Wheaton, Illinois

{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{Infobox settlement
|name                     = Wheaton, Illinois
|settlement_type          = [[City]]

<!-- Images -->
|image_skyline            = Downtown Wheaton Skyline.jpg
|image_caption            = Downtown Wheaton (2022)
|image_flag               =
|image_seal               =

<!-- Maps -->
|image_map                = File:DuPage County Illinois Incorporated and Unincorporated areas Wheaton Highlighted.svg
|map_caption              = Location within [[DuPage County, Illinois|DuPage County]] and [[Illinois]]
|image_map1               =
|map_caption1             =

<!-- Location -->
|coordinates_footnotes    =
|coordinates              = {{coord|41|51|22|N|88|06|30|W|region:US-IL_source:GNIS|display=inline,title}}
|subdivision_type         = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
|subdivision_name         = United States
|subdivision_type1        = [[U.S. state|State]]
|subdivision_name1        = [[Illinois]]
|subdivision_type2        = [[List of counties in Illinois|Counties]]
|subdivision_name2        = [[DuPage County, Illinois|DuPage]]
|subdivision_type3        = [[Civil township|Townships]]
|subdivision_name3        = [[Milton Township, DuPage County, Illinois|Milton]], [[Winfield Township, DuPage County, Illinois|Winfield]]

<!-- Established -->
|established_title        = Founded
|established_date         = {{start date|1831}}
|established_title1       = [[Platted]]
|established_date1        =
|established_title2       = [[Municipal corporation|Incorporated]]
|established_date2        = 1859 (village)<br/>1890 (city)
|named_for                =

<!-- Government -->
|government_footnotes     = <ref>{{cite web |title=City Council |url=https://www.wheaton.il.us/544/City-Council |publisher=City of Wheaton, Illinois |access-date=14 December 2021}}</ref>
|government_type          = [[Council–manager government|Council–manager]]
|leader_title             = [[Mayor]]
|leader_name              = Phillip Suess
|leader_title1            = [[City Manager]]
|leader_name1             = Michael Dzugan

<!-- Area -->
|area_footnotes           = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2020">{{cite web|title=2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2020_Gazetteer/2020_gaz_place_17.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=March 15, 2022}}</ref>
|area_total_sq_mi         = 11.48
|area_land_sq_mi          = 11.32
|area_water_sq_mi         = 0.17
|area_total_km2           = 29.75
|area_land_km2            = 29.31
|area_water_km2           = 0.43
|unit_pref                = Imperial

<!-- Elevation -->
|elevation_footnotes      = <ref name=gnis/>
|elevation_ft             = 748

<!-- Population -->
|population_footnotes     =
|population_as_of         = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
|population_total         = 53970
|pop_est_footnotes        =
|pop_est_as_of            =
|population_est           =
|population_density_sq_mi = auto
|population_density_km2   = auto

<!-- General information -->
|timezone                 = [[Central Time Zone|CST]]
|utc_offset               = −6
|timezone_DST             = CDT
|utc_offset_DST           = −5
|postal_code_type         = [[ZIP Code]]
|postal_code              = 60187, 60189
|area_code_type           = [[North American Numbering Plan|Area code]]
|area_code                = [[Area codes 630 and 331|630 and 331]]
|blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standards|FIPS code]]
|blank_info               = 17-81048
|blank1_name              = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS ID]]
|blank1_info              = 2397294<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|2397294}}</ref>
|website                  = {{official URL}}
}}

'''Wheaton''' is a city in and the [[county seat]] of [[DuPage County, Illinois]], United States.<ref name="GR6">{{cite web|url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110302041221/http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx|url-status=dead|archive-date=2011-03-02|access-date=2011-06-07|title=Find a County|publisher=National Association of Counties}}</ref> It is located [[Milton Township, DuPage County, Illinois|Milton]] and [[Winfield Township, DuPage County, Illinois|Winfield townships]] approximately {{convert|25|mi|km|0}} west of [[Chicago]]. As of the 2020 census, Wheaton's population was 53,970,<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Explore Census Data |url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/profile?g=1600000US1781048 |access-date=2022-06-28 |website=data.census.gov}}</ref> making it the [[List of municipalities in Illinois|27th-most populous municipality]] in Illinois.

