Top suburbs to reside in Illinois
Urban centers might offer vibrant nightlife, but the appeal and economical nature of the suburbs are attracting many as the millennial demographic transitions into its purchasing stage. Even prior to the COVID-19 outbreak, which altered work norms and intensified the housing market, many people have been moving away from significant metropolitan areas.
For example, in Colorado, lesser-known suburbs near Denver, such as Boulder, have evolved into hotspots for younger families, ranking among the top destinations for out-of-state millennials who opted to relocate in 2023. Corporations are also acknowledging this shift: Numerous are setting up satellite locations and new headquarters in less urbanized regions.
Stacker prepared a compilation of the finest suburbs to live in Illinois utilizing data from Niche’s 2024 Best Places to Live. Niche evaluates living locations based on several criteria, including living expenses, education level of residents, housing prices, and school quality.
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#30. Glen Ellyn, Illinois
– Overall Ranking: 216
– Residents: 28,304
– Median family income: $128,132
– Median property value: $516,600 (78% own)
– Median rental cost: $1,223 (22% rent)
– Top public educational institutions: Glenbard West High School (grade A+), Wheaton Warrenville South High School (grade A+), Lincoln Elementary School (grade A)
– Top private educational institutions: Naperville Christian Academy (grade A+), St. Francis High School (grade A+), Nazareth Academy (grade A)
#29. River Forest, Illinois
– Overall Ranking: 212
– Residents: 11,568
– Median family income: $144,784
– Median property value: $668,900 (88% own)
– Median rental cost: $1,347 (12% rent)
– Top public educational institutions: Jones College Prep High School (grade A+), Oak Park & River Forest High School (grade A+), Lincoln Elementary School (grade A)
– Top private educational institutions: Fenwick High School (grade A+), Trinity High School (grade A), Hinsdale Adventist Academy (grade A)
#28. La Grange Park, Illinois
– Overall Ranking: 202
– Residents: 13,332
– Median family income: $113,419
– Median property value: $394,500 (74% own)
– Median rental cost: $1,398 (26% rent)
– Top public educational institutions: Lyons Township High School (grade A+), Riverside Brookfield Township High School (grade A), Park Junior High School (grade A)
– Top private educational institutions: Fenwick High School (grade A+), Trinity High School (grade A), Nazareth Academy (grade A)
#27. Bannockburn, Illinois
– Overall Ranking: 193
– Residents: 1,065
– Median family income: $161,875
– Median property value: $1,027,400 (86% own)
– Median rental cost: $1,388 (14% rent)
– Top public educational institutions: Adlai E. Stevenson High School (grade A+), Deerfield High School (grade A+), Lake Forest High School (grade A+)
– Top private educational institutions: Lake Forest Academy (grade A+), North Shore Country Day (grade A+), Woodlands Academy of the Sacred Heart (grade A+)
#26. Lake Bluff, Illinois
– Overall Ranking: 192
– Residents: 5,919
– Median family income: $190,179
– Median property value: $722,300 (90% own)
– Median rental cost: $1,845 (10% rent)
– Top public educational institutions: Lake Forest High School (grade A+), Lake Bluff Middle School (grade A), Lake Bluff Elementary School (grade A)
– Top private educational institutions: Lake Forest Academy (grade A+), Woodlands Academy of the Sacred Heart (grade A+), Rochelle Zell Jewish High School (grade A+)
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#25. Riverside, Illinois
– Overall Ranking: 191
– Residents: 9,225
– Median family income: $149,464
– Median property value: $471,100 (85% own)
– Median rental cost: $1,432 (15% rent)
– Top public educational institutions: Riverside Brookfield Township High School (grade A), A.F. Ames Elementary School (grade A), Central Elementary School (grade A)
– Top private educational institutions: Fenwick High School (grade A+), St. Laurence High School (grade A+), Trinity High School (grade A)
