Location

Rogers Park ranks among Chicago's most diverse and populous neighborhoods. Located 9 miles North of the Loop, it is Chicago´s northernmost community. It is bounded by the City of Evanston at Juneway Terrace and Howard Street to the north, Ridge Boulevard to the west, Devon Avenue to the south and Lake Michigan to the east. In addition to its diverse population of around 62,734, Rogers Park attracts many students to the area due to the proximity of Loyola and Northwestern Universities. Bordered by Lake Michigan, the area boasts eight beaches and many recreational activities such as boating, swimming, fishing, and walking along the shoreline.

Real Estate

New construction in the neighborhood since the 1960s has consisted of moderately sized apartment buildings and townhouses. In May 2007, the average home sales price for a single family home or condo in Rogers Park, IL was $251,313.

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Transportation

Rogers Park has several elevated Red Line stations including Howard Street, Jarvis Street, Morse Avenue, and Loyola. Travel times to The Loop can be up to 45 minutes due to the current reconstruction of the Belmont and Fullerton stations. There is also the Metra Rogers Park station, where travel times to downtown Chicago are 20 to 23 minutes.  In addition there are several bus lines including the 151-Sheridan, 147-Howard Express, and 22-Clark Street.  For convenience, I-GO has lots in several Rogers Park locations.

Schools

Rogers Park residents have a diverse choice when it comes to their children´s education. From virtual pre-K, charter, private, magnet, public, parochial, business, and private and public colleges ? there is a school for everyone. To learn more about Rogers Park´s schools, click here.

Entertainment

Rogers Park has a fair number of cultural and entertainment options but does not have the upbeat bar and nightclub activities that other neighborhoods have. The best live performances are found at the local coffeehouses. Loyola University also offers lectures, performances and sporting events. There is one four-screen movie theater in the neighborhood as well as several theater companies.

The diverse culture of the neighborhood can be seen in the area´s retail. You can find Indian, Pakistani, Latino, Carribean, Russian restaurants and shops. The new Gateway Center located west of the Howard el stop boasts a Bally´s fitness center, Marshall´s, Blockbuster and Dominicks grocery store.

Festivals / Parks

There are approximately 30 Chicago Park District properties in Rogers Park; each offering a wide variety of free and fee-based recreational activities. Some highlights are Loyola Park´s long beach area; Indian Boundary Park contains a small zoo; and Warren Park, with a nine-hole golf course and a state-of-the-art skate park. Rogers Park residents also enjoy the best Lake Michigan beach access in all of Chicago, with small beaches to be found right at the end of its streets.

History

Between the late 1830s and his death in 1856 Irishman Phillip Rogers purchased approximately 1,600 acres of government land which formed the basis of Rogers Park. In 1872 Rogers's the land was subdivided and by 1878 enough settlers had moved into the area to incorporate the village of Rogers Park. The population increased steadily and further growth accompanied the villages in 1893. Over the years Rogers Park's population has grown increasingly diverse and older. According to the 2000 Census, thirty-four percent of those living in Rogers Park were foreign-born.

The neighborhood businesses, entertainment venues, and religious activities are clustered on main streets and transportation breaks. Commercial districts developed along the neighborhood "L" stations. Until the 1980s entertainment venues were an important part of these districts. During the first half of the twentieth century Rogers Park possessed four large, elaborate movie palaces which eventually succumbed to changes in the movie industry. The area has been home to a ballpark, a country club, and, most recently, a live-theater community. Rogers Park had been identified historically as a Roman Catholic and Jewish community but currently the neighborhood supports a variety of religious denominations.