View source for Lemont, Illinois

{{Use American English|date=January 2026}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2024}}
{{Infobox settlement
| official_name = Lemont, Illinois
| settlement_type = [[List of towns and villages in Illinois|Village]]
| image_skyline = Hypnosis-lemont-illinois.jpg
| imagesize = 
| image_caption = Budnik Plaza clock and Stephen Street facades in historic downtown Lemont
| image_seal = Lemont Logo.png
| seal_size = 200px
| etymology = From French for "The Mount"
| motto = Village of Faith
| image_map = DuPage County Illinois Incorporated and Unincorporated areas Lemont Highlighted.svg
| mapsize = 260px
| map_caption = Location of Lemont in DuPage County, Illinois
<!-- Location -->| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = United States
| subdivision_type1 = State
| subdivision_name1 = Illinois
| subdivision_type2 = County
| subdivision_name2 = [[Cook County, Illinois|Cook]], [[Will County, Illinois|Will]], and [[DuPage County, Illinois|DuPage]]
| subdivision_type3 = Township
| subdivision_name3 = [[Lemont Township, Cook County, Illinois|Lemont]], [[Downers Grove Township, Illinois|Downers Grove]], [[DuPage Township, Will County, Illinois|DuPage]], [[Homer Township, Will County, Illinois|Homer]]
<!-- Government -->| established_title = Settled
| established_date = 1836
| established_title1 = Incorporated
| established_date1 = June 9, 1873
| founder = 
| government_footnotes = 
| government_type = 
| governing_body = 
| leader_party = 
| leader_title = Village President
| leader_name = John Egofske<ref>{{cite web |title=Village Board |url=https://www.lemont.il.us/government/village-board |website=Village of Lemont, IL |access-date=2026-04-22}}</ref>
| unit_pref = Imperial
| area_footnotes = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2020">{{cite web|title=2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2020_Gazetteer/2020_gaz_place_17.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=March 15, 2022}}</ref>
| area_total_km2 = 22.64
| area_total_sq_mi = 8.74
| area_land_km2 = 21.67
| area_land_sq_mi = 8.37
| area_water_km2 = 0.97
| area_water_sq_mi = 0.38
<!-- Population -->| population_as_of = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
| population_footnotes = 
| population_total = 17629
| population_density_km2 = 813.70
| population_density_sq_mi = 2107.47
<!-- General information -->| timezone = [[North American Central Time Zone|CST]]
| utc_offset = -6
| timezone_DST = [[North American Central Time Zone|CDT]]
| utc_offset_DST = -5
| elevation_footnotes = <ref name=gnis/>
| elevation_ft = 738
| coordinates = {{coord|41|40|04|N|88|00|12|W|display=inline,title}}
| coordinates_footnotes = <ref name=gnis/>
<!-- Area/postal codes and others -->| postal_code_type = [[ZIP code]]s
| postal_code = 60439, 60490
| area_codes = [[Area codes 630 and 331|630/331]]
| blank_name = [[Federal Information Processing Standards|FIPS code]]
| blank_info = 17-42795
| blank1_name = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
| blank1_info = 2398417<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|2398417}}</ref>
| website = {{URL|lemont.il.us}}
| footnotes = 
}}
'''Lemont''' is a village located in [[Cook County, Illinois|Cook]], [[DuPage County, Illinois|DuPage]], and [[Will County, Illinois|Will]] counties in the [[U.S. state]] of [[Illinois]], and is a south-west suburb of [[Chicago]].  The population was 17,629 as of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Lemont village, Illinois|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/profile?g=1600000US1742795|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]|accessdate=April 15, 2022}}</ref> The village is situated on a hillside along the south banks of the [[Des Plaines River]]. It overlooks [[Waterfall Glen Forest Preserve|Waterfall Glen's]] [[Oak savanna|Midwestern Bluff Savanna]] on the opposite side. The Lemont area is home to [[Argonne National Laboratory]] and other heavy industrial sites, and has a substantial European immigrant population.

