Originally settled in 1840, Park Ridge has grown into a medium sized city with a current population of 39,656, according to the 2020 U.S. Census. Known as a prime residential community, Park Ridge is served by some of the best school districts in the state, an excellent parks and recreation system and dependable city services. The City is approximately 15 miles northwest of the City of Chicago's Central Business District and is situated in a key geographic location in close proximity to O'Hare International Airport, the Northwest and TriState Tollways, the Kennedy Expressway, CTA
Rapid Transit and the Metra commuter rail line.

Park Ridge traces its history as far back as the Pottawotamie Native Americans, who lived in this area as it provided fertile land and rich natural resources. The area was a convenient portage between the Des Plaines and Chicago rivers for the French explorers and in the early 1830s our first settlers arrived from New England and New York. The settlement previously named Pennyville
and then Brickton was incorporated as the Village of Park Ridge in 1873 and reorganized as the City of Park Ridge in 1910.

The City operates under a Mayor-Council form of government. The Mayor and City Clerk are elected from the population at large. Aldermen are elected from seven wards on the basis of ward representation. The Mayor and City Council establish policy, while the City Manager is responsible for the day-today operations of the city and its employees. The City provides a full range of services, including police and fire protection, emergency medical services, and the construction and maintenance of streets and other infrastructure.