Life in Indian Head Park
Featuring a population of 4,065, Indian Head Park is a village just under one square mile (2.43 square kilometers) in size. The village is also sometimes considered a neighborhood within La Grange. At one point, Indian Head Park was the exact center of Cook County and was known by the name of Lyonsville. This ideal central location led to it being the choice for the 1835 Democratic National Convention.
The village became famous over time as the final camping ground for the Potawatomi people in 1833, before they were expelled from the area to live west of the Mississippi. A memorial marker was placed on the site in 1930 by the La Grange chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution.
The village of Indian Head Park wasn’t officially incorporated until 1959. The town’s church, previously called Lyonsville Congregational Church and today the oldest Congregational Church in Cook County, acted as a stop on the Underground Railroad from 1861 to 1865.
Today, Indian Head Park lies less than two miles from the western suburbs of Burr Ridge and La Grange. The average age of an Indian Head Park resident is 55 years old, and the area is considered an ideal place to retire. Visitors and residents enjoy close proximity to the Tri-State Tollroad (I-294) and Stevenson Expressway (I-55). The close proximity to both private and public golf courses add to the appeal of this comfortable village.
School and Home Life in Indian Head Park
Indian Head Park doesn’t host any schools directly within the village. But there are plenty of schools in the surrounding area, including La Grange Highlands Elementary School, Lyons Township High School, and Pleasantdale Middle School. Most residents of Indian Head Park belong to La Grange Highlands School District 106.
100% of Indian Head Park’s housing was built between 1980 and 1999, and most homes feature at least three bedrooms. The average home in Indian Head Park costs $545,204, a price higher than 83.2% of all neighborhoods in Illinois. Most homes in this area are occupied by their owners, and foreclosures are infrequent. The village is considered very friendly to retirees due to its high safety ranking and existing high population of seniors. Over the years, several efforts have been made to make the area more even walkable and accessible on a small scale.
Things to Do In Indian Head Park
The village of Indian Head Park is small, just under one square mile. But it’s conveniently located near many interesting attractions, including:
- Chicagoland Raceway: Just under nine miles from the village of Indian Head Park lies the famed Chicagoland Speedway, a D-shaped 1.5 mile track on a 930-acre plot. This spot is a favorite for NASCAR and Motocross fans and is known as “Chicago’s Fastest Loop.”
- Brookfield Zoo: Don’t be fooled by this attraction’s name — it’s less than seven miles from Indian Head Park, and offers opportunities to interact with dozens of different species year-round. Penguin encounters are frequently available for guests who want to get a little closer to nature.
- Flagg Creek Golf Course: A unique nine-hole course that brings plenty of activity and charm, this par 33 course was renovated in 1933 and is a charming neighborhood golf course. The full-service restaurant on site features a scenic deck looking out over the course.
- Harvester Park: This charming 37-acre park is full of fun attractions for all ages in addition to gorgeous natural wetlands. Kids can play in the Tree of Life play area while the adults take on the short but scenic wetland trails.
- Salt Creek Butterfly Farm: Guests willing to drive a little outside town will be rewarded with views of butterfly huts, beekeeping hubs, and even caterpillar and worm “farms.” Informational nature-based workshops are available throughout the year.
Indian Head Park Weather
The weather in Indian Head Park can best be described as wet, snowy, and overcast. The village gets an average of 187 days of sunshine per year (18 days less than the national average). There is an average of 32 inches of snow and 39 degrees of rain per year in Indian Head Park. Most rainy days take place in May (an average of 11.8 days).
Preparing your home for extreme weather is a natural part of living in Indian Head Park. In December, an average of 27.3 days have daily low temperatures that fall below freezing. This happens an average of 130.4 days per year. But snow only falls for an average of 5.5 days in December and 6.5 days in January. When the snow comes in Indian Head Park, it comes fast. Ice dams are a true risk for residents of this area.
But don’t think it’s all just waiting for the storm to pass — the low temperature for January in Indian Head Park is 16 degrees Fahrenheit, but the high temperature for July is 86 degrees Fahrenheit. Summers in Indian Head Park are considered very pleasant. But they can be muggy, not least because Indian Head Park sits at an elevation of 653 feet above sea level. Humidity from June to September ranges from 54% up to 62.3%. Homeowners in this area need to invest in high-quality roof upkeep to stay ahead of Mother Nature’s wrath.
