About 40 miles southwest of Chicago, the village of Plainfield has room to grow on many sides, offering an alternative to nearby Naperville and other well-established suburban communities in the region. "I think Plainfield is one of the best-kept secrets of the south suburbs," says Tanya Marcilionis, owner of H & L Homes, powered by Keller Williams Infinity. "Since it's only an hour from downtown Chicago, most people move here when they are ready to escape the city life but still want to feel close enough to stay connected." The village is at the meeting point of historic Lincoln Highway Route 30 and Route 66. Considered the oldest community in Will County, Plainfield and its historic downtown parallel the DuPage River.
Downtown Plainfield has a variety of boutique shops, bars and restaurants.
As of the latest census, the village of Plainfield has a current population of 44,762.
1/2
Snagging a Plainfield property in a competitive market
The median home price is $417,250 compared to the Naperville median of $575,000. Most homes in Plainfield are owner-occupied, at over 80%. At least half of the village's property mix comprises single-family homes compared to a relatively low supply of townhouses and condos. The downtown area holds the oldest housing stock, but homes outside of it are larger and newer. Many newcomers live in recently built subdivisions with freshly planted statement trees. The market remains competitive, with homes bought after 22 days on the market, compared to the national average of 44. "We are still experiencing a huge inventory shortage, which means homes in some of the most popular subdivisions will not only go quickly, they will most likely receive multiple offers, and prices will exceed asking,” Marcilionis says. The area is also comparatively safe; 7.3 crimes occurred per every 1,000 residents in Plainfield in 2023, according to Plainfield Police Department data.
Many new Farmhouse-style homes can be found throughout West Plainfield.
Many updated modern traditional homes can be found throughout West Plainfield.
1/2
Settlers' Park and a heron rookery
The Riverfront Master Plan, adopted in 2021, will be implemented over 10 years, with development goals including more recreation space, scenic overlooks, public parking and a paddle-craft launch. "The park districts are supportive in providing a lot for residents," Marcilionis says. "There's a full calendar of community events." Settlers' Park has over 20 acres of recreation space within the historic downtown. StoryWalk, facilitated by the Plainfield Public Library, promotes children's books and exercise on the park's walking trails. The park is also the site of the village's summer concert and movie series at its amphitheater. The 839-acre Lake Renwick Preserve protects associated wetlands and has several trails for hiking, biking, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, as well as Lake Renwick Heron Rookery, where herons come to breed each year. The C.W. Avery Family YMCA features an indoor waterpark, playroom and activity center and is home base for youth enrichment programs, swim lessons, personal training and activities for older adults.
Enjoy the serene surroundings at Settler's Park.
The YMCA in Grande Park Plainfield offers a variety of fitness classes and amenities .
1/2
Zoned for PCCCSD 202 schools
Plainfield Community Consolidated School District 202 gets an A-minus rating from Niche and is the site's pick for the second best school district in Will County. Many families are within walking distance of their zoned elementary school, and buses provide transportation throughout the district. Four high schools serve each corner of the community: Plainfield Central, Plainfield East, Plainfield North and Plainfield South. The district partners with local institutions like Joliet Junior College and University to provide dual credit opportunities, and with the Wilco Area Career Center in Romeoville for specialized programs aimed towards trades and specific career pathways. The school district is also a major employer in Plainfield for over 3,700 Will County residents.
The athletics at Plainfield North High School are some of the best in the area.
Plainfield Central High Schc, athletic and fine arts activities.
1/2
Shopping and dining in downtown Plainfield or Naperville
Downtown Plainfield is notable for its pedestrian-friendly layout with wide sidewalks, restored historical buildings and space for outdoor dining. Cuisine runs the gamut from Station One Smokehouse and Cajun at Moe Joe's to Asian fusion at MORA and Italian at Capril Sogno. Specialty shops and businesses include a florist, game store, escape room, record store and dive shop for scuba gear. Breweries and Sable Creek Winery are also located here, as well as grocery options like Tony's Fresh Market, Tischler's Market, Jewel-Osco and ALDI. More shopping takes place to the north along Route 59 and farther into the larger neighboring city. “Plainfield is like a mini Naperville, and they share lots of amenities,” says Karen Spangler, agent with Coldwell Banker Commercial who often sells homes in Plainfield.
Moe Joe’s in downtown Plainfield is a New Orleans-themed restaurant.
Tischler’s Market in Plainfield is a family-owned and operated meat market and deli.
1/2
Cruise Nights and the homecoming parade
Rather than host a single car show, as many communities do, Plainfield is the setting for a season-long series of downtown Cruise Nights, with each evening dedicated to different themes or car makers. Other events held downtown include the Irish Parade, the Can't Catch Me Fun Run, the Spooktacular, and Frida Destination.
Come check out some very impressive engines at Cruise Nights in Downtown Plainfield.
Your kids will love dancing at Frida Destination in East Plainfield.
1/2
I-55 and Pace express routes
It's a 40-mile drive from Plainfield to downtown Chicago on Interstate 55. Depending on where in the village they live, commuters may be closer to the Metra connections at the Route 59 station in Aurora or Romeoville Station. The Plainfield Park-n-Ride provides a Pace Suburban Bus weekly rush hour service; Route 755, Plainfield – IMD – West Loop Express runs to Union Station, while Route 855, Plainfield – East Loop Express hits Burr Ridge and portions of the Loop, Streeterville and River North in Chicago. For longer-distance travel, it's about 30 miles to Midway International Airport and about 40 to O'Hare International Airport.
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.
