Coordinates: 42°3′56″N 87°56′10″W / 42.06556°N 87.93611°W / 42.06556; -87.93611
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Mount Prospect, Illinois
Village
Flag of Mount Prospect, Illinois
Flag
Official seal of Mount Prospect, Illinois
Seal
Official logo of Mount Prospect, Illinois
Logo
Motto: 
Where friendliness is a way of life
Location of Mount Prospect in Cook County, Illinois.
Location of Mount Prospect in Cook County, Illinois.
Mount Prospect is located in Greater Chicago
Mount Prospect
Mount Prospect
Mount Prospect is located in Illinois
Mount Prospect
Mount Prospect
Mount Prospect is located in the United States
Mount Prospect
Mount Prospect
Coordinates: 42°3′56″N 87°56′10″W / 42.06556°N 87.93611°W / 42.06556; -87.93611
Country United States
State Illinois
County Cook
TownshipsElk Grove and Wheeling
Government
 • MayorPaul Hoefert
Area
[1]
 • Total
10.76 sq mi (27.86 km2)
 • Land10.72 sq mi (27.76 km2)
 • Water0.04 sq mi (0.10 km2)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
56,852
 • Density5,303.85/sq mi (2,047.82/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (CST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
ZIP Code(s)
60056–60059
Area code847
FIPS code17-51089
Wikimedia CommonsMount Prospect, Illinois
Websitewww.mountprospect.org

Mount Prospect is a village in Cook County, Illinois, United States. It is part of Elk Grove and Wheeling townships, about 20 miles (32 km) northwest of downtown Chicago and approximately 4 miles (6.4 km) north of O'Hare International Airport. As of the 2020 census, the village had a total population of 56,852.[2]

History

[edit]

The area that is now Mount Prospect was originally inhabited by Native American tribes, including the Potawatomi, Sac and Fox, and Kickapoo peoples. Early American settlers—primarily Yankees from the eastern United States—arrived in the 1830s, clearing land for agriculture, and were soon followed by significant German immigration in the mid‑19th century.[3]

The arrival of the Chicago and North Western Railroad in 1850 spurred the development of a local train station, around which farms gave way to stores and residences, laying the groundwork for a burgeoning village center Village of Mount Prospect, IL.[4]

In 1874, land speculator Ezra Eggleston purchased much of the area, platted streets, built the first station, and coined the name “Mount Prospect” in reference to its elevation—the highest in Cook County—and the “prospects” it offered. However, his timing coincided with the aftermath of the Great Chicago Fire (1871) and the Panic of 1873, delaying widespread settlement until other developers continued construction of homes and businesses downtown.[5]

By 1917, the community reached a population of roughly 300 residents and formally incorporated as a village, marking a new era of municipal governance and services.[4]

The land boom of the 1920s and the post–World War II suburban expansion fueled rapid population growth and residential subdivision, transforming Mount Prospect into a thriving Chicago suburb Village of Mount Prospect, IL.[4]

In the early 1960s, the opening of Randhurst Mall—the first enclosed, air‑conditioned shopping center in the upper Midwest—signified the village’s emergence as a regional commercial hub; the site has since been redeveloped into the mixed‑use Randhurst Village Village of Mount Prospect, IL.[4]

Late 20th and early 21st century efforts have focused on downtown revitalization—adding condominiums, retail spaces, and streetscape enhancements to strengthen the village core and economic vitality Village of Mount Prospect, IL.[4]

Geography

[edit]

Mount Prospect is located at 42°3′56″N 87°56′10″W / 42.06556°N 87.93611°W / 42.06556; -87.93611 (42.065427, -87.936217).[6]

According to the 2021 census gazetteer files, Mount Prospect has a total area of 10.76 square miles (27.87 km2), of which 10.72 square miles (27.76 km2) (or 99.65%) is land and 0.04 square miles (0.10 km2) (or 0.35%) is water.[7]

Climate

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Mount Prospect, Illinois
Climate chart (explanation)
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█ Average max. and min. temperatures in °F
█ Precipitation totals in inches
Source: Historic Average Mount Prospect
Metric conversion
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44
 
 
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17
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1
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█ Average max. and min. temperatures in °C
█ Precipitation totals in mm

According to the Köppen climate classification system, Mount Prospect lies within the Humid continental climate zone (or Dfa) in the warm summer type. The village experiences warm to hot and humid summers and frigid, snowy winters. The village lies within U.S.D.A Hardiness zone 5b, along the fringe of zone 6a.[8]