#24. Burr Ridge, Illinois
– Overall Ranking: 188
– Residents: 11,131
– Median family income: $174,342
– Median property value: $706,400 (95% own)
– Median rental cost: $2,371 (5% rent)
– Top public educational institutions: Hinsdale Central High School (grade A+), Lyons Township High School (grade A+), Elm Elementary School (grade A+)
– Top private educational institutions: St. Laurence High School (grade A+), Nazareth Academy (grade A), Benet Academy (grade A)
#23. Oak Park, Illinois
– Overall Ranking: 183
– Residents: 53,834
– Median family income: $103,264
– Median property value: $440,500 (60% own)
– Median rental cost: $1,409 (40% rent)
– Top public educational institutions: Jones College Prep High School (grade A+), Oak Park & River Forest High School (grade A+), DeVry University Advantage Academy High School (grade A)
– Top private educational institutions: British International School of Chicago, South Loop (grade A+), Saint Ignatius College Prep (grade A+), The Chicago Academy for the Arts (grade A+)
#22. Leland Grove, Illinois
– Overall Ranking: 181
– Residents: 1,478
– Median family income: $127,500
– Median property value: $267,100 (94% own)
– Median rental cost: $1,109 (6% rent)
– Top public educational institutions: Springfield High School (grade A), Iles Elementary School (grade A minus), Lincoln Magnet School (grade A minus)
– Top private educational institutions: Sacred Heart Griffin High School (grade A), Lutheran High School (grade B), Calvary Academy (grade B minus)
#21. Libertyville, Illinois
– Overall Ranking: 180
– Residents: 20,555
– Median family income: $161,302
– Median property value: $488,800 (81% own)
– Median rental cost: $1,453 (19% rent)
– Top public educational institutions: Vernon Hills High School (grade A+), Rondout Elementary School (grade A+), Libertyville High School (grade A)
– Top private educational institutions: Lake Forest Academy (grade A+), Woodlands Academy of the Sacred Heart (grade A+), Rochelle Zell Jewish High School (grade A+)
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#20. Hawthorn Woods, Illinois
– Overall Ranking: 173
– Residents: 9,111
– Median family income: $215,817
– Median property value: $580,400 (98% own)
– Median rental cost: $3,501 (2% rent)
– Top public educational institutions: Adlai E. Stevenson High School (grade A+), Lake Zurich High School (grade A), Prairie Elementary School (grade A)
– Top private educational institutions: Lake Forest Academy (grade A+), Carmel Catholic High School (grade A), St. Viator High School (grade A)
#19. Elmhurst, Illinois
– Overall Ranking: 160
– Residents: 45,648
– Median family income: $143,492
– Median property value: $516,900 (80% own)
– Median rental cost: $1,843 (20% rent)
– Top public educational institutions: York Community High School (grade A+), Hawthorne Elementary School (grade A), Field Elementary School (grade A)
– Top private educational institutions: Northridge Preparatory School (grade A+), Naperville Christian Academy (grade A+), Fenwick High School (grade A+)
#18. Highland Park, Illinois
– Overall Ranking: 149
– Residents: 30,209
– Median family income: $159,567
– Median property value: $593,000 (84% own)
– Median rental cost: $1,904 (16% rent)
– Top public educational institutions: New Trier Township High School (grade A+), Glenbrook North High School (grade A+), Deerfield High School (grade A+)
– Top private educational institutions: Lake Forest Academy (grade A+), Roycemore School (grade A+), North Shore Country Day (grade A+)
#17. Lisle, Illinois
– Overall Ranking: 134
– Residents: 23,499
– Median family income: $106,265
– Median property value: $401,000 (57% own)
– Median rental cost: $1,485 (43% rent)
– Top public educational institutions: Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy (grade A+), Naperville North High School (grade A+), Naperville Central High School (grade A+)
– Top private educational institutions: Naperville Christian Academy (grade A+), St. Francis High School (grade A+), Nazareth Academy (grade A)
