Illinois Real Estate & Relocation Guide

Lombard, Illinois

Population: 39,408

Located in DuPage County

When it comes to bragging rights, the 45,000-plus residents of Lombard, Illinois, also known as the "Lilac Village," stand in no one's shadow. More than 75,000 visitors come to Lombard each May for the annual Lilac Festival where 200 varieties of lilacs and 50 different types of tulips are on display in Lilacia Park. Lilac Time includes an Art and Craft Fair, parade, concerts, heritage tours, plant sales, art shows, and many more activities over the course of three weeks.

In addition to enjoying a reputation for having perhaps the nation's finest collection of lilacs, Lombard also is the home of nationally known celebrities like "Little Orphan Annie," Morris the Cat, artist Sheldon Peck, Astronaut Daniel Tani, and most recently, "Veggie Tales" stars Bob the Tomato and Larry the Cucumber. Last, but not least, is William R. Plum, the long-time resident who made it all happen more than 70 years ago.

Lombard’s rich history and sense of community provide a solid backdrop for today’s bustling, modern Village. A central location within the Chicago region (only 30 minutes from downtown Chicago and both airports), direct access to two interstate highways, and available land and facilities provide for a strong economic base for the Village. The I-88 East-West Research and Development Corridor and Lombard’s 22nd Street along the Village’s southern border are home to modern office buildings and corporate clients including Mid Con, Unisys, Waste Management and the world’s first Hyatt Place hotel. Eleven office and industrial parks offer quality office, warehouse and light assembly space options. In addition, a large industrial park located on the Village’s northern boundary has easy access to I-294 and I-355.

With more than 17,000 housing units, Lombard offers a diversity of housing choices with a wide selection of styles in every price range. The median asking price for a detached single-family home is $300,000. Small single-family starter homes can be purchased for under $200,000, while luxury home shoppers can find impressive estate homes up to and beyond $1 million. This represents the broad range of the housing supply, from historic 1800s Victorians to mid-century ranches to brand new luxury homes.

Lombard is served by five grade school districts and two high school districts. The community is also home to five private grade schools and two private high schools including the College Preparatory School of America, an accredited, private Muslim school with an average student SAT score of 1300.

Higher education opportunities are available at the National University of Health Sciences, the nation’s premier institution for health science education, and the Illinois Center for Broadcasting, an ACCSCT-accredited institution offering intensive, hands-on instruction in radio and television broadcasting.

Like most of it neighboring communities, Lombard has seen explosive growth since its beginnings as Babcock's Grove in 1833, but it remains committed to its small town values and emphasis on meeting the needs of its residents.

Approximately 56 new restaurants have opened over the last three years so that Lombard now has more than 100 places to dine out, with dozens of options to choose from in everything from fast food to fine dining. The Village attracts a wide variety of local and national restaurateurs (such as Harry Caray’s, The Capital Grill, Claim Jumper, and Rock Bottom Brewery), offering a selection that is not widely available outside of Chicago proper.

Since 1997, the Village has added seven hotels with 1,195 new rooms. This growth has resulted in a 164% increase in hotel/motel tax revenue and brought in thousands of guests, to the benefit of Lombard’s restaurants and retailers.

Green space and open space preservation are always considered by the Village of Lombard when considering development options. The Village is currently developing on an open space plan wherein, as areas of open space become available, the Village will consider the properties and consider acquiring the land for open space preservation.

With more than 450 acres of park land and recreational facilities for all ages, the Lombard Park District offers a variety of recreational opportunities. Western Acres is the Park District’s challenging 9-hole, par 35 golf course, which stretches more than 3,000 yards and is host to several men’s and women’s golf leagues. Ken Loch, a public 9-hole course on Finley Road, offers another option. Youth and adult athletic programs offer organized soccer, softball, and basketball teams, and the Park District offers year-round fitness, arts, and other recreational classes tailored to children, adults, seniors, and those with special needs.

The Park District’s newest amenity, Paradise Bay Water Park, is an exciting, state-of-the-art aquatic facility and will be the new home of the Lombard Waves swim team because of its four waterslides, a leisure pool, lap pool, zero-depth pool, and more fun amenities.

Lombard is also fortunate to enjoy year-round use of a 52-mile recreational trail system managed by the DuPage County Division of Transportation. Both the Illinois Prairie Path and Great Western Trail run through the center of town.

Outstanding location and transportation access, a strong sense of community, diverse housing choice, and a Village government willing and able to meet the needs of its citizens are some of the many reasons to consider joining the thousands of people that already call Lombard their hometown.