Last Updated on: 26th February 2025, 06:42 am
Is Elmhurst IL a good place to live? Absolutely! According to Wikipedia, the Potawatomi people first inhabited the area of Elmhurst. European-American immigrants began arriving in 1836, and the state government incorporated Elmhurst as a village in 1882. Elmhurst gets its name from the elm trees in the area. People began living in Elmhurst IL and moving to Elmhurst IL in mass numbers in the late 1800s.
Elmhurst became a city in 1910. It steadily developed and urbanized throughout the 20th century, and it’s now a vibrant suburb of Chicago. Elmhurst is known for the many large corporations that have their headquarters within the city. This list includes the Sunshine Biscuits, which is owned by the Keebler Company, and the McMaster-Carr Supply Co, a major supplier of tools and construction hardware.
The popular cookies made by Famous Amos are also distributed from Elmhurst. Elmhurst’s mottos are “Close to Everything, Unlike Anything” and “Ideal for your business, your family, your life.”
Living in Elmhurst IL may seem right up your alley. However, before you start moving to Elmhurst, you should learn about this special community. Here’s what to know about living in Elmhurst.
Table of Contents
Is Elmhurst IL a Good Place to Live?
Yes, Elmhurst, Illinois is a highly regarded place to live for several reasons. It’s known for its safety, consistently ranking among the safest suburbs in the U.S. The city offers affordability with a cost of living that is reasonable for the area, plus higher-than-average incomes. Residents enjoy excellent education and healthcare options.
Elmhurst is also home to beautiful parks and outdoor spaces, such as the Morton Arboretum and Wilder Park. For those working in Chicago, the city’s proximity makes commuting easy. The community is friendly, with neighborhoods like Elmhurst Parkside and Stratford Hills offering a welcoming atmosphere.
Is Elmhurst a City?
Yes, Elmhurst is a city that the state government of Illinois has incorporated.
What Happened in Elmhurst, IL Today?
You can find out what happened in Elmhurst, IL today by visiting Patch.com, ABC7 Chicago, and other local news websites.
Where Is Elmhurst Illinois?
Located about 18 miles west of downtown Chicago, Elmhurst is adjacent to other cities near Chicago like Lombard, Oak Brook, Berkeley, and Bensenville. Elmhurst is located along the eastern border of DuPage County, with a small portion of the city in Cook County as well. Salt Creek is the most notable geographic feature in Elmhurst, running through the southwestern corner at Elmhurst. Elmhurst movers can help you move from cities neighboring Elmhurst into Elmhurst.
Transportation in Elmhurst offers numerous ways to get around town, including rideshare services like Uber and Lyft. You can also use Bus Route 332 from Pace Suburban Bus and take Metra trains from the Elmhurst Metra station. The city has easy access to the I-290, I-294, and I-88. Elmhurst is also only about 10 miles south of O’Hare International Airport. A Elmhurst moving company can help you with moving from Chicago suburbs or Chicago itself into Elmhurst.
What County Is Elmhurst IL In?
Most of Elmhurst is in DuPage County. However, a small portion of the city is in Cook County.
How Far Is Elmhurst From Chicago?
It is 18.0 miles from Chicago to Elmhurst.
Elmhurst Population and Demographics
According to the US Census, the Elmhurst population in 2023 was 45,336, up by 2.8% since 2010. Elmhurst’s population has stayed relatively consistent since 1970, hovering around 45,000 people living in Elmhurst IL. The Elmhurst population density is 4,480.9 people living in Elmhurst IL per square mile, nearly twice the DuPage County density.
A handful of famous people have called Elmhurst home over the years. This includes former NBA all-star and coach Jeff Hornacek, Carl Sandburg, and Mike Magee. Notable Elmhurst IL demographics include:
- 50.7% female, 49.3% male
- Median age of residents living in Elmhurst IL: 41.6
- Racial and ethnic composition: 80.0% White (77.6% non-Hispanic), 10.1% Hispanic or Latino, 9.5% two or more races, 6.7% Asian, 1.8% Black or African American, 0.2% American Indian and Alaska Native
- Median household income: $145,374 (roughly 1.75 times higher than the state median)
- Educational attainment: 96.5% of residents older than 25 have graduated high school, 63.0% have a bachelor’s degree
- Foreign-born population: 10.3%
Is Elmhurst IL a good place to live for families? Yes! 24.7% of residents living in Elmhurst IL are under the age of 18, meaning Elmhurst is a kid-friendly place to live. Is Elmhurst IL a good place to live for veterans as well? Yes! 4.3% of residents living in Elmhurst have veteran status, with over 550 Vietnam War veterans living in Elmhurst IL.
