Downers Grove, Illinois
Downers Grove is a village of 50,054 people in DuPage County, Illinois, founded in 1832.
Why visit Downers Grove
Townapedia lists 27 museums and landmarks, 122 parks and trails, 252 places to eat, 13 places to stay and 6 attractions in and around town.
Highlights include Hollywood Blvd Cinema, Midwestern University, The Avery Coonley School and Butler School.
July is the warmest month, with average highs of 84°F; January lows average 15°F.
Weather in Downers Grove
Forecast from the National Weather Service. Full forecast
About Downers Grove
Downers Grove is a village in DuPage County, Illinois, United States. It was founded in 1832 by Pierce Downer, whose surname serves as the eponym for the village. Per the 2020 census, the population of the village was 50,248. It is a southwestern suburb of Chicago located between I-88 and I-55.
From the Wikipedia article Downers Grove, Illinois (this version), under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Things to do6
Midwestern University
School · 2.5 mi
Private medical and professional school with campuses in Downers Grove, Illinois and Glendale, Arizona
Benedictine University
School · 4.0 mi
Private Roman Catholic university located in Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Chamberlain University
School · 2.7 mi
Division of Adtalem Global Education
National University of Health Sciences
School · 4.5 mi
Private university in Lombard, Illinois
Museums and landmarks27
The Avery Coonley School
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 0.5 mi
School in Downers Grove, Illinois, United States
Butler School
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 4.7 mi
Historic school building in Oak Brook, Illinois
Downtown Hinsdale Historic District
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 4.8 mi
Historic district in Illinois, United States
Francis Stuyvesant Peabody House
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 4.8 mi
Historic house in Illinois, United States
George Baker House
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 4.2 mi
Historic house in Illinois, United States
Graue Mill
Museum · National Register of Historic Places · 5.1 mi
Water-wheel grist mill in Oak Brook, Illinois
Henry C. Middaugh House
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 3.7 mi
Historic house in Illinois, United States
Mayslake Peabody Estate
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 3.9 mi
Historic house in Illinois, United States
Orland P. Bassett House
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 5.1 mi
Historic house in Illinois, United States
Robert A. and Mary Childs House
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 4.8 mi
Historic house in Illinois, United States
William and Helen Coffeen House
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 4.8 mi
House in Hinsdale, Illinois
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William L. Gregg House
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 2.5 mi
Historic house in Illinois, United States
15 more on the map.
Parks, trails and playgrounds122
Doerhoefer Park
Park · 1.2 mi
Park in Downers Grove, DuPage County, United States of America
Morton Arboretum
Hiking and trails · 2.8 mi
Arboretum in Lisle, Illinois, U.S.A.
4100 Illinois Route 53, Lisle
110 more on the map.
Restaurants and cafes252
Baskin-Robbins
Ice cream · Ice Cream · 3.2 mi
119 Yorktown Shopping Center Rd, Lombard
Mo-Sa 09:00-21:00; Su 10:00-21:00
Carnivore & the Queen
Diner · American · 1.2 mi
2241 Maple Avenue, Downers Grove
Tu 14:00-21:00; We-Th 14:00-22:00; Fr-Sa 15:00-23:00
Fonda de Paula
Restaurant · Mexican · 0.6 mi
1012 Curtiss Street
Mo-Th 11:00-22:00; Fr-Sa 11:00-23:00; Su 11:00-21:00
Honey Berry Pancakes and Cafe
Restaurant · Breakfast · 3.2 mi
157B Yorktown Shopping Center Rd, Lombard
Mo-Fr 07:00-14:30; Sa, Su 07:00-15:00
Legends Bar & Grill
Restaurant · Burger · 3.1 mi
6320 IL 53, Woodridge
11:00-22:00 open "Kitchen Hours" || Su-Th 11:00-23:00 open "Bar...
Oberweis
Ice cream · 2.0 mi
Ice cream, shakes, dairy
60 Ogden Avenue, Downers Grove
Su-Th 11:00-21:00; Fr-Sa 11:00-22:00
Pierce Tavern
Diner · American · 0.6 mi
5135 Main Street, Downers Grove
Mo-Th 11:00-23:00; Fr-Sa 11:00-00:00; Su 11:00-22:00
Tortorice's Pizza
Restaurant · Pizza · 1.7 mi
6321 Woodward Avenue, Downers Grove
Mo-Th, Su 15:30-22:00; Fr,Sa 15:30-23:00
Wasabi Restaurant and Bar
Restaurant · Oriental, Sushi · 0.5 mi
5130 Main Street
Mo-Th 11:30-21:30; Fr 11:30-22:30; Sa 12:30-22:30; Su 12:30-21:00
240 more on the map.
