Winfield has transformed from farmland into suburbia
Only a few decades ago, Winfield was a rural town with little more than a few convenience stores and limited housing available. Today, the area is almost unrecognizable and rapidly growing with housing developments expanding throughout the former farmland. "When talking about why people like Winfield, there are three main things," says Jason Moon, a Realtor with Trueblood Real Estate, who has been selling in the area for over 20 years. "There's quite a bit of new construction and modern homes, the proximity for commuters is fantastic, and the schools are great with a brand-new middle school." The new amenities and city accessibility have taken Winfield from a community of about 2,200 people to a community with almost 8,000 people in just 25 years, according to the town's website. With developments still in the works and more open space to expand in, Winfield will keep growing as a suburban extension of Crown Point.
Hundreds of homes built as the community’s growth accelerates
Demand for housing is high, and more than 200 homes were added between 2023 and 2025. "Right now, there are probably an additional 10 new neighborhoods being built," Moon says. "Most new builds are large, two-story homes geared towards young professionals and families with kiddos." New Traditional, Modern Craftsman, Colonial Revival and brick rambler homes are in tightly packed subdivisions with winding roads and cul-de-sacs. Depending on size and neighborhood amenities, they sell between $350,000 and $900,000. Condos and townhouses of similar ages and designs sell between $240,000 and $350,000. Many subdivisions have HOA fees for grounds maintenance, gate security or community pools and playgrounds. Land in the expanding developments sells between $50,000 and $170,000. "There are a couple of older neighborhoods that have been around for decades," Moon says. "Folks update those so they can keep up with the Joneses and the new construction on the market." The older houses sell between $250,000 and $320,000 and include split-levels and ranch-style homes from the 1960s and 1970s.
A-rated schools support the town’s large youth population
According to the 2020 census, about 30% of the population is under 18. "The Crown Heights school district and the city realized there were all these incoming families and kids in Winfield, so they built a brand-new middle school and rezoned the whole district a few years ago," Moon says. Elementary-age students attend Winfield Elementary School or Jerry Ross Elementary School, rated A-minus and A by Niche. All Winfield students learn at A-rated Robert A. Taft Middle School, which opened in August 2023. Crown Point High School is also rated A and offers over 60 after-school clubs and activities.
I-65 connects residents to Chicago and Midway Airport
Crown Point is about 5 miles west, just past Interstate 65, which heads north to Lake Michigan and Chicago. "It's the main expressway to get you in and out of Chicagoland," Moon says. "So, you can live out as far as Winfield and get into the Chicago area as fast as if you lived on the border of Illinois." Chicago Midway International Airport is 50 miles northwest, and the nearest hospital, Franciscan Health Crown Point, is within a 7-mile drive.
Conveniently located between two downtowns with retail and restaurants
The intersection of 109th Avenue and Randolph Street is a growing shopping center, anchored by Strack & Van Til. "That strip used to have a small-town feel with a little grocery store and a few shops. Now there are fast-food chains, gas stations and pharmacies," Moon says. "When that stuff starts moving in, you know it's a boom town." El Jimador is a Mexican restaurant farther east on 109th Avenue, painted inside and out with western murals. For retail shopping, residents usually head west to Crown Point or northeast to Valparaiso. "The neighborhood is placed well between the two cities. You can drive 15 to 20 minutes in either direction and be in two desired downtown areas with shops, restaurants and bars," Moon says.
Pilates, festivals and movie nights are on the community’s calendar
Randolph Street Park is the main community gathering space for activities and events. Annual celebrations include an Easter egg hunt, a fall harvest festival, trunk-or-treating and a Christmas tree lighting ceremony. On Friday evenings during the summer, residents can catch family-friendly movies. On Wednesday mornings, they can try a guided Pilates class.
More parks are to the east in the Lakes of the Four Seasons community. Windy Hill Park has baseball diamonds, tennis and basketball courts. Cleveland Park has more baseball diamonds and is where the youth soccer club, Seasons Soccer Club, plays.
Written By
Heather Haggerty
