Skokie’s evolution from farmland to cultural epicenter
Named for the Potawatomi word for "marsh," the Village of Skokie was primarily farmland before its residential development in the early 20th century. After World War II, thousands of Jewish immigrants took refuge in the predominantly German-Luxembourger community. By 1978, Skokie was home to more than 7,000 Holocaust survivors — more than any other Chicago suburb. This history is reflected today in its locally owned businesses, thriving synagogues and Holocaust museum.
"Skokie today has a diverse range of people, so you'll have neighbors from many different backgrounds," says Lisa Sanders with @properties Christies International. Located 16 miles from Chicago's Loop, Skokie's population has only grown, now surpassing 64,000 residents. "It's close to transportation, it's pretty, and there are good schools, so people are drawn to it," adds Lindy Goss, a local Realtor with Baird & Warner.
Skokie has a Holocaust Museum with many Jewish immigrants taking refuge here after the war.
More than 30 cultures participate in the annual Skokie Festival of Cultures event.
You can find several Holocaust memorials throughout Skokie due to its rich Jewish history.
North Skokie is approximately 15 miles north of Downtown Chicago.
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Residential development throughout the 20th century
The 1920s housing boom brought residential development to Skokie, primarily in the form of classic bungalows. Many still stand today, alongside ranch-style homes and split levels constructed post-WWII. Over the last few decades, pockets of townhomes, condos and brand-new single-family homes have popped up throughout the village. This wide variety of architectural styles and dates influences the market. While the average home price in Skokie sits around $400,000, homebuyers will find properties ranging in price from $170,000 to nearly $2 million for those exceeding 4,000 square feet.
Many Skokie homes are single story ranch or bungalows with brick or stone masonry.
Skokie has a number of townhome developments at an affordable price point.
Smaller painted brick homes with mansard roofs can be found in the Village of Skokie.
Elegantly detailed single story ranch homes are common in the Village of Skokie.
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From lox and bagels to West Elm and Peloton
Many locally owned eateries and markets pay tribute to Skokie’s longstanding Jewish community. Kaufman’s Bagel and Delicatessen is one of Chicago’s oldest operating Jewish delis, serving as a hub for local Holocaust survivors to eat and work in the 1960s. On Oakton Street, Sarah’s Tent Kosher Market stands among a handful of Skokie’s Kosher grocery stores. Oakton Street is also home to the Downtown Skokie Farmer’s Market, which takes place at Village Hall. Sunday mornings are packed with residents perusing local produce and craft vendors.
Westfield Old Orchard is considered Skokie’s most prominent shopping center. Located on Skokie Boulevard, the mall offers upscale retailers like West Elm and Peloton. Surrounding big-box stores and dining options line the thoroughfare as it winds south to Touhy Avenue, another thoroughfare lined by businesses such as Walmart, Mariano’s and Lowe’s.
Friends shop together at the Skokie Farmers Market in Southwest Skokie.
Old Orchard mall has many trendy stores including Peloton and Louis Vuitton.
Sarah's Tent Kosher Market is one of the more popular Kosher grocery store in Skokie.
Many residents of Southeast Skokie do their grocery shopping at Walmart.
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Year-round recreation at local sports parks & cultural centers
According to the University of Illinois, Skokie has an annual snowfall accumulation of more than 35 inches. The city provides street plowing and occasional sidewalk plowing for snowfalls over four inches. Despite the harsh winters, Skokie experiences four full seasons.
The Skokie Valley Trail is functional year-round. The 6-mile rail trail stretches along the old Chicago North Shore and Milwaukee Railroad, heading south into Lincolnwood. “Skokie has a strong park district," Sanders says, referring to the village's more than 240 acres of recreational space. "They have plenty of things to do for kids and adults." The Skokie Sports Park features mini golf, batting cages and cricket fields for local leagues. Other parks serve as community gathering spaces for programming and performances. Devonshire Park, for example, is home to the Devonshire Aquatic Center and a cultural center, which hosts The Skokie Art Guild.
