Are you relocating to the Chicagoland area? One of the best Chicago suburbs is St. Charles, IL, just 35 miles west of downtown Chicago in Kane and DuPage counties on the Fox River. St. Charles is known for its award-winning parks, top-rated schools, and family-friendly attractions. Voted one of the best places to live for families and one of the Best Places to Live by Chicago Magazine, Saint Charles has something for everyone! Its downtown area has even been called one of the top 10 in Chicagoland by the Chicago Tribune thanks to its fun nightlife, fine dining, unique shops, and recreation.
Settled in 1834 by families from Indiana, the area was first called Charleston but, because the name was taken by another Illinois city, it was renamed Saint Charles. The St. Charles nickname is St. Chuck, but locals usually abbreviate the city as STC. Today, it’s a thriving and affluent suburb offering residents a great quality of life.
Is moving to St. Charles, IL the right move for you? Find out with a look at everything there is to love about living in St. Charles!
Table of Contents
St. Charles, IL Population & Demographics
The population of St. Charles is 33,081 according to the 2020 census, up very slightly from 32,974 in 2010. St. Charles, Geneva, and Batavia are part of the tri-city area with all three western Chicago suburbs having similar populations and socioeconomic conditions. The tri-cities have a combined population of 80,000.
St. Charles is a wealthy suburb of Chicago with a median household income of $98,393, about 1.5 times the Illinois median. The population is fairly homogenous with a racial and ethnic composition that is 83% white, 10% Hispanic, 3% Asian, 2% Black or African American, and 2% two or more races.
Famous people who have lived in the city include actress and activist Jenny McCarthy and entertainer Donnie Wahlberg.
Additional St. Charles demographics:
- Median age: 42.8
- Sex: 51% female to 49% male
- Per capita income: $50,124 (Chicago metro: $38,157)
- Educational attainment: 95% high school grad or higher; 49% bachelor’s degree or higher
- Foreign-born population: 9%
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Is St. Charles, IL a safe place to live? Definitely! The St. Charles, IL crime rate is just 758 crimes per 100,000 people with a murder rate of 0 homicides per 100,000. That’s 68% less crime than the national average. These crime statistics confirm that St. Charles is a very safe place to live. While living in St. Charles, you will be served by the St. Charles Police Department.
What Is the Cost of Living in St. Charles, IL?
How much does it cost to live in St. Charles? A bit more than the national average thanks to high home prices. Otherwise, the city is an affordable place to live in the Chicago metro area.
The St. Charles, IL cost of living index is 106 or 6% higher than the national average. Illinois, by comparison, is 6% more affordable than the U.S. average. Utilities and groceries are very close to average while health care and transportation are about 5% more affordable.
Housing makes the biggest impact on your budget and the higher cost of living. The median home price is $375,000, above average for the U.S., with home selling in a median of just 7 days! You’ll find homes priced in the low $200s to more than $1 million depending on the neighborhood. You can see St. Charles, IL homes for sale here to explore home prices by neighborhood.
Are you planning to rent after moving to St. Charles? Average rent is $1,400 depending on the neighborhood. If you plan to rent a home, you can expect to pay more than $2,000.
St. Charles Neighborhoods – Where to Live in St. Charles, IL
Before moving to St. Charles, Illinois, you’ll want to explore the city’s top neighborhoods and subdivisions to narrow down your options. Here are a few of the best neighborhoods in St. Charles to consider!
Persimmon Woods – Affluent Neighborhood Adjacent to the Country Club and Nature Preserve
Persimmon Woods is one of the most desirable neighborhoods in St. Charles. Located next to the Persimmon Woods nature preserve, homes in this community usually sell for $600,000 to more than $1 million. You’ll find spacious homes with 4+ bedrooms and plenty of open green space and parks nearby. The community features luxury homes next to the St. Charles Country Club Golf Course.
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Renaux Manor – Affordable St. Charles Neighborhood Near Amenities
Popular with families, the Renaux Manor neighborhood is right off Route 64 next to Renaux Manor Park, Artesian Springs Park, and shopping. The community is surprisingly affordable with large single-family homes in the $300s.
Woods of Fox Glen – Quiet, Family-Friendly Neighborhood Surrounded by Nature
In a wooded area outside the city center is Woods of Fox Glen, an upscale neighborhood with homes built mostly in the 1980s. The development features a pond, creek, and mature landscaping. and it’s adjacent to the St. Charles Country Club.
St. Charles Weather & Climate
What’s the weather in St. Charles, IL like? The city has a humid continental climate with wet, hot summers and windy, snowy, and very cold winters. Annual snowfall is 30”, a bit higher than average, with annual rainfall of 38”. The average temperature in St. Charles is above 73 degrees during the summer with a winter low of 15 in January and a summer high of 85 degrees in July.
