Business

Arlington Heights continues to grow and thrive.  Home to 78,000 residents with a median annual household income of nearly $100,000, Arlington Heights is also one of the largest business communities in the Chicago area, hosting more than 3,000 businesses that employ over 40,000 daytime workers.

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

Access and location have validated Arlington Heights as a great corporate destination.  Amazon and Frito-Lay (a subsidiary of PepsiCo) have opened distribution facilities to take advantage of the community’s position within the Chicago metro area.  Arlington Heights also continues to serve as long-time home for other significant employers such as GE Healthcare, and Paddock Publications which produces The Daily Herald, one of the nation’s 75 largest newspapers in terms of circulation.  And United Airlines employs over 900 workers at their Arlington Heights operations center.

Retail also thrives in Arlington Heights.  In 2021, the business community conducted $1.53 billion in retail sales, highlighting an ongoing and strong recovery from the pandemic. Mariano’s, which now boasts over 40 locations throughout the greater Chicago metropolitan area, opened its very first grocery store in the Arlington Heights.  And Mitsuwa Marketplace, the largest Japanese grocery store in the Midwest, serves as a cultural and culinary destination for patrons throughout the region including a large tourist population.

Arlington Heights also remains a target of significant development.  Arlington Downs continues to take shape, with more than 500 luxury residential units in addition to planned future commercial development.  This includes First Ascent, a 40,000 square foot gym and climbing facility that hosted the USA Climbing Youth National Championships in July 2022.  Set on over 27 acres of land, Arlington Downs has immediate highway access and is becoming a unique Chicagoland destination.

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 $20,000.  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%.

Quality of life is exceptional in Arlington Heights, with many of its students attending some of the Chicago area’s top public elementary and high schools per U.S. News & World Report.  The Arlington Heights Memorial Library is regularly ranked among the nation’s best public libraries for its size and is a ten-time recipient of a “Five Star” designation by Library Journal, the publication’s highest rating.  The community is also served by the Arlington Heights Park District and its 50+ public parks and facilities.  Health care rates highly as well thanks to Northwest Community Hospital, which continues to expand its campus and its patient services and is ranked the 20^th best hospital in Illinois by U.S. News & World Report.

Arlington Heights also features a unique, vibrant, and award-winning Downtown offering an enticing urban lifestyle with more than 30 shops and boutiques.  Cuisine is a key ingredient to Downtown’s success, hosting a diverse collection of nearly 40 one-of-a-kind restaurants and casual eateries.  And Arlington Alfresco, which features pedestrian-friendly outdoor dining for more than a dozen restaurants, has been one of Chicagoland’s most sought-after dining destinations since 2020.

Downtown Arlington Heights is also a Chicago area destination for entertainment, hosting outdoor concerts and other annual events such as Harmony Fest featuring The Taste of Arlington Heights.  Meanwhile, the Metropolis Performing Arts Centre offers top-notch comedy, live theatre, and music in an intimate setting.  And Downtown development continues with over 400 new residences approved or under construction, further enhancing it as a vibrant neighborhood at all hours of the day. 

With an exceptional quality of life, a wealth of amenities, and unparalleled access throughout the Chicago area, Arlington Heights is primed to continue to grow and thrive.

• Population: 78,000
• Average Annual Household Income: Over $100,000
• Annual Retail Sales: Over $1.5 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/from O’Hare International Airport and Chicago Executive Airport
• 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)