Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jun 21, 2026

Wheeling, Illinois

Wheeling is a village in Cook and Lake counties in the U.S. state of Illinois. It is part of Wheeling and Vernon townships. Wheeling is a suburb of Chicago, it is primarily in Cook County, approximately 23 miles (37 km) northwest of downtown Chicago. The population was 39,137 at the 2020 census. Wheeling is named after Wheeling, West Virginia.

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Wheeling, Illinois
Village
Pond on North Wolf Road
Pond on North Wolf Road
Flag of Wheeling, Illinois
Flag
Official seal of Wheeling, Illinois
Seal
Motto: 
"Revolving Around Community"
Location of Wheeling in Cook County, Illinois
Location of Wheeling in Cook County, Illinois
Wheeling
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Wheeling
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Wheeling
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Coordinates: 42°07′25″N 87°55′15″W / 42.12361°N 87.92083°W / 42.12361; -87.920831
CountryUnited States
State Illinois
Counties Cook and Lake
TownshipsWheeling and Vernon
Founded1894
Government
 • TypeCouncil-manager
 • Village PresidentPatrick Horcher
 • Village Board
Trustees
  • Mary Krueger
  • Ray Lang
  • Mary Papantos
  • Jim Ruffatto
  • Joe Vito
  • David Vogel
Area
2
 • Total
8.73 sq mi (22.61 km2)
 • Land8.67 sq mi (22.46 km2)
 • Water0.058 sq mi (0.15 km2)
Elevation
1
650 ft (200 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
39,137
 • Density4,513.0/sq mi (1,742.46/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (CST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
ZIP Code(s)
60089, 60090
Area codes847 and 224
FIPS code17-81087
Websitewww.wheelingil.gov

Wheeling is a village in Cook and Lake counties in the U.S. state of Illinois. It is part of Wheeling and Vernon townships. Wheeling is a suburb of Chicago, it is primarily in Cook County, approximately 23 mi (37 km) northwest of downtown Chicago. The population was 39,137 at the 2020 census.3 Wheeling is named after Wheeling, West Virginia.4

History

Prior to incorporation

The land that is now Wheeling, Illinois, was controlled by the Miami Confederacy (which contained the Illini and Kickapoo tribes) starting in the early 1680s. The Confederacy was driven from the area by the Iroquois and Meskwaki in the early 1700s. The French-allied Potawatomi began to raid and take possession of Northern Illinois in the 1700s. In the late 1700s and early 1800s, the Potawatomi expanded southwards from their territory in Green Bay and westward from their holdings in Detroit, until they controlled in an L-shaped swath of territory from Green Bay to the Illinois River, and from the Mississippi River to the Maumee River.5 The descendants of the Potawatomi who once inhabited the land that is now Wheeling currently live on a reservation in Mayette, Kansas.6

The first cabin in Wheeling Township was built by a Mr. Sweet in March of 1833. He became the first settler and was able to live peacefully alongside the neighboring Native Americans. The following September, Mr. Sweet sold the cabin to George Strong for $60, making Mr. Strong the first permanent resident in Wheeling Township. In 1834, Mr. Strong purchased 160 acres of land from the government for $200. Today, Strong Street is named after him.

In 1834, Joseph Filkins opened the first tavern-hotel in the township at the intersection of Dundee Road and Milwaukee Avenue. Joseph Filkins was also the owner of a 720 acre farm in Wheeling and he spent 15 years living in Wheeling.  He laid down roads and served as postmaster, supervisor of Wheeling Township, and as the Justice of Peace. He worked alongside George Strong to help settle land claim disputes. By 1835, there were 18 cabins in the township, and a post office was established in Filkins' Tavern.7

In 1837, Russell Wheeler and Charles Daniels opened a general store and trading post next to Filkins' Tavern. The settlers who migrated to that area formed the Village of East Wheeling, which later became known as simply Wheeling.8 In 1845, Wheeling built its first ever school and was named The Wheeling School. Due to a growing population in Wheeling, a new school was built in 1861 which burned and was destroyed in 1870. In 1850, Napoleon Periolat built Wheeling’s first ever industry, a brewery which lasted until 1910.

