Naperville, Illinois facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Naperville, Illinois
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Aerial view of downtown Naperville
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| Motto(s):
Great Service – All the Time
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Location of Naperville in Will and DuPage counties in Illinois
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 Naperville, Illinois
Location in Chicago metropolitan area
Naperville, Illinois
Location in Illinois
Naperville, Illinois
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States | ||
| State | Illinois | ||
| Counties | DuPage, Will | ||
| Townships | Dupage: Lisle, Milton, Naperville, Winfield, Will: DuPage, Wheatland | ||
| Settled | 1831 | ||
| Incorporated | February 7, 1857 (Village) March 17, 1890 (City) |
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| Named for | Joseph Naper | ||
| Government | |||
| • Type | Council–manager | ||
| Area | |||
| • Total | 39.70 sq mi (102.81 km2) | ||
| • Land | 39.11 sq mi (101.29 km2) | ||
| • Water | 0.59 sq mi (1.52 km2) | ||
| Elevation | 705 ft (215 m) | ||
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 149,540 | ||
| • Density | 3,823.57/sq mi (1,476.29/km2) | ||
| Demonym(s) | Napervillian | ||
| Time zone | UTC−6 (CST) | ||
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−5 (CDT) | ||
| ZIP Codes |
60540, 60563–60565, and P.O. box only 60566–60567
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| Area codes | 630 and 331 | ||
| FIPS code | 17-51622 | ||
| GNIS feature ID | 2395147 | ||
Naperville (/ˈneɪpərˌvɪl/ nay-PƏR-vil) is a city in Illinois, located in DuPage and Will counties. It is a suburb southwest of Chicago, about 28 miles (45 km) west of the city. Naperville is on the DuPage River. In 2020, about 149,540 people lived there, making it the fourth-largest city in Illinois.
Naperville was started in 1831 by Joseph Naper. It was first called Naper's Settlement. By 1832, over 100 people lived there. From 1839 to 1868, Naperville was the county seat for DuPage County. Starting in the 1960s, Naperville grew a lot as Chicago's urban area expanded.
The city is home to the Moser Tower and Millennium Carillon, which is one of the world's four largest carillons. Naperville also has many parks and forest preserves, including Centennial Beach. The city has two main school districts, District 203 and District 204. Edward Hospital is the biggest employer in Naperville. The city also has a train station with service from Amtrak and Metra.
Contents
History of Naperville
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Before settlers arrived, Native American tribes lived in the Naperville area. The Iliniwek tribe was here first. Later, the Potawatomi tribe took over the land. When the first settlers came, a large Potawatomi village was located where downtown Naperville is now.
Early Settlement and Growth
In 1831, Joseph Naper and his family and friends arrived at the DuPage River. They came from Ohio in a boat called the Telegraph. They started a new community called Naper's Settlement. By 1832, more than 100 people had moved there.
During the Black Hawk War in 1832, settlers briefly moved to Fort Dearborn for safety. Fort Payne was built in Naper's Settlement, and the settlers returned. In 1834, the Pre-Emption House was built. It was the first hotel in DuPage County and a stop for stagecoaches traveling from Chicago to Galena.
In 1839, DuPage County was created from Cook County, and Naper's Settlement became the county seat. In 1857, Naper's Settlement officially became the Village of Naperville. It had about 2,000 people. In 1868, Naperville lost its county seat status to Wheaton.
Developing into a City
In 1887, Peter Edward Kroehler started the Kroehler Manufacturing Company in Naperville. This furniture factory was located near the railroad tracks. Naperville became a city in 1890.
In 1898, Nichols Library opened thanks to a $10,000 donation from James Nichols. In 1907, Edward Sanatorium (now Edward Hospital) opened. It was a hospital that used "open air" treatment for patients. In 1910, a YMCA building opened in Naperville, which included the first swimming pool in DuPage County.
Major Events and Modern Growth
On April 26, 1946, a serious train accident happened west of Naperville. Two trains collided, causing many injuries and deaths. In the 1950s, Naperville was about six square miles. By 1960, it grew significantly, adding over 1,500 acres of land.
In 1955, Edward Sanatorium became a general hospital. Naperville was mostly a rural area for a long time. But starting in the 1960s and through the 1980s and 1990s, its population grew very quickly. The city's population tripled during the 1980s and 90s.
In 1996, Naperville experienced a big flood with 14 inches of rain in less than 24 hours. DuPage County was declared a disaster area. In 2021, an EF3 tornado hit southeast Naperville, damaging homes and injuring people.
Geography and Climate
Naperville covers about 39.68 square miles (102.77 square kilometers). Most of this area is land, with a small part being water. The city is mostly flat prairie land.
Parts of Naperville drain into the West Branch of the DuPage River. The Forest Preserve District owns a lot of land along the river. This helps reduce flood damage. The DuPage River Trail also runs along the river, which is great for biking and walking.
Naperville has had two major floods, one in 1996 and another in 2013.
The city is located in six different townships across two counties. Most Naperville residents live in Lisle Township, followed by Naperville Township.