==History==
===Founding===
The city dates its founding to the period between 1831 and 1837, following the [[Indian Removal Act]], when Erastus Gary laid claim to {{convert|790|acre}} of land near present-day [[Warrenville, Illinois|Warrenville]].<ref name="eoc">{{cite encyclopedia|last=Kay|first=Thomas O.|title=Wheaton, IL|url=http://www.encyclopedia.chicagohistory.org/pages/1350.html|encyclopedia=Encyclopedia of Chicago|publisher=Chicago Historical Society|access-date=20 July 2010|year=2005}}</ref><ref name="tower">{{cite book |last=Moore |first=Jean |date=1974 |chapter=The Arrival of the Wheaton Brothers |chapter-url=http://www.oldplaces.org/dupage_county/wheaton.htm |title=From Tower to Tower: A History of Wheaton, Illinois |location=Wheaton, Ill |publisher=Gary-Wheaton Bank |oclc=1339996|access-date=3 March 2015}}</ref> The Wheaton brothers arrived from Connecticut, and in 1837, [[Warren L. Wheaton]] laid claim to {{convert|640|acre}} of land in the center of town. Jesse Wheaton later made claim to {{convert|300|acre}} of land just west of Warren's.<ref name="tower"/><ref name="cityhist">{{cite web|title=History of Wheaton, Illinois|url=http://www.wheaton.il.us/about/history/default.aspx?id=932|publisher=City of Wheaton|access-date=7 March 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140413182315/http://www.wheaton.il.us/about/history/default.aspx?id=932|archive-date=2014-04-13|url-status=dead}}</ref> It was not long before other settlers from [[New England]] joined them in the community.  In 1848, they gave the [[Galena and Chicago Union Railroad]] three miles (5&nbsp;km) of [[Right-of-way (transportation)|right-of-way]], upon which railroad officials named the depot Wheaton.<ref name="eoc"/><ref name="cityhist"/> In 1850, ten blocks of land were [[plat]]ted and anyone who was willing to build immediately was granted free land. In 1853, the lots were surveyed and a formal plat for the community was filed with the county. The community was then incorporated as a village on February 24, 1859, with Warren serving as its first President.<ref name="cityhist2">{{cite web|title=History of Wheaton Government|url=http://www.wheaton.il.us/about/history/default.aspx?id=934|publisher=City of Wheaton|access-date=7 March 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140416183820/http://www.wheaton.il.us/about/history/default.aspx?id=934|archive-date=16 April 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> The village was later incorporated as a city on April 24, 1890, when the first mayor of the city was selected, [[Judge]] [[Elbert Henry Gary|Elbert Gary]], son of Erastus Gary and founder of [[Gary, Indiana]].<ref name="cityhist2"/>

===Establishment as county seat===
[[File:Old DuPage County Courthouse Aerial.jpg|thumb|left|The Old DuPage County Courthouse]]
[[File:DuPage_county_court_complex_aerial.jpg|thumb|left|The present-day DuPage county court complex]]
In 1857, the [[Illinois General Assembly|Illinois state legislature]] authorized an election to be held to decide the question of whether the DuPage county seat should remain in [[Naperville, Illinois|Naperville]] or be moved to the more centrally located Wheaton, which was on the [[Galena and Chicago Union Railroad]]. Naperville won the election by a vote of 1,542 to 762. Hostility between the two towns continued for the next decade and another election was held in 1867, in which Wheaton narrowly won by a vote of 1,686 to 1,635. At a cost of $20,000, the City of Wheaton quickly built a [[courthouse]] to house a [[courtroom]], county offices, and a [[county jail]]. The building was dedicated on July 4, 1868.<ref>{{cite journal|last=Lapinski|first=John|title=History of DuPage County's Courthouses|journal=Journal of the DuPage County Bar Association|volume=12|issue=1999–00|url=http://www.dcbabrief.org/vol120999art3.html|access-date=23 May 2011}}</ref>

However, animosity between the two towns continued, and in 1868, as records were moved from the old Naperville courthouse to the new courthouse in Wheaton, Naperville refused to turn over the remaining county records, prompting a band of [[American Civil War|Civil War]] [[veteran]]s from Wheaton to conduct what came to be known as the "Midnight Raid" on the Naperville courthouse. As Wheatonites fled back on Wheaton-Naperville Road, Napervillians were able to secure some of the last remaining records, which were then taken to the [[Cook County, Illinois|Cook County]] [[Recorder of deeds|Recorder]] in [[Chicago]] for safekeeping. During this time, Naperville was mounting a [[lawsuit]] against Wheaton accusing [[election judge]]s of leaving their posts for lunch during the vote when duplicate [[ballot stuffing]] allegedly occurred. As the courts deliberated the fate of the county seat, the records were destroyed in the [[Great Chicago Fire]] of 1871. Shortly thereafter, Wheaton was officially proclaimed the county seat.<ref>{{cite web|title=Church Bell 1846 |url=http://www.loveandjustice.org/OurHistory/church_bell_1846.htm|publisher=First Congregational UCC Naperville|year=2007|access-date=23 May 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080720090550/http://www.loveandjustice.org/OurHistory/church_bell_1846.htm|archive-date=20 July 2008}}</ref>

As demand for space increased, the courthouse was rebuilt in 1887 at a cost of $69,390, modeled after the courthouse in [[Aledo, Illinois|Aledo]]. This structure was used for the next 94 years until the county's rapid growth prompted the building of a brand new complex.<ref>{{cite web|title=Our History|url=http://www.ewheaton.com/explore/living_history.html|publisher=Wheaton Chamber of Commerce|access-date=23 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929165242/http://www.ewheaton.com/explore/living_history.html |archive-date=29 September 2007|year=2001}}</ref> The [[DuPage County Courthouse|old courthouse]] is listed on the [[National Register of Historic Places]], and was formerly used by [[National Louis University]] until National Louis moved to [[Lisle, Illinois|Lisle]] in 2004. It is currently being developed into luxury [[Condominium (living space)|condominium]]s.

