Palos Heights, located in Cook County, Illinois, is a city in the southwestern suburbs of Chicago. According to the 2020 census data, the population of Palos Heights was 12,068.
Palos Heights boasts a total area of 3.87 square miles, as per the 2021 census gazetteer files. Of this, a vast 3.77 square miles (97.47%) consists of land, while a mere 0.10 square miles (2.53%) is water.
The neighborhoods of Palos Heights are diverse and unique, including Lake Katherine, Colonial Heights/Old Palos, Downtown, Ishnala, Laurel Glen, Navajo Hills, Oak Hills Country Club Village, Old Westgate, Palos Pines, and Westgate Valley.
Palos Heights is situated across three different congressional districts. city, encompassing all of the region within Worth Township, falls within Illinois’s 1st congressional district. Meanwhile, most of the territory within Palos Township, excluding some parts in the southern regions (generally south of 131st Street), is in the 3rd district. A small area measuring less than 0.05 square miles (100,000 m2) located northeast of 131st Street and 80th Avenue, along with a small vicinity surrounding Palos Community Hospital, falls within the 13th district. The City Council consists of a mayor, city clerk, city treasurer, and eight aldermen representing wards.
Palos Heights is covered by four different school districts: Palos Heights School District 128, Palos Community Consolidated School District 118, Community High School District 218, and Consolidated High School District 230.
Students residing in Palos Heights can easily access Moraine Valley Community College, situated in the neighboring town of Palos Hills. The college offers a diverse range of educational and cultural opportunities, including classes, workshops, lectures, performances, and other events, catering to the needs of the local community. Additionally, Trinity Christian College is located within Palos Heights, providing another option for those seeking higher education.
The community benefits from the resources and services offered by Palos Heights Public Library.
Palos Heights successfully incorporated as a city on April 11, 1959, following four attempts at the ballot. The vote resulted in a narrow victory, with 850 residents voting in favor and 684 opposing the measure. The city officially came into being on April 16, 1959.