Chicago’s reputation as “The Windy City” with connotations of cold, cold, cold is just one aspect of living in the area. There are actually many areas of the city, including River North in Chicago, for which cold doesn’t play as big a part as style, fun, and great living. Bordering the Magnificent Mile and home to the Merchandise Mart, or the Mart as it’s been renamed, as well as artists and entrepreneurs of every stripe, this is the place to get up close and personal with design and creativity. Dining, dancing, and music are the backdrop for this upscale urban neighborhood with a wide variety of restaurants, wine bars, cocktail lounges, and new clubs. The mix of arts, retail, hospitality, wining and dining, and growing tech presence makes River North an attractive community whether you’re looking for a place to work, play, or stay.
This densely populated urban area has 17,000 people in 0.333 square miles. Of the total households in the area, almost 9,000 are married without children, 2,305 were married with children, and 3,344 were non-family households. There are 8,463 children age 18 and under. This paints a picture of an area with a good population mix of single people and families.
River North’s largest age demographic is 25 to 39-year-olds, which make up 45 percent of the population. The second largest age demographic is 40 to 63 year olds, who make up just over 30 percent. The household incomes in River North range from less than $30,000 to more than $150,000, with about 31 percent of residents earning between $30,000 to $74,999 and another 31 percent earning between $75,000 and $149,999. Almost 40 percent of residents hold two or four year college degrees, and about 36 percent hold graduate degrees.
The median price for a 1,378 square foot house is $259,000, with the majority of homes having one or two bedrooms. Houses in the area are a good mix of older and newer construction, with 32 percent of homes built before 1950, and almost 25 percent built between 1950 and 1989. Rental prices in the River North area run from less than $600 to $2000 or more, with the majority falling in the ranges of $600 to $999 and $1,000 to $1,499.
The variety of older and newer homes and rentals in River North, Chicago reflects the way the area has grown and evolved since the 1970s. It was an industrial and warehouse district that experienced economic changes when warehouses closed and business left 45 years ago. Artists and creatives moved into the area, making it an artistic haven. Today, the evolution of the area has transformed it into a cultural hub attracting people to the antique stores, art galleries, boutiques, and fine dining scene. Being close to Gold Coast shopping is another plus.
It’s ideally located just north of the Loop, west of Michigan Avenue and bordered by the Chicago River. Antique stores like Cosulich Interiors & Antiques and Christa’s Antiques abound. Specialty furniture stores, the Merchandise Mart, the Apparel Center, and upscale apparel shops attract shoppers from all over.
River North is filled with more than 100 art galleries. There are more than 100 restaurants as well, featuring almost every type of cuisine including Chinese, Brazilian, French, Indian, Thai, and vegetarian. River North hosts some of the best Chicago area hotels for travelers as well, such as the Trump Hotel, The Westin Chicago, and Hotel Felix.
With a good mix of families with children, families without children, and non-family residents, River North has several schools in the area. They include Jenner Elementary Academy of the Arts, Salazar Elementary Bilingual Center, Payton College Preparatory High School, Lake Shore Preparatory School, and Cornerstone Academy.
Employers in River North include a multitude of restaurants, hotels, art galleries, wine and cocktail bars, retailers, fashion and home goods industry, and tech companies. Internet review company Yelp has space in the Mart, the renamed Merchandise Mart, and the daily deals website Groupon is headquartered nearby.
Transportation in River North includes ample public transportation with Chicago city buses and taxis and a Metra train station nearby. Most residents walk or bike locally to work and attractions. About one fourth use public transportation and a fourth use private vehicles.
Doctors and health care facilities in and around River North include Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Northwester Immediate Care, MedSpring Urgent Care, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, and Prentice Women’s Hospital.
River North, Chicago is best known for the antique shops, art galleries, music, and eclectic mix of restaurants and bars. It’s an antiquing and art destination and there are music and gallery events year round. Its location near downtown Chicago makes it a very convenient getaway for travelers who want to sample the city’s culture on foot while staying close to hotel and dining amenities. The multitude of galleries, retail shopping, artistic and home goods facilities, music venues, fine dining, and bars means there’s never a shortage of things to do in River North.
Now as a budding tech hub, the area is starting to attract tech businesses, both startups and established tech firms. Because of its history in manufacturing and warehousing, River North has the kind of buildings with appeal for technology companies. Redeveloped landmark brick buildings like the Reid Murdoch Center are ideal for headquarters when businesses look for new offices close to transportation and business activities.