On November 2, 1990, the courthouse moved to a building about two miles (3&nbsp;km) west in a new {{convert|57|acre|m2|adj=on}} complex at the corner of County Farm Road and Manchester Road. It was built at a cost of $52,500,000 and includes a {{convert|300000|sqft|m2|-4|adj=on}} judicial building. In 1992, the county sued the [[architect]] and [[General contractor|contractor]] for $4 million after several employees became ill from the ventilation system.<ref>{{cite web|title=Examples of Sick Building Legal Cases|url=http://www.aerias.org/DesktopModules/ArticleDetail.aspx?articleId=109&spaceid=2&subid=13#legal-examples|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060929205654/http://www.aerias.org/DesktopModules/ArticleDetail.aspx?articleId=109&spaceid=2&subid=13#legal-examples|url-status=dead|archive-date=29 September 2006|work=AQS's IAQ Resource Center|publisher=Aerias|access-date=23 May 2011}}</ref> In the end, however, the county received only $120,000 for minor repairs and the jury sided with the defendants, finding that the alleged problems were caused, primarily, by the county's negligent operation and maintenance of the ventilation system.

===Expansion===
[[File:Wheatoncenter1.jpg|right|thumb|Wheaton Center, from a pedestrian bridge over the [[Union Pacific Railroad]] tracks]]

Wheaton has rapidly expanded since the 1950s, although population growth has slowed since the early 1990s, as the city has become increasingly landlocked. Downtown lost much business after the county courthouse facility moved two miles (3&nbsp;km) west in 1990, but in the decade since, the downtown has seen a [[renaissance]] of sorts, with the creation of several significant condominium and business developments. One of the most recognizable landmarks of the city is Wheaton Center, a 758-unit apartment complex on {{convert|14|acre|m2}} in downtown Wheaton. The six building complex includes two twenty-story [[high-rise]] buildings built in 1975.<ref>{{cite web|last=Back|first=Edith E.|title=Wheaton|url=http://www.dupagehistory.org/dupage_roots/Wheaton_23.htm|work=History of DuPage County|access-date=20 July 2010}}</ref>

In 1887, Wheaton prohibited the sale of [[alcoholic beverage]]s,<ref name="eoc"/> a ban which lasted until 1985 and applied to all [[supermarket]]s, [[convenience store]]s, [[restaurant]]s, and other establishments.<ref>{{cite news|last=Walkup|first=Carolyn|title=How dry they're not: Easing of liquor laws allows Ill. eatery to sell alcohol outdoors|url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m3190/is_19_34/ai_62215632/|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120708125357/http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m3190/is_19_34/ai_62215632/|url-status=dead|archive-date=8 July 2012|access-date=15 January 2011|newspaper=[[Nation's Restaurant News]]|date=8 May 2000}}</ref>

==Geography==
According to the 2021 census gazetteer files, Wheaton has a total area of {{convert|11.49|sqmi|km2|2}}, of which {{convert|11.32|sqmi|km2|2}} (or 98.55%) is land and {{convert|0.17|sqmi|km2|2}} (or 1.45%) is water.<ref name="gaz2021">{{Cite web   |title=Gazetteer Files |url=https://www.census.gov/geographies/reference-files/time-series/geo/gazetteer-files.html |access-date=2022-06-29 |website=Census.gov}}</ref>

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1860= 645
|1870= 998
|1880= 1160
|1890= 1622
|1900= 2345
|1910= 3423
|1920= 4137
|1930= 7258
|1940= 7389
|1950= 11638
|1960= 24312
|1970= 31138
|1980= 43043
|1990= 51464
|2000= 55416
|2010= 52894
|2020= 53970
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|access-date=June 4, 2015}}</ref>
}}As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]]<ref name=":0" /> there were 53,970 people, 19,218 households, and 13,122 families residing in the city. The population density was {{Convert|4,699.17|PD/sqmi|PD/km2}}. There were 20,885 housing units at an average density of {{Convert|1,818.46|/sqmi|/km2}}. The racial makeup of the city was 79.01% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 4.27% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.16% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 7.50% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.01% [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 2.24% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 6.81% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 6.49% of the population.

There were 19,218 households, out of which 31.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.66% were married couples living together, 6.35% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.72% were non-families. 26.51% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.01% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.22 and the average family size was 2.61.

The city's age distribution consisted of 22.8% under the age of 18, 11.4% from 18 to 24, 24.7% from 25 to 44, 25.1% from 45 to 64, and 16.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36.7 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.6 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $105,764, and the median income for a family was $129,579. Males had a median income of $73,771 versus $40,560 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the city was $51,688. About 3.3% of families and 5.7% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 5.0% of those under age 18 and 7.3% of those age 65 or over.

