Located in both Lake and Cook Counties, Illinois, Buffalo Grove is a thriving village situated approximately 30 miles northwest of Chicago’s city center. As a suburb of the bustling metropolis, Buffalo Grove offers residents easy access to all the amenities and opportunities of the city while maintaining a more laid-back, suburban atmosphere.
In the 18th century, the Iroquois, Potawatomi, and other groups attacked and ultimately dismantled the confederation. The Potawatomi’s triumph allowed them to settle close to present-day Buffalo Grove until 1833. As the most powerful faction, the Potawatomi often found themselves entangled in conflicts with Europeans, like the Beaver Wars.
In the 1980s, two industrial parks were developed in Buffalo Grove, Illinois – Corporate Grove to the east and Buffalo Grove Business Park to the west.
Buffalo Grove is divided by Lake Cook Road into two sections: one part is in Lake County’s Vernon Township, while the other part is in Cook County’s Wheeling Township. The village is mostly located in Vernon Township, with distinct demographics and connections to nearby towns. Buffalo Grove is bordered by Wheeling to the southeast, Arlington Heights to the southwest and south, Riverwoods and Deerfield to the east, Lincolnshire to the northeast, Vernon Hills to the north, and Long Grove to the west and northwest.
Buffalo Grove’s location close to Chicago means it has a similar climate, with four distinct seasons and a humid continental climate zone (Köppen: Dfa).
According to the 2020 Census, Buffalo Grove’s population has grown by 4.1% compared to the 2010 United States Census, with an increase of 1,716 residents, bringing the total population to 43,212.
The economy of Buffalo Grove is characterized by a diverse range of businesses, including corporate parks, retail establishments, and professional services.
The Raupp Museum, managed by the Buffalo Grove Park District, tells the story of the town’s past, beginning with the Potawatomi people and concluding at the present-day vibrant suburb.
Buffalo Grove debuted its first pride parade on June , which was arranged by and has since become an annual tradition. The town also offers various events and activities such as Rotary Village Green concerts, Lawn Chair Lyrics, Movies Under the Stars, Green Fair, Buffalo Grove Symphonic Band, Buffalo Grove Singers, National Night Out, Fourth of July Fireworks, and opportunities to play golf at Buffalo Grove and Arboretum Golf Courses.
The Indian Trails Public Library District covers areas in Wheeling Township Buffalo Grove and a small part of Lake County Buffalo Grove. Situated in Wheeling, it can be found south of the intersection of Dundee Road and Schoenbeck Road.
Buffalo Grove boasts an impressive array of green spaces, including Nicole Park, which is situated north of Old Checker Road and along Arlington Heights Road. This park features a playground and ample open space, offering residents and visitors a chance to enjoy the great outdoors.
The governing body of Buffalo Grove operates under a council-manager system with home rule authority, which was granted in 1980. The village president and six trustees, each serving four-year terms, comprise the leadership of the government.
Buffalo Grove offers a range of educational options, including four private schools, over ten public schools, and one public high school. The village is served by two school districts in Lake County, Aptakisic-Tripp Community Consolidated School District 102 and Kildeer Countryside Community Consolidated School District 96, while Cook County Buffalo Grove is part of Wheeling Community Consolidated School District 21. High school students in the Lake County portion of Buffalo Grove attend Stevenson High School in Lincolnshire, while Cook County students attend Buffalo Grove High School, located within the village.
Buffalo Grove’s transportation infrastructure is supported by a network of arterial roads that crisscross the village. Running north-south, Milwaukee Avenue (Illinois Route 21) serves the east side, while Buffalo Grove Road and Weiland Road bisect the village, and Arlington Heights Road runs along the west side. For east-west travel, Dundee Road (Illinois Route 68) is used in the south, Lake Cook Road and Deerfield Parkway are central, and Aptakisic and Half Day Road (Illinois Route 22) are located in the north. McHenry Road (Illinois Route 83) functions as a diagonal route, providing both north-south and east-west connectivity. Notably, O’Hare International Airport is a mere 20 miles (32 km) south of Buffalo Grove, and Lake Cook Road offers access to the Interstate Highway system, including I-90, I-94, and I-294.
Electric power in Buffalo Grove comes from Commonwealth Edison, while Michigan.
Prominent individuals
Buffalo Grove boasts a number of the entertainment industry. For his role as the younger Austin Powers in Austin Powers in Goldmember, relocated to Buffalo Grove at the age of three. Actor Vince Vaughn was brought up in Buffalo Grove, while actress Jessy Schram, who portrayed Cinderella in the TV series Once Upon a Time, was both born and raised in the town. Musician Mike Kinsella, associated with American Football and Cap’n Jazz, spent his formative years in Buffalo Grove. Tim Kinsella, brother of Mike and a musician in Joan of Arc and Cap’n Jazz, also hails from the area. Additionally, Raymond Benson, a writer of several James Bond novels, is a resident of the village. Noteworthy personalities like atheist activist and businessman Rob Sherman, who resided in Buffalo Grove for over three decades, have also made an impact. Furthermore, Olympic judoka Irwin Cohen and his son judoka Aaron Cohen are also natives of Buffalo Grove.