==History==
Before European settlers arrived in Lemont, Native Americans traveled the [[Des Plaines River]] in birch bark canoes on trading trips between the [[Mississippi River]] and [[Lake Michigan]]. The native [[Potawatomi]] lived off the land in this area, directly using natural resources for food, shelter, clothing and medicine. In the 18th century, French [[voyageurs]] traveled down the Des Plaines River, trading Native Americans metal, beads and cloth for animal furs.

Lemont was originally known as ''Keepataw'' (after a [[Potawatomi]] chief) and a post office was established in 1840 as ''Keepatau''. After that, it was named ''Athens'' and then ''Palmyra''. The name ''Lemont'' (literally, 'the mountain' in French) was chosen in 1850 at the suggestion of Lemuel Brown, the postmaster and justice of the peace, or perhaps by his brother Nathaniel Brown.<ref>{{cite book |last=Callary |first=Edward |year=2009 |title=Place Names of Illinois |location=Champaign |publisher=University of Illinois Press |page=197 }}</ref>

Established in 1836, the village of Lemont stands as one of the oldest American communities in northeastern Illinois. It is historically significant for its role in transforming the northern region of the state from a sparsely settled frontier to a commercial, agricultural, and industrial region that supplied Chicago and areas beyond with commodities. Lemont is also unique in boasting an authentic historic district that remains intact and has been continually used since the 19th century. In 2016, the Lemont Downtown Historic District was listed on the [[National Register of Historic Places]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nps.gov/nr/feature/places/16000582.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170802052534/https://www.nps.gov/nr/feature/places/16000582.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 2, 2017|title=Lemont Downtown Historic District|website=www.nps.gov|access-date=March 9, 2020}}</ref>

Both Lemont's history and architectural uniqueness connect to the [[Illinois and Michigan Canal]] (I&M Canal). Construction of the I&M Canal began in 1837 and stands as one of the last major canal undertakings in the United States (the [[Hennepin Canal Parkway State Park|Hennepin Canal]] opened in 1907). When it was completed in 1848, it provided a continuous waterway stretching from [[New York (state)|New York]] (through the [[Erie Canal]], [[Lake Erie]], [[Lake Huron]] and Lake Michigan to Chicago, then through the I&M Canal for {{convert|97|mi}} entering the [[Illinois River]] at [[La Salle, Illinois]], to the Mississippi River, to [[New Orleans]]) to the [[Gulf of Mexico]].

Immigrant workers, mostly [[Irish people|Irish]], settled in Lemont to work on the canal and later moved along the corridor of the canal, improving farms within the many communities that sprang up along it.

In digging, workers discovered Lemont yellow [[Dolomite (rock)|dolomite]], a harder and finer grained version of [[limestone]]. This delayed digging of the canal, but was the start of the area's second industry, [[quarrying]]. By the mid-19th century, limestone quarrying took over as the main economic factor in Lemont and sustained its growth. The town's important major buildings were faced with the Lemont limestone, abundant in local quarries. Today, 38 of those buildings remain as the Lemont downtown district. Lemont limestone was used to build the [[Chicago Water Tower]], a building that "gained special significance as one of the few buildings to survive the destructive path of the [[Great Chicago Fire]] of 1871".<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.cityofchicago.org/city/en/depts/dca/supp_info/city_gallery_in_thehistoricwatertower.html/| title=City Gallery in the Historic Water Tower| publisher=City of Chicago - Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events| access-date=October 13, 2013}}</ref> In the early years, this stone was known as "[[Sugar Run Dolomite|Athens Marble]]" as a nod to its place of origin.<ref>{{cite book |title= Southern Cook County and History of Blue Island before the Civil War |last= Schapper |first= Ferdinand |year= 1917|publisher= Manuscript |page= 103 }}</ref> An 1859 item in the ''Chicago Daily Tribune'' had this to say: “The Athens and DesPlaines quarries, situated on the Illinois and Michigan canal, embrace 335 acres of the finest stone in the West, known as “Athens Marble”.  This stone has a high reputation for color, durability and beauty, which renders it quite an article of commerce”.<ref>{{cite journal |title= Stock Quote|journal=The Chicago Daily Tribune|date= January 1, 1859|page=3}}</ref>

Cargo and passengers were transported on the I&M until the early 20th century, when the wider, deeper [[Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal]] was built parallel to it. The Sanitary Canal is still used today as part of the [[Illinois Waterway]] system.

