Arlington Heights

Arlington Heights, Illinois: A Complete Guide to History, Attractions, Living, and Things to Do

Introduction

Arlington Heights is a thriving suburban community in Cook County, Illinois, located northwest of downtown Chicago. Known for its attractive residential neighbourhoods, lively downtown, extensive park system, strong community services, and convenient commuter rail connections, it is one of the most established communities in the Chicago metropolitan area.

With a population of approximately 76,000 residents according to the US Census Bureau’s 2025 estimate, Arlington Heights combines the convenience of suburban living with access to the cultural, commercial, and employment opportunities of a major American city. Its downtown district offers restaurants, cafés, shops, entertainment venues, and pedestrian-friendly streets, while its residential areas feature a mixture of historic houses, mid-century homes, modern developments, and apartment communities.

The village also has an interesting history. Originally known as Dunton, it developed around a railroad connection that linked the settlement with Chicago. Over time, it grew from a small farming community into a major suburban centre. Its incorporation in 1887 and the rapid expansion that followed World War II helped shape the community that exists today.

Arlington Heights is also recognised for its recreational opportunities. The Arlington Heights Park District manages dozens of parks and a broad range of facilities, including playgrounds, sports fields, swimming pools, golf facilities, and the Lake Arlington recreation area.

Whether you are planning a visit, considering a move, researching the Chicago suburbs, or looking for a place with a balance of residential comfort and urban accessibility, Arlington Heights offers plenty to explore.

This comprehensive guide explains what makes Arlington Heights distinctive, from its historical landmarks and popular attractions to its schools, housing, economy, transportation, and quality of life.

Where Is Arlington Heights, Illinois?

Arlington Heights is located in northeastern Illinois, in Cook County, approximately 25 to 27 miles northwest of downtown Chicago. It forms part of the Chicago metropolitan area and is surrounded by several other suburban communities.

The village is positioned in the northwest suburban corridor, with convenient access to major regional roads, commuter rail services, shopping districts, and employment centres.

Its location makes it attractive to people who want to live outside central Chicago while remaining connected to the city.

Nearby Cities and Communities

Arlington Heights is surrounded by several established suburbs, each offering its own residential and commercial environment.

Some nearby communities include:

Palatine: A neighbouring suburb west and northwest of Arlington Heights, with residential neighbourhoods, shopping areas, and commuter rail access.
Mount Prospect: Located to the east, this community offers residential areas, parks, shopping, and transportation connections.
Rolling Meadows: Situated to the west, Rolling Meadows includes residential districts and commercial employment areas.
Wheeling: Located to the north, Wheeling has a mixture of residential neighbourhoods, restaurants, and industrial and business districts.
Buffalo Grove: A suburban community north of Arlington Heights, known for its residential areas and family-oriented amenities.
Elk Grove Village: Located to the south, Elk Grove Village is an important commercial and industrial centre.
Prospect Heights: A nearby community with residential neighbourhoods and access to regional roads.

These neighbouring communities contribute to the wider suburban environment and provide additional shopping, dining, recreation, and employment options.

Distance from Chicago

Arlington Heights is approximately 25 to 27 miles from downtown Chicago, depending on the starting point and route.

Driving time varies with traffic, especially during weekday rush hours. Commuters can also use the Metra Union Pacific Northwest Line to travel between Arlington Heights and Chicago’s Ogilvie Transportation Center.

This rail connection is one of the community’s most important advantages. It allows residents to reach central Chicago without relying entirely on a private vehicle.

Geographic Setting

Arlington Heights covers approximately 16.6 square miles of land. Its landscape is typical of the developed suburbs surrounding Chicago, with residential streets, commercial corridors, parks, schools, recreational facilities, and landscaped public spaces.

The community is not located directly beside Lake Michigan, but it has several attractive local water features and recreational landscapes, including Lake Arlington.

Its relatively flat terrain makes walking, cycling, and suburban road travel practical in many parts of the village.

Population and Demographics

Arlington Heights is one of the larger suburban municipalities in Illinois. According to the US Census Bureau, the village had a population of 77,676 in the 2020 Census. Its population estimate for July 2025 was 76,216.

The community has a mixture of long-term residents, families, young professionals, retirees, and people who have moved to the area from other parts of the United States and other countries.

Population Characteristics

Arlington Heights has a relatively diverse population for a suburban community in the Chicago region. Its residents represent a range of cultural, ethnic, and linguistic backgrounds.

The 2020–2024 Census estimates indicate that approximately 21.5% of residents were born outside the United States. Languages other than English are spoken at home in a substantial share of households.

This diversity is reflected in the community’s restaurants, shops, religious institutions, cultural organisations, and local events.

