Tri-Cities, Illinois facts for kids

The Tri-Cities is a special area in Illinois, USA. It includes three cities: Batavia, Geneva, and St. Charles. These cities are located between the larger cities of Aurora and Elgin, Illinois.

Quick facts for kids Tri-Cities
Region
Clockwise from top: Fox River, Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory, St. Charles Municipal Building, Dutch Mill in Batavia, Central Geneva Historic District
Country	United States of America
State	Illinois
County	Kane, DuPage
Founded	1833-1835
Townships	List of townships Batavia Geneva St. Charles Wayne (DuPage) Winfield (DuPage)
Population  (2014)
• Total	81,532 (est.)
Time zone	UTC-6 (CST)
ZIP codes	60510, 60134, 60174, 60175
Area codes	630

The Tri-Cities are mainly in Kane County. However, parts of Batavia and St. Charles are also in DuPage County. These three towns are often grouped because they share a history. They are also very close to each other along the Fox River. The people in these towns have similar ways of life. They are also some of the oldest towns in Kane County and in Illinois.

How the Tri-Cities Got Its Name

The name "Tri-City" first appeared in 1910. It was used in a book called the Tri-City Directory. This book listed people and businesses in Batavia, Geneva, and St. Charles. The directory was published many times until 1943. Local phone books also covered all three cities during this time.

There are other ideas about how the name started. Batavia's Mayor Jeffery D. Schielke thinks the name came from railroads. In the early 1900s, a train track split off to serve the three cities. Train conductors might have called them the "Tri-Cities."

Another idea comes from former St. Charles mayor Norris. He believes the name became popular in the 1940s and 1950s. During this time, more people moved to the area. The cities started to grow closer together. Today, the Tri-Cities are connected by shopping areas and businesses. They also work together on decisions and share the Fox River.

Historic Places to Visit

The Tri-Cities area has many interesting old places. These sites show the rich history of the region.

• The Fabyan Windmill in Geneva is a beautiful old windmill.
• The Fabyan Villa in Geneva is a historic house.
• The Arcada Theater in St. Charles is a grand old movie theater.
• The historic Hotel Baker in downtown St. Charles is a famous hotel.
• The Batavia Depot Museum in downtown Batavia was once a train station.
• The Batavia Institute in Batavia was a special health center.
• The historic Campana Factory in Batavia is a large, old factory building.

Fun Things to Do

There are many cool places to explore in the Tri-Cities.

• Visit the Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory in Batavia. It's a science lab where scientists study tiny particles.
• Explore the Illinois Prairie Path and the Fox River Trail. These are great paths for biking and walking.
• Walk around the historic downtown areas of Batavia, Geneva, and St. Charles. They have unique shops and restaurants.

About the People (Demographics)

The Tri-Cities area is home to many people. In 2014, about 81,532 people lived here. The area has a mix of different backgrounds. Most people are White, but there are also Asian, Black, and Native American residents. Many people are also of Hispanic or Latino heritage.

The average household in the Tri-Cities has about 2 to 3 people. About a quarter of the population is under 18 years old. About half of the people living here are female. The average income for a person in the area is around $42,575. Most people in the Tri-Cities live above the poverty line.

Learning and Schools

Colleges and Universities

There are no four-year colleges directly in the Tri-Cities. However, there are several nearby universities where students can go.

Nearby colleges include:

• Aurora University in Aurora
• Judson University in Elgin
• Wheaton College in Wheaton
• Northern Illinois University in DeKalb

Community Colleges

Community colleges offer two-year programs and classes.

• Students in Batavia and Geneva attend Waubonsee Community College.
• Students in St. Charles attend Elgin Community College.

High Schools

The Tri-Cities area has several high schools.

• Batavia High School
• Geneva Community High School
• St. Charles North High School
• St. Charles East High School
• West Aurora High School (serves a small part of Batavia)

Nearby Towns

The Tri-Cities are surrounded by other communities.

• Aurora, Illinois
• Elgin, Illinois
• West Chicago, Illinois
• Wayne, Illinois
• Warrenville, Illinois
• Bartlett, Illinois
• North Aurora, Illinois
• South Elgin, Illinois
• Campton Hills, Illinois
• Kaneland (includes Sugar Grove, Elburn, Kaneville, LaFox, Lily Lake, Maple Park)

Getting Around (Transportation)

Public Transit

• Bus transportation is provided by Pace.
• The closest Metra train stations are in Geneva, Aurora, and Elgin. These trains can take you to Chicago.

Main Roads

Several important roads run through the Tri-Cities.

• Illinois Route 64
• Illinois Route 38
• Illinois Route 25
• Illinois Route 31
• Randall Road