Lemont's motto is "Village of Faith", and its church spires reflect the many ethnic groups who came here to quarry stone, dig the Sanitary and Ship Canal and work in other industries.

Lemont is credited with being the largest recruiting station for the [[Union Army]] during the [[American Civil War]], and the Old Stone Church, built in 1861 of limestone, was used as a recruiting depot. It served as the Lemont [[Methodist Episcopal Church]] for 100 years, from 1861 until 1970, when it became home to the Lemont Area Historical Society. The oldest building in Lemont, it now serves as a museum and is listed on the [[National Register of Historic Places]].

During the Civil War, Lemont was required to sign up 33 soldiers, the village recruited 293 soldiers; only 63 returned. The Lemont Civil War Memorial Committee was formed to build a memorial to honor Lemont's Civil War veterans. The monument was dedicated in 2008 in Legion Park at the east end of Main Street, opposite the Metra Station. Of the 293 soldiers sent to fight in the war, only 243 names of the enlisted soldiers are known. Among them is Cpl. John Warden, the only Lemont resident ever awarded the Medal of Honor.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mysuburbanlife.com/2009/03/12/5-things-to-know-civil-war-memorial/zi64qe3/|title=5 Things to Know: Civil War Memorial|last=Sauder|first=Erin|website=www.mysuburbanlife.com|language=en|access-date=March 12, 2020}}</ref>

By 1854, railroads transported goods faster than water, and the I&M became obsolete as Lemont evolved into a railroad community; the village was incorporated on June 9, 1873.<ref>{{cite web| url =http://www.ilsos.gov/isa/localgovnameindexsrch.jsp| title = Name Index to Illinois Local Governments| author = Illinois Regional Archives Depository System| work = Illinois State Archives| publisher = [[Illinois Secretary of State]]|access-date=September 11, 2013}}</ref>

Increasingly, the canal was used to carry wastes away from Chicago. In 1900, the larger Sanitary and Ship Canal went into operation, carrying both wastes and larger, more modern [[barge]]s. All use of the I&M Canal ended in 1933, with the opening of the canal's modern successor—the Illinois Waterway.

By about 1920, the quarries declined as styles changed and builders began to use [[Indiana Limestone|Bedford limestone]] from [[Indiana]] and less expensive materials like concrete.

During [[World War II]], the [[Metallurgical Laboratory]] of the [[University of Chicago]] moved into the nearby [[Palos Forest Preserves|Argonne Forest preserves]] to carry out [[Enrico Fermi]]'s work on nuclear reactors for the [[Manhattan Project]]. After the war, [[Argonne National Laboratory]] was designated as the first national laboratory in the United States on July 1, 1946.<ref>Holl, Hewlett, and Harris, page xx (Introduction).</ref>

In 1984, President [[Ronald Reagan]] signed legislation establishing the Illinois & Michigan Canal National Heritage Corridor as the nation's first [[National Heritage Corridor]]. The status recognizes the historic importance of this region and the waterway that connected Lake Michigan and the Illinois River. Today, it is a {{convert|100|mi|km|adj=mid|-long}} cultural park between Chicago and LaSalle/[[Peru, Illinois|Peru]], representing an ongoing partnership between the public and private sectors created to achieve a successful mixture of preservation, public use and industrial activity.

