Quiet, comfortable suburban living in the west Chicago suburbs
Families and folks who appreciate quiet suburban living can find it in Carpentersville, a village on the western end of the Chicago suburbs. Commutes into communities like Elgin and the Windy City proper are straightforward, while the home market is on par with other Illinois areas for value. “It’s one of those older, sleepier towns, and it’s been around for forever. It doesn’t have as much going on as some other places, but you can get more for less,” says Bob Wisdom, co-owner of The Robert Wisdom Team at Re/Max Horizon. Wisdom has more than 30 years of industry experience with selling homes in the western suburbs and beyond.
Dundee is on the east side of the Fox River, which offers outdoor adventures.
Families can appreciate Jelke Creek Bird Sanctuary during summer months in Carpentersville.
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1950s to 21st century houses, big and small
Carpentersville’s earliest homes date back to the late 1800s, but development in the village really started to gain steam in the 1950s and 1960s. The west side of the area became a priority for new construction in the 2000s. “The affordability of the homes [in Carpentersville] is everything. It’s a good place for starter homes, but there are options for larger homes that might be more affordable because it's in a town that isn't as known for luxury homes,” Wisdom says. Buyers can find ranch-style, Colonial Revival, new traditional and selected custom houses here. Single-family homes are the most plentiful; townhouses and condos aren’t too difficult to find, making up about a third of the market. With a median sales price of about $265,000, the Carpentersville market skews slightly lower than the medians for the country and state.
Most of the houses in Dundee are on individual lots and surrounded by evergreen trees.
This revival-style house in Downtown Dundee dates back to 1850.
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Learning experiences in Community Unit School District 300
Public school students in Carpentersville are generally zoned for Community Unit School District 300. The district oversees 32 schools and earns an A-minus overall. Schools in the area include the B-plus-ranked Dundee Middle School and the A-minus-ranked Harry D. Jacobs High School. Private options in the area include Immanuel Lutheran School, which serves students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade and holds an A-plus grade.
Dundee Middle School belongs to Community Unit School District 300.
Harry D. Jacobs earns A-minus on Niche.
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Trail life at Raceway Woods Forest Preserve
The Dundee Township Park District serves Carpentersville, West Dundee and the surrounding area. Just east of Main Street, Carpenter Park is one of the village’s key spots for community gatherings and offers everyday amenities like a playground, walking trails and spaces for basketball and softball. Fox River Shores Forest Preserve is a favorite for fishing and boating. To the north, Raceway Wood Forest Preserve is a prime spot for horseback riding, hiking and mountain biking. Residents experience a traditional Midwestern climate. Cold winters with major snowfall are common, while summers are warm and humid.
Let your kids run and play at the playground located in Lions Park.
Raceway Woods Forest Preserve is a 122-acre open space named after the old track.
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Familiar shopping on Kennedy Drive and Eighth Street
Carpentersville’s most accessible businesses are primarily big box stores, chain dining and a few independent restaurants. On the east side of the village, Kennedy Drive has a Walmart and Village Fresh Market, a grocery focused on Latin and Hispanic goods. At the center of town near Eighth Street, Sticky Fingers Kitchen specializes in spicy wings, while Olive Garden and Popeyes are also around for dinner. Major retailers around this part of town include Jewel-Osco, Home Depot and Aldi.
Duke's Blues-N-BBQ brings southern flavor to Dundee in a converted train caboose.
If you need to go grocery shopping, head to Village Fresh Market in Dundee.
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Concerts at Carpenter Park in the summer
Carpenter Park is one of several parks in the Dundee Township Park District that hosts shows in the annual Concert in the Park series. Local bands take to the stage for residents to enjoy performances in various genres, including blues, jazz and rock. Additional outings await in nearby communities like West Dundee, where the Rookies RocHaus brings in tribute bands and up-and-coming acts each weekend.
The outdoor amphitheater in Carpenter Park is perfect for the Concert in the Park series.
Rookies RocHaus brings in tribute bands and up-and-coming acts each weekend in Carpentersville.
