Carol Stream

About Carol Stream

Carol Stream is a mid-size village in DuPage County, Illinois. As part of the Chicago metropolitan region, the community has come a long way from its farming roots. Today, the village is home to hundreds of businesses, including many major corporations. Just 35 miles from the Chicago Loop, this charming village offers convenient access to the city for those who prefer a quiet home in the suburbs.

The History of Carol Stream

Although a small farming community existed here in the 1840s, Carol Stream wasn't established as a village until 1959. Jay Stream was a war veteran who became frustrated with his work, attempting to negotiate the terms for a planned subdivision in the neighboring community of Naperville. According to local history, Stream was inspired when a city clerk saw his frustration and told him to simply build his own town. He began purchasing land outside of Wheaton, with the goal of creating a community where residents could live, work and play without having to travel to Chicago.

Stream named the village after his daughter, Carol. During the time he was establishing the village, she was involved in a serious car accident that left her in a coma. Doctors told Jay Stream that it was unlikely she would ever awaken, so he named the village in her honor in the hopes that the exciting news might help her emerge from the coma. After a few months, Carol did wake up from her coma. Although she never actually lived in Carol Stream, she often visits to participate in large celebrations and parades.

Living in Carol Stream

Carol Stream is a popular destination for families and professionals alike looking to move away from the hectic pace of life in Chicago. Public transportation is available to streamline Chicago commutes. You can take the RTA's Suburban PACE shuttle to local train stations and use the Wheaton, Bartlett or Hanover Park Metra train to reach Chicago. The PACE shuttle also offers service to major shopping centers, medical facilities and colleges in the area.

Although you can easily commute to other cities for work, you certainly don't have to — there are plenty of jobs within Carol Stream limits. Major employers in the village include Peacock Engineering, FedEx Ground and Futaba Industrial. Two major Christian-based publishers are headquartered in Carol Stream, providing a number of jobs for locals.

The town center is a popular gathering space, with its expansive green space, large shade trees and multiple fountains. A large pavilion sits at the center and provides a shaded spot to enjoy the surrounding scenery. Within the village limits you'll find more than 35 parks and playgrounds, ranging from small neighborhood greenbelts to large recreational centers. The parks and recreation department manages facilities that include water slides, mini golf, local sports leagues and a skate park. The Kids World facility is ideal for families, featuring 16,000 square feet of children's play areas.

Carol Stream Schools

Most of the schools in Carol Stream fall under the jurisdiction of Consolidated School District 93, which is a K-8 district. Glenbard Township High School District 87 oversees the local secondary school. Although there are many private schools in the neighboring city of Chicago, Carol Stream is fairly limited. You can find a few faith-based campuses in the village, but should expect to make a short drive to access other options.

Resources for Moving to Carol Stream

Here's some helpful information to help you settle in Carol Stream:

• Utilities: The village facilitates water and sewer services, while Commonwealth Edison provides electricity to the area.
• Garbage and Recycling: Flood Brothers Disposal & Recycling Systems Co. services Carol Stream.
• Transportation: Carol Stream is served by the Pace Bus and Metra transit systems.
• Pets: All dogs must be licensed by six months of age. Residents are limited to three dogs per home.
• Vehicle Registration: All vehicles, trucks and motorcycles must display a village-issued sticker in Carol Stream. Renewal stickers are available annually between May 1 and June 30. You must get a sticker within 30 days of moving to the village.

Carol Stream Housing

Despite the fact that it's a small village, Carol Stream has housing prices that are fairly equal with the Chicago metro area. The median home price in Carol Stream is higher than the national average and is expected to continue increasing at a steady pace. If you're hoping to rent rather than buy, you'll have plenty of options in the active Carol Stream rental market.