Demographics

[edit]
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1920349—
19301,225251.0%
19401,72040.4%
19504,009133.1%
196018,906371.6%
197034,99585.1%
198052,63450.4%
199053,1701.0%
200056,2655.8%
201054,167−3.7%
202056,8525.0%
U.S. Decennial Census[9]
2010[10] 2020[11]

As of the 2020 census[12] there were 56,852 people, 20,855 households, and 15,043 families residing in the village. The population density was 5,285.12 inhabitants per square mile (2,040.60/km2). There were 22,835 housing units at an average density of 2,122.80 per square mile (819.62/km2). The racial makeup of the village was 66.37% White, 2.69% African American, 0.68% Native American, 14.49% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 8.01% from other races, and 7.70% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 16.16% of the population.

There were 20,855 households, out of which 32.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.11% were married couples living together, 8.05% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.87% were non-families. 23.61% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.86% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.09 and the average family size was 2.59.

The village's age distribution consisted of 22.9% under the age of 18, 5.3% from 18 to 24, 27.2% from 25 to 44, 26.5% from 45 to 64, and 18.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40.8 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.4 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $84,353, and the median income for a family was $103,946. Males had a median income of $57,695 versus $41,193 for females. The per capita income for the village was $40,452. About 3.7% of families and 5.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.9% of those under age 18 and 8.4% of those age 65 or over.

Mount Prospect 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[13] Pop 2010[10] Pop 2020[11] % 2000 % 2010 % 2020
White alone (NH) 41,548 37,355 36,463 73.84% 68.96% 64.14%
Black or African American alone (NH) 979 1,230 1,459 1.74% 2.27% 2.57%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) 41 47 30 0.07% 0.09% 0.05%
Asian alone (NH) 6,276 6,312 8,192 11.15% 11.65% 14.41%
Pacific Islander alone (NH) 24 11 15 0.04% 0.02% 0.03%
Other race alone (NH) 43 66 169 0.08% 0.12% 0.30%
Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) 734 738 1,338 1.30% 1.36% 2.35%
Hispanic or Latino (any race) 6,620 8,408 9,186 11.77% 15.52% 16.16%
Total 56,265 54,167 56,852 100.00% 100.00% 100.00%

In 2008, Mount Prospect was voted the best city in which to raise children.[14]

Economy

[edit]

Companies based in Mount Prospect include Cummins Allison, NTN USA and Rauland-Borg.

The former United Airlines headquarters in Elk Grove Township was annexed into Mount Prospect in the 2010s.[15][16]

Top employers

[edit]

According to the village's 2017 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report,[17] the top employers in the city are:

# Employer # of Employees
1 CVS Caremark 1,445
2 Robert Bosch Tool Corporation 650
3 Cummins-Allison Corporation 391
4 Village of Mount Prospect 380
5 Rauland-Borg 300
6 Mount Prospect School District 57 293
7 Carson Pirie Scott 291
8 Jewel-Osco Food Stores 280
9 Rainbow Hospice & Palliative Care 240
10 Prospect High School 220

Education

[edit]
Prospect High School

Mount Prospect has a number of award-winning[which?] school districts. It has multiple districts that serve the village. Central Mount Prospect is served by Mount Prospect School District 57. North (and somewhat east) Mount Prospect is served by River Trails School District 26. South (and somewhat west) Mount Prospect is served by Elk Grove Community Consolidated School District 59. A very small portion of northern Mount Prospect in its northernmost point is served by Buffalo Grove-Wheeling Community Consolidated District 21. A small part of north central Mount Prospect is also served by Arlington Heights School District 25. A small part of northwest Mount Prospect is served by Prospect Heights School District 23.[18]

Township High School District 214 serves all of Mount Prospect; the town is served by multiple High Schools. Small numbers of students attend Elk Grove High School and Buffalo Grove High School. Prospect High School is the only one located within the village. The two Catholic parochial schools (K-8) located within Mount Prospect are St. Raymond and St. Emily.

The schools that service Mount Prospect are:

Libraries

[edit]

Places of interest

[edit]

Parks and recreation

[edit]

Multiple park districts serve the town: Mount Prospect, Arlington Heights, Des Plaines, Prospect Heights, and River Trails.[20]

Transportation

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Public Transportation

The Mount Prospect station provides Metra commuter rail service along the Union Pacific Northwest Line. Trains travel southeast to Ogilvie Transportation Center in Chicago, and northwest to either Harvard station or McHenry station. The northern part of Mount Prospect is also served by the North Central Service at the Prospect Heights Station, although this station is outside of Mount Prospect.[21] Bus service in the village is provided by Pace.[22]

Major highways

[edit]

Major highways in Des Plaines include:

Interstate Highways

Interstate 90

US Highways

US 12

US 14

US 45

Illinois Highways

Route 58

Route 72

Route 83

Route 62

[edit]
Wikiquote has quotations related to The Blues Brothers.