[[Sacred architecture]] is a strong suit of Lemont, whose skyline is dominated by two landmark religious edifices:  the [[Hindu]] Temple of Greater Chicago and [[SS. Cyril and Methodius in Lemont|SS. Cyril and Methodius]] church in the [[Polish Cathedral style]]. Both are situated on the sides of hills, giving an even more dramatic backdrop to their monumental architecture.{{Citation needed|date=June 2018}}

===Tornadoes===
On June 13, 1976, at 5:18 PM, a killer [[tornado]] struck Lemont and took three lives. 23 were injured, 87 homes were destroyed and 82 more were damaged. Damage to the high school alone was estimated at $500,000 ({{Inflation|US|500000|1976|fmt=eq|r=-4}}{{Inflation/fn|US}}). Many people reported watching neighbors' homes explode, implode, shattering before their eyes. Cited as an unusual tornado, it backed up on its path before heading North, somewhat parallel to its path of origin.<ref>{{cite web |archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20190924120303/http://www.lemonthistorical.org/pics/1976tornado/index.html |archivedate= September 24, 2019 |url= http://www.lemonthistorical.org/pics/1976tornado/index.html |title= 1976 Tornado |website= lemonthistorical.org |access-date= June 8, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=June 13, 1976 Tornadoes |url=http://www.tornadohistoryproject.com/tornado/1976/6/13/table |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151012153938/http://www.tornadohistoryproject.com/tornado/1976/6/13/table |url-status=usurped |archive-date=October 12, 2015 |website=Tornado History Projects |publisher=Storm Prediction Center |accessdate=July 16, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{citation |url= https://www.weather.gov/lot/13Jun1976_tornado |title= June 13, 1976 Lemont Tornado  |publisher= NWS Chicago |accessdate= February 20, 2023 }}</ref> See [[Tornadoes of 1976#June 13|Tornadoes of 1976]] for more information on the outbreak.

On March 27, 1991, Lemont was again hit by a tornado.<ref>{{cite web |archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20180930135506/http://www.lemonthistorical.org/pics/1991tornado/index.html |archivedate= September 30, 2018 |url= http://www.lemonthistorical.org/pics/1991tornado/index.html |title= 1991 Tornado |website= lemonthistorical.org |access-date= June 8, 2016}}</ref> See [[Tornadoes of 1991#March 26–29|Tornadoes of 1991]] for more information on the outbreak.

==Geography==
According to the 2021 census gazetteer files, Lemont has a total area of {{convert|8.74|sqmi|km2|2}}, of which {{convert|8.37|sqmi|km2|2}} (or 95.71%) is land and {{convert|0.38|sqmi|km2|2}} (or 4.29%) is water.<ref name="gaz2021">{{Cite web |title=Gazetteer Files |url=https://www.census.gov/geographies/reference-files/time-series/geo/gazetteer-files.html |access-date=June 29, 2022 |website=Census.gov}}</ref>

The village has 10 exclaves.{{why|date=February 2023}}

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1880= 2108
|1900= 2449
|1910= 2284
|1920= 2322
|1930= 2582
|1940= 2557
|1950= 2757
|1960= 3397
|1970= 5080
|1980= 5640
|1990= 7348
|2000= 13098
|2010= 16000
|2020= 17629
|estyear=
|estimate=
|estref=
|align-fn=center
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census/decade.html|title=Decennial Census of Population and Housing by Decades|publisher=[[US Census Bureau]]|access-date=}}</ref><br /> 2010<ref name=2010CensusP2/> 2020<ref name=2020CensusP2/>
| align = right
}}