Is Elmhurst IL a good place to live for low crime rates, and is Elmhurst IL safe? Yes, Elmhurst has very low crime rates! Here are its latest crime rates:
- Overall Elmhurst crime rate: 851 offenses per 100,000 people living in Elmhurst IL (82.6% lower than the Chicago crime rate, 56.8% lower than the Illinois crime rate, 63.4% lower than the national average)
- Violent Elmhurst crime rate: 124 crimes per 100,000 residents living in Elmhurst IL (56.8% lower than the Illinois crime rate, 66.5% lower than the national rate)
- Property Elmhurst crime rate: 727 offenses per 100,000 people living in Elmhurst IL (56.8% lower than the state crime rate, 62.8% lower than the national rate)
The Elmhurst Police Department employs 14 police officers who respond to all emergencies in Elmhurst.
Is Elmhurst IL Safe?
Yes, Elmhurst IL is a safe place to live, with crime rates that are nearly one-third of the national average.
Cost of Living in Elmhurst, IL
The cost of living in Elmhurst is on the more expensive side compared to other parts of the state. The Elmhurst cost of living index can be hard to find, so you can use the Chicago cost of living index and make a rough estimate. The Chicago cost of living index is 113.4, meaning items in the area cost 13.4% more than the national average.
According to the Economic Policy Institute, a family of four living in the Chicago area needs to earn $108,865 a year. So is Elmhurst IL a good place to live for the cost of living? Yes! Young professionals can rent a home or apartment and save money while attending Elmhurst College. Families with young children can save money by sending their kids to public school and shopping at affordable stores.
80% of people residing in Elmhurst are homeowners that possess their living space. The average price of a home in Elmhurst has recently reached $480,000, which is an increase since last year. Local homes for sale in Elmhurst, IL usually sell for 1.3% under their listing price and range in square footage and cost based on their location.
Expecting to be one of the other 20% who lease their property after moving to Elmhurst IL? The average price of rent in Elmhurst is about $2,191 per month.
Typical Elmhurst* Living Expenses
- 1 pound of local cheese: $6.66
- 1 pound of apples: $2.36
- 1 pound of tomatoes: $2.08
- 1 gallon of gasoline: $4.09
- Average Elmhurst* utilities per month: $171.18
- 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes: $147.50
Source: Numbeo
*Typical living expenses for Chicago
Elmhurst Neighborhoods | Where to Live In Elmhurst
Elmhurst does not have any formal neighborhoods. Is Elmhurst IL a good place to live for prospective homebuyers? Yes! According to Redfin, the Elmhurst real estate market is very diverse, with a wide range of properties and real estate prices. Most properties for sale in Elmhurst are single-family Elmhurst homes for sale, but you can buy condos and townhomes.
There’s no one architectural style or blueprint that’s popular in IL Elmhurst. You can buy a four-bedroom Cape Cod style home covering 1,600 square feet for $400,000. You can also buy a newly constructed five-bedroom home covering 6,500 square feet for $2.6 million, with modern amenities like glass-metal walls.
There are only a few Elmhurst apartments and homes for rent available. Elmhurst 255 is the most notable Elmhurst apartment building, offering one-to-three-bedroom apartments starting at $2,124 a month. Elmhurst 255 offers over 30 different floor plans with amenities like gourmet and fully stocked kitchens and extra storage space. Elmhurst 255 is in a convenient location within walking distance at the Elmhurst Art Museum and the Elmhurst History Museum.
Elmhurst Weather
Is Elmhurst IL a good place to live for the weather? Yes! Being so close to Chicago, you can expect Elmhurst weather to be similar to the Chicago climate. According to WeatherSpark, summer temperatures vary between the mid-60s and mid-80s. Winter weather in Elmhurst brings bone-chilling temps between 19 and 36 degrees. The community receives 30.2 inches of rain and 14.4 inches of snow on average every year.
You can experience high humidity while living in Elmhurst IL. July and August have at least 10 muggy and oppressive days. Elmhurst can experience tornadoes and severe weather on an infrequent basis. Tornado sirens can alert you to storms in the area and encourage you to move inside.
August is the best month to visit Elmhurst. The community has an average temperature of 73 degrees with an average high of 81, meaning you can stay comfortable in a light and short-sleeved shirt. You can visit the Elmhurst Art Museum, Wilder Park, and other attractions in and around the downtown area.
Things to Do in Elmhurst IL
Exciting things abound in Elmhurst with its wide variety of fun places to visit and nearby amenities. Convenient shopping can be found all over the city for residents living in Elmhurst with great places like Elmhurst City Centre, Jewel-Osco, Mariano’s, York Center Plaza, Whole Foods, 7-Eleven Elmhurst Crossing, and many more.
Wilder Park
One of the best things to do in Elmhurst is visit Wilder Park. The park has beautiful gardens, a children’s playground, soccer fields, tennis courts, a veterans memorial, and more. The city frequently hosts seasonal events and activities at the park, including the Wilder Park Festival, making it a popular spot in town.