#16. Barrington, Illinois
– Overall Ranking: 121
– Residents: 11,244
– Median family income: $160,171
– Median property value: $543,700 (78% own)
– Median rental cost: $1,726 (22% rent)
– Top public educational institutions: Barrington High School (grade A+), Grove Avenue Elementary School (grade A+), Hough Street Elementary School (grade A+)
– Top private educational institutions: Elgin Academy (grade A+), The Einstein Academy (grade A+), Schaumburg Christian School (grade A)
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#15. Glenview, Illinois
– Overall Ranking: 120
– Residents: 47,896
– Median family income: $134,910
– Median property value: $590,600 (78% own)
– Median rental cost: $1,950 (22% rent)
– Top public educational institutions: New Trier Township High School (grade A+), Glenbrook South High School (grade A+), Glenbrook North High School (grade A+)
– Top private educational institutions: Lake Forest Academy (grade A+), Roycemore School (grade A+), North Shore Country Day (grade A+)
#14. Wilmette, Illinois
– Overall Ranking: 116
– Residents: 27,801
– Median family income: $183,750
– Median property value: $771,500 (87% own)
– Median rental cost: $1,918 (13% rent)
– Top public educational institutions: New Trier Township High School (grade A+), Glenbrook South High School (grade A+), Niles North High School (grade A+)
– Top private educational institutions: Lake Forest Academy (grade A+), Roycemore School (grade A+), North Shore Country Day (grade A+)
#13. Lincolnshire, Illinois
– Overall Ranking: 102
– Residents: 7,907
– Median family income: $155,395
– Median property value: $598,100 (80% own)
– Median rental cost: $2,799 (20% rent)
– Top public educational institutions: Adlai E. Stevenson High School (grade A+), Deerfield High School (grade A+), Bannockburn School (grade A+)
– Top private educational institutions: Lake Forest Academy (grade A+), North Shore Country Day (grade A+), Woodlands Academy of the Sacred Heart (grade A+)
#12. Western Springs, Illinois
– Overall Ranking: 80
– Residents: 13,557
– Median family income: $198,836
– Median property value: $680,900 (97% own)
– Median rental cost: $1,871 (3% rent)
– Top public educational institutions: Hinsdale Central High School (grade A+), Lyons Township High School (grade A+), Oak Elementary School (grade A)
– Top private educational institutions: St. Laurence High School (grade A+), Trinity High School (grade A), Nazareth Academy (grade A)
#11. Deerfield, Illinois
– Overall Ranking: 78
– Residents: 19,173
– Median family income: $185,762
– Median property value: $594,000 (81% own)
– Median rental cost: $2,225 (19% rent)
– Top public educational institutions: Glenbrook North High School (grade A+), Deerfield High School (grade A+), Highland Park High School (grade A+)
– Top private educational institutions: Lake Forest Academy (grade A+), North Shore Country Day (grade A+), Woodlands Academy of the Sacred Heart (grade A+)
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#10. Riverwoods, Illinois
– Overall Ranking: 66
– Residents: 4,007
– Median family income: $233,036
– Median property value: $776,900 (97% own)
– Median rental cost: $3,500 (3% rent)
– Top public educational institutions: Adlai E. Stevenson High School (grade A+), Glenbrook North High School (grade A+), Deerfield High School (grade A)
– Top private educational institutions: Lake Forest Academy (grade A+), North Shore Country Day (grade A+), Woodlands Academy of the Sacred Heart (grade A+)
#9. Northbrook, Illinois
– Overall Ranking: 53
– Residents: 34,950
– Median family income: $150,236
– Median property value: $621,600 (87% own)
– Median rental cost: $1,998 (13% rent)
– Top public educational institutions: New Trier Township High School (grade A+), Glenbrook South High School (grade A+), Glenbrook North High School (grade A+)
– Top private educational institutions: Lake Forest Academy (grade A+), Roycemore School (grade A+), North Shore Country Day (grade A+)
#8. Evanston, Illinois
– Overall Ranking: 46
– Residents: 77,181
– Median family income: $93,188
