Welcome to Downers Grove
Discover Downers Grove
The History of Downers Grove
The village takes its name from Pierce Downer, a New York settler who staked his claim here in 1832. Families like the Blodgetts, Carpenters, and Curtisses followed, and their names still appear on local street signs. Before the Civil War, Israel Blodgett and other early residents sheltered freedom seekers on the Underground Railroad, a history the local museum still documents.
The turning point came in 1864, when the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad laid track through town. That line, today's Metra BNSF, turned a farming settlement into a commuter village. Downers Grove incorporated in 1873, and shops, grain elevators, and churches grew up around the depot. Downtown still follows that layout.
Between roughly 1908 and 1940, Downers Grove became home to one of the largest known collections of Sears catalog kit homes in the country, with around 150 identified. After World War II, the arrival of I-88 and later I-355 brought corporate campuses and new subdivisions, especially on the south side. That growth made the village one of DuPage County's major job centers.
For buyers, this history explains the housing. A single mile can take you from a Victorian with a wraparound porch to a 1920s Sears bungalow to a new-construction modern farmhouse.
Downtown, the Fountain, and Gathering Spaces
Tivoli Theatre
Opened on Christmas Day in 1928 and beautifully restored, the Tivoli Theatre now operates as a two-screen cinema with a grand main auditorium that also hosts concerts, ballets, special events, and fundraisers. It remains a beloved landmark in the heart of downtown, pairing classic atmosphere with modern projection and sound.
Year-Round Community Activities
Downers Grove keeps the calendar full for all ages. Highlights include the Saturday Downtown Farmers Market with live music, Tuesday night free summer concerts at Fishel Park, the Fine Arts Festival, Rotary GroveFest, the Fourth of July parade and fireworks, Halloween window painting and downtown trick-or-treating, visits with the Easter Bunny and the downtown egg hunt, Santa visits, and the tree-lighting ceremony.
These traditions make it easy to connect and feel at home.
Rotary GroveFest
Thanksgiving Tradition: The Grove Express 5K
Thanksgiving morning means lacing up and joining thousands for the Grove Express 5K through the streets and downtown, complete with the much-loved bacon bite along the route. The race is hosted by the Grove Express Foundation and raises funds that benefit education and youth programs for District 58 and District 99 students at Downers Grove North and Downers Grove South. Recent events have drawn more than 6,000 participants, making it one of the area’s favorite holiday traditions.
Parks, Trails, and Outdoor Life
The Park District maintains a deep lineup of playgrounds, trails, ballfields, and programs across the village. McCollum Park, one of the community’s largest destinations, recently refreshed the sport courts and the Adventure Falls Sprayground and a major playground improvement project is slated to begin in spring 2026 with support from a state OSLAD grant. The plan adds modern play features, shade, and gathering areas so families can enjoy the park from morning to evening.
Schools
Downers Grove is served by District 58 for elementary and middle school and District 99 for high school. District 58 has 11 neighborhood elementary schools and two middle schools that were intentionally placed within neighborhoods to promote walkability and community connection. District 99 includes Downers Grove North (DGN) and Downers Grove South (DGS) high schools. The district sites provide boundary and enrollment details so you can match a specific address to the correct schools.
Transportation and Commute
Getting around is straightforward. The Metra BNSF line from Downers Grove Main Street goes to Chicago Union Station, with typical express trips around 25 to 30 minutes and locals around 35 to 45 minutes, depending on stops. Weekday rush hours offer multiple express options in both directions. The village is minutes from I-355, I-88, and I-55, and you can reach O’Hare or Midway with easy regional access. Always check the current Metra timetable for exact times.
Village Hall and Civic Center
Downers Grove invested in a modern Civic Center that brings Village Hall, the Police Department, and District 58 administrative offices together in one efficient complex in the heart of downtown. The new facility opened in 2024–2025 and reflects the community’s commitment to collaboration, service, and sustainability.
Housing and Neighborhoods
Downers Grove Real Estate Market Overview
Downers Grove remains a seller's market. Supply is short, demand is steady, and the three things that drive local home values (the train, the schools, and downtown) are not going anywhere.
North Downers Grove (60515) includes downtown, the historic district, and most of the Sears homes. List prices typically range from about $610,000 to $690,000 and up. Buyers here pay for walkability, character, and a short trip to the Main Street express trains.
South Downers Grove (60516) is mostly mid-century ranches, split-levels, and 1970s two-story homes. List prices typically run from about $510,000 to $530,000. Lots are often larger, and this side of town is a common entry point for first-time buyers who still want District 58 and District 99 schools.
What we are seeing on the ground: Move-in ready homes draw the most competition. Renovation and labor costs remain high, so buyers will pay a premium to avoid a project, and well-priced, updated homes often sell in their first weekend. Builders keep buying modest ranches on large lots near downtown, tearing them down, and building custom homes priced above $1 million. For sellers, preparation and pricing strategy usually matter more than timing. For buyers, it pays to have financing ready before touring.
Popular Neighborhoods and Housing Styles in Downers Grove
The In-Town Historic District surrounds downtown and the Main Street station. You will find mature tree canopies and brick-paved streets, including stretches of Oakwood Avenue. Maple Avenue and the Main Street corridor have Victorian and Queen Anne homes from the 1880s and 1890s. Many of the Sears kit homes, Craftsman bungalows, and American Foursquares are within walking distance of the train. Homes here rarely stay on the market long.
Denburn Woods and Shady Lane Estates are west of downtown. The streets wind through heavy woods, and there are no sidewalks, which gives the area a secluded feel you would not expect this close to a train station. Housing ranges from mid-century custom builds and large ranches to contemporary estates.
The Pierce Downer area is on the north side near Pierce Downer Elementary. It mixes updated 1920s bungalows with luxury new construction built on subdivided original lots. It is one of the best places in town to watch the teardown-and-rebuild trend in action.
Orchard Brook is a north-side subdivision where our team is especially active. Its larger family homes are popular with buyers who want space and a neighborhood feel without leaving 60515.
South Downers Grove was mostly built between 1960 and 1980. It has a traditional street grid, generous yards, and plenty of ranches and split-levels that renovate well. The neighborhoods around Downers Grove South High School are consistently popular with families.
Across town, you will also find condos and apartments in mixed-use developments near the tracks. They appeal to commuters and downsizers who want low maintenance and a short walk to the train.
