Fox River Grove, Illinois is a safe, highly desirable McHenry County village (ZIP code 60021) with a population of 4,708. Located 37 miles northwest of Chicago along the Fox River, it offers exceptional quality of life, 1-hour Metra train access, and top-rated District 3 and 155 schools.
If you are exploring homes for sale in Fox River Grove or comparing nearby McHenry and Lake County communities, evaluate active market inventory and local neighborhood guides. Browse current Fox River Grove listings or read our Cary IL community guide.
Community Benchmark or Landmark | Location or Address | Key Detail or Amenity | Local Impact or Detail |
|---|---|---|---|
Metra UP-NW Train Station | 4015 N Northwest Hwy, Fox River Grove, IL 60021 | 279 parking spaces ($2.00 daily fee) | Direct 60-minute express transit to Chicago Ogilvie |
Picnic Grove Park | 598 Birch Ln, Fox River Grove, IL 60021 | 30-acre riverfront park with canoe/kayak launch | Sledding hill, volleyball, annual 4th of July fireworks |
Norge Ski Club | 100 Ski Hill Rd, Fox River Grove, IL 60021 | Oldest continuous ski jump tournament in North America | Historic 150-foot ski jump tower hosting annual winter fest |
Cary-Grove High School (Dist 155) | 2208 E Main St, Cary, IL 60013 | Top 8% national high school ranking (U.S. News) | 96% graduation rate, average ACT score of 28 |
After the Fox Restaurant | 1406 N Northwest Hwy, Fox River Grove, IL 60021 | Riverfront dining operating since 1984 | Seafood, prime rib, and classic pub fare on the Fox River |
Fox River Grove real estate offers a distinctive mix of architectural styles across established tree-lined neighborhoods, quiet subdivisions, and prime waterfront parcels. Situated in southeastern McHenry County approximately 37 miles northwest of downtown Chicago, the village appeals to homebuyers seeking expansive lot sizes, strong municipal services, and direct access to the Fox River recreation corridor. Single-family home prices generally range from $275,000 for mid-century ranch homes to over $650,000 for updated executive properties and custom riverfront residences.
Housing inventory in Fox River Grove reflects several distinct building eras. Early 20th-century colonials, Cape Cods, and craftsman bungalows stand along streets adjacent to the river, featuring mature tree canopies and generous setbacks of a quarter to half an acre. In subdivisions such as Victoria Woods and Foxmoor, built during the 1990s and 2000s, buyers find spacious traditional homes with modern open layouts, attached three-car garages, and direct access to local park systems. The village's Bohemian roots dating back to the 1860s lend the community a grounded cultural identity, attracting buyers who value authenticity over cookie-cutter suburban layout.
Public education is a primary driver for families relocating to Fox River Grove. Elementary and middle school students attend Fox River Grove Consolidated School District 3, which maintains a low student-to-teacher ratio of 12 to 1 for personalized instruction. High school students transition to Cary-Grove High School in neighboring District 155, recognized among the top 8% of public high schools nationwide by U.S. News & World Report. District 155 consistently earns top marks for academic proficiency, athletic programs, and STEM curriculum depth.
Commuters benefit from the village's dedicated station on Metra's Union Pacific Northwest line, located on Northwest Highway. With 52 weekday trains providing direct service to Chicago Ogilvie Transportation Center in under one hour, residents enjoy seamless access to city employment hubs while maintaining a quiet suburban lifestyle. Automotive commuters utilize U.S. Route 14 for direct connections to nearby commercial centers in Barrington, Crystal Lake, and Algonquin, or connect south to Interstate 90 for travel to O'Hare International Airport in approximately 35 minutes.
Outdoor recreation defines daily life in Fox River Grove, which maintains over 100 acres of public parkland across 11 village parks. Riverfront parks including Picnic Grove Park and Lions Park feature public boat launches, fishing piers, sand volleyball courts, and riverbank hiking paths along the Fox River Water Trail. Residents routinely enjoy flatwater kayaking, canoeing, and fishing for bass and catfish steps from their front doors. Nearby Foxmoor Park adds two dedicated fishing ponds and paved walking trails winding through neighborhood open space.
The village is internationally recognized as the home of the Norge Ski Club, founded in 1905 by Norwegian immigrants. Featuring a 150-foot ski jump tower visible across the river valley, Norge hosts the annual Winter Ski Jump Tournament every January, drawing international competitors and thousands of spectators. Additional annual community traditions include the summer Fox Fest, Fourth of July fireworks at Picnic Grove Park, and the Lions Park Arts and Crafts Festival, reinforcing the community's tight-knit character.
Yes, Fox River Grove is considered a very safe, peaceful village in McHenry County, known for low crime rates, strong community engagement, and family-friendly neighborhoods.
Fox River Grove, Illinois is located in McHenry County. The village primary ZIP code is 60021.
The population of Fox River Grove is approximately 4,708 residents, offering a small-town atmosphere with easy access to surrounding suburban amenities.
Students in Fox River Grove attend Cary-Grove Community High School in District 155, which is ranked in the top 8% of high schools nationwide by U.S. News & World Report.
The Metra Union Pacific Northwest line train ride from Fox River Grove Station to Ogilvie Transportation Center in downtown Chicago takes approximately 60 minutes.
John Morrison: Lead Agent & Suburb Specialist
John Morrison is the founder of Morrison Home Team at Coldwell Banker Realty, bringing over 15 years of local real estate expertise across McHenry, Lake, and Cook counties. Having closed more than $250 million in local residential sales, John provides buyers and sellers with hyper-local market analysis, neighborhood pricing trends, and concierge relocation guidance.
Ready to explore homes for sale in Fox River Grove or schedule a private market consultation? Contact the Morrison Home Team today for expert local guidance.
4,523 people live in Fox River Grove, where the median age is 43 and the average individual income is $52,887. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau.
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Fox River Grove has 1,685 households, with an average household size of 2.68. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau. Here’s what the people living in Fox River Grove do for work — and how long it takes them to get there. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau. 4,523 people call Fox River Grove home. The population density is 2,641 and the largest age group is Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau.
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There's plenty to do around Fox River Grove, including shopping, dining, nightlife, parks, and more. Data provided by Walk Score and Yelp.
Explore popular things to do in the area, including Frosting Layers, Jewel-Osco, and Fuel Zone.
| Name | Category | Distance | Reviews |
Ratings by
Yelp
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|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dining | 0.01 miles | 0 reviews | 0/5 stars | |
| Dining · $$ | 0.25 miles | 23 reviews | 3.9/5 stars | |
| Dining | 0.26 miles | 1 review | 5/5 stars | |
| Dining | 0.55 miles | 10 reviews | 4.4/5 stars | |
| Dining | 0.78 miles | 0 reviews | 0/5 stars | |
| Active | 0.29 miles | 0 reviews | 0/5 stars | |
| Nightlife | 0.34 miles | 10 reviews | 3.6/5 stars | |
| Beauty | 0.3 miles | 0 reviews | 0/5 stars | |
| Beauty | 0.35 miles | 0 reviews | 0/5 stars | |
| Beauty | 0.36 miles | 9 reviews | 4.6/5 stars | |
| Beauty | 0.37 miles | 4 reviews | 3.3/5 stars | |
| Beauty | 0.37 miles | 34 reviews | 2.3/5 stars | |
| Beauty | 0.86 miles | 17 reviews | 4.7/5 stars | |
| Beauty | 0.9 miles | 1 review | 5/5 stars | |
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