In 1886, Wheeling built its first railroad station. The railroad station wasn't part of Wheeling until the land was purchased by residents in the area. The Old Wheeling Station was part of the Soo Line and only freight trains travelled through. This forced Wheeling residents to hop on milk trains to get to Chicago and back.7

Incorporation and post-incorporation

On June 18, 1894, Wheeling was incorporated as a village through a special election held at the Union Hotel. Forty-three people voted in favor and three voted against. On July 18, 1894, another election was held to officially elect a Village President, six trustees, a Police Magistrate, and a Village Clerk. Incorporation was needed to enforce existing ordinances and control illegal activities. Wheeling was struggling to control railroad workers who would go to taverns and drink. By incorporating, they were able to arrest them until they sobered up.7

In 1894, the first Village Hall was built. It contained two jail cells and was used by both the Chief of Police and Chief Magistrate. it also served as the only polling place in the village and was where the Village Board met on the first Monday of each month. The original Village Hall is now the Wheeling Historical Museum located in Chamber Park.7

In the 1920s and 1930s, Wheeling had dairy farms like the Buffalo Creek Farm, which supplied milk to restaurants and residents of Wheeling. There was truck farms where vegetables were grown and later sold to markets in Chicago. Spanish-speaking migrants from Texas and Mexico would come and work on the truck farms in Wheeling during the Spring and Summer seasons. Many would go back to their homes when the farming season was over, but some decided to stay year round.7

In 1970, the Village of Wheeling became a Council-Manager type of government. Currently, Wheeling has a Village President, six trustees, a Village Clerk, and a Village Manager. The Village is a home-rule community, which allows the Village to make its own laws and carry out its responsibilities.7

In 2025, Wheeling introduced a new flag design to mark a new chapter in the village. The previous flag design was used from 1972 to 2025.9

Wheeling Town Hall before flag change source ↗

Geography

According to the 2010 census, the village has a total area of 8.74 square miles (22.6 km2), of which 8.74 square miles (22.6 km2) (or 97.26%) is land and 0.24 square miles (0.62 km2) (or 2.74%) is water.10

Climate

The climate in Wheeling can be classified as temperate. Winters are usually very cold and snowy. Summers are often hot and humid, but can be pleasantly warm as well. Precipitation is uniformly distributed throughout the year.

Climate data for Wheeling, Illinois
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Mean daily maximum °F (°C) 32
(0) 		36
(2) 		45
(7) 		57
(14) 		68
(20) 		78
(26) 		83
(28) 		81
(27) 		74
(23) 		62
(17) 		49
(9) 		36
(2) 		58.416
(14.68)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C) 16
(−9) 		19
(−7) 		28
(−2) 		38
(3) 		47
(8) 		57
(14) 		63
(17) 		62
(17) 		54
(12) 		42
(6) 		33
(1) 		20
(−7) 		36.916
(2.73)
Source: 11

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1890811—
1900331−59.2%
1910260−21.5%
192031320.4%
193046749.2%
194055017.8%
195091666.5%
19607,169682.6%
197013,24384.7%
198023,26675.7%
199029,91128.6%
200034,49615.3%
201037,6489.1%
202039,1374.0%
U.S. Decennial Census12
201013 202014

Racial and ethnic composition

Wheeling village, Illinois – Racial and ethnic composition
Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.
Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic) Pop 200015 Pop 201013 Pop 202014 % 2000 % 2010 % 2020
White alone (NH) 22,892 19,701 17,805 66.36% 52.33% 45.49%
Black or African American alone (NH) 799 806 885 2.32% 2.14% 2.26%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) 35 39 22 0.10% 0.10% 0.06%
Asian alone (NH) 3,183 4,826 6,506 9.23% 12.82% 16.62%
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander alone (NH) 18 2 6 0.05% 0.01% 0.02%
Other race alone (NH) 43 54 172 0.12% 0.14% 0.44%
Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) 391 462 694 1.13% 1.23% 1.77%
Hispanic or Latino (any race) 7,135 11,758 13,047 20.68% 31.23% 33.34%
Total 34,496 37,648 39,137 100.00% 100.00% 100.00%

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, Wheeling had a population of 39,137.16 The population density was 4,483.05 inhabitants per square mile (1,730.92/km2).17 The median age was 39.4 years; 19.3% of residents were under the age of 18 and 17.3% were 65 years of age or older.18

