Glen Ellyn

Population (2000)
Total 26,999
White: 89.5%
Black: 2.1%
Hispanic: 4.7%
Asian: 4.7%
American Indian: .1%
Other: 1.7%

Median Household Income (1999): $74,846

Source: US Census

Will and Grace actor, Sean Hayes, attended Glenbard West High School in Glen Ellyn and was an extra in the film Lucas which was filmed at Glenbard West High School.

Glen Ellyn was founded in 1834, west of Chicago in DuPage County by Deacon Winslow Churchill and family. After more families began to join the settlement, a school and a tavern were established. Today, Stacy’s Tavern remains as a museum and part of the historical society of Glen Ellyn and located at 571 Geneva Rd, Glen Ellyn, IL 60137 (630) 858-8696.

Since 1834, Glen Ellyn changed names a total of seven times, and previous names include Babcock’s Grove, DuPage Center, Stacy’s Corner, Danby, Newton’s Station, and Prospect Park.

Average list price of single family Glen Ellyn homes is $554,447, and the median home value is $450,000.

The variety of beautiful homes in Glen Ellyn is charming. The village contains large farmhouse style homes, gorgeous brick and stone Victorian homes, and even modern split level homes like the West Coast Contemporary home on Crescent Bouvelard.

Glen Ellyn condos and town homes are modern and newly constructed and feature amenities like large and spacious floor plans, hardwood floors, fireplaces, and 24 hour security and maintenance.

If not ready to purchase a home, Glen Ellyn rentals can range from $600 – $2,000 a month but can usually include amenities such as swimming pool, fitness room, volleyball courts, and air conditioning.

Search Glen Ellyn real estate here. 

Glen Ellyn’s location in the west suburbs of the Chicagoland area give the advantage of access to major highways. The nearest expressway is interstate 355 which runs North and South along the Western Suburbs and connects to interstate 88 and 290.

Glen Ellyn parking on streets is free during the day in most areas and prohibited from 2am – 6am for the whole village. Many parts of the Glen Ellyn Central Business District include two to three hour free parking. Employees of the Central Business District of Glen Ellyn can request permit parking or park in the $1.50 daily lot for the duration of the work day.

Residents of Glen Ellyn have easy access to Chicago by the Metra commuter train Union Pacific West line which connects Chicago’s Oglivie Transportation Center to Wheaton, IL.

The Glen Ellyn Metra station is located at 551 Crescent Blvd., Glen Ellyn, IL (630) 469-0353 and provides a waiting room. Commuter parking is available at the station for a daily $1.50 or a monthly permit is also available.

For transportation with the village of Glen Ellyn, Pace Bus Route 715 – Central DuPage operates Monday through Friday including a spot at the Metra Station. Additionally, Pace Bus Route 747 – DuPage Connection operates a service between the Forest Park CTA Blue Line and Wheaton, IL–including stops in Glen Ellyn along the way.

Schools in Glen Ellyn provide safe and constructive environments to promote learning at all age levels, and the results have exceeded standards when compared to Illinois state standards.

In 2007 and 2008, Glen Ellyn School District 41 received the Red Apple Award of Excellence, and in 2008, IL State Report Cards determined that 91.3% of the students in the district met or exceeded state school standards.

In the Glenbard Township High School District, 79.7% of teachers hold a Master’s Degree and the high school boasts a 6% higher rate of graduation when compared to state standards.

Public Schools:

Glenbard West High School (9-12), 670 Crescent blvd., Glen Ellyn, IL
Glenbard South High School (9-12), 23W200 Butterfield Road, Glen Ellyn, IL
Glen Crest Middle School (6-8), 725 Sheehan Avenue, Glen Ellyn, IL
Abraham Lincoln Elementary School (K-5), 380 Greenfield Avenue, Glen Ellyn, IL
Benjamin Franklin Elementary School (P-5), 350 Bryant Avenue, Glen Ellyn, IL
Churchill Elementary School (P-5), 240 Geneva Road, Glen Ellyn, IL
Forest Glen Elementary School (K-5), 561 Elm Street, Glen Ellyn, IL
Park View Elementary School (K-5), 250 S Park Blvd., Glen Ellyn, IL
Arbor View Elementary School (P-5), 22W430 Ironwood Drive, Glen Ellyn, IL
Westfield Elementary School (K-5), 125 Mayfield Lane, Glen Ellyn, IL
Hadley Junior High School (6-8), 240 Hawthorne Blvd., Glen Ellyn, IL

Private Schools:

St Petronille Catholic Elementary School (K-6), 456 Hillside Avenue, Glen Ellyn, IL
St James the Apostle School (K-8) 490 S. Park, Glen Ellyn, IL
Montessori Academy of Glen Ellyn, 927 N. Main Street, Glen Ellyn, IL

Glen Ellyn bars and clubs offer the residents a vibrant nightlife. For the wine lovers, Cab’s Wine Bar Bistro features a variety of wines, gourmet dining, and convenient location on Main street and walking distance to the Metra Station. 430 N. Main St., Glen Ellyn, IL 60137 (630) 942-9463.

