South Chicago Heights is a largely residential community with a small industrial base and a traditional downtown retail center. The latter is focused on the intersection of Sauk Trail and Dixie Highway, called "Brown's Corner." Local history relates that Adam Brown, the area's first white settler built an inn on this spot.

The village enjoys an excellent school system, a key in attracting new business, and offers a 52-acre industrial park and generous county tax incentives as further enticements.

South Chicago Heights has speedy access to the IL 394, the Calumet Expressway. This connects the village with the metropolitan area's interstate highway system.