For every 100 females there were 97.7 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 95.6 males age 18 and over.18 100.0% of residents lived in urban areas, while 0.0% lived in rural areas.19

There were 15,312 households, 9,673 families, and 16,190 housing units, with an average housing-unit density of 1,854.52 per square mile (716.03/km2). Of the housing units, 5.4% were vacant.181617 Of all households, 28.3% had children under the age of 18 living in them, 48.5% were married-couple households, 19.6% had a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 26.0% had a female householder and no spouse or partner present.18 About 28.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.4% and the rental vacancy rate was 7.6%.18

Income and poverty

The median income for a household in the village was $71,966, and the median income for a family was $83,406. Males had a median income of $45,470 versus $36,478 for females. The per capita income for the village was $36,999. About 5.6% of families and 8.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.0% of those under age 18 and 8.8% of those age 65 or over.

Economy

As of the 2020 Census, Wheeling's economy employs 21,671 people in many different industry sectors. Wheeling was home to video game company Jaleco USA2021 and to the American branch of Taito.22

A famous hotel called the Union Hotel used to be located on Milwaukee Avenue. It was built in 1856 and reconstructed following a fire in 1925. Over the years, the building evolved into several restaurants. Billy and Company, a restaurant, was the last occupant of the building, which was torn down in 1996 to make way for Union Commons condominiums.23

Camp Ramah, a Jewish day camp, is located in Wheeling.

The Korean Cultural Center of Chicago is located in Wheeling.24

Top employers

Wheeling Top employers25
# Employer # of Employees
1 SG360 646
2 Durable Packaging International 500
3 Reynolds Consumer Products 337
4 Viant 286
5 Argon Medical Devices 283
6 Richelieu Foods 230
7 Hidden Valley Manufacturing 225
8 Greek American Rehabilitation & Care Center 186
9 Walmart 183
10 Engis Corporation 177

Employment by industry

Wheeling Employment by industry26
Industry Employment Percentage
Educational services, and health care and social assistance 4,026 18.6%
Manufacturing 3,404 15.7%
Professional, scientific, and management, and administrative and waste management services 2,772 12.8%
Arts, entertainment, and recreation, and accommodation and food services 2,277 10.5%
Retail trade 2,274 10.5%
Transportation and warehousing, and utilities 1,721 7.9%
Finance and insurance, and real estate and rental and leasing 1,202 5.5%
Construction 1,192 5.5%
Other services, except public administration 1,154 5.3%
Wholesale trade 991 4.6%
Public administration 387 1.8%
Information 230 1.1%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting, and mining 41 0.2%
Total 21,671 100%

Parks and Recreation

Wheeling's multiple parks and facilities are owned and managed by the Wheeling Park District.27

Parks

  • Avalon Sienna Park
  • Chamber Park
  • Childerly Park
  • Denoyer Park
  • Heritage Park
  • Horizon Park
  • Husky Park
  • Malibu Park
  • Mark Twain Park
  • Meadowbrook Park
  • Northside Park
  • Pleasant Run Park

Facilities

  • Chamber Park Historic Museum
  • Chevy Chase County Club & Golf Course
  • Community Recreation Center
  • Family Aquatic Center Outdoor Pool
  • Health and Fitness Center
  • Sports Complex

Arts and culture

Wheeling has a historical museum located in Chamber Park, and is a cooperative effort with the Village of Wheeling, Wheeling Park District, Indian Trails Public Library.28

Libraries

The Indian Trails Public Library District is located in the Village of Wheeling and it serves the majority of its residents. The Indian Trails Public Library District also serves different portions of Buffalo Grove, Prospect Heights, and Arlington Heights. The library also operates a small branch in Prospect Heights.29

Indian Trails Public Library after renovation in 2017 source ↗

The Prospect Heights Public Library District serves a part of the Village of Wheeling.29

Annual events

The Wheeling International Festival is a cultural event hosted at the Heritage Park Performance Pavilion. The festival takes place during the summer and it features music, dance, and cultural booths to celebrate the diversity in the community.30

The Wheeling Health Fair is an event designed for businesses and organizations to share information. Families are able to walk around, explore, and learn about recourses found in the community. NWSRA, Hands Off Wheeling, Link Together Coalition, OMNI, and the Wheeling Police Department were some of the organizations present.31

