Joliet Illinois Real Estate

Joliet Illinois Web Site

Joliet, Illinois
By Julie Farby

Located approximately 35 miles southwest of the Chicago Loop, Joliet is a fast-growing city located in both Will and Kendall Counties, Illinois. In fact, with a population over 126,000, according to the most recent census figures, Joliet is the third fastest growing city in Illinois, and one of the fastest-growing in the entire country.

French explorer Louis Jolliet first wrote about a promising new land in 1673, when he and Father Jacques Marquette paddled up the Des Plaines River and camped on a huge mound a few miles south of what is now present-day Joliet. By 1833, settlers discovered that the Des Plaines River, and its surrounding fertile soil and ample resources, provided them with a strong foundation for the development of a new town. Soon after, the settlement continued to grow and was incorporated in 1852 by the Illinois General Assembly. Mills and factories sprang up along the banks of the Des Plaines River, and the discovery of abundant limestone deposits created a new quarrying industry that quickly flourished. According to VillageProfile.com, “with its many limestone homes, churches, schools, and public buildings, Joliet earned the nickname of ‘Stone City’--and the opening of the Illinois & Michigan Canal in 1848 ushered Joliet into an era of aggressive growth in both industry and residential development.” By the late 1800s, Joliet had established itself as a steel town, the success of which brought with it “a flood of new residents with a grand mix of backgrounds and cultures.”

The town originally bore the moniker “Juliet,” but in 1845 local residents officially changed the community's name to “Joliet.” However, there are conflicting accounts as to how the town received its namesake. According to Wikipedia.org, some historians believe the town was named Juliet in honor of settler James B. Campbell's daughter. Other possible sources of the name include the Shakespearean character (the nearby village of Romeoville was named as a companion) or a corruption of the name of French Canadian explorer Louis Jolliet, who visited the area in 1673. Whatever the origin, the name was eventually changed to Joliet in his memory in 1845, and has remained ever since.

Like several mid-western cities with economies focused on manufacturing, Joliet has experienced its fair share of economic troubles. In the late 1970s, Joliet's economy entered a period of decline, and by 1983 its unemployment rate hovered at around 26 percent. During the 1990s, however, Joliet’s economy rebounded and the city began to experience substantial growth. Joliet’s emergence as an attractive tourist destination has pumped new life into the once-depressed town. According to VillageProfile.com, Harrah’s and Empress Riverboat Casinos draw thousands annually to Joliet, “offering visitors luxurious surroundings, gambling excitement, first-class dining and nationally known entertainers.” And Joliet’s two major racing facilities are rapidly positioning the city as the auto racing capital of the Midwest. “Chicagoland Speedway-Joliet, IL, a 75,000-seat NASCAR/IRL raceway located next to the existing Route 66 Raceway, hosts major international races including the Tropicana 400 and the Hills Bros. Coffee 300, and Chicagoland Speedway-Joliet, IL will also host the Delphi Indy 300 and ARCA 200 Labor Day weekend.”

Convenient location and affordable homes are just a few of the elements that combine to make Joliet a desirable location to live. In fact, Joliet is experiencing a building renaissance, where builders and developers have produced over 40 new subdivisions of apartments, town homes, condominiums and single family homes, many of which feature attractive amenities like swimming pools, tennis courts and community clubhouses. According to VillageProfile.com, “new home buyers will find a variety of affordable options ranging from $130,000 to $300,000 and up. Alternatively, Joliet’s “rich history is elegantly displayed in an abundance of stately, historic homes and buildings throughout the city, ideal for those who prefer older homes in established neighborhoods.” For those not looking to buy, residents have a wide variety of options in apartment dwelling, depending on the location, price range and amenities desired. “Ranging from affordable to luxurious, apartment communities’ offer Joliet residents such options as pools, fitness studios, scenic lakes, and walking trails.” Besides being the home of Joliet Junior College, the nation's oldest public community college, Joliet is a rapidly growing community, offering an abundance of residential, recreational, and business opportunities to both residents and guests.

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