Life in Naperville
Naperville is a large, beautiful suburb, characterized by its many natural areas and forest preservation sites, all just 28 miles outside of downtown Chicago.
Founded in 1831 by Joseph Naper and his family and friends, Naperville (originally Naper’s Settlement) was a rural community for many years. In the 1950s, the town started to expand its city limits. During Chicago’s urban sprawl in the 1960s, the city’s population boomed. By the 1990s, the town had already tripled in size. The population was 149,540 as of the 2020 census, making it the 181st most populous city in the United States and the fourth most populous city in Illinois.
Work and Home Life in Naperville
Today, Naperville’s residents work in a variety of different industries. The three largest employers in Naperville are Edward Hospital, Indian Prairie School District, and Nokia. There are two main public school districts in Naperville, as well as a number of private schools. Naperville is also home to North Central College, the College of Dupage, and a satellite campus of Northern Illinois University.
The housing stock in Naperville is a bit of a mixed bag. The city is mostly comprised of low-density housing where occupants own their homes. Within that, the majority of homes were built between 1980-1999 and are occupied by upper middle-class families. At the same time, there is a significant percentage of newer, more expensive housing stock in Naperville that suggests the population is quickly growing in certain areas of the city. These homeowners may take the opportunity of a new build to purchase premium materials for their roof (like cedar shake or synthetic roofing). These roofing materials are typically rated to last longer than asphalt roofs and match the curb appeal of other houses in these soon-to-be-high-end neighborhoods.
Things to Do In Naperville
Whether you’re visiting town or looking for something to do on the weekend, Naperville has plenty of interesting attractions for nature lovers. Here are some of the most popular ones:
- The Riverwalk – This outdoor trail winds through a park around the DuPage river and features several interesting attractions.
- The Millennium Carillon – Dedicated to the new millennium, this carillon is located on the Naperville Riverwalk and is one of the four largest bell towers of its kind in the entire world.
- Centennial Park – This recreation area near the Naperville Riverwalk features a man-made beach/swimming hole, a skate park, and a baseball field.
- The Dupage Children’s Museum – Children can learn and play through various exhibits at this interactive children’s museum located near Naperville’s historic district.
- Springbrook Prairie Forest Preserve – This 1,829-acre natural area features 7 miles of beautiful trails, rare wildlife, an off-leash dog area, and multiple picnic shelters.
Naperville Weather
Naperville has a typical midwestern climate (humid continental). Spring is the most humid season, while summer is the hottest. The highest temperatures typically occur in July, where days range from 61°F – 84°F on average.
In the winter, it is mostly cold and snowy in Naperville. The coldest average temperature range is 15°F – 30°F. During this season it’s important for residents to take proper care of their roofs, preventing ice dams and scraping snow from shingles to prevent deterioration.
While hail is no more common in Naperville than the rest of the Midwest, Naperville does get slightly more rain and snow on average than the rest of the nation. The rainy season begins around May, and precipitation remains steady throughout October. Historically, this has led to a number of floods, including the 1996 flood that affected Naperville and many other parts of Northeastern Illinois. The city received 14 inches of rain in less than 24 hours, causing an estimated $30 million in damages. DuPage county was declared an official disaster zone during this time. Since then, the large forest preserves within the city limits have helped minimize flooding by preventing overdevelopment in the area’s floodplains. That said, the frequency of heavy rain can still leave homes in Naperville vulnerable to leaks and water damage if not properly maintained and repaired.
Tornadoes aren’t common in Naperville, but they aren’t unheard of. In June of 2021, Naperville was hit by an EF3 tornado. The disaster uprooted many trees and damaged over 231 homes. With damage potential like this, it’s important for residents to have a relationship with a roofing company they can trust to repair any tree or wind damage. In any case, high speed winds are common just about everywhere in the Midwest. At Baltic, we know how important it is to regularly inspect your shingles for tears, cracks, or bent edges. Wind damage (especially in Naperville and the Midwest) can leave your roof vulnerable to deterioration from UV rays and heavy rain if not quickly repaired.
