1923
Judge LaBuy
Walter J. LaBuy founded the community around Woods Creek Lake and built five stucco homes. All five still stand by the lake.
Living in Lake in the Hills, Illinois
A lakeside McHenry County village about 43 miles northwest of the Chicago Loop, founded around Woods Creek Lake.
01 — At a Glance
A lakeside village that grew up fast.
Federal Judge Walter J. LaBuy founded Lake in the Hills in 1923 around Woods Creek Lake, and early vacationers from Chicago became year-round residents. The village incorporated on November 29, 1952. It grew quickly in the 1990s, and the 2020 census counted 28,982 residents. Randall Road divides the older east side from the newer west side. The ZIP code is 60156.
02 — History
The story of Lake in the Hills.
Lake in the Hills began as a lakeside escape and grew into one of the region’s busiest suburbs. A few chapters.
1950
Year-round
Some of the summer vacationers from Chicago stayed and became year-round residents.
1952
The village
The Village of Lake in the Hills was formed on November 29, 1952.
1990s
The boom
The population grew by about 17,000. In 1995 alone the village issued over 1,000 residential building permits.
03 — Education
A tradition of learning.
Four school districts serve Lake in the Hills, depending on the side of the village.
Boundaries follow the address. Confirm school assignment for each address with the district before you buy.
Search HomesPublic · K–12
Consolidated School District 158
Serves most of the village, including the west half.
- Huntley-area District 158 schools
Public · K–12
Community Unit School District 300
Serves the older east side.
- District 300 schools
Public
Districts 47 & 155
Serve a small central section.
- Glacier Ridge, Canterbury and Woods Creek elementary schools
04 — Lifestyle
Everyday life in Lake in the Hills.
The lake, the golf course and the airport give Lake in the Hills its own character.
Around the Village
Woods Creek Lake
The lake where the village began.
Boulder Ridge
A gated community with the village’s 18-hole golf course.
Lake in the Hills Airport
A general aviation airport owned by the village.
Getting Around
Randall Road
The main north-south road through the village.
Algonquin Road
The main east-west road, and the line with Algonquin.
Pace Route 550
Buses on Randall Road to Crystal Lake and Elgin.