Immediately north of Chicago, Evanston offers the best of both worlds with its lush tree-lined streets and a robust downtown filled with entertainment and restaurant options. The most predominant Evanston neighborhoods include Downtown Evanston, Central Street, South Evanston, Ridge, Lakeshore, Dempster Street, Main Street, Howard Street, Chicago Avenue, and Noyes Street. 

Located about 15 miles north of downtown Chicago, Evanston is home to the stunning Northwestern University and the nationally ranked academic powerhouse Evanston Township High School. Evanston was once considered for annexation by Chicago but resisted, maintaining its own identity as a smaller city on the shore of Lake Michigan. 

Evanston, Chicago's neighbor to the north, is a suburban city located in Cook County. It is bordered by Lake Michigan to the east, Skokie to the west, Wilmette to the north, and Chicago to the south. Evanston is easily accessible by car, train, and bus, making it a desirable location for living, working, and visiting. The charming suburb feels like it could be an extension of Chicago, especially because the CTA Purple Line runs through downtown Evanston to Chicago's north side.

Evanston, Chicago’s suburb to the north, sits on Potawatomi, Ojibwe, and Odawa homelands. These Native American people lived there until the 1830s when they were moved west. In 1847, the founders of Northwestern University, including the town’s namesake, John Evans, submitted plans for the city to the county judge, and in 1853, the suburb was officially named the City of Evanston. 

Due to fears caused by the Chicago Fire of 1871, wealthy Chicagoans built homes in Evanston, and the city continued to see significant growth in the early 20th century. Today, renters are drawn to Evanston apartments because of the vibrant city's commitment to community engagement.

View more History in Evanston

While Northwestern University brings a large population of students to Evanston, much of the city is occupied by families, professionals, and longtime residents. As of the 2022 Census estimate, Evanston’s population was 75,544. The median household income in Evanston is $87,345, which is much higher than the City of Chicago's median household income of $65,781. The city has a higher-than-average cost of living, with housing costs being the largest factor. The average age in Evanston is 36.2 years old, with 19.1% of the population being under the age of 18 and 16.4% being over the age of 65. 

Evanston, Illinois, experiences four distinct seasons. The average temperature in summer is a high of 81 degrees and low of 63 degrees, while the average temperature in winter is a high of 34 degrees and low of 19 degrees. The city usually receives moderate rainfall throughout the year, with an average of 38 inches annually. In the spring, Evanston experiences a transition from cold to warm weather, with some rainfall. Summers are mostly warm and humid, with occasional thunderstorms. Fall is characterized by cool and dry weather, and the foliage changes to beautiful colors. Winters are cold, with occasional snowstorms. The city experiences lake-effect snow, which occurs when cold air moves over the warm waters of Lake Michigan. 

Local Shopping and Dining

Evanston, Illinois offers many exciting shopping and dining options. The downtown area boasts a mix of local and national retailers, from boutique clothing stores to upscale home decor shops. For dining, there are many restaurants serving a variety of cuisines, including Thai, Italian, and Mexican. Evanston is also home to several craft breweries and specialty food stores. Overall, Evanston's shopping and dining scene caters to a wide range of tastes and preferences.

Best Restaurants in Evanston

• Soul & Smoke
• The Barn Steakhouse
• The Graduate Homestead Room
• Campagnola
• Joy Yee Noodle
• Lucky Platter
• Dave’s Italian Kitchen
• Bat 17
• Le Peep Evanston
• NaKorn Urban Thai
• Alcove Evanston
• Tapas Barcelona
• Koi Evanston
• Edzo’s Burger Shop
• Oceanique 
• Peckish Pig
• Blind Faith Cafe
• Hewn

Best Coffee Shops in Evanston

• Cupitol Coffee & Eatery
• Backlot Coffee
• Colectivo Coffee Evanston
• Brothers K Coffeehouse
• Reprise Coffee Roasters
• Patisserie Coralie
• Coffee Lab Evanston
• Newport Coffee House
• Philz Coffee

Best Bars and Breweries in Evanston

• Ward Eight
• Five & Dime
• Bat 17
• Prairie Moon
• Sketchbook Brewing Company
• Temperance Beer Co.
• Double Clutch Brewing Company
• Beer on Central
   

Entertainment and Recreational Activities

Think Evanston, Illinois, is just an average suburb? Think again. The bustling Chicago suburb offers many opportunities to enjoy art, music, entertainment, and the outdoors. From concerts at Evanston SPACE music venue to theater and dance performances at Northwestern University, there’s no lack of things to do in Evanston, Illinois. For outdoor enthusiasts, Evanston boasts many beautiful parks, beaches, gardens, and trails. The suburb north of Chicago is also home to many museums, like the Halim Time and Glass Museum and Grosse Point Lighthouse and Maritime Museum. With so many cultural destinations, it’s no wonder Evanston is a popular suburb of Chicago.

