The Village of Arlington Heights, Illinois, sits approximately 25 miles northwest of the heart of Chicago. Once a tiny prairie town with barely 1,300 residents circa 1900 – it saw its population expand drastically during the suburban sprawl of the mid-20th century when residents began to take advantage of the burgeoning highways and public transportation systems. This led to a nearly 750% population increase in only 20 years, growing from 8,700 residents in 1950 to over 65,000 in 1970.
"Arlington Heights has been and will continue to be a high-demand area," says Holly Connors, a senior broker with @properties Christie's International Real Estate. "It's just a well-run town; we have outstanding top-ranked schools and wonderful park districts; the infrastructure is second to none. Everything you ever needed is in the village of Arlington Heights."
Connors, an award-winning Realtor in the top 1% within the Chicago Association of REALTORS, describes the politics as balanced and collaborative. "Our state legislators, combined with our village trustees and the leadership of the mayor and the village manager, have solved any issues on a local level to benefit the community." This is one reason many businesses opted to move into Arlington Heights, departing their downtown Chicago confines. In 2021, United Airlines moved 900 employees from downtown's Willis Tower to its Shure Drive location, which now employs over 1,500 workers and is one of the largest employers in the village. Northwest Community Healthcare is another leading employer, contributing nearly 4,000 jobs to the community – and also providing 24-hour emergency care.
The continued will-they, won’t-they of the Chicago Bears' proposed relocation also has its eyes on Arlington Heights. In 2023, the NFL team purchased the former Arlington Park International Racecourse site, intending to relocate their stadium from storied Soldier Field. It’s a project that is still under discussion, with both sides seeking concessions. Even with the stadium situation yet to be resolved, Connors is looking for a win for everyone. "This is the largest available piece of land in an urban area of Illinois. However it gets developed, there will be a positive impact on all parties: the village, the surrounding communities and all areas of Chicagoland."
The village of Arlington Heights is home to over 77,000 residents, located northwest of Chicago.
Arlington Heights has an estimated population of 73,320 residents.
Arlington Heights locals stroll through the downtown area with outdoor seating.
The Arlington Heights Central Business District is an amenity rich village with much to see.
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High homeownership shows residents' investment
The homeownership rate in Arlington Heights is over 73%, with single-family houses being the most prevalent, though there also are some townhouses and condo units available too. While there are some early-1900s bungalows and Sears Catalog kit mail-order Cape Cod homes, the majority date back to the era of the population boom – 1950s ranch-styles and 1970s bi-levels with attached garages are a common site. Connors describes the entry-level housing stock as ranch-style homes without basements, in the 1,200- to 1,600-foot range, selling for $250,000 to $350,000. On the other end of the scale, custom-designed new-builds with modern farmhouse touches regularly sell for $750,000 to $2 million. On average, a single-family home sells for $529,000 – and they move fast, selling after 17 days on the market versus the national average of 44 days.
The Historic Arlington Neighborhood Association, representing about 600 households, covers an area of the village just north of the central business district, along the blocks between Oakton and St. James Streets. One of the first areas of the town to be settled, it includes mid- to late-1880s properties, like farmhouses and historical homes with architectural elements pulling from Victorian, Gothic Revival and French Provincial styles. Homes here regularly sell for $1 million and above.
Besides HANA, there are dozens more neighborhoods in Arlington Heights. "The park district has really set up the neighborhoods," Connors says. "Every neighborhood has a large park that's easily accessible, so that's kind of how the town is divided up." Scarsdale and other areas with active neighborhood associations help to keep neighbors engaged through activities and events.
Arlington Heights features a variety of home styles including charming Cape Cod homes.
In downtown Arlington Heights, there are condos ranging from $150,000 to $600,000.
Among the home styles in Fairview are new traditional homes with with long driveways.
Modern colonial homes in Arlington heights sit on spacious yards.
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Opportunities for all seasons
The Arlington Park District has nearly 60 parks, including community centers, a cultural arts center, golf clubs and many more sports amenities. Arlington Ridge Center, or ARC, "Is one of the newest park district facilities," Connors says, listing its numerous amenities, from pools to a fitness center, basketball courts and much more. "All the things: you name it, you've got it." ARC has been highly utilized since it opened. "It's a favorite location for everyone in this town, from the youngest to the oldest. It really has something for everyone. Everyone is happy to have this facility."
A half dozen golf courses offer different levels of play and include municipal courses and private clubs. Lake Arlington offers an outdoor experience within the confines of the suburbs, with boat rentals, catch-and-release fishing, a 2-mile walking path with signage and a sensory garden. With sailing lessons and youth camps, it also offers some of the Lake Michigan experiences without the hour-long drive. Arlington Heights deals with cold weather in the winter months – and it’s common to be below freezing throughout January, when snow can blanket the region. Arlington Lanes and Beverly Lanes provide the opportunity to bowl some frames, while LEGOLAND Discovery Center Chicago is nearby for a daytime outing.
Historic Arlington is also home to the Arlington Heights Memorial Library. Nationally recognized by the Library Journal as a 5-star library for seven years straight, it has over 56,000 registered users in a service area of 77,600. It’s a major provider of children’s programs for the area, particularly during the summers.
Westgate residents can go climbing at the First Ascent Arlington Heights gym.
Head to Arlington Ridge Center for a variety of recreational amenities.
Fairview golfers can practice their swing at the Sunset Meadows driving range.
Arlington Heights families can check out reading material at the Memorial Library.