In August 2010, the city was listed among the "Top 25 Highest Earning Towns" on [[CNNMoney]], purporting a median family income of $113,517, and a median home price of $328,866, based on 2009 figures.<ref>{{cite news|title=Top-earning towns |url=https://money.cnn.com/galleries/2010/moneymag/1007/gallery.best_places_top_earning_towns.moneymag/25.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100715091726/http://money.cnn.com/galleries/2010/moneymag/1007/gallery.best_places_top_earning_towns.moneymag/25.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=15 July 2010 |access-date=15 January 2011 |newspaper=CNNMoney.com |date=August 2010 }}</ref>

==Economy==
According to Wheaton's 2021 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report,<ref>[https://www.wheaton.il.us/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/5589 2021 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report]</ref> the top employers in the city are:

{| class="wikitable"
|+ 
|-
! # !! Employer !! # of Employees
|-
| 1|| DuPage County Government Center || 2124
|-
| 2|| School District 200|| 1687
|-
| 3|| Wheaton Park District || 1053
|-
| 4||Marianjoy Rehab Hospital || 940
|-
| 5|| [[Wheaton College (Illinois)|Wheaton College]]|| 900
|}

==Arts and culture==
===Shopping<!--[[Template:Chicagomalls]] links here for Town Square Wheaton-->===
Wheaton boasts a vibrant downtown with many restaurants, shops and services. The Downtown Wheaton Association hosts many events throughout the year to promote local businesses, including The French Market, The Chili Cookoff, Vintage Rides, Boo-palooza (Downtown Wheaton Trick-or-Treat), A Dickens of a Christmas, Wheaton Wedding Walk and Wheaton's Wine & Cultural Arts Festival.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.downtownwheaton.com/events/ |title=Events |publisher=Downtown Wheaton Association|date=2020 |access-date=19 December 2020}}</ref>

Downtown Wheaton is also home to perhaps one of the narrowest stores in the Chicago area. The Little Popcorn Store on Front Street was formerly an alley between two buildings, and features the exposed brick walls of its neighbors. The store has been around since the 1920s and sells candy for as little as 1¢ apiece, and fresh popcorn.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.littlepopcornstore.com|title=The Little Popcorn Store|website=The Little Popcorn Store|language=en|access-date=2017-05-17}}</ref>

Other shopping districts in Wheaton include Danada Square West,<ref>{{cite web |title=Directory |url=https://www.danadasquarewest.com/directory/ |publisher=Danada Square West |access-date=14 December 2021}}</ref> and Danada Square East,<ref>{{cite web |title=About Us |url=https://www.danadasquareeast.com/about-us/ |publisher=Danada Square East |access-date=14 December 2021}}</ref> named after [[Dan and Ada Rice]], located on the north side of [[Illinois Route 56]] (Butterfield Road), on the west and east side of Naperville Road. Just east of Danada Square East is Rice Lake Square, another open air shopping center.<ref>{{cite web |title=About Us |url=https://ricelakesquare.com/about-us/ |publisher=Rice Lake Square |access-date=14 December 2021}}</ref> Just north of Danada Square East, along Naperville Road, is Town Square Wheaton, which was built in 1992, and is a mixed-use lifestyle center featuring clothing boutiques and restaurants.<ref>{{cite web |title=About Us |url=https://www.townsquarewheaton.com/about-us/ |publisher=Town Square Wheaton |access-date=14 December 2021}}</ref> Other shopping areas include the [[Roosevelt Road]]<ref>{{cite web |title=East Roosevelt Road Corridor Area – Comprehensive Plan Update |url=https://www.wheaton.il.us/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Item/3638?fileID=5032 |publisher=City of Wheaton, Illinois |access-date=14 December 2021 |date=February 2019}}</ref> and Geneva Road corridors.<ref>{{cite web |title=Main Street Plaza |url=https://www.commercialcafe.com/commercial-property/us/il/wheaton/main-street-plaza/ |publisher=Yardi Systems, Inc. |access-date=14 December 2021}}</ref>

===Fairgrounds===
Wheaton is home to the DuPage County Fairgrounds. Organized in 1954, the DuPage [[Fair|County Fair]] Association hosts the annual DuPage County Fair in late July. The fair annually attracts major entertainers, such as [[Ashlee Simpson]], [[Plain White T's]] (2007), [[Travis Tritt]], [[Jesse McCartney]], [[Jars of Clay]], [[Corbin Bleu]] (2008), [[The Academy Is...]], [[The Original Wailers]] (2009), and [[Danny Gokey]] (2010).

===Theater===
Wheaton is also home to the historic [[Grand Theatre (Wheaton, Illinois)|Grand Theater]], built in 1925. In recent years,{{when|date=January 2018}} the theater and volunteers undertook a restoration to its original state, complete with a lighted dome ceiling dotted with stars, and a newly painted floor. It celebrated its grand reopening on May 11, 2002, and on August 25, 2005, the theater was placed on the [[National Register of Historic Places listings in DuPage County, Illinois|National Register of Historic Places]]. There was a sense of growing pessimism that the theater would ever be restored, due to lack of progress and funds. However, there was cause for hope when on January 23, 2010, when many cast members of the off-Broadway show ''Jersey Boys'' raised approximately $50,000 for restoration.

On July 10, 2010, the Grand Theater Corp. surrendered the deed to the building, to Suburban Bank and Trust Co, due in part to being delinquent on a $800,000 loan, carried by Suburban Bank and Trust Co.