Also within walking distance of the Metra, Tap House Grill is best known for its speciality beer list and Microbrews. All Tap House Grill locations feature a monthly Food and Beer Pairings Dinner, and the most unique menu item: breaded and fried bacon. 411 North Main Street, Glen Ellyn, IL 60137 (630) 858-4369.

For an authentic Irish pub experience, residents of Glen Ellyn visit Shannon’s Irish Pub and enjoy the outdoor patio in the summer, daily specials, and a full menu including corned beef and cabbage (not just served around St. Patrick’s Day). 428 N Main St, Glen Ellyn, IL 60137 (630) 790-9080.

For anyone who loves a locally brewed beer, the Glen Ellyn Brewing Company is definitely worth checking out. The brewing company offers a full lunch and dinner menu as well as seasonal brews like the Pumpkin Spice Ale.

If looking for a manicure and a cocktail or martini but only wanting to make one stop, Comos Beauty Baroffers it all. Their services include manicures, pedicures, waxing, and a drink list that includes coffee, martini’s, cocktails, and champagne. They also provide private party services and are perfect for bachelorette parties.

Open late, Ellyn’s Bar and Grill is a great place for drinks, food, and watching sports games. The weekly specials make Ellyn’s a great place for $.45 Wings on Wednesdays or $3.50 Bloody Marys on Sundays. Ellyn’s also has a jukebox and pool tables. 940 Roosevelt Road, Baker Hill Shopping Center, Glen Ellyn, IL (630) 942-0940.

Shopping in Glen Ellyn features many small boutiques in the downtown area near the Metra station. These small retail shops include Katy’s Boutique, Fuschia, Knickers, and more. Outside central Glen Ellyn, shopping plazas like the Market Plaza Shopping Center and Pickwick Place Shopping Center contain a variety of stores and shopping experiences.

For the nearest shopping mall, residents of Glen Ellyn often take the 15 minute trip to Yorktown Center in neighboring Lombard. Also a 15 minute drive is the Bloomingdale Shopping Center that offers great dining and retail shopping options.

Theater in Glen Ellyn is organized and fulfilled by the Village Theatre Guild. Performances by the Village Theatre Guild are in a historic one room schoolhouse built in 1917 and is open for anyone to join them regardless of theater experience. Another way to experience Theater in Glen Ellyn can be found at Inspirare Theater founded by Laura Lewis-Barr.

The Glen Art Theatre located on Crescent Blvd. was opened in the 1920’s and was used as a film location for the 1986 movie Lucas. Today, the theater features regular showings of movies and is one of many historic landmarks in downtown Glen Ellyn.

Additional movie theaters can be found about 15 minutes from Glen Ellyn in Bloomingdale and Yorktown Shopping Center in Lombard.

Many bars in Glen Ellyn feature local artists for live music entertainment. Curly’s Bar and Grill and Cab’s Wine Bar Bistro are two of the many places live music can be found in Glen Ellyn.

If searching for fine dining and an exquisite French Restaurant, a trip to Chicago is not needed. Located in heart of Glen Ellyn, Bistro Monet offers a spectacular menu and wine list for residents looking for a special dinner experience. 462 N. Park Blvd., Glen Ellyn, IL (630) 469-4002.

Glen Ellyn restaurants for the pizza and pasta lover include Barone’s Family Restuarant, Marinella Italian Restaurant on Duane street, Giodano’s Famous Stuffed Pizza, or Papa Saverio’s Pizzeria. Residents can enjoy a new kind of pizza or pasta dinner every week and never get bored from the selection in Glen Ellyn.

If looking for good Asian restaurant, Tippi Thai Restaurant is recommended for authentic sit down Thai food and offers delivery after 5pm. 530 Crescent Blvd, Glen Ellyn, IL 60138 (630) 469-9001.

When on the run, Flips Beef and Hot Dogs offers fast food made fresh and custom made for every customer. Most recommended menu item is their Gyro’s and the homemade Italian Beef. Its location near College of DuPage makes it a perfect place between classes for good eats. 340 Roosevelt Rd, Glen Ellyn, IL 60137 (630) 469-5828.

One of the biggest advantages to living in Glen Ellyn is the summer festivals offered to residents in Glen Ellyn. The Glen Ellyn Festival of the Arts takes place every August in the park at Lake Ellyn. The fest is sponsored by the Glen Ellyn Lions Club and maintains the fest to be non-profit.

Started in 1981, The annual Taste of Glen Ellyn is held every May in downtown Glen Ellyn and features live music, business expo, arts and crafts, and of course great food more dozens of local bars and restaurants.

The Glen Ellyn Jazz Fest offers free entertainment every July since 2006. The one-day festival also encourages local bars and restaurants to host after-party events with additional jazz music. In addition to music, the fest also offers a gourmet food menu and serves beer and wine.

The Glen Ellyn Bookfest, started in 2010, attracts best-selling authors or other literary keynote speakers  like Elizabeth Berg, Charlene Ann Baumbich, Stephanie Cowell, Billy Lombardo, J.A. Konrath, and Tony Romano.