Strategically located on the shores of Lake Michigan at the midpoint of the Chicago-Milwaukee corridor, Lake County has long been recognized as a premier business location for corporate headquarters facilities, hi-tech manufacturing firms, distribution and warehouse operations and small business start-ups. The county balances economic development with environmental protection to provide an enviable quality of life. Commitment to economic opportunity, a suburban Chicago location, high-quality government services, award winning school systems and natural resource preservation make Lake County the choice for businesses and residents alike. It is home to more than 700,000 residents, some of whom live in highly developed urban centers while others live in beautiful rural communities.