Hillside

About Hillside

Hillside is a small village in Illinois' Cook County, conveniently located five miles west of Berwyn and 13 miles west of downtown Chicago. Despite its small population, it boasts many attractions for tourists and locals including the Adventure Bay Water Park, Hillside Commons and the Prairie Path. As a local, you'll enjoy a small-town charm that includes summertime concerts in the park, community car shows and holiday celebrations.

The History of Hillside

In 1833, Frank Covell and his family became the first people to move to the area now known as Hillside. Covell constructed the area's first home, followed shortly by settlers Philip Bohlander and George Darmstadt. The area grew during the 1840s, when German Lutheran immigrants cultivated local farms. During this decade, Hillside also received its first church (Immanuel Lutheran Congregation) and school.

Hillside was incorporated in 1905, electing John Wolf as village president. Over the next several decades, the community grew and evolved. The streets were paved, street-lights were erected and several new village establishments were constructed. In the 1950s, Hillside became the site of the first large shopping center in the Chicago area. Over the years, the Hillside Shopping Center became an important pillar of the village's economy.

Jobs in Hillside

While Hillside's unemployment rate is slightly higher than the national average, positive job growth shows that the village's economy is strengthening. It offers jobs in a variety of industries including manufacturing, construction, printing and health care. A large percentage of locals hold office and administrative support roles, as well as sales and health care positions. Power transmissions makers Dynamic Manufacturing, book distributors Levy Home Improvement and interstate carrier Bekins Van Lines are the largest employers in Hillside.

Businesses are attracted to Hillside for its proximity to Chicago and well-educated population. While there are a number of jobs in Hillside, locals can also access the large job market of Chicago.

Hillside Schools

Hillside's schools belong to one of four public school districts: Bellwood School District, Berkeley School District, Proviso Township High School District or Westchester School District.

Dominican University, Elmhurst College, the College of DuPage and Triton College are all close to Hillside, providing easy access to higher education.

Resources for Moving to Hillside

Here's some helpful information to help you prepare for your move to Hillside:

• Utilities: Major energy providers in Hillside include Commonwealth Edison and Nicor. The village manages the local water and sewer services.
• Garbage and Recycling: Waste Management services the community, providing trash collection for most residential areas.
• Transportation: The Pace Bus system has several stops and routes in Hillside, while the Metra rail can be accessed in neighboring communities.

Hillside Housing

The village offers a good mix of properties, whether you're looking for a single-family home or a budget-friendly apartment. Most were built in the 1950s, but you can still find a limited number of more modern dwellings from the 90s and 2000s. Median home prices in the village are on par with national averages, making Hillside an affordable alternative to living in Chicago.