Downers Grove is located in northeastern Illinois in DuPage County about 20 miles west of Chicago and 15 miles east of Naperville along Interstate 355. The population estimate for July 1, 1998 was 51,716, an increase of 4,252 since 1990. Social highlights include the annual Ice Sculpture Festival & Ice Carving Competition usually held on the last full weekend in January.
For those seeking a post-high school educational experience, the city is host to Midwestern University.