Grandwood Park, Illinois

Grandwood Park, Illinois
Census-designated place
Motto:  "Lake County's Best Kept Secret"
Grandwood Park Location in Illinois Grandwood Park Location in the United States
Coordinates: 42°23′33.02″N 87°59′12″W
Country	United States
State	Illinois
County	Lake
Township	Warren
Area
• Total	1.47 sq mi (3.80 km2)
• Land	1.45 sq mi (3.75 km2)
• Water	0.02 sq mi (0.05 km2)
Elevation	748 ft (228 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	5,297
• Density	3,658.15/sq mi (1,412.45/km2)
Time zone	UTC-6 (CST)
• Summer (DST)	UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP Code	60031 (Gurnee)
Area codes	224, 847
FIPS code	17-30900

Grandwood Park is a census-designated place (CDP) in Warren Township, Lake County, Illinois, United States. Per the 2020 census, the population was 5,297.

History

Before the industrial revolution had made its way to the western Great Lakes, the land remained in the hands of the Potawatomi until the 1833 Treaty of Chicago. Small farm families dotted the land for several decades until 1873, of which a train station was built along the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad in the neighboring village (once an unincorporated area) of Gurnee. This over time caused an increase in the local population.

One of the earliest accounts of an individual living in the immediate community was a farmer in 1941. This farmer is credited for constructing a dam that barred the Des Plaines River tributary, Mill Creek, and consequently formed Grandwood Lake that same year.

Development of the area began in the early 1960s and the Grandwood Park Civic Association was established in 1962.

The Grandwood Park Park District was established in 1965. It acts as a municipal governing agency providing parks, recreation facilities, and events/programs for residents.

July, 2017 Flooding Incident

Beginning in 2012, minor reoccuring floods were taking place during the summer months. After heavy rains in Grandwood Park and the surrounding area in July, 2017 the dam barring Mill Creek to Grandwood Lake partially failed. Flooding about a foot in depth consumed adjoining Lake Park and nearby residences. For weeks following the incident a variety of fish were found swimming on the park grounds and in yards, notably Grass Carp.

It was decided that same season that a new dam would ultimately be necessary. It would have to wait until 2019 when the lake was drained and a new concrete and steel dam was built. Original estimates for the project were between $900,000 and $1.7 million. The official number was never released. During a Board of Commisioners session on February 8, 2023 it was proposed that an electric light should be added to Lake Park in order to illuminate the dam. The estimated cost is $2,150.

Geography

The community is in north-central Lake County, in the northwestern part of Warren Township. It is bordered to the north by the village of Old Mill Creek, to the west by Lindenhurst, and to the south and east by Gurnee. U.S. Route 45 runs along the west side of the CDP, leading south 9 miles (14 km) to Mundelein and north 12 miles (19 km) to Bristol, Wisconsin. Illinois Route 132 forms the southern boundary of the CDP; it leads east 4 miles (6 km) to Gurnee and northwest 3 miles (5 km) to Lindenhurst. Exit 8 on Interstate 94 is 2 miles (3 km) east of Grandwood Park on Route 132, 44 miles (71 km) north of downtown Chicago.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the Grandwood Park CDP has a total area of 1.6 square miles (4.2 km²), of which 0.02 square miles (0.05 km²), or 1.22%, are water. Grandwood Lake is a small impoundment on Mill Creek in the center of the community.

Major streets

• Grand Avenue
• US-45
• Stearns School Road
• Hutchins Road
• Grandwood Drive

Environment

Marine Life

As it is fed by Mill Creek, the shallow waters of Grandwood Lake harbor a variety of different freshwater fish. This inlcudes a abundancy of many types of panfish such as Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Redear Sunfish, Warmouth, and Yellow Perch. Sport fish such as Largemouth Bass and the occasional Northern Pike. In addition to some ray-finned fish such as Yellow Bullhead and Grass Carp.

Although it is not officialy stated, it is suggested that Smallmouth Bass, Rock Bass, Squalius cephalus, as well as Black Crappie and White Crappie can be found in the lake. No Walleye or Muskellunge have been reported.

Bird Life

The small marsh-like environment surrouding Grandwood Lake is home to variety of song and water birds. The trees along the edge of the lake are often frequented by the American Robin, the House Sparrow, and a large number of woodpecker species such as the Downy woodpecker. The Red-Winged Blackbird can also be seen perching in patches of bulrush at the lake's edge.

During the mating season some large water birds can be seen feeding from the lake. Which can include but is not limited to the Snowy Egret, the Great Blue Heron, and the Green Heron.

Canada Geese can be found in Grandwood Park and surrouding areas year round.

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
2000	4,521		—
2010	5,202		15.1%
2020	5,297		1.8%
U.S. Decennial Census 2010 2020

2020 census

Grandwood Park CDP, Illinois – Demographic Profile
(NH = Non-Hispanic)
Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.

Race / Ethnicity	Pop 2010	Pop 2020	% 2010	% 2020
White alone (NH)	3,668	3,196	70.51%	60.34%
Black or African American alone (NH)	283	366	5.44%	6.91%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH)	1	3	0.02%	0.06%
Asian alone (NH)	584	635	11.23%	11.99%
Pacific Islander alone (NH)	1	0	0.02%	0.00%
Some Other Race alone (NH)	15	40	0.29%	0.76%
Mixed Race/Multi-Racial (NH)	102	233	1.96%	4.40%
Hispanic or Latino (any race)	548	824	10.53%	15.56%
Total	5,202	5,297	100.00%	100.00%

2000 Census

As of the census of 2000, there were 4,521 people, 1,572 households, and 1,229 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 2,798.3 inhabitants per square mile (1,080.4/km²). There were 1,602 housing units at an average density of 991.6 per square mile (382.9/km²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 86.86% White, 4.14% African American, 0.11% Native American, 4.49% Asian, 2.10% from other races, and 2.30% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.57% of the population.

There were 1,572 households, out of which 46.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 67.0% were married couples living together, 8.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 21.8% were non-families. 17.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 2.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.88 and the average family size was 3.31.

In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 32.3% under the age of 18, 5.8% from 18 to 24, 36.8% from 25 to 44, 20.1% from 45 to 64, and 5.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.0 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $71,674, and the median income for a family was $78,624. Males had a median income of $57,961 versus $34,471 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $30,912. About 3.3% of families and 3.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.9% of those under age 18 and 3.8% of those age 65 or over.

Grandwood Park is served by the Warren-Newport Public Library District.