Orland Hills, IL Area Guide

Orland Hills was originally known as Westhaven before being incorporated under its current name, and its roots trace back to the broader Orland Township, which saw its first settlers arrive in the 1830s. The village developed primarily as a post-World War II suburban community, shaped by the same wave of residential growth that defined much of Chicago's southwest suburbs. Today, the village is small and compact, covering roughly two square miles, and its character reflects that quiet, close-knit suburban identity that took shape over decades of steady growth. While Orland Hills does not have a formal historic district or landmark-designated architecture, Kelly Park stands as the community's enduring gathering place, offering a lake, recreation center, and tennis courts that have made it a local constant. The village's two lakes, Lake Ashbourne and Lake Lorin, are natural features that give the landscape a distinctive character beyond the typical suburban streetscape. For a deeper look at the region's agricultural and settlement history, the surrounding Orland Township preserves at sites like Orland Grassland offer a window into what this part of Illinois looked like long before the suburbs arrived.

Orland Hills residents enjoy a convenient and varied dining landscape, with the neighboring commercial corridors of Orland Park and Tinley Park just minutes away. The area along LaGrange Road offers a broad mix of options, from casual American fare and pizza to more specialized cuisines. Adjacent Orland Park serves as a regional dining hub, with a range of sit-down restaurants and quick-service spots that draw locals regularly. Whether you're looking for a laid-back weeknight dinner or a more relaxed weekend outing, the southwest suburban corridor delivers plenty of accessible, crowd-pleasing choices without a long drive.

Orland Hills is a car-dependent suburb where most residents rely on personal vehicles for daily errands and commuting. Interstate 57 and Interstate 80 provide regional highway access, while US Route 45 (LaGrange Road) and Route 7 (159th Street) serve as the main surface corridors through the area. For commuters heading into Chicago, five Metra SouthWest Service stations are within a 6- to 11-minute drive, including the Orland Park 143rd Street and Orland Park 153rd Street stations, offering direct rail service to Union Station in downtown Chicago. Pace Suburban Bus also operates in the southwest suburbs for those without a car. Chicago Midway International Airport is about 19 miles away, roughly a 29-minute drive, while O'Hare International Airport is around 30 miles north. As a small, low-density village, Orland Hills has limited sidewalk connectivity and walkability, so a car remains the most practical way to get around day to day.

Kelly Park serves as the village's central green space, offering a lake, recreation center, tennis courts, and seasonal community events. Lake Ashbourne and Lake Lorin add to the village's natural character, providing peaceful water features within its compact footprint. Just a five-minute drive away, Orland Grassland is a standout destination for hiking, biking, and birdwatching across its open prairies. Other nearby options include Bremen Grove, Messenger Marsh Preserve, Camp Sullivan, and Tinley Creek Woods, all within a 10-minute drive and offering a range of trails, wooded landscapes, and natural preserves for outdoor enthusiasts.

Renting in Orland Hills is notably more affordable than much of the surrounding southwest suburban corridor. One-bedroom apartments average $1,324 per month and two-bedroom units average $1,706 per month, placing the village well below the Illinois state average of $1,736 for one-bedroom rentals. By comparison, neighboring Orland Park commands significantly higher rents, while Tinley Park also runs higher than Orland Hills. Rent growth has been modest, with one- and two-bedroom units each rising under two percent year over year.

Orland Hills residents have convenient access to a variety of retail options, most within a short drive of the village. Main Street Village, just over half a mile away, offers everyday shopping close to home, while the nearby LaGrange Road corridor in adjacent Orland Park provides a broad range of retail choices. Orland Hills sits squarely between the commercial corridors of Orland Park and Tinley Park, giving residents practical access to a wide retail landscape without a lengthy drive.

Orland Hills is a compact Cook County village nestled between Orland Park and Tinley Park, about 40 minutes southwest of downtown Chicago, where one-bedroom rents average $1,324 per month, well below the Illinois state average. Kelly Park anchors the community with a lake and recreation center, Orland Grassland offers hiking and birdwatching minutes away, and multiple Metra SouthWest Service stations put downtown Chicago within easy reach by rail.