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Arts, attractions and worship
The 329-seat Metropolis Performing Arts Centre presents hundreds of performances yearly, including concerts, comedies, cabarets and a Main Stage subscription series. MPAC's School of the Performing Arts instructs learners of all ages with private lessons, group classes, workshops and camps.
Saturday mornings from May through October, the Arlington Heights Farmers Market is home to local farmers and artisans. It takes place in the parking lot across from the Arlington Heights Historical Museum, which houses over 40,000 artifacts from Arlington Heights’ history.
Churches are a vital part of the Arlington Heights community. These include numerous Catholic, Methodist, Baptist and Presbyterian congregations and non-denominational churches that welcome practitioners from across the religious spectrum.
Metropolis Performing Arts Centre presents hundreds of performances yearly in Arlington Heights.
Arlington Heights residents can attend the First Presbyterian Church.
Kids can play Jenga at Harmony Fest in Arlington Heights Central Business District.
The Arlington Heights Farmers Market features a variety of local vendors.
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High quality schools and a 'Nightmare' at Hersey
Many of the public elementary and middle schools serving the village are within Arlington Heights School District 25, which Niche grades with a B-plus. Also serving parts of Arlington Heights are Community Consolidated School District 15, Community Consolidated School District 59, Prospect Heights School District 23 and the Wheeling School District 21. Each district receives a grade of B-minus or higher.
At the next level, there's Township High School District 214, which includes John Hersey High, notably a filming location for school scenes in the 2010 remake of "Nightmare on Elm Street." There are other District 214 high schools as we and one in Township High School District 211. Both districts are graded A-plus.
Private schools include faith-based options as well as the non-profit Chicago Futabakai Japanese School, which was founded by the Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Chicago. Higher learning institutions within 10 miles of the village include Harper College, Northwest Suburban College and Robert Morris University – Arlington Heights.
Kimball Hill Elementary serves a diverse population of about 600 students in K-6th grade.
Thomas Middle School is a highly rated public school in Arlington Heights.
John Hersey High is a top rated school in Arlington Heights.
Rolling Meadows High School is a top rated public school, ranking #38 on Niche.com.
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Shopping centers and a downtown devoted to local business
Arlington Heights Road runs north and south, splitting the village and connecting the primary shopping and dining areas. At the top end, Northpoint Shopping Mall and Arlington Plaza are home to national retailers and restaurants, along with a Trader Joe’s and a Jewel-Osco for groceries. Near where the road intersects Interstate 90, a mixed commercial and retail area is home to Mitsuwa Marketplace, known for carrying a large range of Japanese products as well as a food court with ready-to-eat offerings.
In between, Downtown Arlington Heights is home to locally owned businesses and boutiques, with over 30 shops featuring specialty goods and services, from a yoga studio to an escape room, pet supplies, a wine shop and a consignment shop. Coffee shops, a juice café, a bubble tea shop and diverse eateries ranging from South Indian to Italian to Thai and all-you-can-eat Korean barbecue fill this walkable area. Tried-and-true hangout spot Rep's Place serves sports bar fare in a family-friendly setting. According to Connors, owner Mike Reppe is "A hyper-local, super-friendly community supporter." Prizes are awarded at every round of Rep's Wednesday Bingo Night.
Residents and visitors can shop at the many boutiques in Arlington Heights.
Enjoy fine Italian dining at Francesca's Tavola in Arlington Heights.
The Eiffel Flower in Arlington Heights offers custom flower arrangements.
Grab a cup of coffee at the popular CoCo & Blu, in downtown Arlington Heights.
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Pace on-demand, two Metra stations
Within the Arlington Heights and Rolling Meadows area, Pace Suburban Bus offers reservation-based on-demand service. Expanded coverage was launched in 2024, providing service to Pace's Northwest Transportation Center in Schaumburg and Randhurst Village Shopping Center in Mount Prospect.
The village has two Metra stations, Arlington Heights and Arlington Park, with trains running on the Union Pacific Northwest line from Chicago's Ogilvie Transportation Center to Harvard or McHenry. For those driving, U.S. Routes 12 and 14, state Route 53 and Interstates 90 and 290 are easily accessible.
It's about a 12-mile drive to O'Hare International Airport – usually a drive of 25 to 40 minutes depending on traffic. The Metra also provides a low-hassle public transport route, as passengers can catch the Pulse Dempster Line from Des Plaines Metra Station.
Crime in Arlington Heights comes in below the statewide numbers
The Arlington Heights police department reported 31 violent crimes per 100,000 people in 2021. In comparison, Illinois had 406.3 violent crimes per 100,000, and the U.S. as a whole reported 395.7 incidents per 100,000. According to the police department's 2022 annual report, a person was 2.7 times less likely to be a victim of any crime in Arlington Heights than in Illinois as a whole.
The police department, accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, is staffed by over 100 officers. The department won three first-place awards in the 2020-2021 Illinois Traffic Safety Challenge. Village residents benefit from the Victim Assistance Program, the Community Service Bureau and Volunteers in Police Service.
Cyrus joined Compass in 2024. He was born and raised in Chicago and the Northwest suburbs, and spent much of his childhood alongside his father rehabbing apartment buildings and single family homes. Cyrus graduated with a Bachelor of Science from Loyola University Chicago and later attained a JD from Loyola’s School of Law with a focus in real estate. Coupled with over 20 years of commercial and residential sales, leasing and management experience alongside 10 years of experience as a loan originator and processor, he brings an “all-bases-covered” approach to his clients to insure the highest quality of representation.
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.
