Carpentersville was first settled by Charles Valentine Carpenter and his brother, Daniel. In 1837, the two brothers, en route to the Rock River, made camp along the east bank of the Fox River to wait out the spring floods that made continuing their oxcart journey impossible. They ended up staying in the area to settle what was then called Carpenters' Grove. In 1851 Charles's son, Angelo, platted the land and renamed the town Carpentersville, which was incorporated in 1887.

Carepntersville sits in Kane County, and is located approximately 45 miles northwest of the Chicago Loop.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of 19.7 km² (7.6 mi²) of it (1.97%) is water. School districts 220 and 300 serve students from elementary age through high school; there are also several private schools and quality child care centers in the area. The Village lies within Community College District 509, served by Elgin Community College.