From its founding in 1831, through turbulent political times, a Civil War and two World Wars, Naperville has retained its small town charm and continues to be a beacon for those looking for a Midwestern way of life, close to the amenities of a major metropolitan city like Chicago.
The flowing DuPage River is a continuum that runs through the timeline of Naperville. A water and energy source to the earliest settlers, today, the sparkling river is the centerpiece of Naperville's Riverwalk, which remains an attraction to residents and visitors alike.
Ranked as a top community in the United States to raise children, retire and start a home-based business, the city boasts nationally acclaimed schools, the best public library system in the country, an exceptionally low crime rate, and a lower unemployment rate than the state's average. In 2005 and 2006, the city was once again named as one of best places to live in the United States by Money Magazine.