Rock N Run the Runway is a summer event hosted at the Chicago Executive Airport which features a 5k run, entertainment, food, and ends with a firework show.32

Lights Around Wheeling is a Christmas lighting celebration hosted at Friendship Park. The celebration marks the beginning of the holiday season in the community.33

Lollipop Lane is an event hosted in Chamber Park every December. The community center, which used to be a church, is decorated to match the Christmas theme. Homemade cookies are sold during the event and kids are able to take a picture with Santa.34

Government

Structure

The government of Wheeling is a council-manager form of government. Village Hall is where residents are able to attend board meetings, which take place the first and third Monday of the month, and take an active role in the community. Wheeling’s government is made up of a Village President and a Board of Trustees who are elected by the public.35 The Village Manager handles day to day operations and is appointed by the Village President and the Board of Trustees.36

Elected Officials

Representatives who represent Wheeling in the Illinois General Assembly are:37

Representatives who represent Wheeling in a Federal level are:38

Community Participation

In late 2025, there was an increase in local government participation as residents pushed for a strong response against ICE and Operation Midway Blitz, which affected the community.39 On November 1, a group of federal immigration agents approached a Wheeling fire station asking to use its parking lot. This led the Village to plan a vote to ban civil immigration enforcement on Village property in the following board meeting.40 On November 3, the vote on the resolution took place, and representatives from community organizations such as Hands Off Wheeling, Wheeling Strong, and Wheeling Rapid Response Team spoke. The resolution passed banning federal agents from using parking lots, vacant lots, and garages that are owned or controlled by the village of Wheeling.41

On March 28, 2026, Hands Off Wheeling hosted the village's first No Kings Protest in response to the targeting of the Hispanic community during Operation Midway Blitz. The protest included speeches from Hands Off Wheeling Members who attend Wheeling High School, who addressed rising issues in the area such as immigration, gasoline prices, and grocery costs. After the speeches, the crowd of around 200 people marched towards Dundee Road and waved signs as cars honked by.42

Education

Primary and secondary schools

Schools located in Wheeling are administered by Wheeling Community Consolidated School District 21 and Township High School District 214. They include:4344

  • Field Elementary School
  • Holmes Middle School
  • London Middle School
  • Tarkington Elementary School
  • Twain Elementary School
  • Wheeling High School
  • Whitman Elementary School

Private schools

  • J. Slowacki School, kindergarten to grade 11
  • East Capitol High School, grades 9–12

Colleges and universities

National Louis University is an accredited, private, non-profit undergraduate and graduate institution of higher learning, organized in colleges of education, arts and sciences, and business and management. Worsham College of Mortuary Science is an accredited, private institution offering associate degrees and diplomas in mortuary science.

Other education

The Consulate-General of South Korea in Chicago maintains the Korean Education Center in Wheeling.45

Infrastructure

Transportation

Wheeling Metra Station source ↗

Wheeling has a station on Metra's North Central Service, which provides daily commuter rail service between Antioch and Chicago Union Station Monday through Friday. Metra Trains do not operate in Wheeling during the weekends.46

Pace provides bus service on multiple routes connecting Wheeling to Des Plaines, Buffalo Grove, and other destinations.47

Chicago Executive Airport, a busy general aviation airport, is located in Wheeling and Prospect Heights and jointly run by both villages. Formerly known as Palwaukee Municipal Airport, it is the fourth busiest airport in Illinois, after Chicago's O'Hare, Midway and DuPage airports.