===Racial and ethnic composition===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|+Lemont village, Illinois – racial and ethnic composition<br /><small>{{nobold|''Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.''}}</small>
!Race / ethnicity <small>(''NH = Non-Hispanic'')</small>
!Pop. 2000<ref name=2000CensusP004>{{Cite web|title=P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Lemont village, Illinois|url=https://data.census.gov/table?g=1600000US1742795&tid=DECENNIALSF12000.P004|website=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date= }}</ref>
!Pop. 2010<ref name=2010CensusP2>{{Cite web|title=P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Lemont village, Illinois|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=p2&g=1600000US1742795&tid=DECENNIALPL2010.P2|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref>
!{{partial|Pop. 2020}}<ref name=2020CensusP2>{{Cite web|title=P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Lemont village, Illinois|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=p2&g=1600000US1742795&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref>
!% 2000
!% 2010
!{{partial|% 2020}}
|-
|[[Non-Hispanic or Latino whites|White]] alone (NH)
|12,469
|14,719
|style='background: #ffffe6; |15,370
|95.20%
|91.99%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |87.19%
|-
|[[Non-Hispanic or Latino African Americans|Black or African American]] alone (NH)
|39
|58
|style='background: #ffffe6; |147
|0.30%
|0.36%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.83%
|-
|[[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]] or [[Alaska Native]] alone (NH)
|12
|9
|style='background: #ffffe6; |2
|0.09%
|0.06%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.01%
|-
|[[Asian Americans|Asian]] alone (NH)
|107
|258
|style='background: #ffffe6; |422
|0.82%
|1.61%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |2.39%
|-
|[[Native Hawaiian]] or [[Pacific Islander Americans|Pacific Islander]] alone (NH)
|3
|2
|style='background: #ffffe6; |6
|0.02%
|0.01%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.03%
|-
|[[Race and ethnicity in the United States census|Other race]] alone (NH)
|7
|4
|style='background: #ffffe6; |23
|0.05%
|0.03%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.13%
|-
|[[Multiracial Americans|Mixed race or multiracial]] (NH)
|68
|128
|style='background: #ffffe6; |404
|0.52%
|0.80%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |2.29%
|-
|[[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]] (any race)
|393
|822
|style='background: #ffffe6; |1,255
|3.00%
|5.14%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |7.12%
|-
|Total
|'''13,098'''
|'''16,000'''
|style='background: #ffffe6; |'''17,629'''
|'''100.00%'''
|'''100.00%'''
|style='background: #ffffe6; |'''100.00%'''
|}

===2020 census===
As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], there were 17,629 people, 6,565 households, and 4,606 families residing in the village.<ref name="Census2020DP">{{cite web|title=2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)|url=https://api.census.gov/data/2020/dec/dp?get=NAME%2CDP1_0021P%2CDP1_0024P%2CDP1_0025C%2CDP1_0049C%2CDP1_0045C%2CDP1_0069C%2CDP1_0073C%2CDP1_0125P%2CDP1_0126P%2CDP1_0129P%2CDP1_0133P%2CDP1_0137P%2CDP1_0138P%2CDP1_0139P%2CDP1_0141P%2CDP1_0142P%2CDP1_0143P%2CDP1_0145P%2CDP1_0146P%2CDP1_0147C%2CDP1_0148C%2CDP1_0149C%2CDP1_0156C%2CDP1_0157C%2CDP1_0158C%2CDP1_0159P%2CDP1_0160P&for=place%3A42795&in=state%3A17|website=United States Census Bureau|year=2021|access-date=April 27, 2026|df=mdy}}</ref><ref name="Census2020PL">{{cite web|title=2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)|url=https://api.census.gov/data/2020/dec/pl?get=NAME%2CP1_001N%2CP1_003N%2CP1_004N%2CP1_005N%2CP1_006N%2CP1_007N%2CP1_008N%2CP1_009N%2CP2_001N%2CP2_002N%2CH1_001N%2CH1_002N&for=place%3A42795&in=state%3A17|website=United States Census Bureau|year=2021|access-date=April 27, 2026|df=mdy}}</ref> The population density was {{Convert|2,017.05|PD/sqmi|PD/km2}}.<ref name="Census2020DP"/>

The median age was 44.0 years. 21.9% of residents were under the age of 18 and 19.6% were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females, there were 95.2 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 92.4 males age 18 and over.<ref name="Census2020DP"/>

