In the mid-1800s, Orland Park began as a farming community 25 miles southwest of Chicago. From the railroad's arrival in 1879 to its incorporation as a village in 1892, the area has grown over decades into its current stature as a suburban city of 57,000 people. Named one of Chicago Magazine's "Best Places to Live" in 2022, Orland Park comprises highly-ranked school districts, an extensive park system, varied shopping options and proximity to the Windy City.
Major industries, including education, retail and health care, support the city's growing economy and its vision for innovation. "Before I moved here, my friends and I would visit back in the day, and it was all so farm-y," says Michele Beckers, a Realtor with RE/MAX 1st service and longtime resident. "It's gradually developed over time. Everyone here is friendly, and I've never heard anything different.”
Orland Park, founded in 1892, has a current population of 57,511.
Centennial Park hosts the Taste of Orland Park each year.
Doogan Park near Orland Grove has many activities for people to enjoy.
The statue of Senator John Humphrey is located by Metra train station in Orland Park, IL.
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The Main Triangle's redevelopment and Taste of Orland Park
"There's a very small, cute, historic downtown area called Old Orland Historic District," says Robert Medinger, Realtor with Keller Williams Preferred and Orland Park resident. The walkable section of Downtown Orland Park features preserved properties, small storefronts, churches and dwellings. The village plans to gradually transform the neighboring Main Street Triangle into a walkable destination through 2048. Designated for Tax Increment Financing, the district allocates new tax revenue to invest in developing 470,000 square feet of commercial, residential, entertainment and park space.
“Mayor Keith Pekau has focused a lot on increasing the quality of life in Orland Park,” Beckers says. “From the triangle to farmstands and events.” The village hosts its Market at The Park every Thursday evening at Centennial Park from early June through late August. The park in the Centennial neighborhood is also the hosting grounds for Taste of Orland Park. An early August staple of the village, the annual weekend-long event welcomes locals to gather for a day of tastings from an array of local eateries.
Hienie’s McCarthy’s has been a staple in Downtown Orland Park for over 60 years.
Market in the Park was held in the new Centennial Park West with jamming live music.
Centennial Park hosts the Taste of Orland Park each year.
Hot chocolate is great at the Central Orland Santa Arrival Party and Tree Lighting.
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Historic homes and newly built subdivisions
"The housing options are very diverse," Medinger says. "Anything from rental units to homes ranging in price from $250,000 to $4 million." The village’s residential landscape spans from the historic district’s early 1900s homes to 90-plus subdivisions developed in later years. Orland Grove is home to several subdivisions dating from the late 1950s to the 2000s. "Going south, you'd find more homes on larger lots, and they are newer," Medinger says. “There's always new construction going on." He describes some recent builds as two-story, decently sized family homes with price points from $600,000 to $700,000. New attached townhouses and ranch-style homes are also typical. In Silver Lake North and Central Orland , several communities have cropped up since 2020.
Affordable ranch homes are scattered throughout Silver Lake North.
Large custom homes are found in the northern part of Silver Lake North.
Beautiful front porches can be found on the single-family homes in Downtown Orland Park.
Find a beautiful split-level home, a popular home style in the Sandburg neighborhood.
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Self-titled "World's Golf Center"
Orland Park considers itself the “World's Golf Center" based on the number of golf holes per acre. Notable courses include the Crystal Tree Golf and Country Club and Silver Lake Country Club, which offers 45 holes spread across three courses. Over 70 community parks fill the village, including the newly built Centennial Park, which features lakeside trails, athletic fields and a sizeable aquatic park. “The village is focused on making sure each kid has access to a park,” Beckers says. When Illinois winters roll in, residents can find fun indoors at Sky Zone Trampoline Park and Gizmos Fun Factory.
Nearby Oak Hills Golf Club is a sporty and challenging public 9-hole golf course.
Silver Lake Country Club offers 45 holes of golf.
Silver Lake North residents have access to numerous amenities, including a country club.
Centennial Park, the biggest park in Orland Park, is short drive from Silver Lake South.
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La Grange Road and Orland Square shopping
La Grange Road functions as the village’s hot spot for running errands. Supermarkets and big-name retailers share the stretch with Orland Square, the largest mall in Chicago’s Southland region. "There's a lot of great restaurants in a concentrated area along LaGrange," Medinger says. In addition to big chains, cuisines range from vegan and pub fare to Polish fusion. Located downtown, Orland Park Crossing is an outdoor shopping center home to trendy shops, spas, jewelers and eateries.
Route 45 in Central Orland is the main thoroughfare and has a plethora of retail options.
Orland Square mall has over 150 shops and is a mile from Silver Lake South.
The White Sheep, located within Downtown Orland Park, features vegan breakfast options.
Orland Square Mall in Central Orland is the largest mall in the Chicago Southland.
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Consolidated High School District No. 230's high-ranking schools
Orland School District No. 135 and Kirby School District No. 140 enroll the village's prekindergarten through eighth-grade students. Both maintain a B-plus rating on Niche. Older students head to Consolidated High School District No. 230's three high schools: Victor J. Andrew, Carl Sandburg and Amos Alonzo Stagg. According to Niche, which gave the district an A-plus, each high school ranks among the state's top 100.
Private options include Cardinal Joseph Bernardin Catholic School and St. Michael School, as well as Ajyal Learning Center, an Arabic language and curriculum school.
Commuting along the SouthWest Service line
According to Beckers, Orland Park is relatively free of congested traffic. “Ever since they widened La Grange Road, there are not really any tie-ups.” However, those driving along Interstate 57 into Chicago can expect back-ups during rush hour. Two Metra stations in Orland Park, 143rd Street and 153rd Street, support daily commutes. Both are on the SouthWest Service line, with endpoints at Union Station and Manhattan. Meanwhile, Suburban Pace Bus stops throughout cater to local travel. Those taking trips out of the region can catch flights at Midway International Airport, 19 miles northeast, or Chicago O'Hare International Airport, 30 miles north.
Orland Park's crime statistics
According to data from the Orland Park Police Department, about 9.7 instances of crime occur per 1,000 citizens in Orland Park. Of all cases recorded in 2023, violent crimes comprised roughly 4% of total crimes. In the department's 2020 annual report, statistics revealed the village’s lowest amount of crime since 1994. The department emphasizes community relations through events like Cook Out with the Cops and National Night Out Against Crime.
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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.
