Winfield, Illinois facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Winfield, Illinois
Village
Winfield Town Center
Etymology: Gen. Winfield Scott
Motto(s):  "Growing Smart; In Harmony With Nature"
Location of Winfield in DuPage County, Illinois
Location of Illinois in the United States
Country	United States
State	Illinois
County	DuPage
Townships	Milton, Winfield
Incorporated	April 18, 1921
Government
• Type	Mayor-trustee
Area
• Total	3.14 sq mi (8.13 km2)
• Land	3.10 sq mi (8.02 km2)
• Water	0.04 sq mi (0.10 km2)
Elevation	768 ft (234 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	9,835
• Estimate  (2022)	10,046
• Density	3,250/sq mi (1,253/km2)
Time zone	UTC−6 (Central (CST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC−5 (CDT)
ZIP Code	60190
Area code(s)	630 and 331
FIPS code	17-82400
GNIS feature ID	2399715

Winfield is a village located in DuPage County, Illinois, in the United States. It sits partly in Milton and Winfield Townships. The village is special because the beginning of the DuPage River is just north of it, and the river actually flows through the village. In 2020, about 9,835 people lived here, and by 2022, the number was estimated to be around 10,046.

Winfield is home to Central DuPage Hospital, which is one of the biggest hospitals in the Chicago suburbs. You can also find Winfield station here, which offers train service to Chicago on the Union Pacific West Line. Many people consider Winfield to be one of the safest towns in Illinois.

Exploring Winfield's Past

Winfield has a rich history, from its early attempts to become a village to its growth into a thriving community.

Early Attempts to Become a Village

In 1884, the area now known as Winfield tried to become an official village. At that time, it was called 'Frederick Park'. However, the plan didn't work because a town needed at least 300 residents to become a village, and Frederick Park didn't have enough people. It wasn't until April 18, 1921, that Winfield officially became an incorporated village. By then, its population had grown to 310 people.

Who Were the First Settlers?

The very first settlers to arrive in Winfield were Erastus and Jude P. Gary in 1832. Because of them, the area was first known as Gary's Mill. Later, it was called Fredericksburg, partly because many people who lived there spoke German. Before 1850, most residents came from New England. But by 1860, about half of the people living in Winfield were from Germany and Alsace-Lorraine. There was a community of German-speaking farmers in Winfield until the 1920s. The name changed again in the late 1800s to Winfield, honoring the war hero Winfield Scott.

Important People and Places in Winfield's History

Winfield was once home to John's Restaurant and Tavern, which was one of the oldest taverns in the Chicago suburbs. It was started in 1921 by an immigrant named John T. Karwoski. This place, originally called John's Buffet, closed in 2017. John Karwoski was a very important person in Winfield. He helped the village grow and become a great place to live, especially after a tough time when the railroad boom ended. In 1935, Mr. Karwoski became the first Chief of the Winfield Volunteer Fire Company. Years later, in 1980, his son, John Karwoski II, became Chief of the larger Winfield Fire Protection District.

For many years, Winfield had its own local newspapers. The Winfield Glimpses was published from 1947 to 1976. Then, it changed its name to the Winfield Examiner and ran until 1992. You can find old copies of these newspapers at the Winfield Public Library.

Winfield's Natural Surroundings

Winfield covers an area of about 3.14 square miles (8.13 square kilometers). Most of this area is land, with a small part being water.

Rivers and Creeks in Winfield

Besides the West Branch of the DuPage River, two other creeks flow through the village: Klein Creek and Winfield Creek. These waterways add to the natural beauty of the area.

Understanding Winfield's Population

Who Lives in Winfield?

According to the 2020 census, there were 9,835 people living in Winfield. The village had 3,834 households, and 2,937 of these were families. The population density was about 3,147 people per square mile.

Most of the people in Winfield are White (about 83%). There are also people of other backgrounds, including Asian (about 5%), African American (about 1.5%), and Native American. About 7.87% of the population identified as Hispanic or Latino.

Age and Income in Winfield

The average age of people in Winfield is about 48.8 years old. About 20.5% of the population is under 18, and 18.8% is 65 or older.

The average income for a household in Winfield was about $125,481. For families, the average income was about $146,122. This shows that Winfield is a community with a good economic standing.

Arts and Culture in Winfield

Winfield has several places that are important for their history and culture.

