From a 200-acre plot of land to a bustling north Chicago suburb
Vernon Hills, about 40 miles north of Chicago, was officially established in 1958 when homes were built on a 200-acre farm. The village annexed additional parcels through over the next few decades, expanding its population to 27,000 people today. In addition to its residential development, the area includes a large retail sector, a forest preserve and multiple parks to make it seem miles away from the big city. “I love Vernon Hills because there’s something for everybody. We have first-time homebuyers and empty nesters,” says Ronna Streiff, broker associate with Baird and Warner. Add to that a stellar school system that feeds into one of the best high schools in Illinois.
Residents of Vernon Hills have access to many fantastic amenities like Deerpath Park.
Hawthorn Mall is the major retail hub in the Vernons Hills area.
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Century Park Arboretum in the middle of the village
The village’s largest park surrounds the centrally located New Century Town subdivision.The Century Park Arboretum encompasses 113 acres, of which almost half is water. There are two lakes, nearly 3 miles of walking and bike paths, multiple playgrounds and a sledding hill. The park is where an evening concert and fireworks happen as part of the village’s July 4th celebration. It’s also where the four-day festival, Vernon Hills Days, occurs in mid-July with live music, food and carnival rides. Half Day Forest Preserve goes up against the Des Plaines River. The Des Plaines River Trail is one of the pathways in the park used by runners, walkers and cross-country skiers. With multiple athletic fields, the Vernon Hills Athletic Complex is bustling on warm weather weekends with baseball games and soccer matches.
Century Park Arboretum is located in the heart of the Vernon Hills neighborhood.
Race your friends down the Des Plaines River on a Canoe or Kayak near Vernon Hills.
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Hawthorn Mall
The Hawthorn Mall opened in 1973 as an indoor shopping mecca. Recently, developers gave it a second life as it’s been transformed into a mixed-use development with housing and outdoor storefronts. The mall is at the intersection of Milwaukee Avenue and Townline Road and is close to other small shopping centers. “Mellody Farms is a smaller version of Hawthorn Mall, and it’s just across the street,” Streiff adds. Whole Foods Market and Jewel are close for grocery needs along Milwaukee Avenue.
Mellody Farms features a variety of retail and residential options in Vernon Hills.
Developers in Vernon Hills are giving Hawthorn Mall mixed use developments.
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Highly rated schools in Vernon Hills
Six elementary and two middle schools are part of the Hawthorn School District 73, rated an A on Niche. These schools feed into Vernon Hills High School, rated an A-plus with a 13-to-1 student-teacher ratio. The school is rated the 15th-best high school in Illinois out of more than 700. Children living on the village’s south side go to schools in nearby Lincolnshire, which feed into Adlai E. Stevenson High School, rated the 6th best high school in Illinois and 47th best in the country out of more than 20,000 schools.
Hawthorn Aspen Elementary School is a public school option for residents of Vernon Hills.
Hawthorn Middle School welcomes students from all over the Indian Hills area.
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Lower housing cost than neighboring Libertyville
The median single-family house price is $430,000 in Vernon Hills, which is slightly higher than the national median value but less than in the neighboring suburb to the north, Libertyville, where the median price is $565,000. “Libertyville is more expensive because they have a downtown area. Vernon Hills doesn’t,” Streiff says. Some older homes toward the village’s south side are under $400,000, while homes in the millions near the White Deer Run Golf Course are in the Gregg's Landing subdivision. Condos are primarily in the village's northern and western parts, and monthly fees range from $300 to $400. Townhouses are scattered all over, with monthly payments of up to $400.
Vernon Hills has home styles including modern traditional.
Vernon Hills has a variety of home styles such as colonial revival.
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Pace and Metra
Interstate 94 is about 3 miles east of the village. Downtown Chicago is about 40 miles away. Chicago O’Hare International Airport is about 25 miles south. Pace buses provide public transportation, with stops on Milwaukee Avenue, including the Hawthorn Mall. The Vernon Hills Metra is on the North Central Service line, and it’s an hour-long ride to Union Station.
Important to know
According to the FBI, violent and property crimes have stayed below the national and state averages over the past five years, with the latest numbers compiled in 2023. The closest hospital is Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville.
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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.
