Chatham is a fast-growing suburb of Springfield
Bordering the southern edge of Springfield, the village of Chatham provides a suburban lifestyle just outside the state capital. “Chatham is a town in its own right, but it’s right next to Springfield, and you wouldn’t know when you leave or enter the other,” says Julie Davis, a broker with The Real Estate Group, who lives in that transitional spot between the two. The village is renowned for its successful public education system, which ranks among the top school districts in the region. It’s one of the reasons why the population grew from around 8,500 to nearly 14,000 between 2000 and 2020. “People are initially drawn to the schools,” says Davis. “They stay because they like the community spirit.” That sense of Chatham pride is woven into the many events held throughout the year and can be felt at the packed high school football games, where locals cheer on their fellow Titans.
Single-family homes with a wide price range
Houses date from the mid-1900s through today, with a median sale price of $295,000. Common midcentury options include ranch-style, split-level and Colonial Revival houses, ranging from around $140,000 to $315,000. Similar homes built in the 1990s and early 2000s have sold for around $190,000 to $500,000. Larger New Traditional designs from 2010 to 2025 typically range from $325,000 to $540,000. Upscale houses at the Piper Glen Golf Club community also feature New Traditional architecture and sell for around $500,000 to $875,000.
One of the region's highest-rated school districts
Chatham and surrounding communities are served by the Ball-Chatham School District, which receives an A-minus grade from Niche and is ranked the best school district in the Springfield area. Glenwood High receives the same grade as the school district and is notable for its athletic programs. In 2023, the Glenwood Titans won more than a dozen Central State Eight Conference championships in more than a dozen sports and a girl's soccer state championship. In fall, Friday nights are dedicated to football. “High school football is huge here,” says Davis. “Every square inch of the parking lot is filled up with people tailgating.”
The state's largest lake and several community parks
Every year, hundreds of thousands of people visit Lake Springfield, the largest lake in Illinois with 4,200 acres of water. It’s one of the most popular destinations in the region for boating and fishing. Several parks and marinas surround the lake’s 57 miles of shoreline. At Chatham Community Park, kids play baseball, football and soccer through local leagues. The park also has pickleball and tennis courts, a playground and an amphitheater used for community events. Chatham Square also hosts events downtown. Jaycee Park is right next to the Christian County water tower, featuring a ball field, two basketball courts and a playground. The Interurban Trail runs through Chatham, stretching more than 8 miles to Springfield through woods and over Lake Springfield.
Stores and restaurants up and down Main Street
Main Street has a mix of fast-food chains and local restaurants. In the downtown area, residents enjoy Chatham Café’s casual diner atmosphere and homestyle food, along with Sangamo Brewing’s lively pub setting. About a half mile from downtown are some small shopping centers at the intersection of Main Street and Plummer Boulevard, with a few more local restaurants, such as Sakura Sushi and The Creek Pub & Grill. There’s also a County Market regional grocery store, Dollar General and Walgreens. It’s also about a 10-minute drive to several big-box retailers in Springfield.
The annual Sweetcorn Festival and month-long Christmas events
Locals look forward to several annual events. The Sweetcorn Festival started in 1975 and is held every summer with live music, vendors and free corn. For decades, the Chatham Area Chamber of Commerce has hosted a Mardi Gras celebration and a golf outing that raises funds for the community. Chatham also goes big for Christmas, with volunteers putting on different holiday events throughout December, including a drive-through light display at Chatham Community Park. “Cars will be lined up for a mile to see all the lights,” says Davis. “It’s become a holiday tradition for many families.” Locals also compete in a contest called Twinkling Trees on the Square, where they decorate Christmas trees on Chatham Square and the community comes out to vote for their favorite.
Two highway options to downtown Springfield
Chatham is a car-dependent community, as there is no public transportation. Commuters can either take Illinois Route 4 or Interstate 55 to get to downtown Springfield. Both options take about 20 to 25 minutes. It’s also a 25 to 30-minute drive to Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport, where travelers can fly to Chicago, Orlando, Tampa or Punta Gorda.
Written By
Nicolas Stuart
