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DuPage County has 932,877 residents (2020 census) and a typical home value of about $438,000 as of Sept. 30, 2026, according to Zillow. It’s the second most populous county in Illinois, and for many buyers its biggest draw is the train: three Metra lines run straight through it to downtown Chicago.
I’m Dana Gallagher, a Broker with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Starck Real Estate. I help buyers and sellers across the Chicago suburbs, including many buyers moving between DuPage County and the Northwest Suburbs. Here’s my honest look at living in DuPage County in 2026.
Where Is DuPage County?
DuPage County sits directly west of Cook County, between the Northwest Suburbs to the north and Will County to the south. It covers about 336 square miles and is almost entirely developed. The county seat is Wheaton.
I-88, I-355 and I-294 cross the county, and O’Hare International Airport sits just past its northeast corner.
DuPage County Home Prices in 2026
| DuPage County, IL | Zillow Home Value Index (Sept. 30, 2026) |
|---|---|
| Typical home value | $437,880 |
| Change from a year earlier | Up 4.3% |
| Typical time to go pending | About 15 days |
Prices vary a lot by town, from condos and townhomes in Lombard to large homes in Hinsdale, so I pull sales on your exact street before we write an offer.
Selling first? Get a free home value report, and read should you sell before or after you buy.
Top DuPage County Suburbs Buyers Ask About
Populations are from the 2020 census.
Naperville (149,540)
Naperville is DuPage’s largest city, split with Will County. It has a busy downtown on the DuPage River and the Riverwalk, and two BNSF stations: Naperville and Route 59. Naperville CUSD 203 and Indian Prairie SD 204 both serve parts of the city.
Wheaton (53,970)
Wheaton is the county seat, with a downtown built around its Union Pacific West station. It’s also close to Cantigny Park in Wheaton.
Downers Grove (50,247) and Lisle (24,223)
Both are on the BNSF line. Downers Grove has three stations, including Main Street downtown. Lisle is home to The Morton Arboretum.
Elmhurst (45,786) and Lombard (44,476)
Both sit on the Union Pacific West line, close to I-290 and I-88. Elmhurst has a large downtown around its station; Lombard has a mix of single-family homes, townhomes and condos.
Glen Ellyn (28,846)
Glen Ellyn’s downtown surrounds its UP-W station, and Lake Ellyn Park is a few blocks north.
Hinsdale (17,395)
Hinsdale is on the BNSF line, with a historic downtown and some of the highest prices in the county. If you’re looking at higher-end homes here, my luxury home selling guide explains how I market them.
Bartlett and Elk Grove Village edges
Bartlett crosses Cook, DuPage and Kane counties, and part of Elk Grove Village is in DuPage. Read my guides to moving to Bartlett, IL and moving to Elk Grove Village, IL.
The Metra Commute From DuPage County
Three Metra lines run east and west through DuPage County:
- BNSF: Hinsdale, Westmont, Downers Grove, Lisle, Naperville and Route 59, to Union Station. It’s Metra’s busiest line.
- Union Pacific West (UP-W): Elmhurst, Villa Park, Lombard, Glen Ellyn, Wheaton, Winfield and West Chicago, to Ogilvie Transportation Center.
- Milwaukee District West (MD-W): Bensenville, Wood Dale, Itasca, Medinah, Roselle and Hanover Park, to Union Station.
The North Central Service also stops in the eastern part of the county. Express trains and travel times change by station and time of day, so check the current schedule at metra.com for the station you’re considering. Living within walking distance of a station is one of the biggest things DuPage buyers ask me to filter for.
Schools in DuPage County
DuPage County has many elementary, high school and unit districts, and town lines and school lines don’t always match. Naperville alone is split between District 203 and District 204.
Always confirm the schools for the exact address with the district, and look up school data on the Illinois Report Card.
Property Taxes in DuPage County
SmartAsset estimates DuPage County’s average effective property tax rate at about 1.91%, lower than Kane, Will, Kendall or McHenry. Because home values are higher, the typical bill in dollars is still among the highest in Illinois. I check the latest bill for every home we look at, and my property taxes post explains how the bills work.
Parks and Things to Do
- Forest Preserve District of DuPage County: 60 preserves covering about 26,000 acres, with about 175 miles of trails, according to the district’s 2024 Year in Review.
- The Morton Arboretum in Lisle.
- Cantigny Park in Wheaton.
- Illinois Prairie Path, one of the first rail-trails in the country, running through Wheaton, Glen Ellyn and Lombard.
- Naperville Riverwalk downtown.
Is DuPage County Right for You?
DuPage County could fit you if:
- You want a Metra station nearby with a direct ride into Chicago.
- You like established suburbs with busy downtowns.
- You want quick access to O’Hare and the interstates.
Think it over if:
- You’re looking for lower prices or new construction on bigger lots; Will, Kane or Kendall may fit better.
- You’d rather be farther from the city’s traffic.
Wondering what your budget buys? See what $750K to $1M buys in the Northwest Suburbs and the latest on mortgage rates this fall.
My Tips for Buying in DuPage County
Decide how close to the train you want to be. Homes within walking distance of a Metra station often sell faster and for more. Some buyers are happy to drive to a station’s parking lot instead and stretch their budget further. Check each station’s parking permit rules with the town.
Be ready to move quickly. Zillow shows DuPage homes going pending in about 15 days as of Sept. 30, 2026. Have your pre-approval ready and know your top number before we tour.
Check for teardowns and new builds. In towns like Hinsdale, Elmhurst and Downers Grove, older homes on good lots are sometimes bought to tear down and rebuild. That can affect prices on a street, and I look at those sales separately.
Look up flood zones. Parts of DuPage sit near the DuPage River, Salt Creek and other waterways. You can check any address on FEMA’s Flood Map Service Center (msc.fema.gov).
Compare condos and townhomes carefully. Ask for the association budget, reserves and any planned special assessments before you write an offer.
FAQs About Living in DuPage County
What is the median home price in DuPage County, IL?
Zillow’s Home Value Index put the typical home value at $437,880 as of Sept. 30, 2026, up 4.3% from a year earlier.
Which Metra lines run through DuPage County?
The BNSF, Union Pacific West and Milwaukee District West lines, plus North Central Service stops in the eastern part of the county.
What is the county seat of DuPage County?
Wheaton is the county seat.
What are property taxes like in DuPage County?
SmartAsset estimates the average effective rate at about 1.91%, lower than most nearby counties, though bills in dollars are high because home values are high.
What is the largest city in DuPage County?
Naperville, with 149,540 residents in the 2020 census. Part of the city is in Will County.
How do I check schools for a DuPage County address?
Confirm boundaries with the school district for the exact address, and look up school data on the Illinois Report Card.
Let’s Talk About Your Move
Tell me what you’re looking for, and I’ll send you current homes that fit. Call or text me at 224-858-0022, email mybrokerdana@gmail.com, or contact me here. You can also search homes for sale or get a free home value report.
Dana Gallagher, Broker (SRES®, CBR, CSR, ABR®, SRS) | Certified Luxury Home agent | BHHS Luxury Collection Specialist | Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Starck Real Estate | ★★★★★ 5.0 on Google (40 reviews)
Last updated October 2026. Market figures come from public sources and change often.