Chicago's Western Suburbs

Each suburb is unique. Find out which suburb is right for you.

Brookfield

Brookfield is located 13 miles west of downtown Chicago. The BNSF Metra line has three convenient stations located in Brookfield. The school districts in Brookfield are 95,96, and 103, which enter district 208, Riverside Brookfield High School, as wells as district 102, which feeds into district 204, Lyons Township High School.

One of the biggest attractions in Brookfield is the Brookfield Zoo. Ranked one of the best zoos, Brookfield Zoo offers 216 acres of habits to experience. It hosts over 400 species of animals, providing an enjoyable learning experience for all interests.

Burr Ridge

Burr Ridge is a smaller suburb with upscale homes and a mix of business and residential areas. Burr Ridge provides places for shopping, dinning, and other businesses while at the same time providing residential areas with a natural feel. It hosts the intersection of the Tri-State (294) and Stevenson (55) Interstates for easy travel and maintains one of the lowest tax rates in DuPage. The school districts that serve Burr Ridge are 180, 62, 181, and 107, which feed into either the Hinsdale High School District 86 or Lyons Township High School District 204.

Clarendon Hills

Clarendon Hills is a small suburb with an area of 1.7 square miles. It is 18 miles southwest of Chicago and has a BNSF Metra Station in the fashionable downtown. The school district serving Clarendon Hills is 181 and feeds into Hinsdale High School District 86. Quick access to Route 83 linking up to interstates 55 and 88.

Countryside

Countryside is an older suburb with strong roots. A majority of the households are families giving this suburb a close knit feel. With easy access to Chicago, Countryside is 15 miles from the Chicago Loop and is close to interstates 55 and 294. The school district serving Countryside is LaGrange district 105 which feeds into Lyons Township High School District 204.

Darien

Darien is a larger suburb of Chicago close to interstate 55 and 355. The school districts serving Darien are 60, 61, 63, and 66 with most of them broken down into a primary school (K-2), elementary school (3-5), and a middle school (6-8). The schools feed into either the Hinsdale High School District 86 or the Downers Grove High School District 99.

Downers Grove

Downers Grove is large suburb 22 miles west of the city. It has a strong business community hosting the headquarters for several major companies and a top rated downtown providing entertainment and a wide selection of dining and shopping, including memorable boutiques. Houses ranging from historic to newly built; the middle of the town having house from the mid 19th century.  Downers Grove has 3 BNSF Metra stops and Interstates 355 and 88 running though the suburb for convenient travel. The school districts serving Downers Grove are 58, 61, and 66, all of them feeding into Downers Grove High School District 99.

Elmhurst

Elmhurst, a large Chicago suburb, is family oriented providing a rich cultural experience. It offers many cultural opportunities including Elmhurst Historical Museum and Elmhurst Art Museum.  Elmhurst Art Museum offers public access to the McCormick House, the only public of the three remaining houses in the United States designed by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe. Elmhurst also has a downtown with a variety of dining and shopping options.

Elmhurst has a metra station served by the Union Pacific/West Line from Elburn to Chicago arriving at the Ogilvie Transportation Center in Chicago. Interstate 290 runs through Elmhurst providing quick access to O'Hare International Airport. Elmhurst Community Unit School District 205 serves most of Elmhurst with an early childhood center, eight elementary schools, three middle schools, and a high school. The rest of the area is served by district 45 or 48, both feeding into Willowbrook High School District 88. Elmhurst also has Elmhurst College, a four year college.

Hinsdale

Hinsdale is 21 miles west of Chicago and is in the top 1% of wealthiest towns in Illinois. It has three stops on the BNSF Metra line and is bordered on one side by Interstate 294. District 181 serves Hinsdale feeding into Hinsdale High School District 86. In the center of town is the historic downtown; It hold dozens of shopping, dining, and other services. Hinsdale prides their historical roots and dedicates its efforts to preserve that history through the Roger and Ruth Anderson Architecture Center.