175 South Prospect Ave, Elmhurst, IL, 60126, 630-993-8900
Elmhurst Art Museum
For an indoor amenity worth a stop, head over to the Elmhurst Art Museum. This enjoyable place to visit features fun events, rotating exhibits, and creativity classes for kids as well as adults. You can enjoy any of these functions or simply wander through the museum to view its impressive architecture and interesting history.
150 South Cottage Hill Ave, Elmhurst, IL, 60126, 630-834-0202
Berens Park
Berens Park is one of the most popular local parks and outdoor attractions. The park contains several fields, a running trail, a sledding trail, and other amenities, making it a top destination for outdoor attractions.
493 North Oaklawn Avenue, Elmhurst, IL, 60126, 630-993-8900
Additional Things to Do in Elmhurst IL
Elmhurst offers some of the best things to do in Illinois for kids. The Elmhurst Park District monitors all parks in the city and plans special events throughout the year. You can use the Elmhurst Park District calendar to find out when these events will occur.
Elmhurst Restaurants
You’re surely going to want information about the most popular places to eat around town after moving to Elmhurst. Here are some of the best restaurants in Elmhurst.
Egg Harbor Cafe
One of the top spots on the list in the Egg Harbor Cafe, serving traditional breakfast plates that range from eggs benedict and pancakes to french toast and a wide variety of skillets. Whether you simply want a coffee or a plate of bacon and eggs, this top-rated Elmhurst restaurant is one location you’ll want to keep in mind.
140 Robert T Palmer Dr, Elmhurst, IL 60126 (630) 758-1010
Mack’s Golden Pheasant Restaurant
Another amazing place to eat in Elmhurst is Mack’s Golden Pheasant Restaurant, which is the oldest continuously owned restaurant in DuPage County. This wonderful eatery’s menu is filled with house specialties that include roast duck, pork tenderloin, prime rib, chicken oscar, and many other great dishes.
668 West North Ave, Elmhurst, IL 60126 (630) 279-8544
Rainbow Cafe
Rainbow Cafe is a family-friendly and family-owned diner that offers unique Greek dishes as well as American classics. You can enjoy a wide range of breakfast, lunch, and dinner dishes, including souvlaki and gyro sandwiches.
254 North York Street, Elmhurst, IL, 60126, 630-433-2490
Elmhurst Jobs
Is Elmhurst IL a good place to live for jobs? According to the US Census, the per capita income in Elmhurst is $75,456. According to Payscale, the average base salary in Elmhurst is $71,000, with an average hourly rate of $22.90.
Many Elmhurst jobs by locals include careers as management, sales reps, administrative supporters, finance professionals, and educators at city schools. The most common industries found in Elmhurst are technical services, healthcare, education, insurance, retail, wholesale, and construction.
A handful of the largest employers providing jobs in Elmhurst are:
- Edward-Elmhurst Healthcare
- McMaster-Carr Supply Company
- Elmhurst University
- Duchossois Enterprises Group
- Altorfer Power Systems (Caterpillar dealer)
You can use Indeed to find jobs in Elmhurst Il, and you can apply for City of Elmhurst jobs on the city government’s website.
Great Elmhurst Schools
Is Elmhurst IL a good place to live for schools? With its own Elmhurst School District 205, the city of Elmhurst has a reputable education system for young children. There are about 8,400 kids between the ages of 5 and 17 years old residing in Elmhurst, making up more than 20% of the local population. US News ranks many Elmhurst schools highly, including Hawthorne Elementary School and Lincoln Elementary School. It ranks both elementary schools in the top 100 elementary schools in Illinois.
Newly graduated students who want to remain close to home after high school can attend Elmhurst University. US News ranks Elmhurst University in the top 10 regional universities in the Midwest and the top 20 best value schools in the Midwest. You can hire Chicago school and university movers to help you relocate to Elmhurst University. Top private schools in the community include Timothy Christian Schools and IC Catholic Prep.
Elmhurst Statistics
- County: DuPage and Cook
- Elmhurst area: 10.28 square miles
- Elmhurst zip code: 60126, 60127
- Elmhurst area code: 630 and 331
- Elmhurst elevation: 686 feet
- Elmhurst time zone: Central Time Zone (UTC -5 and -6)
- Closest airport to Elmhurst: Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD), 9.9 miles from Elmhurst
Elmhurst Map
You can use this map of Elmhurst to find the best restaurants, things to do, and amenities in town!
Start Living in Elmhurst IL
So is Elmhurst IL a good place to live? Yes, it’s a wonderful place to live for young professionals, families, and retirees alike! Moving to Elmhurst isn’t tricky. Federal Companies provides the best team of Elmhurst movers, with years of experience in the moving industry. Call 800-747-4100 for a free estimate now.