Golfers share tips at the Skokie Sports Park driving range in Southeast Skokie.
Get up close to reptiles during Southeast Skokie's National Night Out in Oakton Park.
The Skokie Valley Trail is perfect for a scenic walk without having to worry about traffic.
Kids eat and play games at Norman Schack Park in Southwest Skokie at Hot Dogs in the Parks.
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Diversity and the arts come together in Downtown Skokie
Downtown Skokie is a hub for the arts, showcasing 19 unique public art installations between Oakton and Main Street. Residents can expect concerts, plays and other festivities throughout the year, from Skokie’s annual Festival of Cultures to the three-day Backlot Bash. Even the Skokie Public Library is known to host performances and cultural events, including Bilingual Hebrew Storytime. Farther east, the Skokie Northshore Sculpture Park adds a pop of color to the North Shore Channel Trail. The 2-mile stretch displays over 60 sculptures for cyclists and joggers to admire. Meanwhile, the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts routinely hosts plays, ballets and orchestra shows. The community is also home to the Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center, a somber institution dedicated to honoring victims of the Holocaust and preserving the memory of survivors who found refuge in communities like Skokie.
There are all types of sculptures at the Skokie Northshore Sculpture Park in Southeast Skokie.
Families try to win a prize during Southwest Skokie's Backlot Bash.
The North Shore Center for the Performing Arts in Skokie is a great arts venue.
Be sure to swing over to the Skokie library to see several notable sculptures.
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Skokie spans eight public school districts
Skokie's public school students attend four central school districts. Skokie School District 68, which earns a B on Niche, serves most families north of Dempster Street. Skokie School District 73-5 and 69 serve families south of Dempster. Both earn a B-plus on Niche. Almost all students in the village will attend Niles Township High School District 219, which earns an A-plus on Niche. "Overall, the public schools are absolutely amazing; they're one of the reasons people consider moving to Skokie," Sanders says.
Families seeking a private, spiritual education will find various religious schools in the village. These institutions individually adhere to Jewish, Islamic and Roman Catholic teachings. Skokie is also home to Oakton College and Hebrew Theological College, one of the first Modern Orthodox Jewish institutions of higher education in the U.S.
Ida Crown Jewish Academy is a private Modern Orthodox Jewish high school in Skokie.
Lincoln Junior High School serves students in the Southwest Skokie community.
Madison Elementary School in Skokie has an overall A- rating on Niche.
Oakton College has two campuses with one being located in Skokie on Lincoln Avenue.
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Commuting with the Chicago Transit Authority
According to the Village of Skokie, NorthShore University Health System, located within Endeavor Health Skokie Hospital on Golf Road, is a large employer in the community. Other prominent employers include Oakton College, the village government and the park district.
"If you work in Downtown Skokie, you can get there quickly without having to drive," Sanders says regarding the CTA bus service. Located 16 miles northwest of downtown Chicago and 12 miles east of Chicago O'Hare International Airport, Skokie provides ample public transit options for Windy City commuters. Two L Train stops serve the village: Dempster/Skokie and Oakton/Skokie. Both stations are part of the "Skokie Swift" yellow line, which provides express rides to Howard station and The Loop. CTA buses also offer rides into Chicago, while drivers typically rely on Interstate 94.
Many Cultures, One Community campaign
The CAP crime safety index identifies pockets along Skokie Boulevard that experience a disproportionate crime rate. Further, the village’s violent crime rate has seen a 71 percent decline since 2017 after the police department launched its Many Cultures, One Community campaign. The public safety plan shifts priority to relationship building and neighborhood maintenance, including tree trimming and street lighting.
On average, homes in Skokie, IL sell after 39 days on the market compared to the national average of 70 days. The median sale price for homes in Skokie, IL over the last 12 months is $338,750, up 11% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
