Wilmette

The Village of Wilmette (population just over 27,000) is approximately 14 miles north of downtown Chicago. It’s bordered on the south by Evanston and Skokie, on the west by Glenview, and on the north by Kenilworth and Winnetka.

With a median family income of $133,777 in 2005, Wilmette is only the fifth most affluent North Shore suburb. Over 15% of Wilmette’s population is foreign born, including a notable recent influx of eastern Europeans. Wilmette today is a socially liberal, welcoming community. Educational levels are uniformly high, with nearly 40% of over-25 adults having earned a college degree, and a similar percentage having achieved a graduate degree.

Schools

Wilmette is a place that values children and education very highly, and many of its families have moved here specifically to take advantage of the excellent public and private schools.

Public schools

Most of Wilmette is served by Public School District 39. Students in a small portion of western Wilmette attend Avoca District 37 schools. All of Wilmette is within the New Trier Township High School District.

Private schools

Private elementary and pre-schools include the Ronald Knox Montessori School (15 months to 6 years), Baker Demonstration School (Pre-K–8) St Francis Xavier (Pre-K-8), and St Joseph (Pre-K-8). The Arlyn School serves children with special needs.

Private high schools include Loyola Academy (9-12), Regina Dominican (girls, 9-12) and North Shore Country Day in neighboring Winnetka.

Civic Life

Wilmette has a rich array of public amenities, including an outstanding park system, beautiful public beaches, and an excellent public library. It has experienced, highly professional police and fire departments, and a variety of other public services. The village has a long tradition of citizen involvement in public life and boasts a wide range of charitable and civic organizations and clubs.

A comprehensive set of links to community organizations and information can be found at the Wilmette Public Library’s Wilmette & Kenilworth Community Information page.

Recreation

Wilmette is an outdoor lover’s dream. The village’s park district oversees dozens of neighborhood parks, two spectacular beaches, a sailing beach, and the extensive Centennial Recreation Complex, which houses 8 indoor tennis courts, an ice / hockey rink and an aquatic center with a 50-meter 8-lane pool, water slides, tot pool and a diving pool.

Wilmette has the only harbor on the North Shore. Forest preserves, the Chicago Botanical Gardens, the Skokie Lagoons, bike paths and other recreational resources are plentiful. Youth sports, including Little League and soccer, are very popular in Wilmette. New Trier High School has long been known for its many state championship sports teams.

Transportation

The Edens Expressway (I-94) is near the western border of Wilmette. The Lake Ave and Old Orchard interchanges are a few minutes drive from any part of Wilmette. CTA Purple Line L stop at 4th and Linden, and a stop on the Metra Union Pacific North Line at Central and Green Bay in downtown Wilmette. Pace bus routes provide access to most of the village. Taxi service is available from 303 Taxi, American Taxi, and Norshore Cab.

Travel time to O’Hare Airport is approximately 30 minutes by car, taxi or limo.

Shopping, Dining and Nightlife

The nightlife write-up is easy: there isn’t any to speak of in Wilmette. There are limited options in neighboring towns and an abundance in Chicago.

Be warned: if you stop at Meier’s Tavern just across the border in Glenview – the Wilmette police hang out on Lake Ave, watch cars pull out of Meier’s parking lot and trawl for DUI arrests.

Dining options are also limited, but seem to be sufficient to satisfy residents in a place that’s very family-centric.

Wilmette has excellent food shopping options compared to its lakefront neighbors to the north. Three are two Jewel-Osco grocery stores, a Dominick’s just across the Evanston border, a Fresh Market, a Treasure Island and several convenience stores. From May through October downtown Wilmette is home to the French Market, one of the best farmer’s markets on the North Shore.

Downtown Wilmette offers a small selection of local shops and service providers, but a plethora of shopping centers and big-box stores are located in neighboring suburbs.
The historic Plaza del Lago is on Sheridan Road in East Wilmette and is anchored by a Crate and Barrel.

Edens Plaza, on Lake Ave near the Edens Expressway, is a small regional center anchored by Carson Pirie Scott, Bed, Bath & Beyond, Border’s Books, and Fresh Market. A smaller shopping center is across Lake Ave to the south.

Westfield Old Orchard shopping center, just south of the Wilmette border in Skokie, has over 170 shops ranging from Bloomingdale’s, Nordstrom’s, and Macy’s to upscale boutiques and the North Shore teenager’s must-have haunt, a Tiffany store.

Neighborhood/Housing Stock

For current market information, see the Wilmette Snapshot at Trulia or Redfin.
Although Wilmette’s housing stock is predominantly owner-occupied detached single-family homes, rentals (both single-family and condos) are readily available. There are also numerous small condominium and townhome developments in scattered pockets throughout the village.

The character of the housing stock varies widely by neighborhood, reflecting the different periods during which various parts of Wilmette were developed.

At the higher end of the market ($3M and up), Wilmette has a very limited selection of homes. You’ll need to head further north to Winnetka, Kenilworth and Glencoe if you’re truly mansion-minded.

Wilmette's Kenilworth Gardens

For additional details or current market information, please don't hesitate to contact me!

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