WCG-052418

a closer look at kenilworth
Kenilworth is located approximately 17 miles north of downtown Chicago. It is the newest of the eight Chicago suburban
communities that make up “the North Shore,” and is the only one developed as a planned community. Since its incorporation, the
beauty of Kenilworth has attracted many distinguished residents including architect and town planner George W. Maher, who
was an early purchaser. A contemporary and colleague of Frank Lloyd Wright, Maher, in due course, proceeded to design approximately
37 homes in the village. His town planning expertise and civic dedication further enriched the village with most of the parks and civic
sculpture – including the entry fountain, stone benches, planter urns, bridges and entry pylons – that residents enjoy today.
a closer look at kenilworth
The Stats
POPULATION: 2,513
AREA: 0.6 sq. mi.
COUNTY: Cook
TOWNSHIP: New Trier
GOVERNMENT: Council-Manager
AVERAGE DETACHED SINGLE UNIT
RESIDENCE: $1,557,750
AVERAGE HOUSEHOLD SIZE: 3.14*
HOUSEHOLDS: 855
MEDIAN AGE: 42.4*
MEDIAN FAMILY INCOME: $250,000*
(*2009 U.S. American Census Survey)
SCHOOLS: 1 Elementary
CHURCHES: 2
HEALTH CARE: NorthShore University
HEALTHSYSTEM: Evanston,
Glenbrook, Highland Park, and Skokie
Hospitals; Presence St. Francis Hospital
FIRE PROTECTION: Village of Winnetka
POLICE PROTECTION: 1 Station,
9 Police Personnel
TRANSPORTATION: PACE Buses, Taxi
Service, Metra - Union Pacific North Line
PUBLIC UTILITIES: NICOR Gas, SBC,
Village of Kenilworth, AT&T, Water System,
Commonwealth Edison
POST OFFICE: 408 Green Bay Rd.,
(847) 251-1370
LIBRARY DISTRICT: Wilmette
and Winnetka
KENILWORTH HISTORICAL SOCIETY:
415 Kenilworth Ave., (847) 251-2565
SENIOR CENTER: North Shore Senior
Center, Northfield; (847) 784-6000
• In December of 2016, the Village completed
Phase 1 of the Kenilworth 2023 Green Streets
Program. The project incorporated the use
of porous asphalt, porous parkways, and
underground storm water detention to reduce
the amount of water entering the MWRD’s
system. Due to the positive benefits of the
project, the Village received over $1 Million
in funding form the Metropolitan Water
Reclamation District of Greater Chicago.
• In late 2016, the Village began construction
of a booster pump station with the purpose of
purchasing water from the Village of Wilmette.
The Presidents of both Kenilworth and
Wilmette officially switched on the pumps on
January 16, 2017, making the start of a 34 year
water purchasing agreement thorugh 2050.
Kenilworth residents will enjoy more favorable
water rates through purchasing from Wilmette
rather than continuing to operate the Village’s
own water plant.
• In 2016, the Village received a grant from the
Federal Surface Transportation Program to
resurface Kenilworth Avenue from Green Bay
Road to Ridge Road. The grant, which was
administered through IDOT, covered 70% of the
project cost. Additional funding is being secured
to repave the rest of Kenilworth Avenue from
Green Bay Road to Sheridan.
• The first part of phase 1 of the Kenilworth 2023
Infrastructure Improvement Plan was completed
in 2014. With 94% of fire hydrants west of Green
Bay Road below pressure targets, addressing
poor water pressure at fire hydrants was one of
the major program goals. The first major water
project was completed with replacements of
Did you know?
the water mains on portions of Roger, Brier and
Melrose. The new 12” water mains dramatically
improved the water pressure in the area.
• In 2011, Kenilworth responded to resident
requests to improve the recycling program.
At that time, only 4% of trash was diverted to
recycling. A new program started in 2013 with
a goal to increase recycling to 30%. Thanks to
the mindful cooperation from residents, 38% of
trash was recycled in 2014.
• The Kenilworth beach is open for weddings and
other events. This scenic location overlooking
the glistening waters of Lake Michigan is ideal for
destination weddings that are not too far from
home. There are options for renting parts of the
actual beach or terraces overlooking the water.
• Kenilworth consistently ranks in the top tier of
the nation’s wealthiest neighborhoods. Forbes
ranks Kenilworth as the 4th most affluent
neighborhood in the United States for 2013. The
highest ranking came in 2011 when Kenilworth
ranked 2nd most affluent in the nation.
• In August 2009, Village Board adopted a Planned
Unit Development (PUD) process for possible
redevelopment projects as well as more lenient
parking regulations for the Business District.
• In February 2011, Village Board adopted new
sign regulations and updated appearance review
processes.
• In October 2013, the Green Bay Road
Transportation and Streetscape Plan report was
completed which addresses issues related to
traffic management, parking, bicycle mobility,
pedestrian safety, access to transit and Village
character on and around Green Bay Road.
20 | Wilmette/Kenilworth Chamber of Commerce • 847-251-3800 | wilmettekenilworth.com