Hillside, IL

Hillside is a small town located in Cook County, Illinois. The population of Hillside was 9,827 as of the 2010 census. Hillside is located in the northwest corner of Cook County and is bordered by Lake Michigan to the north, west and south, and by Kane County to the east.

The history of Hillside can be traced back to 1836 when John Kinzie purchased a tract of land from the Potawatomi Indians for $200. In 1847 Kinzie sold his land holdings to James Gurney who built a mill on the Fox River near what is now downtown Hillside. The first post office opened in 1850 with the name "Gurneyville." In 1871 Gurneyville was renamed " Hillside" after George W. Hill, one of its founders. By 1890 there were twenty-one businesses in Hillside including two banks, two churches, four schools and one hotel.

Today's economy in Hillside is based largely on services such as healthcare, education and retail sales. There are also several manufacturing companies located in town including an automotive parts manufacturer and a metal fabricator that produces wind turbine blades for energy production. The largest employer in town is Cook County government which employs over 1,000 people. Other major employers include Baxter Healthcare Corporation (a health care provider) and First Midwest Bank (a regional bank). There are also several small businesses that provide goods and services not typically found in larger towns such as a bakery, florist and car detailing business.

Real estate has been an important part of the economy in Hillside since its inception. In 1870 there were only thirteen homes built within town limits; however by 1890 there were seventy-eight homesites available for purchase with prices starting at $2 per acre . Over time real estate values have increased substantially due to factors such as proximity to major transportation routes (the Kennedy Expressway runs through town), excellent schools ( Hillside has six elementary schools and one high school) and low crime rates . Today there are over 2,000 residential properties within town limits with an average price tag of $269,500 . Commercial property values range from $5 per square foot up to $100 per square foot depending on location and size . Overall , real estate continues to be an important part of the economy in Hillside