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Glen Ellyn: A Premier Suburban Community in 2025

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Glen Ellyn: A Premier Suburban Community in 2025

Safety defines Glen Ellyn’s reputation among Chicago’s suburban communities. The village is safer than 89% of U.S. cities. Residents feel at ease, and there are only 0.49 violent incidents per 1,000 people.

Glen Ellyn welcomes educated professionals, with 75% of residents aged 25 to 64 holding bachelor’s degrees or higher. The median household income reaches $118,208 – nearly $50,000 above Illinois averages. These numbers tell only part of the story. Glen Ellyn’s true character shines in its 300 acres of beautiful parks and 30 recreation spots. This setting helps families thrive.

The ARG Team help buyers find the unique charm of Glen Ellyn. Young professionals look for their first home, while empty nesters are drawn to our walkable downtown. The village is known as the “Village of Volunteers” because of its strong community spirit. Also, award-winning schools and unique shops make living here special. Let us show you why Glen Ellyn stands out as one of Chicago’s most sought-after suburbs in 2025.

Glen Ellyn: A Family Paradise

The ARG Team understands why families choose Glen Ellyn – more than 90% of residents recommend our village as their home and plan to stay for at least five years. This remarkable endorsement stems from our community’s warmth and family-focused amenities.

Community Spirit

Glen Ellyn’s heart beats strongest in close-knit neighborhoods, where lasting friendships bloom. This spirit shines through the downtown celebrations that mark each season. Glen Ellyn Oktoberfest fills the streets with music and laughter. Ladies’ Night Out brings neighbors together for shopping and fun in the evening. The French Market and Fourth of July parade create memorable moments where community bonds grow stronger.

Family Adventures

The Park District maintains gems like:

  • Lake Ellyn Park’s historic boathouse and scenic walking paths
  • Maryknoll Park’s refreshing splash parks and family mini-golf course
  • Village Links Golf Course’s 27 championship holes
  • Ackerman Sports & Fitness Center’s year-round indoor activities

Downtown Glen Ellyn adds family magic with free holiday films at the historic Glen Art Theater. Seasonal trolley tours wind through festively decorated streets. With over 300 acres of parkland, your family never runs out of space to play and explore.

The village’s activity calendar bursts with options – from guided nature walks to summer splashing at Sunset Pool. These thoughtfully planned programs show why Glen Ellyn stands out as a community that puts families first. The ARG Team knows these features set the stage for your family’s next chapter.

Life in Glen Ellyn: Small-Town Charm Meets Modern Living

The ARG Team knows Glen Ellyn offers the perfect blend of convenience and character. The Metra Union Pacific/West Line connects downtown to Chicago, while over 45,000 vehicles passing through Roosevelt Road daily keep our village humming. We see the Downtown Streetscape project change walking areas. It adds elegant granite planters and new sidewalks.

Daily Rhythms

Glen Ellyn’s downtown heart beats strong, with over 100 shops spanning 265,000 square feet of storefront space. Our clients enjoy starting their mornings at local cafés. Then, they explore boutiques or meet friends at top-rated restaurants. The McAninch Arts Center (MAC) hosts top performances at the Belushi Performance Hall, enriching our cultural scene.

Time-Honored Traditions

Since 1894, the Glen Ellyn Public Library has anchored our community’s spirit. The ARG Team sees neighbors unite for beloved events like the Taste of Glen Ellyn and the Glen Ellyn Jazz Festival. Our historic character shines at Stacy’s Corners, which welcomes over 20,000 commuters daily.

Seasonal Celebrations

Glen Ellyn’s calendar fills with distinctive events:

  • Winter Magic: The Illuminated Concert Series glows by candlelight, paired with local dining experiences
  • Spring Delights: Ladies’ Night Out Spring Edition brings exclusive shopping and entertainment
  • Summer Flavors: Glen Ellyn Restaurant Week showcases our diverse dining scene
  • Fall Festivities: Downtown transforms with Halloween parades and merchant trick-or-treating

The holiday spirit shines in the brightly lit streets. Families enjoy trolley rides, take part in the Light Up Glen Ellyn competition, and watch free movies at the historic Glen Art Theater. The Polar Plaza brings winter joy with complimentary skating on its 60-foot by 40-foot synthetic rink.

Glen Ellyn’s Community Leaders: Building Tomorrow Together

The ARG Team sees Glen Ellyn’s success bloom from dedicated individuals and organizations working together. The Glen Ellyn Fund Initiative, started in 2017, shapes our community’s future through key arts, social services, and environmental care programs.

Local Business Champions

Small businesses breathe life into Glen Ellyn’s economy, creating 64% of new jobs across our village. These local establishments show remarkable community spirit, donating 250% more to local causes than national chains. The Glen Ellyn Community Awards highlight essential contributions. They celebrate standout groups like Bridge Communities and The Bookstore of Glen Ellyn for their lasting impact.

Village Leadership

The Volunteer Spirit

Our nickname, “Village of Volunteers,” springs from the countless helping hands. The Glen Ellyn Infant Welfare Society, serving since 1926, channels over $100,000 yearly into community support. Go Green Glen Ellyn links nature lovers to eco-friendly projects. Meanwhile, our Police Department strengthens community ties with Shop with a Cop and the Bike Rodeo.

The Historical Society partners with Citizens for Glen Ellyn Preservation to protect our cherished heritage. These efforts, backed by 75 active service groups, build a strong foundation. This is what makes Glen Ellyn shine as Chicago’s top suburb.