100.0% of residents lived in urban areas, while 0.0% lived in rural areas.<ref name="Census2020DHC">{{cite web|title=2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)|url=https://api.census.gov/data/2020/dec/dhc?get=NAME%2CP2_002N%2CP2_003N&for=place%3A42795&in=state%3A17|website=United States Census Bureau|year=2023|access-date=April 27, 2026|df=mdy}}</ref>

Of households in Lemont, 32.2% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 62.7% were married-couple households, 12.3% had a male householder with no spouse or partner present, and 20.9% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 22.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.<ref name="Census2020DP"/>

There were 6,773 housing units, of which 3.1% were vacant. The homeowner vacancy rate was 0.7% and the rental vacancy rate was 3.9%. Housing unit density was {{Convert|774.94|/sqmi|/km2}}.<ref name="Census2020DP"/><ref name="Census2020DHC"/>

===Income and poverty===
The median income for a household in the village was $114,509, and the median income for a family was $133,456. Males had a median income of $75,542 versus $43,283 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the village was $45,675. About 4.4% of families and 5.1% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 5.9% of those under age 18 and 5.3% of those age 65 or over.
==Sports==
Lemont has been represented in youth and high school athletics at the regional and national levels. In 2006, the Lemont Little League All-Star team advanced to the [[Little League World Series]] in South Williamsport, Pennsylvania, where it finished fourth, and was honored with a community parade upon returning home.<ref>{{cite news |date=August 27, 2006 |title=Lemont team welcomed as winners |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/234477425/ |publisher=Chicago Tribune}}</ref>

The [[BMW Championship (PGA Tour)]], and its predecessor the [[Western Open]], were held at [[Cog Hill Golf & Country Club]] in Lemont Township between 1991 and 2007 and again from 2009 to 2011.

Lemont High School has achieved success in [[Illinois High School Association]] (IHSA) competition, including state championships in cheerleading, baseball, softball, and wrestling. The school’s cheerleading program has won IHSA state titles in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2014, 2017, 2018, 2024, and 2025.<ref>{{cite web |title=Lemont High School Athletics |url=https://www.lhs210.net/athletics |access-date=April 22, 2026 |publisher=Lemont High School}}</ref> The program has also maintained a state-record streak of consecutive IHSA state finals appearances as of 2026.<ref>{{cite news |date=2026 |title=Lemont cheerleading extends state record with 21st straight state finals appearance |url=https://patch.com/illinois/lemont/lemont-cheerleading-extends-state-record-21st-straight-state-finals-appearance |publisher=Patch}}</ref> Other team championships include baseball (2014, 2016), wrestling (2020), and softball (2022, 2023).<ref>{{cite web |title=Lemont High School Athletics |url=https://www.lhs210.net/athletics |access-date=April 22, 2026 |publisher=Lemont High School}}</ref>

==Education==
The school district covering the parts of Lemont in Cook County include [[Lemont-Bromberek Combined School District 113A]]<!--ELM 07290--> (elementary school) and [[Lemont Township High School District 210]]<!--SEC 22500-->.<ref>{{cite map|author=Geography Division|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st17_il/schooldistrict_maps/c17031_cook/DC20SD_C17031.pdf|title=2020 Census - School District Reference Map: Cook County, IL|publisher=[[U.S. Census Bureau]]|place=[[Suitland, Maryland]]|page=8 (PDF p. 9/13)|date=January 15, 2021|accessdate=2026-04-27}} - [https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st17_il/schooldistrict_maps/c17031_cook/DC20SD_C17031_SD2MS.txt Text list]</ref>