History
Downers Grove was founded in 1832 by Pierce Downer, a farmer who traveled to Illinois from Rutland, New York, but was originally from Vermont. Downers Grove was named for a lush grove of old-growth bur oak trees surrounding the village, which stood out from the local savanna landscape. Its other early settlers included the Blodgett, Curtiss, Blanchard, Stanley, Lyman, and Carpenter families. The original settlers were mostly migrants from the Northeastern United States and Northern Europe. In 1839, Reverend Orange Lyman, a presbyterian minister, and his wife Maria Dewey Lyman arrived, and built what is believed to be the first home in Downers Grove. The first schoolhouse was built in 1844. In 1846, the Blodgett house was built by Israel and Avis Blodgett. It was the second (or third) home built in Downers Grove. Both the Lyman and Blodgett homes are of cultural significance, as they were both built by abolitionist families and served as former stops on the Underground Railroad.
The Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad was extended from Aurora to Chicago through Downers Grove in 1864, boosting its population. The town was incorporated in March 1873. Its somewhat unusual spelling ("Apostrophe-free since 1873") remains a minor historical mystery.
From the History section of Downers Grove, Illinois on Wikipedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where to stay13
Hilton Chicago / Oak Brook Hills Resort & Conference Center
Motel and hotel · 3.1 mi
3500 Midwest Road, Oak Brook
DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Hotel & Conference Center Chicago – Downers Grove
Motel and hotel · 2.6 mi
2111 Butterfield Road, Downers Grove
Esplanade Lakes by DoubleTree
Motel and hotel · 2.0 mi
3500 Lacey Road, Downers Grove
Churches and places of worship40
Immanuel Hall
Church · National Register of Historic Places · 4.6 mi
Peace Lutheran Church
Church · Lutheran · 2.9 mi
21W500 Butterfield Road, Lombard
Saint Joan of Arc Catholic Church
Church · Catholic · 2.5 mi
820 Division Street, Lisle
Shopping50
Gas and EV charging29
Schools, colleges and libraries76
Downers Grove North High School
School · 0.9 mi
4436 Main Street, Downers Grove
Healthcare19
Advocate Good Samaritan Outpatient Center
Clinic and pharmacy · 2.3 mi
6840 Main Street, Downers Grove
American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy
Clinic and pharmacy · 2.2 mi
3300 Woodcreek Drive, Downers Grove
Duly Health and Care
Clinic and pharmacy · 0.6 mi
5207 Main Street, Downers Grove
Map of Downers Grove
250 places. The map loads OpenStreetMap tiles when you open it.
Climate by month
Monthly table
| Month | High | Low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 32°F | 15°F | 2.2 in |
| Feb | 35°F | 18°F | 2.0 in |
| Mar | 47°F | 26°F | 2.4 in |
| Apr | 59°F | 36°F | 3.8 in |
| May | 71°F | 47°F | 4.8 in |
| Jun | 81°F | 58°F | 4.4 in |
| Jul | 84°F | 62°F | 4.2 in |
| Aug | 83°F | 60°F | 4.3 in |
| Sep | 76°F | 52°F | 3.4 in |
| Oct | 63°F | 40°F | 3.6 in |
| Nov | 48°F | 30°F | 2.8 in |
| Dec | 37°F | 21°F | 2.3 in |
U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020 for Lisle-Morton Arboretum (3 mi away), NOAA NCEI.
People and cost of living
American Community Survey 5-year estimates, 2020-2024, U.S. Census Bureau. Estimates have margins of error, larger for small towns.
Disaster history
DuPage County has had 8 federal disaster declarations since 2000, most often for biologicals.
- 2020-03-26: Covid-19 Pandemic (Biological)
- 2020-03-13: Covid-19 (Biological)
- 2013-05-10: Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, And Flooding (Flood)
- 2011-03-17: Severe Winter Storm And Snowstorm (Snowstorm)
- 2010-08-19: Severe Storms And Flooding (Severe Storm)
- 2008-10-03: Severe Storms And Flooding (Severe Storm)
OpenFEMA disaster declarations summaries.
Getting there and nearby towns
Lewis University Airport (LOT) is the nearest airport with scheduled flights listed in OpenStreetMap, 14 miles away.
- Darien 4 mi southeast, about 6 min by car
- Burr Ridge 6 mi southeast, about 10 min by car
- Naperville 8 mi southwest, about 13 min by car
- Bolingbrook 9 mi southwest, about 14 min by car
- Addison 9 mi north, about 15 min by car
- Brookfield 9 mi east, about 15 min by car
- Bellwood 10 mi northeast, about 15 min by car
- Carol Stream 10 mi northwest, about 17 min by car
- Bloomingdale 11 mi north, about 18 min by car
- Berwyn 12 mi east, about 20 min by car
Drive times are estimates from straight-line distance, not routes.
Local news
Headlines from INDB, the NEMICO news database.
