Chicago’s largest suburb, Illinois’ third-largest city
It’s hard to imagine the sleepy farm town Naperville began as on the shores of the DuPage River in 1831. The settlement, about 33 miles west of downtown Chicago, became a hotspot as urban Chicago spread. Now the third largest city in Illinois by population—with a vast downtown and riverwalk along the DuPage River—Naperville snags the No. 1 spot in Niche’s 2024 Best Cities to Live in America. “Naperville is known for its schools, parks and community programs—it just has a lot to offer,” says Karen Spangler, an agent with Coldwell Banker Commercial based in Naperville. “It's a big town with a small-town feel. There’s so much there, everything for everybody.” Extensive entertainment amenities and job opportunities help it break outside the role of a bedroom community. The Edward Hospital and Health Services system alone employs almost 5,000 residents, with the city’s vast school districts not far behind.
Built in 1999, Naperville's Moser Tower was created to commemorate the 21st century.
Naperville residents visit the shops on Jefferson St. in Downtown Naperville.
The Naperville Riverwalk is a local favorite for residents who love to walk or run.
Edward Hospital is a quick drive for Naperville residents.
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A competitive housing market with wide-ranging inventory
North of the river around the city’s downtown core, a walkable grid filled with classic American Foursquares, Cape Cods and Victorian cottages forms the Naperville Historic District. Some of the city’s most expensive homes, some surpassing $1 million, reflect high demand for charming properties near the downtown and its riverfront. But the city is generally more expensive with a median home price of $575,000, which is higher than the national median home sales price of $400,000, according to the National Association of Realtors. The market remains competitive, as homes are snatched up after a low average of 16 days compared to the national average of 44 days.
Naperville’s population started booming in the 1960s as expansive neighborhoods, townhouse developments and condo buildings rose beyond downtown. “The price per square foot is lower on the outer edges of the city,” Spangler says. “And as you go farther south, you get a lot more bang for your buck with the newer builds. They’re not quite new anymore—in the 2002 to 2004 range—but they’re updated and great quality.” While suburban development flourished for half a century, room for new development has shrunk significantly. “There’s still new construction in Naperville, but they’re running out of space,’ Spangler says. “They do teardowns downtown where they’ll take two lots, put them together and build a mansion and charge top dollar for it.”
The infill strategy has its limits, particularly along the west branch of the DuPage River, which is owned by the Naperville Forest Preserve District to prevent construction on the floodplain—the two most recent flood disasters in the city occurred in 1996 and 2013. Most neighborhoods include mature foliage and decor through all four seasons. The city salts and plows most residential streets as soon as snow begins to accumulate in winter.
Two flat homes in walking distance of the train can be found in Naperville Historic District.
Naperville Historic District's homes range in the mid $200,000's for a two-bedroom home.
American Foursquare homes are upwards of $1,500,000 in Naperville.
Naperville Historic District is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
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From the neighborhood playground to the Naperville Riverwalk
Over 70 miles of trails pass through Naperville, while over 70 playgrounds entertain children within their own neighborhoods or at larger regional parks. The Naperville Riverwalk tracks almost 2 miles along the DuPage River, keeping the senses engaged with fountains, covered bridges and sculptures. City officials want to expand this pathway and link it with the nearby Edward Hospital location, as outlined in the Riverwalk 2031 Master Plan. Besides the DuPage, Centennial Beach is a former stone quarry turned into a water-filled recreation center. The DuPage Children's Museum was redesigned in 2015, with its sister facility in downtown Chicago. In 2022, the Library Journal called Naperville Public Library the best in the country, within its expenditure range.
Naperville residents enjoy the winding DuPage River near Downtown Naperville.
Families from around the Naperville area enjoy the beautiful Centennial Beach.
The DuPage Children's Museum is a play & education center for young children featuring a cafe.
Bronze statues line the The Naperville Riverwalk along the DuPage River.