Two National Blue Ribbon Schools are located in Lemont, recognized by the US Department of Education for excellence in student achievement. Lemont High School received the Blue Ribbon award in 2017.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://nationalblueribbonschools.ed.gov/awardwinners/winning/17il310pu_lemont_high_school.html|title=NBRS Lemont High School of Lemont, IL|website=National Blue Ribbon Schools Program|language=en-US|access-date=March 9, 2020}}</ref> Saints Cyril and Methodius School received the Blue Ribbon award in 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://nationalblueribbonschools.ed.gov/awardwinners/winning/19il108pv_saints_cyril_and_methodius_school.html|title=NBRS Saints Cyril and Methodius School of Lemont, IL|website=National Blue Ribbon Schools Program|language=en-US|access-date=March 9, 2020}}</ref>

Public schools in Lemont include:<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sd113a.org/|title=Welcome to Lemont-Bromberek Combined School District 113A in Lemont, IL|website=www.sd113a.org}}</ref>
* River Valley Elementary School
* Oakwood Elementary School
* Central School
* Old Quarry Middle School
* [[Lemont High School]]

A portion of Lemont in Will County is within the [[Valley View Community Unit School District 365U]].<!--UNI 40070--><ref>{{cite map|author=Geography Division|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st17_il/schooldistrict_maps/c17197_will/DC20SD_C17197.pdf|title=2020 Census - School District Reference Map: Will County, IL|publisher=[[U.S. Census Bureau]]|place=[[Suitland, Maryland]]|date=December 22, 2020|accessdate=2026-04-27}} - [https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st17_il/schooldistrict_maps/c17197_will/DC20SD_C17197_SD2MS.txt Text]</ref> Portions of Lemont in DuPage County extend into other districts.<ref>{{cite map|author=Geography Division|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st17_il/schooldistrict_maps/c17043_dupage/DC20SD_C17043.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210707005618/https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st17_il/schooldistrict_maps/c17043_dupage/DC20SD_C17043.pdf |archive-date=July 7, 2021|date=January 15, 2021 |url-status=live|title=2020 Census - School District Reference Map: DuPage County, IL|publisher=[[U.S. Census Bureau]]|place=[[Suitland, Maryland]]|access-date=2026-04-27}} - [https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st17_il/schooldistrict_maps/c17043_dupage/DC20SD_C17043_SD2MS.txt Text list]</ref>

Private/parochial schools: (the [[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago]] is responsible for Catholic schools)
* St. Alphonsus/St. Patrick<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.stals-stpats.org/|title=St. Alphonsus Saint Patrick School - Home|website=www.stals-stpats.org}}</ref>
* SS. Cyril & Methodius:<ref>{{cite web | url=http://stcyril.org/?page_id=1709 | title=SS. Cyril & Methodius Parish }}</ref>
* Everest Academy<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://everestadvantage.org/|title=Everest Academy|website=Everest Academy}}</ref>
*Montessori School of Lemont<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://lemontmontessori.com/|title=Montessori of Lemont &#124; for all the little reasons...}}</ref>
*Žiburėlis Lithuanian Montessori School
*Polska Szkoła  Jana Pawła II Polish School

==Media==
Productions filmed in Lemont include:
*''[[Save the Last Dance]]''
*''[[The Hunter (1980 film)|The Hunter]]'' (1980)
*''[[Straight Talk]]'' (1992)
*''[[Children on Their Birthdays]]'' (2002)
*''[[Witless Protection]]''
*''[[Chain Reaction (1996 film)|Chain Reaction]]'' (1996)

==Infrastructure==
===Transportation===
Lemont has a [[Lemont (Metra)|station]] on [[Metra]]'s [[Heritage Corridor]], which provides weekday rail service between [[Joliet, Illinois|Joliet]] and [[Chicago Union Station]].

In 2007, the [[Interstate 355]] tollway extension opened, providing Lemont with more direct access to the Chicago expressway system. An interchange is located on 127th Street.