On November 30, 2012, Jim Atten bought the building, intending to reopen it soon.  Since then he has been repairing the property and leading the effort to remove temporary structures within the theater. He has worked closely with an architect and the city staff as the effort progresses.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://wheatongrandtheater.com/|title=Wheaton Grand Theater|website=wheatongrandtheater.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130304012826/http://wheatongrandtheater.com/|archive-date=2013-03-04|url-status=dead|access-date=2017-05-17}}</ref> According to the ''Daily Herald'' newspaper, it will take an estimated $5 million to get the theater up and running again.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20140306/news/140309045/|title=Saving downtown theaters: Wheaton Grand headlines a long list|last=Cilella|first=Jessica|date=2014-03-06|work=Daily Herald|access-date=2017-05-17|language=en-US}}</ref>

===Public library===
[[File:Wheaton Public Library's back enterance.jpg|thumb|A view of Cafe on the Park, located at the back of the Wheaton Public library]]
The Wheaton Public Library is frequently ranked as one of the top ten libraries in the nation compared to other libraries serving similarly sized populations.<ref name="libhistory">{{cite web|title=History of the Library |url=http://www.wheaton.lib.il.us/LI_WPLHist.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101003131342/http://www.wheaton.lib.il.us/LI_WPLHist.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=3 October 2010 |publisher=Wheaton Public Library |access-date=23 May 2011 }}</ref> In 2006, a three-story addition was added, followed by significant renovations which were completed in 2007, to bring the square footage up from 74,000 to 124,000.<ref name="libhistory" /> The annual public library budget in 2018 was $4.084 million.<ref>{{cite web |title=City Budget |url=https://www.wheaton.il.us/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/4262 |publisher=City of Wheaton |access-date=19 December 2020 |page=454 |date=31 December 2018}}</ref> {{As of|2019}}, the total circulation was 1,013,326, the number of items in the collection was 262,745, and the number of visitors was 525,711.<ref>{{cite web |title=Annual Report |date=31 December 2019 |url=https://www.wheatonlibrary.org/sites/default/files/pdf/AnnualReport-2019.pdf |publisher=Wheaton Public Library |access-date=19 December 2020}}</ref> The previous public library was converted into the [[DuPage County Historical Museum]], between 1965 and 1967.

In May 2016, the library opened Café on the Park, a small restaurant located just inside the Wheaton Public Library's park-side (west) entrance.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.cafeontheparkwheaton.com/|title=Cafe on the Park Wheaton – Serious about coffee… and fun!|website=www.cafeontheparkwheaton.com|access-date=2016-05-09}}</ref>

==Parks and recreation==
[[File:Cosley Zoo sign.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Cosley Zoo]] in Wheaton]]
[[File:Illinoispp1.jpg|thumb|The [[Illinois Prairie Path]] in Wheaton]]

===Parks and golf===
*The [[Wheaton Park District]] has received the National Gold Medal Award for Excellence from the National Recreation and Park Association four times, in 1984, 1990, 1996, and 2005.<ref>{{cite web|title=Gold Medal Recipients – 1966 to 2010 |url=http://www.nrpa.org/uploadedFiles/Explore_Parks_and_Recreation/Park_and_Rec_Issues/Gold%20Medal%20Recipients%20-%20Master%20List%202010.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110207011918/http://nrpa.org/uploadedFiles/Explore_Parks_and_Recreation/Park_and_Rec_Issues/Gold%20Medal%20Recipients%20-%20Master%20List%202010.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=7 February 2011|publisher=National Recreation and Park Association|access-date=23 May 2011}}</ref> It boasts 52 parks covering more than {{convert|800|acre}}, including:<ref>{{cite web|title=Parks & Facilities: Locations |url=http://wheatonparkdistrict.com/pgs/parks/list_parks.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071014011721/http://www.wheatonparkdistrict.com/pgs/parks/list_parks.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=14 October 2007 |publisher=Wheaton Park District |access-date=23 May 2011 |year=2011 }}</ref>
**The {{convert|135|acre|adj=on}} Lincoln Marsh Natural Area, with over 300 species of prairie and wetland plants and animals, and a regionally acclaimed [[ropes course]].
**[[Cosley Zoo]], founded in 1974, housing over 200 animals that represent over 70 species.
**Two public swimming pools, the Northside Family Aquatic Center, and the Rice Pool and Water Park with three [[water slide]]s, a zero-depth entry point and sand volleyball courts.
**The 27-hole Arrowhead Golf Club, renamed in 1929 from the Antlers Golf Club, which was built in 1924. A new clubhouse was built in 2004–2005.
*The [[Chicago Golf Club]] is a prestigious private golf club on the southside of Wheaton. It is the oldest 18-hole golf course in the nation. It has hosted numerous [[U.S. Open (golf)|U.S. Open]] and [[United States Amateur Championship (golf)|U.S. Amateur Golf Championship]]s in its history. In 2005, it was host to the [[Walker Cup]].
*[[Cantigny|Cantigny Park and Golf Course]] is the former estate of ''[[Chicago Tribune]]'' owner [[Robert R. McCormick]] and is located in southwestern Wheaton.  The park contains extensive formal and natural gardens and two museums, one relating to the ''Chicago Tribune'', and the other devoted to the [[1st Infantry Division (United States)|First Division]] of the [[United States Army]], as Robert McCormick was a [[Colonel (United States)|colonel]] in the First Division during [[World War I]]. Adjacent to the park to the south is Cantigny's championship 18-hole public golf course that was the site of the 2007 US Amateur Public Links.
*The Danada Forest Preserve and Equestrian Center is located on the site of the former estate of [[Dan and Ada Rice|Daniel F. and Ada L. Rice]], after whom Danada is named.<ref>{{cite web|title=Danada Equestrian Center |url=http://dupageforest.com/Education/Centers/Danada_Equestrian_Center(2).html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090701061853/http://dupageforest.com/Education/Centers/Danada_Equestrian_Center%282%29.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=1 July 2009 |publisher=Forest Preserve District of DuPage County |access-date=23 May 2011 }}</ref> In the 1940s, the Rices added a barn to the estate to house horses. In 1965, their horse [[Lucky Debonair]] won the [[Kentucky Derby top four finishers|Kentucky Derby]]. The Danada Farm estate was acquired by the county in 1980 and 1981.
* The [[Illinois Prairie Path]] runs throughout Wheaton.<ref>{{cite web |title=Illinois Prairie Path Facts |url=https://www.traillink.com/trail/illinois-prairie-path/ |publisher=[[Rails-to-Trails Conservancy]] |access-date=21 August 2023}}</ref>

