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Zion
Eden Index
Climate
7.2
•
Recreation
4.2
•
Community
2.8
•
Safeguard
5.1/10
Zion, Illinois is a vibrant city located in Lake County, approximately 40 miles north of Chicago. The city experiences a humid continental climate with four distinct seasons. Summers are warm and humid, with average temperatures ranging from 70°F to 90°F, while winters are cold with temperatures dropping between 15°F and 35°F. Rainfall is evenly distributed throughout the year, with an average of 36 inches annually.
The city is blessed with several water bodies, including Lake Michigan to the east, making it a hydrologically rich area. Additionally, the North Ditch and the Skokie River run through Zion, providing opportunities for water-based activities such as boating, fishing, and kayaking.
Outdoor enthusiasts will find plenty of recreational opportunities in Zion. The city boasts several parks, including Shiloh Park and Beach, where visitors can enjoy picnicking, swimming, and hiking. The Illinois State Beach Park, located nearby, offers stunning views of Lake Michigan, along with camping, fishing, and birdwatching opportunities. Moreover, the city is home to the Illinois Beach State Park Nature Preserve, which features several trails for hiking and wildlife observation.
In summary, Zion, Illinois offers a diverse range of outdoor recreational activities, thanks to its favorable climate, hydrological features, and abundance of parks and nature preserves.
What is the Eden Index?
The Snoflo Eden Index serves as a comprehensive rating system for regions, evaluating their desirability through a holistic assessment of climate health, outdoor recreation opportunities, and natural disaster risk, acknowledging the profound impact of these factors on livability and well-being.
Climate Health Indicator (CHI): 7.2
Zion receives approximately
883mm of rain per year,
with humidity levels near 84%
and air temperatures averaging around
9°C.
Zion has a plant hardyness factor of
5, meaning
plants and agriculture in this region thrive during a short period during spring and early summer. Most
plants will die off during the colder winter months.
By considering the ideal temperature range, reliable water supplies, clean air, and stable seasonal rain or snowpacks, the Climate Health Indicator (CHI) underscores the significance of a healthy climate as the foundation for quality living.
A healthy climate is paramount for ensuring a high quality of life and livability in a region, fostering both physical well-being and environmental harmony. This can be characterized by ideal temperatures, reliable access to water supplies, clean air, and consistent seasonal rain or snowpacks.
Weather Forecast
Streamflow Conditions
Southwestern Lake Michigan
Area Rivers
Southwestern Lake Michigan
Snowpack Depths
Southwestern Lake Michigan
Reservoir Storage Capacity
Southwestern Lake Michigan
Groundwater Levels
Recreational Opportunity Index (ROI): 4.2
The Recreational Opportunity Index (ROI) recognizes the value of outdoor recreational options, such as parks, hiking trails, camping sites, and fishing spots, while acknowledging that climate plays a pivotal role in ensuring the comfort and consistency of these experiences.
Access to outdoor recreational opportunities, encompassing activities such as parks, hiking, camping, and fishing, is crucial for overall well-being, and the climate plays a pivotal role in enabling and enhancing these experiences, ensuring that individuals can engage in nature-based activities comfortably and consistently.
Camping Areas
| Campground | Campsites | Reservations | Toilets | Showers | Elevation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lincoln Trail State Park | 240 | 655 ft | |||
| Oakland City Park | None | 653 ft | |||
| Robinson City Park | None | 541 ft | |||
| Red Hills Lake State Park | 130 | 519 ft | |||
| Crawford County Fairgrounds | None | 508 ft | |||
| Rushing Creek - LBL | 56 | 402 ft | |||
| Mill Creek Park | 140 | 657 ft | |||
| Hilltop Campground - Grayville | None | 391 ft | |||
| Paris City Park | None | 668 ft | |||
| Oblong Park | None | 491 ft |
Nearby Ski Areas
Catastrophe Safeguard Index (CSI):
The Catastrophe Safeguard Index (CSI) recognizes that natural disaster risk, encompassing floods, fires, hurricanes, and tornadoes, can drastically affect safety and the overall appeal of an area.
The level of natural disaster risk in a region significantly affects safety and the overall livability, with climate change amplifying these risks by potentially increasing the frequency and intensity of events like floods, fires, hurricanes, and tornadoes, thereby posing substantial challenges to community resilience and well-being.
Community Resilience Indicator (CRI): 2.8
The Community Resilience Indicator (CRI) recognizes that education, healthcare, and socioeconomics are crucial to the well-being of a region. The CRI acknowledges the profound impact of these elements on residents' overall quality of life. By evaluating educational resources, healthcare accessibility, and economic inclusivity, the index captures the essential aspects that contribute to a thriving community, fostering resident satisfaction, equity, and social cohesion.