Age and Household Structure

The village includes households at different stages of life. Families with children benefit from local schools, parks, sports programmes, and community facilities. Older adults have access to senior services, recreational programmes, and healthcare providers in the wider suburban area.

The 2020–2024 Census estimates indicate that around 22.6% of the population is under 18, while approximately 20% is aged 65 or older.

This mixture of age groups contributes to a community with both family-oriented amenities and services for older residents.

Income and Education

Arlington Heights has relatively strong household income and educational attainment compared with many US communities.

For the 2020–2024 period, the Census Bureau reported a median household income of approximately $116,723, expressed in 2024 dollars. Around 60.4% of residents aged 25 and older held a bachelor’s degree or higher.

These figures provide useful context for understanding the village’s economic and educational profile, although individual household circumstances vary considerably.

A Community with a Suburban Identity

Despite its size, Arlington Heights maintains a strong suburban identity. Residential neighbourhoods, local schools, parks, community organisations, and the downtown district all contribute to a sense of place.

The village is large enough to offer a wide range of services and amenities, yet many areas retain a neighbourhood atmosphere.

The History of Arlington Heights

The history of Arlington Heights is closely connected with the settlement of the American Midwest, the expansion of rail transportation, agricultural development, and the growth of the Chicago metropolitan area.

Before the arrival of European-American settlers, the wider region was part of the homeland and traditional territory of Indigenous peoples. The expansion of American settlement during the nineteenth century transformed the area’s land use and population.

The community that became Arlington Heights developed gradually from a small agricultural settlement into an incorporated village and eventually a major Chicago suburb.

Early Settlement in the 1830s and 1840s

Permanent non-Indigenous settlement in the area increased during the 1830s and 1840s.

Asa Dunton filed land claims in 1837, and members of the Dunton family moved to the area during the following years. Farming was an important part of the early economy, and the settlement consisted of scattered homes and agricultural properties.

The prairie landscape was suitable for farming, and the growing population of the wider Chicago region created opportunities for agricultural production and trade.

From Bradley to Dunton

In 1854, William Dunton gave the developing settlement the name Bradley. The following year, the name changed to Dunton.

At this stage, the community remained small, and its future depended heavily on transportation and access to markets.

The arrival of the railroad was one of the most important events in the village’s early history.

The Railroad and the Growth of the Settlement

Rail transportation transformed the development of many communities around Chicago, and Arlington Heights was no exception.

William Dunton helped persuade railroad builders to route the railway through the settlement by providing land for the railroad right-of-way. The connection improved access to Chicago and made it easier for local farmers and businesses to transport goods.

The railway also encouraged new residents to settle in the area. People could live in a smaller community while travelling to Chicago for business, employment, or other activities.

The railroad became the foundation of the village’s later suburban development.

The Name Arlington Heights

In 1874, the settlement adopted the name Arlington Heights.

The new name helped establish a distinct identity as the community continued to grow around the railway.

The downtown area developed near the station, with shops, businesses, public buildings, and residential properties gradually forming a recognisable village centre.

Incorporation in 1887

Arlington Heights was incorporated as a village in 1887.

Incorporation gave the community a formal local government and provided a structure for public services, infrastructure, and future development.

During the late nineteenth century, the village continued to expand as transportation improved and more people moved into the area.

Early Twentieth-Century Development

During the early twentieth century, Arlington Heights developed beyond its original farming and railroad foundations.

Residential subdivisions, educational institutions, churches, businesses, and public services contributed to a more established community.

The downtown district remained an important centre of local activity. The railroad station continued to connect residents with Chicago and other suburban communities.

The Creation of the Arlington Heights Park District

The Arlington Heights Park District was established in 1925.

The creation of an organised park district reflected the growing importance of public recreation and open space as the village developed.

Over subsequent decades, the district acquired land and developed playgrounds, athletic facilities, swimming pools, community centres, and other recreational amenities.

Today, the park system is one of the defining features of Arlington Heights.

Post-World War II Population Growth

Arlington Heights experienced major population growth after World War II.

The expansion of suburban housing, increased automobile ownership, improved roads, and the growth of the Chicago metropolitan economy attracted new residents.

Many families moved from Chicago and other urban areas to suburban communities where they could find larger homes, yards, schools, and neighbourhood environments.

The village expanded rapidly during the 1950s and 1960s. Its population increased from 8,768 in 1950 to 65,058 in 1970, according to historical figures published by the Park District.

This period fundamentally changed the scale and character of Arlington Heights.

Downtown Redevelopment

As the village matured, its downtown district underwent several stages of redevelopment.

The goal was to create a more attractive and accessible centre with shops, restaurants, housing, public spaces, and convenient connections to commuter rail.

Modern residential buildings near the station helped support a more pedestrian-oriented downtown environment.

The redevelopment of the central district has strengthened its role as a gathering place for residents and visitors.