– Median property value: $454,600 (56% own)
– Median rental cost: $1,625 (44% rent)
– Top public educational institutions: Jones College Prep High School (grade A+), New Trier Township High School (grade A+), Evanston Township High School (grade A+)
– Top private educational institutions: Roycemore School (grade A+), North Shore Country Day (grade A+), Lycée Français de Chicago (grade A+)
#7. Kildeer, Illinois
– Overall Ranking: 45
– Residents: 4,133
– Median family income: $250,001
– Median property value: $683,900 (99% own)
– Median rental cost: $961 (1% rent)
– Top public educational institutions: Adlai E. Stevenson High School (grade A+), Lake Zurich High School (grade A), Prairie Elementary School (grade A)
– Top private educational institutions: Carmel Catholic High School (grade A), Schaumburg Christian School (grade A), St. Viator High School (grade A)
#6. Vernon Hills, Illinois
– Overall Ranking: 38
– Residents: 26,750
– Median family income: $117,253
– Median property value: $370,700 (66% own)
– Median rental cost: $1,873 (34% rent)
– Top public educational institutions: Adlai E. Stevenson High School (grade A+), Vernon Hills High School (grade A+), Libertyville High School (grade A)
– Top private educational institutions: Lake Forest Academy (grade A+), Woodlands Academy of the Sacred Heart (grade A+), Christian Heritage Academy (grade A+)
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#5. Buffalo Grove, Illinois
– Overall Ranking: 32
– Residents: 42,934
– Median family income: $127,553
– Median property value: $380,700 (83% own)
– Median rental cost: $1,988 (17% rent)
– Top public educational institutions: Adlai E. Stevenson High School (grade A+), Deerfield High School (grade A+), Buffalo Grove High School (grade A+)
– Top private educational institutions: Lake Forest Academy (grade A+), North Shore Country Day (grade A+), Woodlands Academy of the Sacred Heart (grade A+)
#4. Hinsdale, Illinois
– Overall Ranking: 24
– Residents: 17,169
– Median family income: $250,001
– Median property value: $962,700 (89% own)
– Median rental cost: $1,875 (11% rent)
– Top public educational institutions: Hinsdale Central High School (grade A+), Lyons Township High School (grade A+), Westmont High School (grade A+)
– Top private educational institutions: St. Laurence High School (grade A+), Trinity High School (grade A), Nazareth Academy (grade A)
#3. Long Grove, Illinois
– Overall Ranking: 22
– Residents: 8,279
– Median family income: $236,172
– Median property value: $721,100 (96% own)
– Median rental cost: $3,501 (4% rent)
– Top public educational institutions: Adlai E. Stevenson High School (grade A+), Vernon Hills High School (grade A+), Lake Zurich High School (grade A)
– Top private educational institutions: Lake Forest Academy (grade A+), Rochelle Zell Jewish High School (grade A+), Carmel Catholic High School (grade A)
#2. Clarendon Hills, Illinois
– Overall Ranking: 18
– Residents: 8,658
– Median family income: $115,923
– Median property value: $570,600 (84% own)
– Median rental cost: $1,126 (16% rent)
– Top public educational institutions: Hinsdale Central High School (grade A+), Westmont High School (grade A+), Walker School (grade A+)
– Top private educational institutions: Nazareth Academy (grade A), Benet Academy (grade A), Hinsdale Adventist Academy (grade A)
#1. Naperville, Illinois
– Overall Ranking: 15
– Residents: 149,089
– Median family income: $143,754
– Median property value: $482,600 (74% own)
– Median rental cost: $1,787 (26% rent)
– Top public educational institutions: Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy (grade A+), Neuqua Valley High School (grade A+), Metea Valley High School (grade A+)
– Top private educational institutions: Naperville Christian Academy (grade A+), St. Francis High School (grade A+), Nazareth Academy (grade A)
This article includes data reporting and writing by Elena Cox and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 40 states.
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Authored by Stacker