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Top-ranking school districts for Naperville students
Most students are either zoned for Naperville Community Unit School District No. 203 on the east side or Indian Prairie Community Unit School District No. 204 on the west side. All of the high schools in each of these two districts are ranked in Niche's list of the Top 25 Illinois Public High Schools. A limited number of neighborhoods on the southern outskirts sit within Plainfield School District No. 202. North Central College, a private institution, sits near downtown, as well as a branch of the College of DuPage and headquarters of DeVry University, the popular online learning institution.
Naper Elementary School is part of the Naperville Community Unit School District No. 203.
Clifford Crone Middle School is a public school in Naperville's School District 204.
Naperville North High School is a public school that received an A-plus ranking from Niche.
College of DuPage offers a number of associate degree & certificate programs in Wheaton, IL.
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Calendar fillers throughout Naperville
“There’s always something to do in Naperville,” Spangler says. “The downtown always has stuff going on—car shows, all kind of parades for high school homecomings or holidays.” Every summer, the Naperville Municipal Band enlists 90 volunteer musicians to put on a summer concert series in Central Park. Artists of every medium come out to display their talent each September at the Riverwalk Fine Art Fair, a tradition since 1984. The Naperville Independent Film Festival is still going strong after kicking off in 2008, traditionally hosted at the Hollywood Palms Cinema movie theater on Route 59. Summer comes to a close with carnival rides, beer tents and more at Naperville Jaycees' Last Fling over Labor Day weekend. During the school year, kids make field trips to the Naper Settlement, an open-air museum east of the Riverwalk that preserves the city’s earliest memories amidst constant growth.
Admirers of all ages enjoy the selection of cars at the annual Naperville Classic Car Show.
Patel Brothers supermarket proudly displays their float in Naperville's India Day Parade.
The lawn of Naperville's Central Park is full of spectators during the 1st Summer Concert.
The Riverwalk Fine Art Fair is held in central Naperville.
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Getting around or out of Naperville by car or train
Naperville is connected to downtown Chicago by Interstates 55, 88 and 290. "People usually drive to most places, but if they’re taking the train they go to Aurora,” says Indu Sethi, a broker associate with Baird & Warner who often sells homes in Naperville. The parking lot at the Route 59 Station is particularly crowded on weekday mornings, with its convenient location for both Naperville and Aurora commuters. The BNSF line runs through here and Naperville’s own station 7 days a week to Chicago Union Station. Pace Suburban buses run throughout the community and stop right outside some subdivisions. Downtown Naperville is almost equidistant to Chicago O’Hare International Airport and Chicago Midway International Airport, each about 30 miles away.
Shopping and dining in “Naperworld”
Downtown Naperville pairs its 1800s and early 1900s storefronts with modern additions. Big brands and locally owned boutiques are gathered here. Restaurants range from regional chains like Fat Rosie's Taco and Tequila Bar to nationally recognized spots like Ramsay's Kitchen. Outside downtown, Naperville is car-centered, with shopping malls and strips connected by parking lots along major thoroughfares. Route 59, now coined “Naperworld” for its expansive range of big brands, also includes Fox Valley Mall, a traditional indoor shopping center with a food court featuring a central carousel. Ogden Avenue is another main stretch, and the city contains Jewel-Osco, Mariano’s, Whole Foods Market and most other grocery stores found across the Midwest.
Naperville locals enjoy an outdoor meal at Fat Rosie's.
A Naperville couple enjoy a warm early evening in Downtown Naperville.
Whole Foods Market is located a short drive from the Hobson West community of Naperville, IL.
Residents of Naperville can head to the Fox Valley Mall & enjoy a ride on the carousel..
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Crime data in Naperville
According to the Naperville Police Department, 9.2 crimes occurred in Naperville for every 1,000 residents in 2023. Property crimes outweighed violent crimes at a ratio of 13 to 1. The Naperville Police Department publishes a crime data report every 6 months and hosts an interactive map where residents can track individual crimes across the city by type, time of day and other factors. The department reported that 63 percent of all crimes were property crimes like theft and vandalism in the first half of 2024.
On average, homes in Naperville, IL sell after 19 days on the market compared to the national average of 49 days. The median sale price for homes in Naperville, IL over the last 12 months is $575,000, up 3% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
