Life in Palos Heights
Palos Heights was originally developed by Robert Bartlet in 1935, with the main goal of bringing more people away from the crowds of Chicago to start a new community. The town was called Harlem Heights at that time due to its proximity to Harlem Avenue. The first homeowners were attracted by the promise of 1/3-acre farm lots, which were much larger and cheaper than most properties available in the city. It was officially incorporated in 1959 due to a strong community desire for public services.
Today, Palos Heights spans nearly 4 miles across Cook county with more than 12,000 people and 9 distinct neighborhoods. It is also home to a station on Metra’s Southwest Service. This makes it easy for families who work in Chicago to commute to work and still enjoy a quiet suburban community at the end of the day.
Schools and Home Life in Palos Heights
Palos Heights has four different school districts to serve its residents. Within that, Alan B. Shepard High School offers an especially wide range of opportunities for students, including advanced placement and robotics classes. Palos Heights is also home to Trinity Christian College, located on the east side of the city.
More than half of Palos Heights’ housing stock was built between 1980 and 1999. These are mostly low-density, suburban, single family homes owned by upper middle class residents. While many of these homes are likely still in good overall condition, some may be in need of a full roof replacement in the coming years due to their age.
About 1/4 of Palos Heights housing stock is made up of low-density, single-family homes built between 1960 and 1979. While some residents in this category are homeowners, there is a high percentage of renters. For the most part, these are lower-cost homes with declining market value. However, some may have historical significance and be eligible for preservation (making them more valuable). Because of this, regular roof maintenance is essential to prevent damage to the older structures—and even more urgent when owners choose to sell.
Things to Do In Palos Heights
While Palos Heights was first created as a rural community for people hoping to get away from the city, there are several fun things to do in town today. The most popular places include:
- Lake Katherine Nature Center and Botanic Gardens – This beautiful natural area is full of local plants and wildlife, nature trails, and waterfalls. It’s also a hub for many local community events.
- South Harlem Avenue – Palos Heights’ downtown area includes several restaurants, bars, and local shops for residents and visitors to enjoy. South Harlem Avenue also hosts the Palos Heights Farmers Market on Wednesday mornings.
- Community Park – This local park features recreation areas for soccer, baseball, softball, tennis, volleyball, and disc golf. There is also a walking trail and a playground that’s been newly renovated as of 2022.
- Palos Heights Fitness Center – This local gym and recreation facility offers two gymnasiums, a 3,000-square-foot fitness center with exercise equipment, personal training, childcare, and free pickleball with a membership.
Palos Heights Weather
Weather in Palos Heights is considered moderately comfortable for a midwestern climate. It rarely gets below 0°F or above 92°F at any point throughout the year. During the summer season (which lasts about four months), the average high is above 74°F with humidity rated as “muggy or worse” about 40% of the time. Winters (which last about three months), have an average low of 19°F with low humidity.
Palos Heights also has slightly more rainfall each year than the national average. Rain in Palos Heights picks up in April and reaches its peak in June. Across the year, rain continues steadily for about seven months until October.
Winters are very dry in Palos Heights, with almost 0% humidity on average for six months out of the year. While winter is the windiest season in Palos Heights, it can be consistently windy in the area for about seven months out of the year. Because of this, roofs in Palos Heights may be especially susceptible to wind damage. It’s important for homeowners in the area to regularly inspect their homes for bent, cracked, or missing shingles so they can make repairs as quickly as possible.