==Government==
In the [[United States House of Representatives]], Wheaton is located both in [[Illinois's 3rd congressional district]], which is held by [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democrat]] [[Delia Ramirez]],<ref>{{cite web |title=Illinois's 3rd Congressional District |url=https://www.govtrack.us/congress/members/IL/3 |website=govtrack.us |access-date=21 August 2023}}</ref> and [[Illinois's 6th congressional district]], which is held by [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democrat]] [[Sean Casten]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.govtrack.us/congress/members/IL/6|title=Illinois's 6th Congressional District|website=govtrack.us|access-date=20 August 2023}}</ref>

==Education==
===Higher education===
[[File:Blanchard_Hall_Wheaton_College.jpg|thumb|235x235px|[[Blanchard Hall]] at Wheaton College]]
[[Wheaton College (Illinois)|Wheaton College]] is located just east of downtown Wheaton. Sometimes referred to as "The Harvard of Evangelical schools", Wheaton College is known for being an interdenominational destination school for devout Christian students seeking an [[elite]] liberal arts education.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://chicago.suntimes.com/opinion/elite-wheaton-college-still-a-school-of-a-different-sort/|title = Elite Wheaton College still a school of a different sort|date = 24 June 2016}}</ref>

Wheaton's campus features the [[Billy Graham Center]], named for the college's most famous alumnus, which contains a museum dedicated to both the history of American [[evangelism]] and the international ministry of [[Billy Graham]]. It features conceptual exhibits intended to convey [[Christianity|Christian]] ideas. Wheaton College is also home to the Todd M. Beamer Student Center, which was dedicated in 2004 to the memory of [[Todd Beamer]], a hero from [[United Airlines Flight 93]], and two other Wheaton alumni who died in the [[September 11 attacks]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Todd M. Beamer Student Center |url=http://www.wheaton.edu/Buildings/Todd-M-Beamer-Student-Center |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110719134858/http://www.wheaton.edu/Buildings/Todd-M-Beamer-Student-Center |url-status=dead |archive-date=19 July 2011 |publisher=Wheaton College |access-date=26 July 2013 }}</ref>

The [[Dan and Ada Rice|Daniel F. and Ada L. Rice]] Campus of the [[Illinois Institute of Technology]] is also located in Wheaton, and is home to the School of Applied Technology and offers technology-oriented education and training for working professionals.<ref>{{cite web|title=About the School of Applied Technology at IIT|url=http://www.iit.edu/cpd/about/|publisher=Illinois Institute of Technology|access-date=26 July 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140213211458/http://iit.edu/cpd/about/|archive-date=13 February 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Private schools===
Several of the private schools in Wheaton are located near the town center; in addition, [[St. Francis High School (Wheaton, Illinois)|St. Francis High School]] is on the far west side of town. [[Wheaton Academy]] moved to West Chicago in 1945, and Wheaton Christian Grammar School moved to a new campus in [[Winfield, Illinois|Winfield]] in 2010, while still retaining its name.<ref name="wcgs">{{cite web|title=Our Heritage|url=http://wheatonchristian.org/pages/page.asp?page_id=221097|publisher=Wheaton Christian Grammar School|access-date=19 April 2013|year=2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130419145906/http://www.wheatonchristian.org/pages/page.asp?page_id=221097|archive-date=19 April 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref>

====Pre-school through eighth grade====
* [[Clapham School]], founded in 2005, is a classical school with students from pre-K through high school.
* Prairie School of DuPage is located on the grounds of the [[Theosophical Society in America]].<ref>{{cite web |title=History |url=https://prairieschoolofdupage.org/history |publisher=Prairie School of DuPage |access-date=20 August 2023}}</ref>
* St John Lutheran School serves students in [[preschool]].
* St Michael Catholic Elementary School serves 580 students in preschool through eighth grade.
* Toddlers Campus Preschool, an outreach ministry of Highpoint Church<ref>{{cite web |title=Our Curriculum |url=https://toddlerscampus.com/our-curriculum |publisher=Toddlers Campus Preschool |access-date=21 August 2023 |date=2023}}</ref>
* Wheaton Montessori School serves children ages 3–12 and is accredited by the [[Association Montessori International of the United States|Association Montessori International]].

