Introduction
Naperville, Illinois is located 28 miles west of Chicago in DuPage and Will counties. With a population of over 148,000 as of 2019, it is the fourth largest city in Illinois. Naperville boasts a thriving economy, excellent schools, low crime rates, and a vibrant downtown area.
Naperville experienced rapid growth in the 1960s and 1970s as Chicago’s suburbs expanded. The population grew from 12,933 in 1960 to 85,351 in 1980. Growth slowed in the 1980s but rose again in the 1990s and 2000s.
As of the 2010 census, Naperville had 141,853 residents. It is now estimated at over 148,000 as of 2019. Naperville has a highly educated population, with over 70% of adults holding at least a bachelor’s degree.
The racial makeup of Naperville is:
- White – 78.3%
- Asian – 11.6%
- Hispanic or Latino – 6.9%
- Black or African American – 5.4%
- Two or more races – 3.2%
30.7% of Naperville households have children under 18 years old. The median household income is $120,336, significantly higher than the national average.
Economy and Major Employers
Naperville has a strong, diversified economy based on high technology, manufacturing, finance, and retail. It has over 22,000 businesses providing more than 150,000 jobs.
Some of the largest employers in Naperville include:
- Nicor (natural gas) – 4,500 employees
- Alight Solutions (human resources/payroll) – 2,024 employees
- RR Donnelley (printing) – 1,652 employees
- Freedom Oil (fuel distribution) – 1,300 employees
- Naperville City Government – 1,227 employees
Naperville’s unemployment rate is typically lower than the national average due to the strength of its local economy. The city has a well-educated workforce that supports high tech industries.
Attractions and Things to Do
Naperville has an attractive downtown area along the Riverwalk on the DuPage River. Some popular attractions include:
- Naper Settlement – an outdoor history museum depicting 19th century pioneer life.
- Centennial Beach – a popular summer swimming and recreation complex.
- Naperville Riverwalk – a 1.75 mile path along the DuPage River with fountains, bridges, and seating areas.
- Community Players Theatre – Naperville’s very own community theater group founded in 1976.
- Downtown Naperville – with over 150 shops, restaurants, and service businesses.
The Naperville Park District manages over 2,500 acres of parkland, including 145 parks and recreation facilities. Popular spots include Centennial Beach, Centennial Park, Commissioners Park, Naperbrook Golf Course, Springbrook Golf Course, and more.
Sports
Naperville is home to several national championship youth sports teams including:
- Naperville Youth Soccer club – with over 4,000 players, one of the largest soccer clubs in America.
- Naperville Little League – won the Little League World Series championship in 2013.
- Naperville Diamonds baseball – finished 3rd at the Under Armour High School Baseball World Series Championship.
- Naperville Roughriders youth football – finished 2nd at the United Youth Football National Championships.
- Naperville Big Dogs youth hockey – finished #1 in the state of Illinois.
At the high school level, Naperville is home to several nationally ranked teams including the Naperville Central Redhawks football team. Adult rec leagues are also popular in sports like softball, basketball, and hockey.
Conclusion
With its close proximity to Chicago, thriving economy, highly rated schools, diversity, and abundance of parks and amenities, it’s no wonder Naperville remains one of the most desirable communities in the Midwest. The family-friendly atmosphere, community spirit, job opportunities, and vibrant downtown make Naperville an excellent place to live, work, and play.