Reviews, tips and questions
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Sources and licences
- NCES EDGE (Public domain): public schools
- NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020 (Public domain): climate by month
- OpenFEMA (Public domain): disaster declarations
- OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL 1.0): places, airports, map data
- U.S. Census Bureau (Public domain): population, income, housing, education, commute
- Wikidata (CC0 1.0): elevation, founding date, time zone, website, landmarks and historic places
- Wikimedia Commons (see each image): photos
- Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0): overview and history text
Photo credits
- Aerial view of Downers Grove, Illinois, October 2024, Pi.1415926535, CC BY-SA 4.0
- 20140317 99 Metra, Downers Grove, Illinois (14843279123), David Wilson from Oak Park, Illinois, USA, CC BY 2.0
- 20040511 21 Amtrak Downers Grove, IL (7612944012), David Wilson from Oak Park, Illinois, USA, CC BY 2.0
- 20160701 01 Amtrak, Downers Grove, Illinois (28908036344), David Wilson from Oak Park, Illinois, USA, CC BY 2.0
- 20040511 24 BNSF Downers Grove, IL (7612943784), David Wilson from Oak Park, Illinois, USA, CC BY 2.0
- 20130727 10 Metra, Downers Grove, Illinois (13369309425), David Wilson from Oak Park, Illinois, USA, CC BY 2.0
- 20040511 36 BNSF Downers Grove, IL (7615822888), David Wilson from Oak Park, Illinois, USA, CC BY 2.0
- 20040511 29 Metra Downers Grove, IL, David Wilson, CC BY 2.0
- 20040511 35 Metra Downers Grove, IL (7615823212), David Wilson from Oak Park, Illinois, USA, CC BY 2.0
- 20040511 23 BNSF Downers Grove, IL (7612942154), David Wilson from Oak Park, Illinois, USA, CC BY 2.0
- 20040511 25 Amtrak, Downers Grove, IL (7612943526), David Wilson from Oak Park, Illinois, USA, CC BY 2.0
- 20040511 34 Downers Grove, IL (7615823618), David Wilson from Oak Park, Illinois, USA, CC BY 2.0
- 20140317 112 Metra, Downers Grove, Illinois (14645605137), David Wilson from Oak Park, Illinois, USA, CC BY 2.0
- 20140317 120 Metra, Downers Grove, Illinois (14836714961), David Wilson from Oak Park, Illinois, USA, CC BY 2.0
- 20170720 07 Metra station, Downers Grove, Illinois (44195883935), David Wilson from Oak Park, Illinois, USA, CC BY 2.0
- 20140317 128 Metra, Downers Grove, Illinois (14653251347), David Wilson from Oak Park, Illinois, USA, CC BY 2.0
- 20140317 115 Metra, Downers Grove, Illinois (14829785754), David Wilson from Oak Park, Illinois, USA, CC BY 2.0
- 20140317 124 Metra, Downers Grove, Illinois (14653157289), David Wilson from Oak Park, Illinois, USA, CC BY 2.0
- 20140317 123 BNSF Railroad, Downers Grove, Illinois (14859665413), David Wilson from Oak Park, Illinois, USA, CC BY 2.0
- 20140317 118 Metra, Downers Grove, Illinois (14653103000), David Wilson from Oak Park, Illinois, USA, CC BY 2.0
- 20040511 27 Metra Downers Grove, IL (7612943214), David Wilson from Oak Park, Illinois, USA, CC BY 2.0
- Downers Grove Station Il. (5388093896), Loco Steve from Bromley , UK, CC BY 2.0
- Tivoli Theatre, Downers Grove Main Street, AEDIAEDI, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Greetings from Downers Grove, Illinois - Large Letter Postcard (7621080544), Steve Shook from Moscow, Idaho, USA, CC BY 2.0
- Downers grove North high school, Sandovals29, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Steak 'n Shake (Downers Grove, Illinois) 1, Retail Thriller, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Robert A. and Mary Childs House, Teemu08 ( talk ), CC BY-SA 3.0
- ButlerSchoolOakBrook, Teemu08 at en.wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Mayslake Peabody Estate - Mayslake Hall, Dima Sergiyenko; Please attribute this image as the work of " DiscoverWithDima .", CC BY-SA 4.0
- Immanuel Evangelical Church Hinsdale, Teemu08 ( talk ), CC BY-SA 3.0
- Gregg Museum, User:Teemu08 Uploaded by Teemu08 at en.wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Graue Water Mill, York Road, Fullersburg vicinity (Du Page County, Illinois), Chester Hart, Photographer, Public domain
- Image Coffeen House, Boscophotos, CC BY-SA 3.0
- William Whitney House, Teemu08 ( talk ), CC BY-SA 3.0
- Orland P. Bassett House, Teemu08 ( talk ), CC BY-SA 3.0
- Francis Stuyvesant Peabody House, Teemu08 ( talk ), CC BY-SA 3.0
- Hinsdale Memorial Building, Teemu08 at English Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0
- GeorgeBakerHouse, Teemu08 at en.wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Avery Coonley School (5978115291), Teemu008 from Palatine, Illinois, CC BY-SA 2.0
- SP 4449 (quickly) Passing Downer's Grove, H. Michael Miley, CC BY-SA 2.0
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