Indian Head Park

Indian Head Park is a small suburb with 0.8 square miles of land. A majority of the people living in Indian Head Park are families. It has a very natural feel surrounded by trees providing a rustic private tone. It is close the intersection of interstates 294 and 55 with easy access to Midway Airport and O'Hare International Airport. The districts serving this area are 106 and 107, both feeding into Lyons Township High School District 204.

LaGrange

LaGrange is historic suburb with a bustling downtown. The downtown has been expanded to provided a wide range of dinning and shopping options and easy parking. The houses around the downtown area are historic homes, a few designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. LaGrange offers historic house walks to feature the homes in the area. It offers various public activities, such as the Pet Parade and other parades, carnivals, art fairs, festivals, and farmers markets. At the edge of downtown there is the BNSF Metra rail with two stops in LaGrange. It also has easy access to several entrances to interstates 294 and 55. The school districts serving LaGrange are 102 and 105 feeding into Lyons Township High School District 204.

LaGrange Highlands

LaGrange Highlands is an unincorporated are south of LaGrange with most homes on half acre lots. It is conveniently located near interstates 55 and 294 with easy access to Midway Airport and O'Hare International Airport. The district that serves the area is 106 feeding into Lyons Township High School District 204.

LaGrange Park

LaGrange Park is 16 miles west of Chicago's Loop and has easy access to Interstate 294. Students attend either District 95, feeding into Riverside Brookfield High School District 208, or District 102, which feeds into Lyons Township High School District 204.

Lisle

Lisle was named one of the top 20 places in America to live by Money Magazine and has a lot to offer its residents. There are things to do in Lisle all year round. For example, Lisle holds the Morton Arboretum as well as the Four Lakes Skill Hill. In additional to all the activities, Lisle also has many opportunities for education. Lisle Community Unit School district 202, which includes Lisle High School, serves much of the community; Naperville School District 203 serves the rest of the community, which feeds into Naperville North High School. In addition to the K-12 schools, Lisle is the home of three universities: Benedictine University, National-Louis University, and Northwood University. Lisle has easy access to Interstates 88 and 355 and has a stop on the BNSF Metra line.

Lombard

Lombard is a suburb overflowing with history. Lombard's historical society maintains the history through several locations. The historical museum gives residents and visitors a taste of 19th century living. It also restored and maintains the Sheldon Peck Homestead which holds much history in Lombard. Among many important events, The Sheldon Peck Homestead was the first school in Lombard, was a stop on the underground railroad, and eventually become the place where Little Orphan Annie was created and lived. Another unique historical preservation in Lombard in Lilac village with hosts a park containing 200 varieties of lilacs. A Lilac Festival is held every May for residents and visitors to experience.

Lombard has a stop on the Metra Union Pacific/West Line and has easy access to Interstates 88 and 355. Most of the area is served by district 44, feeding into the Glenbard High School District 87. The rest of the community is served by districts 45, 89, or 41, feeding into either High School Districts 87 or 88.

Naperville

Naperville is the largest suburb located approximately 30 miles west of Chicago. Naperville has a lot of life as well as history. It has been ranked in the top 5 places in America to live several times by Money Magazine as well as top 5 kid friendliest cities according to Zero Population Growth. It has a bustling downtown area with tons of shopping and dinning opportunities as well as special events and festivals taking places regularly. Naperville's down town area has a gorgeous river walk with one stop being the Centennial Beach, Naperville's one of a kind man-made beach. It also hold a great deal of history. It has a historical district, museums, and the Naper Settlement, giving residents and visitors a chance to experience the culture and history of Naperville.

School Districts 203 and 204, which both include high schools, serve most of Naperville. Some residents living on the boundaries may also attend school districts 200 and 202. Naperville also houses North Central College, Devry University and campus from a variety of other colleges and universities: DePaul University, College of DuPage, Governs State University, Northern Illinois University, Northwestern Business College, and University of Illinois Business and Industry Services. Naperville provides easy traveling with two BNSF Metra stops, and easy access to Interstates 88, 355, and 55.

