Life in Homer Glen
Although the village of Homer Glen is located just 20 miles from downtown Chicago, much of the area is still somewhat rural. With its strong community and beautiful landscapes, Homer Glen truly offers the best of both city and rural life for residents seeking to buy a home or raise a family.
Unlike many nearby towns, Homer Glen was only officially incorporated in 2001. However, the first settlers (Joseph Johnson and his two sons) came to the area in the early 1800s, when it was mostly wilderness. The area eventually became a settlement popular for its timber. It was later named Homer Township after a town in New York called Homer.
Most of Homer Township is now incorporated, but some places remain independent. Today, the area is shared between Homer Glen, Lemont, and Lockport with an estimated population of 39,000.
School and Home Life in Homer Glen
There are two main grade school districts in Homer Glen, and the main high school district (Lockport Township High School, District 205) is shared with students from Lockport. Edge Music Academy also teaches from their main office location in Homer Glen.
The housing stock in Homer Glen is mostly split between two main categories:
- Category 1: Roughly 55% of the housing stock is made up of low-density, single family homes built between 1980 and 1999. While many homes in this area are still in good shape, some may need to have key structural elements repaired or replaced in the near future.
- Category 2: Nearly 40% of Homer Glen’s housing stock is made up of completely new builds. These are low-density homes typically owned by single families. However, a few residents in this category choose to rent. This category of housing stock has witnessed high population growth, presenting an opportunity for both new homeowners and the community at large. It’s important to install a high-quality roofing system to ensure long-lasting protection for the new housing investment (especially with a new build).
A very small percentage of homes (5%) in Homer Glen were built just after World War II. Because this housing stock is old, homeowners in this category would be wise to have their roof and other parts of their home inspected at least once per year. With age comes greater potential for deterioration, and it’s important to catch issues with rot or water damage before they become expensive home improvement projects.
Things to Do In Homer Glen
Homer Glen has a strong and active community. The town regularly hosts public gatherings throughout the year, including 5k runs, seasonal festivals, and stargazing events. Aside from that, there are plenty of attractions that make Homer Glen unique. Since much of the area remains somewhat rural, many of the most compelling places are nature-oriented. Here are some of the most popular places to visit around town:
- Bengtson’s Pumpkin Farm and Fall Fest – This local farm transforms into a family-friendly attraction to host seasonal festivals and fall-themed activities. The farm is extremely large and often features rollercoasters, carnival rides, pig races, and a wide selection of award-winning food.
- Homer Glen Heroes Trail – This local trail was officially finished and dedicated in 2011 to local heroes and people who made a positive impact on the community.
- Messenger Marsh – A 620-acre natural area with protected prairie and savannah habitats, thishe property features an enormous variety of bird and wildlife species. There are also trails frequently used for hiking, biking, and horseback riding during most of the year.
- Tampier Lake – This 130-acre lake is connected to the Sag Valley Trail and is frequently used for fishing and boating.
- Annunciation Byzantine Catholic Church – This local Catholic church features impressive art and architecture and a 10-acre garden surrounding the building. The property is renowned for its use of local plant life and sustainable rainwater retention areas.
- Sri Ramakrishna Universal Temple – A branch of the Vivekananda Vedanta Society of Chicago hosts lectures and inter-faith meetings at this religious temple. The location features a garden with a fountain as well as a bookstore and multiple study rooms.
Homer Glen Weather
Historically, the best time to visit Homer Glen has been in the summer or fall. The weather is nice and seasonal festivals begin to open up at this time of year. Summers in Homer Glen can be somewhat longer on average than other towns in the midwest, lasting from late May to late September. With that, July is typically the hottest month with an average high of 83°F. Humidity also picks up during the summer, but it’s likely to only be truly muggy about 40% of the time.
The rainy season in Homer Glen picks up in late March and remains steady for seven months until late November. To prevent this consistent rain from causing damage to your roof, it’s important for new and existing Homer Glen homes to have proper flashing and drip edge installed.
Winters in Homer Glen can be very cold, dry, and windy, lasting from early December to late March. It can get below freezing at multiple points throughout the season, especially in January when the average low for the month is 18°F. During winter, Homer Glen gets slightly more snowfall than the national average. In fact, it may be consistently snowy for up to four months out of the year. Wind also picks up during winter and may reach up to 20 mph.
Fortunately, there aren’t a lot of hail reports in Homer Glen compared to other neighborhoods in the area. However, the combination of snow and wind can be detrimental to a roofing system if not properly maintained. Homer Glen residents can help preserve their homes for years to come with regular inspections for wear and tear, ice dams, and water damage.