Naperville's Climate
Naperville has a typical Midwestern climate with four distinct seasons. Winters are cold and snowy. Springs are humid. Summers are hot, and falls are cool. The highest temperature ever recorded was 105°F (40.6°C), and the coldest was -29°F (-33.9°C).
Population and People
Naperville's population has grown a lot over the years. In 1870, there were about 1,713 people. By 2020, the population was 149,540.
In 2020, there were 52,648 households in Naperville. About 38.3% of these households had children under 18. Most households (64.65%) were married couples living together. The average household had about 3.24 people.
The median age in Naperville was 39.1 years. This means half the population was younger than 39.1, and half was older. The median income for a household was $127,648. This shows that Naperville is a well-off community.
Economy and Jobs
Naperville is part of the Illinois Technology and Research Corridor. Many companies have offices or headquarters here. Some of the companies that helped Naperville grow in the 1980s and 1990s include Nokia (formerly Bell Labs and Alcatel-Lucent), BP (formerly Amoco), Nalco, and Edward Hospital.
ConAgra and Mondelez International (which makes Triscuit) also have offices or plants in Naperville. The city was one of the fastest-growing communities in the 1990s.
Naperville has many stores, restaurants, and shopping centers. These include Downtown Naperville, Freedom Commons, and Springbrook Prairie Pavilion. The city also has over 11 car dealerships. In 2006, Naperville opened the first public-private car test track in the country.
Most people in Naperville drive to work (77%). About 11% use public transportation, and 8.6% work from home. Many people work in education, healthcare, and professional services.
Top Employers in Naperville
Here are some of the largest employers in Naperville:
- Edward Hospital (4,500 employees)
- Indian Prairie School District 204 (3,071 employees)
- Nokia (2,750 employees)
- Naperville Community Unit School District 203 (2,300 employees)
- BP America (1,200 employees)
- BMO Harris (1,200 employees)
- Nalco (1,200 employees)
- City of Naperville (933 employees)
- North Central College (700 employees)
- Coriant (600 employees)
Arts and Culture
Naperville has a lively arts and culture scene.
Naperville Public Library
The Naperville Public Library has three locations: Nichols Library, Naper Boulevard Library, and 95th Street Library. In 2020, the libraries had over 61,000 active cardholders and nearly 3 million checkouts.
- Nichols Library: This library is in downtown Naperville. It opened in 1986. The original Nichols Library building, built in 1898, is still standing.
- Naper Boulevard Library: This branch opened in 1992 and is the smallest of the three.
- 95th Street Library: Opened in 2003, this is the newest and largest library. It has a modern design.
In 2022, Library Journal named the Naperville Public Library the best in the nation for its size.
Art and Music in Naperville
Naperville hosts the Naperville Independent Film Festival every year. This festival showcases movies made by independent filmmakers.
The Naperville Municipal Band was founded in 1859. It is made up of over 90 volunteer musicians. They perform concerts in Central Park during the summer and at other events.
The Naperville Art League organizes the Riverwalk Fine Art Fair every year. Artists display and sell their works, including paintings, ceramics, jewelry, and more.
The Century Walk Corporation is a group that adds public art to the city. Since 1996, they have placed 51 sculptures, murals, and mosaics. Some famous pieces include a 9-foot statue of the comic book character Dick Tracy and a statue of a young Abraham Lincoln. There is also the Dan Shanower Sep 11 Memorial, which includes a steel beam from the World Trade Center.
Preserving History
The Naperville Historic District has 573 historic buildings in the older part of the city. These buildings show important local architecture.
The Old Nichols Library building, which was the city's first public library, became a local landmark in 2017.
Naper Settlement is an outdoor history museum. It shows what Naperville was like when it was first founded. The museum has rebuilt buildings like Fort Payne and the Pre-Emption House.
Moser Tower and Millennium Carillon
The Moser Tower is 158 feet (48 meters) tall and is located near downtown Naperville. Inside is the Millennium Carillon, which is one of the four largest carillons in the world. It has 72 bronze bells, with the largest weighing 6 tons. The carillon was dedicated in 2000. It can be played by hand or by a computer.
Other Museums
The DuPage Children's Museum opened in 1987. It moved to Naperville in 2001 and was rebuilt in 2015. It offers interactive exhibits for kids to learn and play.
Parks and Recreation
Naperville Park District
The Naperville Park District manages parks and offers fun activities for residents. It was started in 1966. As of 2021, the Park District manages over 2,400 acres (9.7 square kilometers) of open space. This includes more than 136 parks, two golf courses, 73 playgrounds, and over 70 miles (113 km) of trails.
Naperville Riverwalk
The Naperville Riverwalk is a beautiful path along the West Branch of the DuPage River. Its construction began in 1981 to celebrate Naperville's 150th anniversary. The Riverwalk is 1.75 miles (2.8 km) long and features brick paths, fountains, and covered bridges. There are also art pieces and restaurants nearby. There are plans to make the Riverwalk even longer in the future.
Other Fun Places
The Park District also manages other great places:
- Centennial Beach: This used to be a quarry but was turned into a popular beach.
