Located in the heart of DuPage County, Illinois, Wheaton is a thriving city that serves as the county seat. Positioned approximately 25 miles west of Chicago, Wheaton is a vibrant community with a rich history and a strong sense of identity. According to the 2020 census, the city’s population stands at 53,970, making it the 27th most populous municipality in the state.
On April 24, 1890, the village’s status was upgraded to that of a city.
From 1887 to 1985, Wheaton banned the sale of alcohol in all supermarkets, convenience stores, restaurants, and other businesses.
Wheaton boasts a total area of 11.49 square miles, according to the 2021 census gazetteer files. Of that total, a whopping 98.55% (11.32 square miles) is comprised of land, while the remaining 1.45% (0.17 square miles) is water.
Wheaton’s 2021 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report reveals that the city’s leading employers are:
1. DuPage County Government Center, with 2124 employees
2. School District 200, with 1687 staff members
3. Wheaton Park District, with 1053 employees
4. Marianjoy Rehab Hospital, with 940 workers
5. Wheaton College, with 900 employees.
Downtown Wheaton is known for its lively atmosphere, offering an array of dining options, stores, and amenities. The Downtown Wheaton Association organizes various events annually to support local establishments, such as The French Market, The Chili Cookoff, Vintage Rides, Boo-palooza (Downtown Wheaton Trick-or-Treat), A Dickens of a Christmas, Wheaton Wedding Walk, and Wheaton’s Wine & Cultural Arts Festival.
Wheaton is where you can find the DuPage County Fairgrounds. Since its establishment in DuPage County Fair Association has been responsible for hosting the yearly DuPage County Fair that takes place in late July. The fair is known for featuring notable performers, including Ashlee Simpson, Plain White T’s (2007), Travis Tritt, Jesse McCartney, Jars of Clay, Corbin Bleu (2008), The Academy Is…, The Original Wailers (2009), and Danny Gokey (2010).
The historic Grand Theater, constructed in 1925, is located in Wheaton.
The Wheaton Public Library consistently earns high marks as one of the top ten libraries in the country, outperforming other libraries that serve similar communities.
The Wheaton Park District has been honored with the prestigious National Gold Medal Award for Excellence by the National Recreation and Park Association on four occasions, in the years 1984, 1990, 1996, and 2005. The district takes pride in its collection of 52 parks, which span over 800 acres in total.
Wheaton, Illinois is situated within both the 3rd and 6th congressional districts of the United States House of Representatives.
Nestled near the heart of Wheaton, Illinois, Wheaton College is a prestigious institution of higher learning that attracts devoted Christian students from diverse denominations. Dubbed the “Harvard of Evangelical schools,” this esteemed liberal arts college is renowned for providing an exceptional education that fosters intellectual growth, spiritual development, and biblical values.
The Union Pacific West Line has been an integral part of Wheaton’s infrastructure since the city’s inception, with two Metra stations along the line: one at College Avenue, conveniently located near Wheaton College, and another at West Street, situated in the bustling heart of downtown Wheaton. The line runs beneath a bridge just west of downtown and crosses over County Farm Road, situated just north of the DuPage County Government Complex.
The town of Wheaton was previously serviced by the Chicago Aurora and Elgin Railroad, which is now replaced by the Illinois Prairie Path. The railroad’s former headquarters and maintenance facilities were situated within a boundary defined by Carlton Avenue, UP Railroad, West Street, and Childs Street.
Wheaton is connected to Forest Park, Naperville, and other destinations through multiple bus routes operated by Pace.
Major roads in the area include Roosevelt Road (Illinois Route 38), Butterfield Road (Illinois Route 56), and North Avenue (Illinois Route 64).
In 1972, the Wheaton Franciscan Sisters founded Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital, a nonprofit healthcare facility located on Roosevelt Road in Wheaton, Illinois. Since 2016, it has been managed by Northwestern Medicine. With a capacity of 127 beds, Marianjoy specializes in physical medicine and rehabilitation, providing comprehensive care to aid patients in their recovery and wellness journey.
St. Michael Catholic Church in downtown Wheaton was set on fire by one of its own parishioners, Adam Palinski, on March 18, 2002. Palinski, a resident of Wheaton, is currently serving a 39-year prison sentence. Despite losing his appeal, he continues to claim innocence. The church was reconstructed for $13 million and reopened on March 18, 2006.
Residents of Wheaton, Illinois
Karlskoga, Sweden has a strong bond with Wheaton, as they share the special connection of being sister cities.