==Notable people==
<!-- Note:
· Only people who already have a Wikipedia article may appear here. This establishes notability.
· The article must mention how they are associated with Lemont, whether born, raised, or residing.
· The fact of their association should have a reliable source cited.
· Alphabetical by last name please.
· All others will be deleted.
-->
* [[Diablo Cody]], writer of the film ''[[Juno (film)|Juno]]'', raised in Lemont<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2007/12/09/from-lemont-to-hollywood-with-a-pole-dance-in-between/ |title=From Lemont to Hollywood, with a pole dance in between |date=December 9, 2007 |last=Schaults |first=Janine |website=[[Chicago Tribune]] |access-date=February 11, 2015}}</ref>
* [[Scott Darling (ice hockey)|Scott Darling]], former goaltender for the [[Chicago Blackhawks]]
* [[Clayton Fejedelem]], safety for the [[Miami Dolphins]] and [[Cincinnati Bengals]].
* [[Coby Fleener]], former tight end for the [[New Orleans Saints]] and [[Indianapolis Colts]], born in Lemont
* [[Garrett Gilkey]], former NFL offensive lineman, born in Lemont
* [[Steve Grand]], country/rock singer; childhood resident of Lemont<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thebacklot.com/interview-all-american-boy-steve-grand-gay-country-western-star/07/2013/ |title=TheBacklot Interview: "All-American Boy" Steve Grand |access-date=July 18, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130712045816/http://www.thebacklot.com/interview-all-american-boy-steve-grand-gay-country-western-star/07/2013 |archive-date=July 12, 2013| publisher=[[TheBacklot.com]] | date=July 8, 2013 | author=Virtel, Louis }}</ref>
* [[Tyler Jay]], pitcher, first-round pick of [[2015 MLB draft]]
* [[Marius Katiliškis]], prominent Lithuanian exile novelist
* [[Michael Katzban]], state legislator in [[Wisconsin]], born in Lemont
* [[David Molk]], former center for the [[Philadelphia Eagles]] and [[San Diego Chargers]]
* [[Angel Reese]], forward for the [[Chicago Sky]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Goldsborough |first=Bob |date=17 April 2025 |title=Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese buys home in southwest suburban Lemont for $1.3M |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/04/16/chicago-sky-angel-reese-lemont/ |access-date= |website=Chicago Tribune |language=en-US}}</ref>
* [[Jerry Taft]], weathercaster for ABC 7 news in Chicago<ref name=Luevano>{{cite news|title=ABC Meteorologist Jerry Taft Talks Weather, Military Service with Lemont Rotary Club|url=https://patch.com/illinois/lemont/abc-meteorologist-jerry-taft-talks-weather-military-sded678feb2|first=Amanda|last=Luevano|date=August 3, 2012|accessdate=July 23, 2020|publisher=Patch}}</ref>
* [[Christian Vande Velde]], cyclist, fourth place [[2008 Tour de France]] finisher, born in Lemont

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category|Lemont, Illinois}}
*{{official website|http://lemont.il.us/}}

{{Geographic location
 | Centre = Lemont
 | North = [[Woodridge, Illinois|Woodridge]]
 | Northeast = [[Darien, Illinois|Darien]]
 | East = [[Palos Park, Illinois|Palos Park]]
 | Southeast = [[Orland Park, Illinois|Orland Park]]
 | South = [[Homer Glen, Illinois|Homer Glen]]
 | Southwest =[[Lockport, Illinois|Lockport]]
 | West =[[Romeoville, Illinois|Romeoville]]
 | Northwest = [[Bolingbrook, Illinois|Bolingbrook]]
}}
{{Cook County, Illinois}}
{{DuPage County, Illinois}}
{{Will County, Illinois}}
{{Chicagoland}}
{{Illinois}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Lemont, Illinois| ]]
[[Category:1836 establishments in Illinois]]
[[Category:Populated places in the United States established in 1836]]
[[Category:Villages in Cook County, Illinois]]
[[Category:Chicago metropolitan area]]
[[Category:Villages in DuPage County, Illinois]]
[[Category:Villages in Will County, Illinois]]
[[Category:Villages in Illinois]]