- Golf Courses: Springbrook and Naperbrook are two golf courses managed by the Park District.
- Skate Parks: Frontier Sports Complex and Centennial Park have areas for skateboarding and in-line skating.
- Commissioners Park: This park has Naperville's first official cricket pitch.
- Ron Ory Community Garden Plots: Here, people can rent garden plots to grow their own plants.
- Knoch Knolls Park: This park has a small mountain biking trail and an 18-hole frisbee golf course.
Forest Preserves in the Area
The Forest Preserve District of DuPage County manages several forest preserves near Naperville:
- Springbrook Prairie: This preserve has 1,829 acres (740 hectares) of land and 13 miles (21 km) of trails.
- Greene Valley Forest Preserve: This preserve has 1,388 acres (562 hectares) and 12 miles (19 km) of trails.
- Herrick Lake Forest Preserve: This preserve has 887 acres (359 hectares) and 7 miles (11 km) of trails.
- McDowell Grove Forest Preserve: This preserve has 465 acres (188 hectares) and 7 miles (11 km) of trails.
- Pioneer Park: This park has the Hobson Monument and offers access to the DuPage River for fishing, canoeing, and kayaking.
The Forest Preserve District of Will County manages Whalon Lake Forest Preserve, which also has trails and lake access.
Education in Naperville
Naperville has many schools and colleges.
Colleges and Universities
- North Central College: This college is in downtown Naperville. It was founded in 1861 and moved to Naperville in 1870. It has about 2,832 students.
- Northern Illinois University: This university has a satellite campus in Naperville.
- College of DuPage: This community college has a regional center in Naperville.
- DeVry University: This university has its main offices and classrooms in Naperville.
- Governors State University: This university also has a satellite campus in Naperville.
- Indiana Tech: This school has a satellite campus in Naperville.
Schools for Kids
Two public school districts serve Naperville, along with several private schools.
- Naperville Community Unit School District 203: This district serves central and northern Naperville. It has two high schools (Naperville Central High School and Naperville North High School), five junior high schools, and fifteen elementary schools within Naperville.
- Indian Prairie School District 204: This district serves western and southwestern Naperville. It has four high schools (Neuqua Valley High School, Metea Valley High School, Wheatland Academy, and Waubonsie Valley High School), seven junior high schools, and 21 elementary schools.
Naperville also has many private schools, such as All Saints Catholic Academy, Bethany Lutheran School, and Saints Peter and Paul School.
Media and News
Naperville has its own community TV station and local newspapers.
- Naperville Community Television (NCTV17): This TV station broadcasts local news, sports, talk shows, and community events on Channel 17 and online.
- Daily Herald: This is a daily newspaper that covers suburban Chicago, including Naperville.
- Naperville Sun: This is a local newspaper for Naperville, published three times a week.
Naperville also has a few radio stations:
- 1610-AM WPFP 929: This station broadcasts emergency, city, and road information.
- WONC (89.1 FM): This station is owned by North Central College and plays album-oriented rock music.
- WCKG (1530 AM): This station broadcasts local news, talk shows, and weather reports.
Transportation in Naperville
Naperville has several ways to get around, including roads, trains, and buses.
Roads and Highways
The Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway (part of Interstate 88) runs through northern Naperville. US Route 34 (Ogden Avenue) also goes through the city. In 2015, a special type of intersection called a "diverging diamond interchange" was built at Route 59 and Interstate 88.
Train Service
Naperville got its first train connection to Chicago in 1864. Today, three BNSF Railway tracks run through the city. Passengers can use Metra for local travel and Amtrak for longer trips. Amtrak trains like the Illinois Zephyr, Carl Sandburg, California Zephyr, and Southwest Chief stop in Naperville.
Bus Service
Pace provides bus service, especially during rush hour, to the Metra stations. Pace also has bus routes connecting Naperville to Aurora (serving Fox Valley Mall) and Wheaton (serving the College of DuPage). There is also an express bus route called the "Tri-State Flyer" that connects Naperville to other suburbs.
Long-distance bus service is available from companies like Burlington Trailways and Greyhound Lines. They stop at the Naperville Metra/Amtrak station or the Route 59 Metra station.
Airports Near Naperville
- DuPage Airport: This airport is about 14 miles (23 km) from downtown Naperville. It is used for private and charter jets.
- Clow Airport: This airport in Bolingbrook is about 1.5 miles (2.4 km) from Naperville's southeastern border.
- Naper Aero Club field: This is a private airport on the western edge of town. It is home to the Lima Lima Flight Team.
Electricity
Naperville's electricity system is owned and run by the City of Naperville. The city gets its electricity from the Illinois Municipal Electric Agency.
Notable People from Naperville
Many interesting people have come from Naperville!
Sister Cities
Naperville has special relationships with cities in other countries:
Images for kids
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The former Kroehler Furniture Factory in 2021.
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The H. A. Unger House, built in 1883, in the Naperville Historic District.
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Downtown Naperville in January 2022, with measurable snowfall on the ground.
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See also
In Spanish: Naperville para niños
