If you're looking for the perfect home in a small town, country atmosphere, with plenty of access to gorgeous forest preserves, Winfield real estate should be on your must see list of places. Located between Wheaton and West Chicago, Winfield is surrounded by the forest preserves of DuPage County. This village has a small population of under 10,000 and a great percentage of its residents are married with children under the age of 18. While the village itself is small and quaint, there are a number of businesses and restaurants in the business district and many residents take advantage of the location to frequent attractions and businesses from nearby Wheaton and other surrounding areas. The school districts here are excellent and the area offers picturesque surroundings, beautiful homes, and a deference to nature.
Winfield has a rich history and its residents are very devoted to the village, its past and its future. It was incorporated as Winfield in the 1920's, but the area's history goes back to the 1830's, when it's was known as Gary's Mill after a local settler. The area went through a few name changes before it was dubbed "Winfield" in honor of the American war hero, Winfield Scott. In Winfield history, you'll notice a lot of names familiar to current residents. People have a tendency to not only raise their family in the area but generations will stay here because they love Winfield and the quality of life. For example, John T. Karwoski is a name you'll see in local histories. He was not only the owner of John's Restaurant and Tavern (founded in 1921), which is one of the oldest taverns in Chicago's suburbs, but he was also very devoted to the village and worked tirelessly to help the area flourish after the railroad bust might have totally decimated Winfield. Mr. Karwoski's was the quintessential immigrant success story. He's known for his leadership and community spirit and was the first Chief of the local all volunteer fire department. In the 1980's, his son became Chief of the Winfield Fire Protection District. You can still find Karwoski's in Winfield - John Karwoski III (John T's grandson) is the current owner of John's Restaurant and Tavern, which still serves the area nearly 100 years later.
Winfield is very much a small town community. The population is only 9,492 and many of the residents are married with children. Winfield residents also have a much higher median income than the state as a whole at $92,882, compared to the state's median income of $56,210. Many homes here are large, comfortable, and well-maintained. There are a variety of price ranges and styles to choose from and residents can easily find a fine house to suit their budget. There are a number of different churches in the area, providing a large portion of the town's spiritual and social needs. The schools in this area are excellent and the graduation rate is well above average at 94%. There are three public primary and middle schools serving the area, as well as one private Catholic grade school. Winfield does not have its own high school. Students attend either West Chicago Community High School or Wheaton North High School, depending on which district their home falls into.
The quality of life here for families is decidedly good. There is a small business district to accommodate most of the resident's needs. There are local events through the schools and churches as well as the village itself, and there are plenty of parks for outdoor activities. Winfield has a much lower crime rate than areas which are more urban and it's conveniently located so that residents can visit outlining areas to indulge in activities. There's a Metra station in Winfield where residents can easily commute into the city for work or to attend events with their family. All of the culture, museums, theater, and fine dining of downtown Chicago is only a 30 minute train ride away.
Central DuPage Hospital is located in Winfield. This is one of the largest hospitals in the suburbs and offers plenty of employment opportunities to the area, as well as the additional security of having a well respected medical facility close to home.
The village offers a great deference to nature, with a variety of forest preserves to explore, go hiking through, and take pets for walks. The Winfield Park District maintains several parks and recreational areas which families in the area love to visit. Winfield feels something like stepping back in time, with the wide open spaces and lower population right near your home. Schmidt's Pond is a wonderful local attraction for residents to skip rocks and watch the local wildlife. It's home to ducks, geese, and an array of aquatic life. The pond was originally made in the late 1800's by resident Peter Schmidt. He dug the pond in order to harvest ice, long before the time of ice boxes and refrigerators. The ice house, where this harvested ice was stored, has since been turned into a privately owned home. But the pond still remains for the residents to enjoy.
Winfield is currently working on a project called the Winfield Riverwalk. At its completion, this project will add miles of paths for people to enjoy. The vision is to connect the village of Winfield to the DuPage River and forest preserves. Not only will this add to the the natural appeal of the town, but a Riverwalk makes it easier for travelers to visit and boost the local economy.
Where nature is concerned, Winfield residents have an abundance of beauty around them and, as an additional bonus, they're very close to Wheaton where they can attend events at the DuPage Fair Grounds, the highly rated golf courses, and even their Cosley Zoo. Whether residents want to stay local or travel a bit into the city, they have the best of both worlds - a safe tranquil home to come back to and easy access to culture.