Notable people

References

References

  1. U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Wheeling, Illinois
  2. "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 15, 2022.
  3. "Wheeling village, Illinois". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 15, 2022.
  4. "Wheeling Historical Society & Museum - History2".
  5. Margot Stimley, The Indians of Northern Illinois, 1992. Article collected in Miscellaneous Arlington Heights History, ed. Fran Boyd and Joan Huff, 2005.
  6. "The Official Website of the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation". Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation. Retrieved May 13, 2022.
  7. Hunt, Gerry (1999). Snapshots of a Community Wheeling, Illinois (PDF).
  8. Stimley, Margot (1997). Chronicle of a Prairie Town: Arlington Heights, Illinois. Arlington Heights Historical Society.
  9. "New Flag Design | Wheeling, IL". www.wheelingil.gov. Retrieved November 26, 2025.
  10. "2010 Census U.S. Gazetteer Files for Places – Illinois". United States Census. Retrieved October 13, 2012.
  11. "Wheeling, IL (60090) Monthly Weather Forecast". Wheeling, IL (60090). Weather.com. 2016. Retrieved September 14, 2016.
  12. "Decennial Census of Population and Housing by Decades". US Census Bureau.
  13. "P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Wheeling village, Illinois". United States Census Bureau.
  14. "P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Wheeling village, Illinois". United States Census Bureau.
  15. "P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Wheeling village, Illinois". United States Census Bureau.
  16. "2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved April 26, 2026.
  17. "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved June 28, 2022.
  18. "2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved April 26, 2026.
  19. "2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)". United States Census Bureau. 2023. Retrieved April 26, 2026.
  20. "Jaleco". Sega Retro. October 16, 2021. Retrieved May 14, 2022.
  21. "Arcade Manufacturers | Highway Games". www.highwaygames.com. Retrieved May 14, 2022.
  22. "Taito Corporation". MobyGames. Retrieved May 14, 2022.
  23. "Village Views", November/December 2000
  24. Selvam, Ashok. "Asian population booming in suburbs." Daily Herald (Arlington Heights, Illinois). March 6, 2011. Retrieved on June 19, 2013.
  25. "Major Employers". Village of Wheeling Economic Development. Retrieved November 26, 2025.
  26. "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved November 26, 2025.
  27. "Parks and Recreation | Wheeling, IL". www.wheelingil.gov. Retrieved November 26, 2025.
  28. "Wheeling History". Wheeling Historical Society. Retrieved November 26, 2023.
  29. "Libraries | Wheeling, IL". www.wheelingil.gov. Retrieved November 23, 2025.
  30. "Home". Wheeling International Festival. Retrieved November 20, 2025.
  31. "Health Fair". Wheeling Park District. Retrieved March 2, 2026.
  32. "Rock N Run the Runway | Wheeling, IL". www.wheelingil.gov. Retrieved November 20, 2025.
  33. "Lights Around Wheeling | Wheeling, IL". www.wheelingil.gov. Retrieved November 20, 2025.
  34. "Lollipop Lane". Village of Wheeling. Village of Wheeling. Retrieved November 26, 2025.
  35. "Board of Trustees | Wheeling, IL". wheelingil.gov. Retrieved March 2, 2026.
  36. "Village Manager | Wheeling, IL". wheelingil.gov. Retrieved March 2, 2026.
  37. "Electeds". WHEELING TOWNSHIP DEMS. Retrieved March 2, 2026.
  38. "Electeds". WHEELING TOWNSHIP DEMS. Retrieved March 2, 2026.
  39. Wessell, Tom (October 23, 2025). "Residents Wanting Stronger Response Bring ICE Concerns To Village Board - Journal & Topics Media Group". Journal & Topics Media Group - Journal & Topics Media Group | Serving Chicago's Great Northwest Suburbs. Retrieved March 2, 2026.
  40. "Wheeling board could ban ICE operations on village property". Daily Herald. Retrieved March 2, 2026.
  41. "Wheeling prohibits agents from using village property to prepare for immigration enforcement activity". Daily Herald. Retrieved March 2, 2026.
  42. "'I love my country': Demonstrators take to the streets to protest Trump". Daily Herald. Retrieved March 29, 2026.
  43. "CCSD21 SCHOOLS". Community Consolidated School District 21. Retrieved November 22, 2025.
  44. "Schools and Programs". High School District 214. Retrieved November 22, 2025.
  45. "About". Chicago Korean Education Center. Retrieved May 16, 2020. Address: 9935 Capitol Dr, Wheeling, IL 60090 (Chicago Korean Education Center)
  46. "Wheeling METRA". Village of Wheeling. Village of Wheeling. Retrieved November 26, 2025.
  47. "RTA System Map" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on January 15, 2024. Retrieved January 30, 2024.
  48. Blumberg, Nick (October 7, 2016). "Dan Patlak: Commissioner, Cook County Board of Review, 1st District". WTTW News. Retrieved November 19, 2020.
External links