Each of our communities pays tribute to its past and preserves its hometown character while laying the foundation for a prosperous future. Through efforts of the Dundee Township Historical Society, 65 historic homes and buildings in East and West Dundee and Carpentersville are included in the Dundee Township Historic District and listed in the National Register of Historic Places. All five communities are served by a 911 emergency response system and each village boasts its own police and fire departments. Rural fire districts–East Dundee and Countryside District, West Dundee District, and Rutland-Dundee Township–serve unincorporated areas. Here's a brief overview of the villages that comprise the Northern Kane County Chamber of Commerce.

Carpentersville was first settled in 1837 by Charles and Daniel Carpenter, who originally set up a temporary camp on the east side of the Fox River on their way west to the Rock River. While waiting out spring flooding, the brothers became enamored with the natural beauty of the valley. They changed their pioneering plans and stayed to develop a community called Carpenter's Grove, which was renamed Carpentersville in 1851. Now with a population of 30,586, it operates under a manager-council form of government, but retains its village status and employs a professional village manager who oversees daily operations.

East Dundee celebrated its 130th anniversary in 2001. The village incorporated in 1871–thirty-six years after the families of Jesse Newman and Joseph Randall first staked their claims on the eastern bank of the Fox River. By the time of its incorporation, East Dundee was home to a variety of businesses and a gristmill constructed by early settler Tom Deweese. It now has a population of 2,955 and is governed by a village president and six trustees, who are assisted in day-to-day operations by a professional village administrator who works from the Village Hall, which was constructed around 1880.

West Dundee owes its existence to John and Nancy Oatman, who lived in Indiana before settling in Illinois and laying out a town on the western banks of the Fox River (their son-in-law, Tom Deweese, laid out East Dundee). Oatman built a tavern and a store in what is now known as West Dundee, which was incorporated in 1867. Oatman and Deweese's enterprises were connected in 1839 when a bridge was built to connect the two riverbank villages. West Dundee, with a population of 5,500, operates its village-form of government from a downtown building, replete with clock tower, constructed in 1909. A professional village administrator manages municipal departments and staff.

Sleepy Hollow has purposely retained its character as a residential community since its founding in 1958 by Floyd Falese. Nestled in rolling hills to the west of Dundee, the community brings to life names from the Legend of Sleepy Hollow, housing such streets and locations as Crane Drive and Lake Ichabod. Today, with a population of 3,553, Sleepy Hollow operates under a village form of government. In keeping with the village's rural character, the municipality is run from offices housed in red and white farm buildings.

Gilberts is located west of Dundee on Illinois 72, which was once an Indian trail and stagecoach route. Founded in 1852, Gilberts became the site of the largest brick and tile factory in Illinois in 1882. Nearly a century later, Gilberts' first industrial park was developed, as were three residential subdivisions. Today, there are three industrial parks and a fourth housing development. Gilberts, with a current population of 1,943, houses its government offices in a former church building.

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