Parks in Evanston, Illinois

• Dawes Park
• Chandler Park
• Lovelace Park
• Ingraham Park
• Lighthouse Beach Park
• Mason Park
• Penny Park
• Leahy Park
• Twiggs Park
• Harbert Park
• Ackerman Park
• Baker Park
• Bent Park
• Brummel Park
• Clyde-Brummel Park

Beaches in Evanston, Illinois

• Clark Street Beach
• Greenwood Street Beach
• Lee Street Beach
• Lighthouse Beach
• Lincoln Street Beach
• South Boulevard Beach

Landmarks and Museums in Evanston, Illinois

• Mary and Leigh Block Museum of Art
• Mitchell Museum of the American Indian
• Frances Willard House Museum and Archives
• Halim Time and Glass Museum
• Evanston History Center
• Grosse Point Lighthouse and Maritime Museum
• Charles Gates Dawes House and Museum
• Grosse Point Lighthouse
• Ladd Arboretum
• Merrick Rose Garden
• North Shore Channel Trail
• Northwestern University Evanston Campus
• Shakespeare Garden

Evanston provides public transportation options to downtown Chicago with its easily accessible train system, including the Chicago CTA Purple Line connecting through the Howard station with stops at South Boulevard, Main, Dempster, Davis, Foster, Noyes, and Central stations, and ends at the Linden train station. The Metra Train UP-N Line quickly gets you to downtown Chicago with train stations at Main Street, Davis Street, and Central Street. Evanston’s public transit is also serviced by 4 Pace bus routes and six CTA bus routes.

Public, private, and charter school options

• Barbereux School
• Beacon Academy
• Chiaravalle Montessori School
• Chute Middle School
• Haven Middle School
• Nichols Middle School
• Dawes Elementary School
• Dewey Elementary School
• Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, Literary & Fine Arts School
• Evanston Township High School
• Fusion Academy
• Kingsley Elementary School
• Lincoln Elementary School
• Lincolnwood Elementary School
• Midwest Montessori School
• Nichols Middle School
• Oakton Elementary School
• Orrington Elementary School
• Pope John XXII School
• Roycemore School
• St Joan of Ark Elementary School
• St Athanasius School
• Walker Elementary School
• Washington Elementary School
• Willard Elementary School

University, college, and others higher learning institution options

• Northwestern University Evanston Campus
• Music Institute of Chicago

Overview of the Real Estate Market

Evanston apartments for rent range from vintage to new, and all price points throughout this charming Chicago suburb are located immediately to the north of Chicago city limits. With the sprawling Northwestern University campus occupying a massive swath of land in east Evanston, many Evanston apartments are rented by faculty, staff, and students. Despite this demand, there are plenty of apartments for rent in all unit types throughout the year. Evanston always has a healthy selection of studios, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom apartments. However, there are few three- and four-bedroom apartments for rent, especially in winter.   

Popular Apartment Buildings in Evanston

• Evanston Place Apartments
• Amli Evanston Apartments
• 1575 Oak Apartments
• Centrum Evanston Apartments
• The Link Evanston Apartments
• Presidential Apartments
• E2 Evanston Apartments
• The Main Apartments
• Reserve at Evanston Apartments

Evanston, Illinois, hosts a variety of annual local events throughout the year. One of the most popular events is the Evanston Art & Big Fork Festival, which takes place in August. This three-day festival features over 130 artists, live music, and local food vendors. Additionally, the Evanston Farmers' Market runs from May to November and features local farmers and artisans selling their goods.

Other annual events in Evanston include the Evanston Wine Walk, held in September, and the Starlight Concert Series, featuring free outdoor concerts from June to August. Overall, Evanston's annual events offer opportunities for residents and visitors alike to enjoy the city's arts, culture, and community spirit.