Fox Lake, Illinois facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Fox Lake, Illinois
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| Motto(s):
"Anchoring Tradition, Linking the Future"
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Location of Fox Lake in Lake County, Illinois.
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Location of Illinois in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Illinois |
| Counties | Lake, McHenry |
| Townships | Grant, Antioch, Burton |
| Incorporated | April 13, 1907 |
| Area | |
| • Total | 9.44 sq mi (24.44 km2) |
| • Land | 7.83 sq mi (20.29 km2) |
| • Water | 1.60 sq mi (4.15 km2) |
| Elevation | 735 ft (224 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 10,978 |
| • Density | 1,401.51/sq mi (541.13/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (CST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP Code(s) |
60020
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| Area codes | 847 & 224 |
| FIPS code | 17-27442 |
| Wikimedia Commons | Fox Lake, Illinois |
Fox Lake is a village in Illinois, United States. It is located in both Lake and McHenry counties. In 2020, about 10,978 people lived there. Fox Lake is approximately 57 miles north of Chicago.
Contents
A Look Back in Time: Fox Lake's History
Fox Lake officially became a village on April 13, 1907. French explorers first visited this area in the 1600s. Later, in the late 1800s, it was called Nippersink Point.
In the early 1900s, only a few hundred people lived here year-round. But in the summer, the population would grow to about 20,000 people! At its busiest, Fox Lake had 50 hotels and 2,000 small houses for visitors.
The Mineola Hotel and Restaurant is a very old building in Fox Lake. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979. It might be the largest wooden building in the entire state of Illinois.
Many people from Chicago have built summer homes in Fox Lake. The village is part of the Chain O'Lakes, a group of connected lakes. These lakes are perfect for swimming, boating, jet skiing, and other water sports. In 2006, there were about 28,000 boats registered on the lake system!
In 2010, a new library opened in Fox Lake. It has more space for books and computers. It also has quiet rooms for studying and a special area for young adults.
Where is Fox Lake? Geography Facts
Fox Lake is located about 55 miles northwest of downtown Chicago. It's also 20 miles west of Waukegan, Illinois. The village sits on the east side of Pistakee Lake and the south side of Nippersink Lake and Fox Lake. These lakes are all connected and are part of the Chain O'Lakes system. The water from these lakes flows into the Fox River and then into the Illinois River.
The village of Fox Lake covers about 9.94 square miles. Most of this area (about 8.12 square miles) is land, and the rest (about 1.82 square miles) is water. The village even stretches north all the way to the Wisconsin border!
Who Lives in Fox Lake? Demographics
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1910 | 400 | — | |
| 1920 | 467 | 16.8% | |
| 1930 | 880 | 88.4% | |
| 1940 | 110 | −87.5% | |
| 1950 | 2,238 | 1,934.5% | |
| 1960 | 3,700 | 65.3% | |
| 1970 | 4,511 | 21.9% | |
| 1980 | 6,831 | 51.4% | |
| 1990 | 7,478 | 9.5% | |
| 2000 | 9,178 | 22.7% | |
| 2010 | 10,579 | 15.3% | |
| 2020 | 10,978 | 3.8% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census 2010 2020 |
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Population Changes Over Time
The population of Fox Lake has grown a lot over the years. In 1910, only 400 people lived here. By 2020, the population had grown to 10,978 people.
People of Fox Lake: 2020 Census
| Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic) | Pop 2010 | Pop 2020 | % 2010 | % 2020 |
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| White alone (NH) | 9,289 | 8,748 | 87.81% | 79.69% |
| Black or African American alone (NH) | 96 | 219 | 0.91% | 1.99% |
| Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) | 26 | 15 | 0.25% | 0.14% |
| Asian alone (NH) | 97 | 134 | 0.92% | 1.22% |
| Pacific Islander alone (NH) | 1 | 4 | 0.01% | 0.04% |
| Some Other Race alone (NH) | 3 | 16 | 0.03% | 0.15% |
| Mixed Race or Multi-Racial (NH) | 127 | 456 | 1.20% | 4.15% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 940 | 1,386 | 8.89% | 12.63% |
| Total | 10,579 | 10,978 | 100.00% | 100.00% |
Learning in Fox Lake: Schools
Fox Lake has several schools for students of all ages:
- Grant Community High School (for grades 9–12)
- Fox Lake Grade School District #114
- Stanton Middle School (for grades 5–8)
- Big Hollow Elementary School Big Hollow School District 38 (for grades K–8)
- Saint Bede School (for grades K–8)
- Gavin Elementary School
Getting Around: Transportation in Fox Lake
You can get around Fox Lake and to other nearby towns using Pace bus services. Routes 570 and 806 connect Fox Lake to places like Crystal Lake and Grayslake.
The Fox Lake station is the last stop on the Milwaukee District North Line. From here, Metra trains take commuters all the way to Union Station in Chicago.
Main Roads in Fox Lake
- Wilmot Road
- State Park Road
- Grass Lake Road
U.S. Route 12/Fox Lake Road
Grand Avenue/Lake St.
Illinois Route 173- Rollins Road
- Big Hollow Road
- Nippersink Road
Famous People from Fox Lake
- Shane Webb: A baseball player who played as a pitcher and first baseman for Major League Baseball teams. He was born in Fox Lake.
- Ann-Margret: A famous actor, singer, and dancer. She once lived in Fox Lake.
See also
In Spanish: Fox Lake (Illinois) para niños
