Business in Arlington Heights

Home to 78,000 residents with a median annual household income of over $100,000, Arlington Heights continues to grow and thrive.  As one of the largest business communities in Chicagoland, Arlington Heights is the location for more than 3,000 businesses and over 40,000 daytime workers.  Arlington Heights also boasts an educated workforce with 60% of adult residents having earned a bachelor’s degree or higher.  A corporate destination as well, Arlington Heights has numerous major companies that have invested in operations within the community, including Amazon, United Airlines, Red Bull, Frito-Lay (PepsiCo), GE Healthcare, and Northwest Community Healthcare.

Location is one of the community’s key assets, offering incomparable positioning within the region.  Arlington Heights is served by two Metra rail stations, connecting to the Chicago Loop in under 45 minutes.  Arlington Heights also provides direct access to three interstate highways, and is conveniently located just 15 minutes from both O’Hare International Airport (ORD) and Chicago Executive Airport (PWK).

Downtown Arlington Heights has become one of the region’s top destinations to visit, offering a unique, eclectic experience with an enticing urban lifestyle.  Shoppers can find one-of-a-kind gifts and products at over 30 shops and boutiques.  Cuisine is a key ingredient to Downtown’s success, hosting a diverse collection of nearly 40 different restaurants and casual eateries.  Arlington Alfresco, which features pedestrian-friendly outdoor dining at more than a dozen restaurants, has been one of the Chicago region’s most sought-after dining destinations since 2020.  Thanks to the readers of the Daily Herald, suburban Chicago’s largest newspaper by circulation, Arlington Heights was awarded “Best Downtown Atmosphere” in 2023.

Downtown Arlington Heights is also a Chicagoland destination for entertainment, hosting outdoor concerts and annual events, and is home to live music venues such as Hey Nonny and Big Shot Piano Lounge.  Meanwhile, the Metropolis Performing Arts Centre features live comedy, theatre, and music.  Downtown development continues with over 400 new multi-family residential units approved or under construction, further showcasing it as a vibrant neighborhood at all hours of the day. 

Business thrives throughout Arlington Heights as well.  In 2022, Arlington Heights businesses conducted $1.57 billion in retail sales.  Mitsuwa Marketplace, the largest Japanese grocery store in the Midwest, serves as a cultural and culinary destination for patrons from throughout the region.  Arlington Heights is also a major manufacturing, warehousing, and distribution hub within the Chicago area.  The community has over 5.4 million square feet of industrial and flex space, including the recently completed Northwest Gateway Center which offers over 500,000 square feet of versatile warehouse and manufacturing space with immediate access to three interstate expressways.

As part of the community’s efforts to grow and support commerce and industry, Arlington Heights also offers a Zero Interest Loan program available to both new and existing businesses.  Interested business or property owners can apply for an interest-free of loan of up to $25,000.  Eligible expenses range from the purchase of new equipment, to technology upgrades, to improvements of existing facilities.  Large industrial and commercial users may also be eligible for the Cook County Class 6/7 programs, which can abate property taxes on redeveloped sites by as much as 60%.

Arlington Heights also remains the target of significant development.  The 27-acre Arlington Downs development continues to take shape, showcasing more than 500 luxury residential units in addition to current and planned commercial development, with quick access to I-90, I-290, and I-355.  Additionally, the first phase of the Arlington Gateway project is approved to begin construction on 300 new residential units, and 25,000 square feet of commercial space, immediately off of I-90.  And the Hickory Kensington Area, just east of Downtown Arlington Heights, has 76 new residential units that will complete construction in 2024.

Quality of life is exceptional in Arlington Heights, with many of its students attending some of the Chicago area’s top elementary and high schools.  In the past ten years, six Arlington Heights schools have earned the prestigious “Blue Ribbon” designation from the U.S. Department of Education.  The Arlington Heights Memorial Library is regularly ranked among the nation’s best public libraries for its size and is an 11-time recipient of the “Five Star” designation by Library Journal, that publication’s highest rating.  The community is also served by the Arlington Heights Park District with more than 50 public parks and facilities.  Health care rates highly as well thanks to Northwest Community Hospital, ranked one of the 20 best hospitals in Illinois by U.S. News & World Report.  All of this helped Arlington Heights get voted as the “Best Town/City to Live” by Daily Herald readers last year.

With an exceptional quality of life, a wealth of amenities, and unparalleled access throughout the Chicago area, Arlington Heights is positioned to continue to grow and thrive.  To learn more about business and development opportunities in Arlington Heights, please visit vah.com/business, or contact the Department of Planning & Community Development at planningmail@vah.com or at (847) 368-5200.

• Population: 78,000
• Average Annual Household Income: Over $106,000
• Annual Retail Sales: Over $1.57 Billion
• Top 10 Chicago Area Employer: 3,000 companies with over 40,000 employees
• Direct Access to I-90 and I-290/I-355 (via IL-53)
• 15 Minutes to O’Hare International Airport (ORD) and Chicago Executive Airport (PKE)
• Home to two of Metra’s most-boarded stations
• Blue Ribbon Award-Winning Schools (U.S. Dept. of Education)
• A Five-Star Public Library (Library Journal)
• Nearly 60 Public Parks and Facilities
• One of the Top 20 Hospitals in Illinois (U.S. News & World Report)