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Wheaton, IL

Frequently asked questions

Wheaton, IL

Wheaton is a city in and the county seat of DuPage County, Illinois, United States. It is located in Milton and Winfield townships approximately 25 miles (40 km) west of Chicago. As of the 2020 census, Wheaton's population was 53,970, making it the 27th-most populous municipality in Illinois.

According to the 2021 census gazetteer files, Wheaton has a total area of 11.49 square miles (29.76 km²), of which 11.32 square miles (29.32 km²) (or 98.55%) is land and 0.17 square miles (0.44 km²) (or 1.45%) is water.

The city dates its founding to the period between 1831 and 1837, following the Indian Removal Act when Erastus Gary laid claim to 790 acres (320 ha) of land near present-day Warrenville. The Wheaton brothers arrived from Connecticut, and in 1837, Warren L. Wheaton laid claim to 640 acres (260 ha) of land in the center of town. Jesse Wheaton later claimed 300 acres (120 ha) of land just west of Warren's. It was not long before other settlers from New England joined them in the community. In 1848, they gave the Galena and Chicago Union Railroad three miles (5 km) of right-of-way, upon which railroad officials named the depot Wheaton. In 1850, ten blocks of land were platted and anyone willing to build immediately was granted free land. In 1853, the lots were surveyed and a formal plat for the community was filed with the county. The community was then incorporated as a village on February 24, 1859, with Warren serving as its first President. The village was later incorporated as a city on April 24, 1890, when the first mayor of the city was selected, Judge Elbert Gary, son of Erastus Gary and founder of Gary, Indiana.

In 1857, the Illinois state legislature authorized an election to be held to decide the question of whether the DuPage county seat should remain in Naperville or be moved to the more centrally located Wheaton, which was on the Galena and Chicago Union Railroad. Naperville won the election by a vote of 1,542 to 762. Hostility between the two towns continued for the next decade and another election was held in 1867, in which Wheaton narrowly won by a vote of 1,686 to 1,635. For $20,000, the City of Wheaton quickly built a courthouse to house a courtroom, county offices, and a county jail. The building was dedicated on July 4, 1868.

Health and wellness are prioritized in Wheaton, with several healthcare facilities serving the community. Central DuPage Hospital, a part of Northwestern Medicine, is a leading healthcare provider in the region, offering a range of medical services. King Spa & Sauna is a Korean-style jjimjilbang that offers a variety of saunas, pools, and relaxation areas. Spavia Day Spa offers a wide range of personalized spa services, including therapeutic massages, skin care treatments, and body wraps. Oxygen Spa Studio focuses on delivering high-quality, customized spa treatments. Midtown Athletic Club is a premier fitness facility offering a wide range of services, including state-of-the-art gym equipment, group fitness classes, tennis courts, and personal training. East Bank Club is one of the largest and most comprehensive fitness centers in the country. It offers extensive workout areas, over 150 group exercise classes per week, swimming pools, a golf center, and racquetball and squash courts.

Top Sites in Wheaton, IL: Cosley Zoo, The Morton Arboretum, Cantigny.

Population: 53,970 (2020). ZIP Codes: 60187. Area codes: 630,  331. Elevation: 748 ft (228 m). Area: 11.48 sq mi (29.75 km²).

FAQs

Is Wheaton, IL a nice place to live?

Wheaton is in DuPage County and is one of the best places to live in Illinois. Living in Wheaton offers residents a dense suburban feel and most residents own their homes. In Wheaton, there are a lot of restaurants, coffee shops, and parks. Many families and young professionals live in Wheaton and residents tend to lean conservative.

What is the ethnicity of Wheaton, IL?

With 53,673 people, Wheaton is the 27th most populated city in the state of Illinois out of 1,450 cities. But watch out, Wheaton, because Normal with 52,920 people and Hoffman Estates with 51,744 people are right behind you. The largest Wheaton racial/ethnic groups are White (78.1%) followed by Hispanic (7.6%) and Asian (6.3%).

Is Wheaton, IL a dry town?

For a town not historically known for its nightlife and entertainment options — the city was dry, prohibiting the sale of alcohol from 1934 to 1985 — Wheaton has evolved in recent years to a dining hot spot, with attractions and amenities that suit just about everyone's tastes and interests. There’s so much to do that you might have to be a little choosy if you’re headed there for a day trip. Even the 54,000 or so Wheatonites can find their calendars filled with several things to see or visit during a given week.

Sources

City of Wheaton

Wikipedia

West Suburban Living

Illinois Demographics

Niche

Central DuPage Hospital

King Spa & Sauna

Spavia Day Spa

Oxygen Spa Studio

Midtown Athletic Club

East Bank Club

Cosley Zoo

The Morton Arboretum

Cantigny

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