====High schools====
* [[St. Francis High School (Wheaton, Illinois)|St. Francis High School]] serves 726 students in [[ninth grade|ninth]] through [[twelfth grade]].

===Public schools===
Most of Wheaton is part of [[Community Unit School District 200 (DuPage County, Illinois)|Community Unit School District 200]].  The Wheaton public school system is regularly listed among the finest in Illinois, with the School Board receiving the fifth consecutive Governance Award in 2020, from the Illinois Association of School Boards.<ref>{{cite web |title=Board receives fifth consecutive School Board Governance Award |url=https://medium.com/district-200-newsroom/board-receives-fifth-consecutive-school-board-governance-award-6fbf0c54790b |publisher=CUSD 200 |access-date=19 December 2020 |date=15 October 2020}}</ref> A few families in the northeast corner of Wheaton reside in Glen Ellyn School District 41, and one elementary school that is located in the southeastern part of Wheaton, Briar Glen Elementary School, is part of [[Community Consolidated School District 89]].

====High schools====
*[[Wheaton North High School|Wheaton North]] – consists of students from Monroe and Franklin Middle Schools
*[[Wheaton Warrenville South High School|Wheaton Warrenville South]] – consists of students from Edison and Hubble Middle Schools

====Middle schools====
*Edison – funnels into Wheaton Warrenville South High School<ref>{{cite web |title=Boundaries |url=https://www.cusd200.org/domain/2585 |publisher=CUSD 200 |access-date=19 December 2020 |date=2015}}</ref>
*Hubble (Warrenville) - funnels into Wheaton Warrenville South High School
*Franklin – funnels into Wheaton North High School
*Monroe – funnels into Wheaton North High School

====Elementary schools====
{{columns-list|colwidth=30em|
*Briar Glen (not in D200)
*Emerson
*Hawthorne
*Lincoln
*Longfellow
*Lowell
*Madison
*Sandburg
*Washington
*Whittier
*Wiesbrook
}}

====Pre-schools====
*Jefferson Early Childhood Center

==Infrastructure==
===Transportation===
{{unreferenced section|date=January 2023}}

====Rail====
[[File:Wheatontrainstation.jpg|thumb|[[Wheaton (Metra station)|Wheaton train station]], rebuilt in 2000]]
The [[Union Pacific West Line]] runs through downtown Wheaton and has been a staple of Wheaton since its founding. [[Metra]] has two stops along the line in Wheaton, one at [[College Avenue (Metra station)|College Avenue]] serving Wheaton College, and another at [[Wheaton (Metra station)|West Street]] in the heart of downtown Wheaton. It passes under a bridge just west of downtown, and over County Farm Road, just north of the DuPage County Government Complex. <ref>{{Cite web |title=Line Map {{!}} Metra |url=https://ridertools.metrarail.com/maps-schedules/train-lines/UP-W/map |access-date=2023-09-03 |website=ridertools.metrarail.com}}</ref>

Formerly, Wheaton was also served by the [[Chicago Aurora and Elgin Railroad]]. The CA&E right-of-way now constitutes the [[Illinois Prairie Path]]. Carlton Ave, UP Railroad, West St., and Childs St. are the borders of the site of the CA&E's headquarters and storage and maintenance facilities.

====Bus====
[[Pace (transit)|Pace]] provides bus service on multiple routes connecting Wheaton to Forest Park, Naperville, and other destinations.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rtachicago.org/uploads/files/general/RTA-System-Map.pdf|title=RTA System Map|access-date=January 30, 2024}}</ref>

====Highways====
*[[Illinois Route 38]], also known as Roosevelt Road.
*[[Illinois Route 56]], also known as Butterfield Road.
*[[Illinois Route 64]], also known as North Ave.

===Health care===
Established in 1972 by the [[Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare|Wheaton Franciscan Sisters]], [[Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital]] is a [[rehabilitation hospital]] located on the west side of Wheaton on [[Illinois Route 38|Roosevelt Road]], one half mile south of the DuPage County Government Center. It has been operated by [[Northwestern Medicine]], since 2016.<ref>{{cite web |title=Northwestern price tag for Marianjoy: $28 million |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-northwestern-marianjoy-1202-biz-20151201-story.html |website=chicagotribune.com |date=December 2015 |publisher=Chicago Tribune |access-date=27 June 2019}}</ref> Marianjoy is a nonprofit hospital dedicated to the delivery of [[physical medicine and rehabilitation]], with 127 beds.<ref>{{cite web |title=About Us |url=https://www.marianjoy.org/about-Marianjoy/ |website=Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital |publisher=Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital |access-date=27 June 2019}}</ref>