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41 miles west of Chicago
Carpentersville is about 41 miles away from Chicago. A data snapshot released by the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning in 2024 indicated that about 20 percent of residents commuted to Elgin and Chicago for work. Major industries include education, manufacturing, retail and food service. Folks looking to save on gas for longer commutes can catch Metra trains from the stations in Big Timber or Elgin, each about 8 miles from the village center. Advocate Sherman Hospital is about 8 miles southwest. Residents traveling beyond Chicagoland can catch flights from Chicago O’Hare International Airport, 26 miles southeast.
Important things to know
According to FBI data, property crime rates in Carpentersville reached a peak in 2017 before declining in the following years. Violent crime remained level each year downward during the 2010s but has been significantly lower since 2022.
Written By
Tre Lyerly
Video By
Charlie Lingner
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Venny Rivera,
an experienced agent in this area.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
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On average, homes in Carpentersville, IL sell after 20 days on the market compared to the national average of 52 days. The median sale price for homes in Carpentersville, IL over the last 12 months is $275,000, up 7% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Discover an inviting ranch-style home that offers a blend of comfort, appeal, and practicality, all wrapped in a beautifully refreshed interior! Positioned on a tranquil tree-lined street in Carpentersville, this 3-bedroom, 1-bath single-level residence embraces you with 1,088 sq ft of bright windows, wood laminate floors, and neutral hues. The foyer welcomes you with an extra-wide coat closet,
Beautiful 4 bedroom, 2.5 bathroom home placed on a quiet cul-de-sac. This home is ready for you to move right in with fantastic updates throughout! Hardwood floors throughout! Kitchen with quartz counters Stainless steel appliances, and white cabinets with new luxurious tile backsplash. Enormous living space and backyard that is perfect for entertaining! Wonderful master suite with vaulted
This beautifully updated home, now offering 7 spacious rooms and 4.5 bathrooms, thoughtfully designed for comfort and functionality. As you enter, you're welcomed by a cozy family room with elegant ceramic tile flooring. The expansive living room features 9-foot ceilings and is filled with natural light, creating a bright and inviting atmosphere. The modern kitchen is equipped with stainless
Discover an inviting ranch-style home that offers a blend of comfort, appeal, and practicality, all wrapped in a beautifully refreshed interior! Positioned on a tranquil tree-lined street in Carpentersville, this 3-bedroom, 1-bath single-level residence embraces you with 1,088 sq ft of bright windows, wood laminate floors, and neutral hues. The foyer welcomes you with an extra-wide coat closet,
Bi-level ranch with attached stone front garage - Living room has vaulted ceilings, arched doorway to kitchen & custom built stone/oak staircase to 2nd level with 3 bedrooms. Finished basement boasts 2nd bath. Fenced yard and patio all on a culdesac.
Move-in ready condo in the highly desirable 55+ independent living community of Village Green.***This well-maintained unit offers an open floor plan with sunny western exposure and a private balcony.***Recent updates completed in August 2025 include a new stainless steel stove, refrigerator, dishwasher, granite kitchen counters, and vinyl plank flooring in the kitchen. Master Bedroom & Bath,
Clean 2 bedroom half duplex beautiful hardwood floors, dining room, unfinished basement 2 car garage. NO PETS... Need proof of income 3 x rent, credit and background reports on ALL adults copy of IDs
Eden Prairie Apartments is conveniently located in Carpentersville, Illinois within walking distance to a shopping center, grocery store, movie theater, bowling alley, public transportation stops, and much more. The property is located just five minutes north of I-90 for ease of commute as well!Eden Prairie Apartments features spacious one and two bedroom apartments with attractive
Beautiful townhome*A must see*Great location*Friendly neighborhood. 2 story 2 bedroom 2 1/2 bath. New carpet, new paint, 9 ft ceilings on 1st floor. 42" kitchen cabinets, ceramic floor. Nice size living room/dining room combo. Sliding glass door leads to patio for your BBQ days. Finish garage. Big master with Private Bath and Ceiling fan. 2nd floor laundry. Schedule your showing today!
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