North Riverside

North Riverside is 9 miles west of Chicago. It is located by the DesPlaines River and is surrounded by mature trees.  It is served by School District 94 feeding into Riverside Brookfield School District 208 and has easy access to Interstate 290.

Oak Brook

Oak Brook is 20 miles west of downtown Chicago. It is mostly residential area aside from the area around 22nd street that houses the Oakbrook Mall, a large outdoor mall. It is also home to many corporate offices including the World Headquarters of McDonalds. The Oak Brook School District 53 serves much of the area and feeds into Hinsdale Central High School District 86. Other school districts serving the area are 181, 205, 58, and 48 which feed into either 205, 99, or 88.

Oakbrook Terrace

Oakbrook Terrace is a small suburb with lots to do. It is a business oriented area and contains the tallest office building between Chicago and the Rocky Mountians, with 31 stories of office buildings in the Oakbrook Terrace Tower. It has many hotels and places to shop and dine. An entertainment feature in Oakbrook Terrace is Drury Lane, a live theatre.

Riverside

Riverside is only 9 miles from downtown Chicago and bursting with history. The community was designed by Fredrick Law Olmstead in 1868-1869 and still houses memorable historical architecture, including architecture designed by Frank Lloyd Wright among other famous designers. The Des Plaines River runs through the community. It was named as a National Historic Landmark. Riverside has a stop on the BNSF Metra line and is close to interstates 290 and 55 as well as Midway Airport. The school district in Riverside is district 96 feeding into Riverside Brookfield High School District 208.

Villa Park

Villa Park is 19 miles west of Chicago's Loop. The community has local events such as concerts to enjoy as well as a Historical Museum. Villa Park has a stop on the Metra Union Pacific/West line and is close to Interstate 88. The school districts in the area are 45 and 48 both feeding into High School District 88.

Westchester

Westchester is close to Interstates 290, 88, and 294 for easy travel. Located in Westchester is the Westbrook Corporate Center, which has been received the Building of the Year Award on several occasions and houses 10 stories of offices. District 92.5, which feeds into the Proviso Township High School District, serves the area.

Western Springs

Western Springs is a family oriented community rated second best place to raise children by businessweek.com. It has a lot to do around town including a downtown area with shopping and dinning as well as a live theater – Theatre of Western Springs. It allows for convienent travel with close access to Interstates 294 and 55 and a stop on the Metra BNSF line. The school districts in the area are 101 and 106 both feeding into Lyons Township High School District 204.

Westmont

Westmont is 18 miles west of Chicago's loop with easy travel with close access to Interstates 88, 355, 290, and 294 as well as having a stop on the BNSF Metra line. It is easy to get involved in this community with tons of people showing up to the award winning special events tacking place regularly. The districts in the area are 60, 201, 58, and 61 which feed into high school districts 201, 86, or 99.

Wheaton

Wheaton is 25 miles west of Chicago and named one of the highest earning towns in the United States by Money Magazine. Wheaton has a ton to do with a wide variety of options. For example, it contains a large downtown area with a variety of shopping and dinning options, Cantigny Park which contains a golf course and two museums, and Cosley Zoo which is free for residents. It has easy access to Interstates 88 and 355 as well as two stops on the Union Pacific/West Line. The school districts in the area are 200 and 89 which include the high schools. Wheaton is also home to Wheaton College as well as Illinois Institute of Technology's Daniel F. and Ada L Rice Campus.

Willow Springs

Willow Springs is a small suburb that provides quiet living within forest preserves while still having what you need close by. It has a stop on Metra's Heritage Corridor traveling from Joliet to Chicago's Union Station. It has easy access to Interstates 55 and 294. The school districts in the area are 108 or 107 feeding into the high school districts 217, 204, or 230.

Willowbrook

Willowbrook is a smaller suburb offering low taxes and easy access to Interstates 55 and 355. Willowbrook Town Center is a new development bringing in more shopping a dinning options. The school districts in the area are 60 and 62 feeding into Hinsdale High School District 86.