Safety and Education: Glen Ellyn’s Twin Pillars

“Glen Ellyn is a very safe place to live” — Federal Companies, Moving company serving Glen Ellyn

Glen Ellyn is among America’s safest communities. The chance of experiencing violent crime here is just 1 in 2,181. The overall crime rate of 7 per 1,000 residents places our village among the nation’s 100 safest cities.

A Safe Place to Live

Safety statistics tell a remarkable story. Property crime rates continue falling, now at 65.2 per 1,000 residents. Glen Ellyn’s crime rate measures 4.0 times lower than national average. The northeast neighborhood shines exceptionally bright, recording only 25 incidents yearly.

Educational Excellence

Glen Ellyn School District 41 delivers outstanding academic results. Its 100% licensed teacher rate combines with an ideal 15:1 student-to-teacher ratio to create optimal learning environments. Student success speaks volumes: 65% of middle school students master reading proficiency.

The district wisely invests in our children’s future, spending $19,914 per student each year. These resources produce remarkable outcomes: 78% of students meet college readiness benchmarks in at least one subject.

The prestigious SchoolSearch™ Bright Red Apple™ Award recognizes District 41’s excellence – an honor shared by only 79 of 868 Illinois districts. Students benefit from rich educational offerings:

  • First-grade Spanish instruction
  • Kindergarten dual-language programs
  • Advanced learning opportunities
  • Comprehensive support from literacy specialists and counselors

These standards place Glen Ellyn schools in the 77th percentile nationally, reflecting three years of steady academic progress. The ARG Team sees these achievements draw families seeking top-tier education in a secure community.

Glen Ellyn’s Downtown Renaissance

Downtown Glen Ellyn writes its next chapter through a comprehensive 2.85 million development initiative. Each careful improvement honors our cherished character while embracing thoughtful progress.

Downtown Evolution

The Central Business District blooms with pedestrian-friendly improvements. Shoppers enjoy fresh sidewalks, and decorative furnishings and watered granite planters make the streets inviting. Thoughtful planning doubled our downtown tree canopy, and we used innovative soil cell technology to keep the trees healthy for years.

Shopping Districts

Three distinct retail destinations shape Glen Ellyn’s commercial spirit:

  • Downtown District: Over 100 shops fill 265,000 square feet of storefront space
  • Roosevelt Road Corridor: 715,000 square feet of retail space serves 45,000 daily visitors
  • Stacy’s Corners: Our original marketplace welcomes 20,000 daily commuters

The Fresh Market Center adds vibrancy to our retail scene, bringing 90 new jobs to the community. Downtown grows even stronger with the Apex 400 complex, adding 9,000 square feet of prime commercial space.

Historic Heart

Glen Ellyn treasures its architectural heritage. The Historic Preservation Commission offers valuable tax benefits to homeowners who rehabilitate significant properties. Our Historical Society protects local stories through its research library, archives, and educational exhibits.

This commitment runs deeper than brick-and-mortar. Citizens for Glen Ellyn Preservation support smart growth, which helps keep our village’s unique character safe. Their dedication brightens architectural gems, drawing new neighbors to our storied streets.

Glen Ellyn Through Our Residents’ Eyes

A remarkable 90% of current residents recommend Glen Ellyn as their ideal home.

Growing Families

Young families discover their perfect match in Glen Ellyn’s safe streets and stellar schools. District 41 nurtures approximately 3,600 Pre-K through 8th grade students, offering comprehensive education including specialized academic support and bilingual programs. The ARG Team helps first-time buyers find homes within top school boundaries, setting their children up for success.

Work-Life Balance

Glen Ellyn welcomes remote professionals. Our Public Library buzzes with activity, providing dynamic workspaces and resources for home-based workers. The downtown district offers excellent opportunities for networking. Professionals meet over coffee at local cafes or have lunch at unique restaurants.

Active Adults

Our village’s median age of 42 speaks to our balanced community: substantial household incomes, averaging $107,000, support Glen Ellyn’s high quality of life. The Taste of Glen Ellyn and Jazz Festival unite everyone, weaving new residents into our community fabric.

Glen Ellyn’s Distinctive Character

“Glen Ellyn proves to be an excellent place for those looking to settle in an amenity-filled yet laid-back community with proximity to the big city” — Federal Companies, Moving company serving Glen Ellyn

Community Excellence

Glen Ellyn shines beyond its DuPage County setting. Residents celebrate our village for:

  • Pristine natural spaces and immaculate streets
  • Fresh air and beautifully maintained parks
  • Rich cultural and educational opportunities
  • Deep community connections

Historic architecture adds unique charm to our streets. Glen Ellyn’s varied building styles welcome different tastes and lifestyles. Our Historic Preservation Commission protects this architectural tapestry, knowing it shapes our village’s unique spirit.

Voices from Home

Darci Bertrand’s story captures Glen Ellyn’s enduring appeal. After returning three times, she notes, “It’s a small town with a metropolitan area all around it.” Her children walk or bike to school and recreation, embodying our village’s family-friendly design.

Neighbors praise Glen Ellyn’s walkable heart. The hardware store, library, and village hall are just steps from traditional downtown shops. This balance of progress and tradition helps create a place where nine out of ten residents feel proud of Glen Ellyn’s excellent reputation.

Our “Village of Volunteers” nickname springs from deep community roots. This spirit flows through economic development initiatives and beautification programs, each enhancing Glen Ellyn’s appeal while protecting its distinctive soul.