A Mount Prospect Police cruiser appears in a season 11 episode of “Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee”, as an homage to Blue Brothers.[24]

  • In the Left Behind series of Christian apocalyptic thriller novels, the fictional New Hope Village Church is located in Mount Prospect, Illinois.

Notable people

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 15, 2022.
  2. ^ "Mount Prospect village, Illinois". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 15, 2022.
  3. ^ "100 Years of History | Mount Prospect Historical Society". www.mtphist.org. December 19, 2017. Retrieved May 9, 2025.
  4. ^ a b c d e "History of Mount Prospect". mountprospect.org. May 6, 2025. {{cite web}}: |first= missing |last= (help)CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  5. ^ "History | Mount Prospect Historical Society". www.mtphist.org. December 19, 2010. Retrieved May 9, 2025.
  6. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  7. ^ "Gazetteer Files". Census.gov. Retrieved June 29, 2022.
  8. ^ N/A, N/A. "USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map". United States Department of Agriculture Plant Hardiness Zones. United States Department of Agriculture. Archived from the original on February 27, 2014. Retrieved September 4, 2015.
  9. ^ "Decennial Census of Population and Housing by Decades". US Census Bureau.
  10. ^ a b "P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Mount Prospect village, Illinois". United States Census Bureau.
  11. ^ a b "P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Mount Prospect village, Illinois". United States Census Bureau.
  12. ^ "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved June 28, 2022.
  13. ^ "P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Mount Prospect village, Illinois". United States Census Bureau.
  14. ^ "The Best Places to Raise Your Kids". Bloomberg. November 8, 2008. Archived from the original on September 5, 2016. Retrieved April 29, 2018 – via www.bloomberg.com.
  15. ^ "Mount Prospect annexes part of United campus". Daily Herald (Arlington Heights, Illinois). May 16, 2012. Retrieved July 8, 2017.
  16. ^ "Mount Prospect annexes United property, 44 more acres". Daily Herald (Arlington Heights, Illinois). January 19, 2017. Retrieved July 8, 2017.
  17. ^ "Village of Mount Prospect 2017 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report". mountprospect.org. Retrieved February 26, 2019.
  18. ^ "School Districts". Mount Prospect, Illinois. September 2015. Retrieved May 30, 2018.
  19. ^ "School Boundary Map ." Buffalo Grove–Wheeling Community Consolidated District 21. August 28, 2015. Retrieved on May 31, 2018. The Frost boundary is supposed to be lime green but its area is seemingly shown as white instead.
  20. ^ "Park Districts". Mount Prospect, Illinois. September 2015. Retrieved May 30, 2018.
  21. ^ "2017 Comprehensive Plan Update". mountprospect.org. November 7, 2017. Retrieved May 9, 2025.
  22. ^ "RTA System Map" (PDF). Retrieved February 1, 2024.
  23. ^ "BLUESMOBILE COPY AIMS TO REV UP POLICE IMAGE". chicagotribune.com. March 3, 1995. Retrieved February 20, 2019.
  24. ^ Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee & The Chicago Bluesmobile
  25. ^ Ankerberg, John. "Our Story - Ankerberg Theological Research Institute, John Ankerberg Show". jashow.org. Archived from the original on July 24, 2014. Retrieved April 29, 2018.
  26. ^ Bruce Boxleitner
  27. ^ "Dave Kingman Stats - Baseball-Reference.com". Baseball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on April 23, 2018. Retrieved April 29, 2018.
  28. ^ "Tom Lundstedt Stats - Baseball-Reference.com". Baseball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on April 23, 2018. Retrieved April 29, 2018.
  29. ^ "Official Website of Ed Paschke". www.edpaschke.com. Retrieved February 20, 2019.
  30. ^ 'Illinois blue Book 1979-1980,' Biographical Sketch of David J. Regner pg. 72
  31. ^ Schwarz, Orrin. "Fire releases Prospect's Pantazopoulos". Daily Herald. Archived from the original on February 17, 2018. Retrieved February 16, 2018.
[edit]
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