Historical Places to Visit

Hedges Station "Besch House" is the oldest remaining train depot in Illinois

• Hedges Station: This building is the oldest train depot still standing in Illinois! It was built way back in 1849 and is now a museum where you can learn about its past.

• Chicago-Winfield Tuberculosis Sanitarium: This place was started in 1909 to help people with tuberculosis. As fewer people got sick with tuberculosis, the sanitarium was bought by Central DuPage Hospital in 1962.

• St. John the Baptist Catholic Church: This church was first built in 1867. It sadly burned down in 1906 but was rebuilt, showing the community's strong spirit.

Parks and Fun in Winfield

Winfield has many parks and places for outdoor activities, perfect for staying active and enjoying nature.

Public Parks and Recreation Areas

There are 19 different parks and facilities in Winfield. They offer lots of ways to have fun and relax.

• Winfield Riverwalk Park: This park opened in 2021. It has trails for walking, fitness stations for exercise, and even a place to launch canoes or kayaks. You can also have a picnic or go fishing here.

• Winfield Mounds Forest Preserve: This preserve is special because it contains ancient burial mounds made by Native Americans. It's also connected to other forest preserves like Red Hawk Park Timber Ridge, West DuPage Woods, and Belleau Woods.

• West Branch DuPage River Trail: This trail goes right through Winfield, offering a great path for walking, running, or biking along the river.

• Klein Creek Golf Club: If you like golf, this club has an 18-hole course where you can play.

Education in Winfield

Students in Winfield attend schools in three different school districts.

School Districts and Schools

• West Chicago Elementary School District 33: Serves students from kindergarten to 8th grade on the north side of Winfield.
• Winfield Elementary School District 34: Serves students from kindergarten to 8th grade on the south side of Winfield.
• Community Unit School District 200 (Wheaton-Warrenville): Serves students from kindergarten to 12th grade on the east side of Winfield.

Winfield does not have its own public high school. Students from Districts 33 and 34 go to West Chicago Community High School. Students from CUSD 200 attend Wheaton North High School.

There are also several elementary and middle schools in Winfield:

• Public Schools: Winfield Primary School (Pre-K to 2nd grade), Winfield Central School (3rd to 8th grade), and Pleasant Hill Elementary School (Kindergarten to 5th grade).
• Private Schools: St. John the Baptist Catholic School (Pre-K to 8th grade) and Wheaton Christian Grammar School (Kindergarten to 8th grade).

Getting Around Winfield

Winfield has good transportation options for getting to nearby cities and around the village.

Train and Bus Services

• Train Service: The Winfield station offers Metra commuter train service. You can take trains east to Ogilvie Transportation Center in Chicago or west to Elburn station.
• Bus Service: Pace provides bus service in the Wheaton Winfield On Demand service zone, making it easier to travel within the area.

Famous People from Winfield

Many talented people have connections to Winfield, Illinois. Here are a few:

• Christopher Bear (born 1982): A drummer and singer for the indie rock band Grizzly Bear (Band).
• Wes Benjamin (born 1993): A pitcher who has played for the Texas Rangers.
• Alex Benoit (born 1995): A competitive ice dancer who placed fourth at the 2017 U.S. Figure Skating Championships.
• Michael Bowden (born 1986): A former pitcher for the Chicago Cubs.
• Chris Brown (born 1981): A running back who played for the Houston Texans.
• Carolena Carstens (born 1996): An Olympian in taekwondo.
• Dorothy Chang (born 1970): A composer who was born in Winfield.
• Scott Michael Foster (born 1985): An actor.
• Frank Kaminsky (born 1993): A basketball player for the Atlanta Hawks.
• Debbie Keller (born 1975): A retired soccer player and former member of the United States women's national soccer team.
• Anthony Louis (born 1995): A left wing/center who has played for the Chicago Blackhawks.
• Luke Putkonen (born 1986): A former pitcher for the Detroit Tigers.
• Rob Scahill (born 1987): A pitcher who played for the Chicago White Sox.
• Shealeigh (born 1998): A singer.
• Kevin Streelman (born 1978): A golfer on the PGA Tour.
• Bradie Tennell (born 1998): A figure skater, who was the 2018 U.S. national champion.
• Nikos Tselios (born 1979): A defenseman who played in the NHL for the Carolina Hurricanes.

See also

In Spanish: Winfield (Illinois) para niños