The village is located near Cook County Forest Preserves. Most homes are 25 to 85 years old and many have been rehabbed. The village also is seeing properties being bought, houses razed and executive homes taking their place. A new development of eight custom- built is nearing completion. There are few apartments, and vacancies are rare.
Most units are over downtown stores or in larger homes that have been converted.
The majority of elementary students attend district 101. Students in the Ridgewood and Springdale sections attend district 106. Lyons Township High School in district 204 serves teens. A comprehensive curriculum includes special education and gifted courses. The 1998 average ACT composite score was 23.7.