Living In Wheaton Illinois | EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT WHEATON IL | Chicago Illinois Suburb

LIVING IN WHEATON ILLINOIS

Anyone Living in Wheaton, Illinois, is drawn to its small-town charm and all the big-city comforts Wheaton offers. Wheaton delivers unique neighborhoods, a strong housing market, and a picturesque downtown to you and your family. In addition, the Wheaton Park District and Wheaton College also provide diverse community events and outdoor activities for all to enjoy.

Hi, I'm Kurt Clements. In this Living in the Chicago Suburbs installment, we explore Living in Wheaton, Illinois. We'll take you through everything you need to know about the County Seat of DuPage County.

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WHEATON, ILLINOIS

Located about 25 miles due west of Chicago, Wheaton, Illinois, ranks among the best cities to live in the United States — this year, Niche ranked it in the top 5% of Best Places to Raise a Family and in the top 3% as the Places with the Best Public Schools in America.

Managing 54 parks over 813 acres, the Wheaton Park District provides activities for the whole family, including recreational, arts, and environmental programs and special events. Wheaton has miles of on-street and off-street bike and running trails, including parts of the Illinois Prairie Path. Wheaton is home to Cosley Zoo, Rice Pool and Water Park, and Northside Family Aquatic Center.

As of the 2020 census, Wheaton had a population of 53,970, a median household income of $84,980, and a median housing value of $354,000.

NEIGHBORHOODS

With that in mind, let's look at the neighborhoods that make Wheaton one of the more unique and varied western suburbs.

Downtown Wheaton has various housing options and styles for its residents, from the row homes on Seminary Avenue to the traditional houses on Willow Avenue and the townhomes on West Street.

Wheaton College sits at the heart of Wheaton. The College ranks 56th in US News and World Reports for Best National Liberal Arts Colleges and 50th for Best Value Colleges. Shakespeare in the Park is a must-attend for Wheaton residents, as is the annual Christmas Festival Concert.

And then there are more modern neighborhoods like Amberwood Estates, a few blocks north of Arrowhead Golf Club, which offers its owners a family-friendly yet upscale lifestyle.

HOUSING

Now, let's look at the diverse housing market in Wheaton. About 75% of Wheaton's residents own their homes. This higher-than-average rate of home ownership is due to many factors, including: 

Range of Housing Options: Like most upscale communities in the West Suburbs of Chicago, Wheaton offers many housing options, from historic Victorian homes with unique character to sleek and modern residences.

Strong Real Estate Market: The real estate market here has remained strong, with median home prices in the low $500,000 range as of October 2023.

Family-Friendly Living: Safety and family-friendly living are priorities in Wheaton. This strong sense of security is one of the many reasons families choose to call this city home.

SCHOOLS

For Wheaton families, education is paramount, as reflected in the community's top-notch schools, which consistently rate among the highest in the state and the nation. 

Community Unit School District 200 serves most Wheaton residents and is rated an A+ district by Niche.

The southeast portion of Wheaton is served by Community Consolidated School District 89, rated an A district by Niche, and Glenbard District 87, ranked an A+ district by Niche.

Finally, some residents in the northeast area of Wheaton attend Glen Ellyn School District 41, an A- district by Niche, and, once again, Glenbard District 87.

In addition to public schools, Wheaton has 11 private schools, of which 27% have religious affiliations. Private schools educate approximately 17% of all Wheaton students.

St. Francis High School, Prairie School of DuPage, and St. Michael Catholic School rank among the best private schools in Wheaton.

The graduation rates in all these schools are remarkable, and a high percentage of graduates go on to attend some of our nation's top universities.

COMMUNITY & RECREATION

Like most West Suburbs of Chicago, Wheaton thrives on community and recreation.

The Arts are alive and well in Wheaton. Some places you'll find local theater, art classes, dance, and more include The Artist Series at Wheaton College, DuPage Art League, Wheaton College's Community School of the Arts, Wheaton Drama, and Wheaton Park District.

There's always something happening in Wheaton, and Memorial Park is home to many of the city's events, including Cream of Wheaton and Shakespeare in the Park. Other popular annual events include Field of Honor, Wheaton Brew and Seltzer Fest, and Light the Torch Night Run.

DOWNTOWN WHEATON

Downtown Wheaton is where the city truly comes alive. Boutique shops and unique restaurants contribute to Wheaton's lively community atmosphere, as does the previously mentioned Memorial Park.

LIFESTYLE & COMMUTE

Living in Wheaton means enjoying an enviable lifestyle, but what about the commute?

Commuting to Chicago is a breeze, thanks to the Wheaton Metra station. Downtown Chicago and all its attractions are just 56 minutes away.

For those working closer to home, some of the best workplaces in Wheaton include MGA Services, School District 200, RJN Group, and Aleyant.

Whether working in Chicago or any of the surrounding suburbs, Wheaton offers an outstanding work-life balance, making Wheaton a top destination to raise a family.

FINAL THOUGHTS

These are just a few of the positive lifestyle opportunities to review when considering living in Wheaton, Illinois.

Let us know your thoughts or questions in the comments below, and be sure to like, subscribe, and share our channel to discover future explorations of what it's like to live in the West Suburbs of Chicago. 

And, if you're curious about living in Wheaton or any of the incredible communities in the west suburbs of Chicago, reach out! We'll lay out all your options so you can make a confident decision that's best for you and your family.   

Thanks again for joining us, and as always, we're here to help, and we'll talk with you soon.