===Religious institutions===
Wheaton has forty-five [[church (building)|church]]es located within city limits and an additional thirty places of worship in the outlying [[unincorporated area]]s, representing nearly forty religious denominations.<ref name="tully">{{cite web|last1=Tully |first1=Catherine L. |first2=Kristin |last2=Roberts |title=Wheaton Worship |url=http://www.villageprofile.com/illinois/wheaton/13/topic.html|work=VillageProfile.com |access-date=22 May 2011|year=2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080705171626/http://www.villageprofile.com/illinois/wheaton/13/topic.html|archive-date=5 July 2008}}</ref> The Genius Edition of ''[[Trivial Pursuit]]'' states that Wheaton has the "second most churches per capita in America."<ref name="tully"/>

Built in 1926, the national headquarters of the [[Theosophical Society in America]] is located on a {{convert|42|acre|m2|adj=on}} estate on the north side of Wheaton.<ref>{{cite web|title=Programs|url=http://www.theosophical.org/programs|publisher=Theosophical Society in America |access-date=19 August 2010}}</ref>

Wheaton is also the North American headquarters for the [[Sisters of Loreto|Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary]], which moved into its new home in June 1946.<ref>{{cite web|title=Loretto Wheaton's 60th Anniversary|url=http://www.ibvm.us/LorettoWheaton60th.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722230754/http://www.ibvm.us/LorettoWheaton60th.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=22 July 2011|publisher=Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary|access-date=22 May 2011|date=28 February 2006}}</ref>

On March 18, 2002, St. Michael Catholic Church in downtown Wheaton was destroyed by [[arson]] by a Wheaton resident and parishioner, Adam Palinski, now serving 39 years in prison.<ref>{{cite web|last=Gutowski |first=Christy|title= St. Michael Church arsonist gets 39-year sentence|url=http://goliath.ecnext.com/coms2/gi_0199-1227616/St-Michael-Church-arsonist-gets.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110615050101/http://goliath.ecnext.com/coms2/gi_0199-1227616/St-Michael-Church-arsonist-gets.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=15 June 2011|work=Daily Herald (Arlington Heights)|access-date=25 July 2010|date=24 December 2003}}</ref> He lost his appeal, but still maintains his innocence. The church has since been rebuilt at a cost of $13 million, and reopened on March 18, 2006.<ref>{{cite web|title=St. Michael's Building News Index|url=http://stmichaelcommunity.org/Building/Progress/buildingindex.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080705032625/http://www.stmichaelcommunity.org/Building/Progress/buildingindex.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=5 July 2008|work=StMichaelCommunity.org|access-date=25 July 2010}}</ref>

== Notable people ==
{{Main|List of people from Wheaton, Illinois}}

==Sister cities==
Wheaton has been a sister city of [[Karlskoga]], Sweden, since 1973.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Karlskoga, Sweden |url=https://www.wheaton.il.us/306/Karlskoga-Sweden |access-date=2023-07-19 |website=City of Wheaton, Illinois}}</ref> Karlskoga Street in Wheaton is named after the Swedish city.{{citation needed|date=May 2023}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==Further reading==
* {{cite book |last=Call |first=Keith |date=2006 |title=Wheaton |location=Charleston, SC |publisher=Arcadia Pub |isbn=0-7385-4035-8}}
* {{cite book |last=Moore |first=Jean |date=1994 |title=Wheaton, Illinois: A Pictorial History |location=St. Louis, Mo |publisher=G. Bradley Pub |isbn=0-943963-09-5}}
* {{cite book |last=Moore |first=Jean |date=1974 |title=From Tower to Tower: A History of Wheaton, Illinois |location=Wheaton, Ill |publisher=Gary-Wheaton Bank |oclc=1339996}}

==External links==
{{commons category}}
{{Wikivoyage|Wheaton (Illinois)}}
{{Americana Poster|year=1920|Wheaton}}
*{{official website}}
*[https://www.wheatonchamber.com/ Wheaton Chamber of Commerce]
*[https://www.discoverdupage.com/communities/wheaton/ Wheaton] at the DuPage Convention & Visitors Bureau

{{Geographic location
 | Centre = Wheaton
 | North = [[Carol Stream, Illinois|Carol Stream]]
 | Northeast = [[Glendale Heights, Illinois|Glendale Heights]]
 | East = [[Glen Ellyn, Illinois|Glen Ellyn]]
 | Southeast = [[Lisle, Illinois|Lisle]]
 | South = [[Naperville, Illinois|Naperville]]
 | Southwest =[[Warrenville, Illinois|Warrenville]]
 | West =[[Winfield, Illinois|Winfield]]
 | Northwest = [[West Chicago, Illinois|West Chicago]]
}}
{{DuPage County, Illinois}}
{{Chicagoland}}
{{Illinois county seats}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Wheaton, Illinois| ]]
[[Category:1831 establishments in Illinois]]
[[Category:Chicago metropolitan area]]
[[Category:Cities in DuPage County, Illinois]]
[[Category:Cities in Illinois]]
[[Category:County seats in Illinois]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1831]]