The best time to visit St. Charles is June or August and September. You’ll enjoy very pleasant weather and outdoor activities without harsh cold or heat.
Fun Things to Do in St. Charles, Illinois
Don’t be fooled by the city’s small size; there are tons of things to do in St. Charles with kids and for couples ranging from shopping and live performances to community events, outdoor recreation, and beautiful parks. St. Charles hosts the annual Kane County Fair at the Kane County Fairgrounds, a Scarecrow Festival, a Jazz Weekend and more! There’s also convenient shopping at Foxfield Commons Shopping Center, Tri City Center mall, Von Maur, Rocket Fizz, and Jewel-Osco.
Of course, the big-city amenities are never far – the drive from St. Charles, IL to Chicago, IL is just 42 miles.
Ready to see the many things to do after moving to St. Charles? Here are some of the best attractions, parks, and landmarks.
Pottawatomie Park
This huge waterfront park is one of the top free things to do in St. Charles! Take a riverboat cruise, go canoeing, or rent pedal boats then stop by the playground, have a picnic, or cool off at the pool.
Pottawatomie Park, 8 North Ave, St. Charles, IL 60174 (630) 513-6200
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Arcada Theatre
The historic Arcada Theatre, which opened with silent movies and vaudeville acts, is one of the best live music venues in Chicagoland with over 200 concerts every year.
Arcada Theatre, 105 E Main St, St. Charles, IL 60174 (630) 962-7000
Otter Cove Aquatic Park
This family-friendly water park has a wildlife theme and offers everything from a huge splash park with water cannons to a zero-depth entry activity pool, diving boards, and slides.
Otter Cove Aquatic Park, 3615 Campton Hills Dr, St. Charles, IL 60175 (630) 513-4377
Additional attractions in St. Charles:
Best Restaurants in St. Charles
You’ll find plenty of great places to eat while living in St. Charles, from upscale restaurants for a special occasion to gastropubs and family-friendly eateries. Here are three St. Charles, IL restaurants you won’t want to miss.
- St. Charles Place Steakhouse. A local favorite, the steakhouse has a comforting dinner club setting with a neat ambience and a vast wine menu. St. Charles Place Steakhouse, 2550 E Main St, St. Charles, IL 60174 (630) 377-3333
- Just Kabobs. Looking for a quick bite while out on the town, or an easy weeknight dinner? Just Kabobs is a counter-serve café with a selection of kabobs, salads, and gyros. Just Kabobs, 1825 W Main St, St. Charles, IL 60174 (630) 443-3400
- Salerno’s On the Fox. Perfect for date night or dinner with the whole family, Salerno’s is a riverfront Italian restaurant that serves classic dishes, pizza, and occasionally hosts live music. Salerno’s On the Fox, 320 N 2nd St, St. Charles, IL 60174 (630) 584-7900
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Jobs in St. Charles, IL
Saint Charles is an affluent community, and this is apparent when you look at average wages. The average salary in St. Charles is $71,000 per year or $17.62 per hour according to Payscale. You’ll find many career options in education, manufacturing, government, tourism, and recreation.
Major employers in St. Charles include:
- St. Charles Community School District
- RR Donnelley & Sons (Fortune 500 communications company)
- Omron Automotive
- City of St. Charles
- Armour-Eckrich Meats
- Jewel/Osco
- Pheasant Run Resort
Explore jobs on Indeed or on the City of St. Charles jobs board to see the opportunities that await you!
St. Charles, IL Schools – Private and Public Schools & Higher Education
While living in St. Charles, you will be served by the St. Charles Community Unit School District 303. The district has 13 elementary schools, two middle schools, and two high schools: St. Charles North High and St. Charles East High. You can also choose from a few private schools including the Rathje Campus of the nonprofit Glenwood School for Boys and Girls and St. Patrick Catholic School.
Are you considering higher education? The city is served by Elgin Community College (ECC). District 509 of ECC covers the city.
St. Charles Information & Statistics
- Counties: DuPage and Kane counties, Illinois
- Area: 15 square miles
- Zip code: 60174
- Area code: 630
- Time zone: UTC-6 (Central Standard Time Zone)
- Elevation: 732 feet
St. Charles, IL Map
Explore things to do, restaurants, and attractions with this map of St. Charles, Illinois.
Tips for Living in St. Charles
- The city has award-winning parks – you may want to choose a neighborhood based on the local park.
- Home prices may be high, but you’ll find a wide range with many affordable neighborhoods.
- St. Charles offers plenty of employment opportunities with additional job centers in South Elgin, Batavia, and Geneva.
- The city is perfect for families and anyone who loves the outdoors and sports!
Is the beautiful riverfront city of Saint Charles calling to you? If you’re ready to relocate to STC, Federal Companies is here to help. Give our St. Charles movers a call to discuss your relocation and how we can help you!
