1840
William Gray’s lake
William M. Gray, born in Massachusetts, settled beside the lake in 1840. It came to be called Grays Lake, and other farmers followed through the 1840s.
Source: Wikipedia: Grayslake, Illinois
Living in Grayslake, Illinois
A lake village about 38 miles north of the Chicago Loop, with two Metra lines and a walkable old downtown.
01 — At a Glance
A lake village with two Metra lines.
Grayslake grew around a railroad station built in 1886 beside Grays Lake, and the village incorporated in 1895. The 2020 census counted 21,248 residents. It’s home to the College of Lake County and the Lake County Fairgrounds. Two Metra lines serve the village. The ZIP code is 60030, and the land area is about 10.9 square miles.
02 — History
The story of Grayslake.
A Massachusetts farmer, a lake and a railroad station gave Grayslake its start. A few chapters from the village’s past.
1880
The Wisconsin Central
The Wisconsin Central Railroad built a line from Fond du Lac to Chicago along the east side of the lake.
Source: Wikipedia: Grayslake, Illinois
1886
A station named Grayslake
The railroad built a station by the lake in 1886 and named it Grayslake. A village grew around it.
Source: Wikipedia: Grayslake, Illinois
1895
The village
Grayslake incorporated as a village in 1895.
Source: Wikipedia: Grayslake, Illinois
03 — Education
A tradition of learning.
Grayslake has two public high schools and a range of elementary schools, plus the College of Lake County and the University Center of Lake County.
Boundaries follow the address. Confirm school assignment for each address with the district before you buy.
Search HomesPublic · Grades 9–12
Grayslake high schools
Two public high schools plus a vocational center.
- Grayslake Central High School
- Grayslake North High School
- Lake County Vocational Center
Public · K–8
Elementary schools
Several elementary schools and a middle school.
- Frederick, Meadowview, Prairieview, Avon and Woodview
- Park Campus K–8
- Grayslake Middle School
Independent
Private and charter schools
Options beyond the public districts.
- St. Gilbert School (PK–8)
- Westlake Christian Academy (K–12)
- Prairie Crossing Charter School (K–8)
Higher Education
College of Lake County
Associate degrees, with the University Center of Lake County for bachelor’s and graduate study.
- University Center of Lake County
Source: Wikipedia: Grayslake, Illinois
04 — Lifestyle
Everyday life in Grayslake.
The lake is busy year-round in Grayslake: boats in summer, skates and ice fishing in winter.
Parks & Outdoors
Grays Lake
Fishing, swimming and boating in summer, skating and hockey in winter.
Rollins Savannah
A forest preserve on the north side with a bird deck and wetland trails.
Golf
Carillon, a nine-hole park district course, and Brae Loch, a forest preserve course.
Events & Community
Grayslake Arts Festival
Every June on Center Street, with more than 70 juried artists.
Central Park
The family aquatic center, the skate park and a community garden.
Lake County Fairgrounds
The county fair’s home is in Grayslake.
Commuter Access
Milwaukee District North
A station in south Grayslake, with trains to Union Station by way of Libertyville.
North Central Service
The Washington Street station, with weekday trains that stop at O’Hare.
Main roads
Routes 120, 45 and 83 and Washington Street all run through the village.
Source: Wikipedia: Grayslake, Illinois