Wilmette Real Estate: Top Homes & Neighborhoods in Chicago

Welcome to Wilmette

Comfortable lakeside village

Wilmette is a stunning suburb of Chicago that borders Lake Michigan, it is known for its well-regarded schools, thriving economy, and close-knit community. Wilmette qualifies as an official “Tree City” by the Arbor Day Foundation, and its streets are lined with more than 18,600 trees of 150 different types. Situated on the scenic shores of Lake Michigan, Wilmette is full of green spaces and parks but still offers easy access to the urban amenities of Chicago. It’s the best of both worlds!

Wilmette is a highly desirable North Shore village on the shores of Lake Michigan, about 14 miles north of downtown Chicago. Beloved for its family-friendly atmosphere, beautiful parks, and scenic lakefront at Gillson Park, Wilmette offers a charming downtown of shops and restaurants and landmark cultural attractions including the striking Baha’í House of Worship. Excellent transit Metra, the CTA Purple Line, and quick I-94 access puts the city within easy reach.

Wilmette’s housing market features a rich mix of historic homes, modern new construction, townhouses, and condominiums, with architectural styles ranging from classic Colonial and Tudor to contemporary designs. Distinct neighborhoods such as Central Wilmette, East Wilmette, Kenilworth Gardens, and Indian Hill Estates each offer their own character, from lakefront proximity to walkability. Anchored by top-rated schools including New Trier High School, the village sees strong, steady demand, and desirable homes can sell quickly with multiple offers.

Wilmette neighbors the exclusive village of Kenilworth and lakefront Winnetka to the north, forming the heart of the New Trier corridor. Browse current Wilmette homes for sale to see what’s on the market. Mary Summerville and the Summerville Partners team bring decades of North Shore expertise to Wilmette buyers and sellers.

What to Love

Cobblestone streets
French Farmers’ Market
Gillson Park
Wilmette Harbor, home to hundreds of sailboats
A mix of amenities, from natural to suburban to urban
Highly-rated school system
Lakeside living

Local Lifestyle

Wilmette is known as a small village with a big feel. While it is primarily a suburban area, residents take pride in their local restaurants, shopping opportunities, cultural landmarks, and community events, giving Wilmette a community-minded feel. Wilmette is also known for its interesting and beautiful religious architecture, including the stunning Baha’i House of Worship.

Dining, Entertainment, and Shopping

Many of the restaurants and shops in Wilmette are locally owned, demonstrating residents’ commitment to their community. Shopping and dining locally is just one way that Evanstonians support their friends and neighbors.

Wilmette is the location of the first Original Pancake House, which was founded in 1960 and is now a nationwide chain. The original is still a hugely popular breakfast destination. The line may be out the door, but don’t worry — the efficient staff is known for keeping the line moving, and you’ll be digging into delicious pancakes in no time.

Sister restaurants Depot Nuevo and The Noodle Cafe are local favorites. The Noodle Cafe features fresh pasta and seafood, while Depot Nuevo serves delicious Mexican food in one of the most historic buildings in Wilmette.

Convito Cafe and Market is a neighborhood treasure that offers scrumptious European cuisine in addition to a charming market with specialty groceries and prepared foods.

If you’re off for an afternoon of shopping, Wilmette has a lot of options. Some distinctive shopping areas include the Village Center, the Green Bay Road District, and the Plaza Del Lago shopping center. With their mix of local specialty retailers alongside nationally known names, Wilmette’s shopping destinations have what you need.

Things to Do

Wilmette is known for its many annual community events. The residents here take great pleasure in getting together as neighbors and friends to celebrate all year round.

One of the community calendar highlights is Wilmette’s Summerfest, a two-day event that brings thousands of people into downtown Wilmette.

Another summer favorite is the Wilmette Sidewalk Sale, which has a singing contest, live music, family activities, and great food and gifts from local businesses. It’s no wonder people look forward to this event all year long!

The Wilmette Beach Bash is a crowd favorite held at Gillson Park, one of the many beachfront parks in Wilmette.

The holidays are a special time in Wilmette. The village goes all out to celebrate this time of year, and the central event of the season is the Holiday Parade. Anyone can decorate their bike or vehicle and join in the fun!

Schools

Wilmette offers well-regarded public school systems and is also home to many excellent private schools, including Loyola Academy. Other respected schools in the area include:

Central Elementary School, recent recipient of the Department of Education National Blue Ribbon award
Romona Elementary School, recent recipient of the Department of Education National Blue Ribbon award
McKenzie School

Overview for Wilmette, IL

27,550 people live in Wilmette, where the median age is 45.7 and the average individual income is $109,840. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau.

27,550

Total Population

45.7 years

Median Age

High

Population Density Population Density This is the number of people per square mile in a neighborhood.

$109,840

Average individual Income

Around Wilmette, IL

There's plenty to do around Wilmette, including shopping, dining, nightlife, parks, and more. Data provided by Walk Score and Yelp.

65

Somewhat Walkable

Walking Score

55

Bikeable

Bike Score

30

Some Transit

Transit Score

Points of Interest

Explore popular things to do in the area, including Cappadocia Mediterranean Grill, The Laundry Cafe, and Urban Yoga Chicago.

Name	Category	Distance	Reviews	Ratings by Yelp
Visit the Cappadocia Mediterranean Grill page on Yelp Search 9402 Waukegan Rd on Google Maps	Dining	4.06 miles	72 reviews	4.9/5 stars
Visit the The Laundry Cafe page on Yelp Search 2223 Washington St on Google Maps	Dining	3.31 miles	14 reviews	4.8/5 stars
Visit the Urban Yoga Chicago page on Yelp Search 1322 Oakton St on Google Maps	Active	3.99 miles	5 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the Chicago Kickbox page on Yelp Search 193 Northfield Rd on Google Maps	Active	2.76 miles	6 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the Hair Couture page on Yelp Search 813 Chestnut Ct on Google Maps	Beauty	1.98 miles	9 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the A Cut Above Barbershop page on Yelp Search 5033 Warren St on Google Maps	Beauty	3.7 miles	54 reviews	5/5 stars

Schools in Wilmette, IL

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The following schools are within or nearby Wilmette. The rating and statistics can serve as a starting point to make baseline comparisons on the right schools for your family. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau.

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Name