5 Top Places to Raise a Family in Illinois

Are there still places left in America where you can find neighborhood kids riding bikes down tree-lined streets until the street lights blink on? Is it possible there are places that check all the boxes parents want in an area to raise their family? If there are, you have a good chance of finding a few of them in Illinois.

We compiled a list of the five top places to raise a family in Illinois using data from Niche. The company’s rankings assessed key factors that are meaningful for families such as cost of living, quality of schools, recreation opportunities, weather, safety, and health care.

All five places are located in the suburbs of Chicago. Proximity to the metropolis likely improved a place’s employment opportunities ranking. Living just outside the borders of the city also has the added benefit of being close enough to join family-friendly events in Chicago while avoiding having to deal with the area’s high crime rate.

Is Illinois a Good Place to Raise a Family?

Although the state finished just outside the top 10 nationally, Illinois ranked among the best Midwestern states to raise a family, according to WalletHub’s 2023 Best & Worst States to Raise a Family edition. Among the findings, Illinois came in third for Median Family Income. The Prairie State took fourth place for the Family Fun category and ranked right in the middle for Education & Childcare and Health & Safety.

Tips for Choosing the Best Place to Raise Your Family

Employment

Any place you are considering should be able to provide the essentials. Ensuring there are ample employment opportunities in the area is a must. If you hope to keep your kids close to home once they grow, the more job options the better. According to Illinois.gov, the state ranks 17 for business.

Education

Quality education is always a top priority for parents. Make sure to research the school district your children will be attending. Illinois.gov reports that the state ranks second in the country for education. Some schools in Illinois will be better than others, however, so talking to other parents is the best approach.

Recreation and Activities

A place great for families should offer ample opportunities to make memories together. Make sure your neighborhood has quality playgrounds and parks. Check to see if the city has a recreation department. Having fun is an important part of a good family life.

Other Kids

No childhood is complete without neighborhood friends. When looking for a property, visit the street on a weekend to see what the neighborhood vibe is like. Having other kids to play with around the house and the local parks makes a place more desirable for families.

Top 5 Places in Illinois to Raise a Family

Now that we know what we’re looking for, and that a place in Illinois is likely to cover our requirements, let’s take a look at the top five places in Illinois to raise a family.

#5 Inverness

This suburb of Chicago is located in Cook County. Reviews for Inverness mention wide-open spaces and low crime in the area. Compared to the robbery rate in Chicago, which is three times the national average, Inverness has a rate of zero for every 100,000 residents. With a population of 7,772, you can bet on being safe in your neighborhood.

Along with ranking fifth for the best place to raise a family in Illinois, Inverness also garnered some other impressive rankings. Niche ranked the village as number 19 out of 544 places with the best public schools in the state. Nationally, Inverness took the 54th spot for the same category.

The median household income in Inverness is $207,623. The national median is $75,149. An overwhelming majority of residents own their homes with only two percent renting. The median home value in the village is close to $700,000.

According to the Trust for Public Land, 74 percent of all Inverness residents live within a 10-minute walk to a park. There are three parks within city limits.

#4 Kildeer

On the smaller side with a population of 4,133 and highly rated public schools, Kildeer offers the best of both worlds as a suburb of Chicago. The town ranked as the 25th best suburb to raise a family in the country. It also took 27th for best public schools in the United States and ninth in the state.

Its population is highly educated with 35 percent holding a bachelor’s degree and 43 percent having a master’s degree or higher. Almost everyone owns their home. Only one percent of residents rent. Median household income is $250,001, more than three times the national average.

Although the Trust for Public Land reports that only 38 percent of residents live within 10 minutes walking distance to a park, the town is also only 16 miles from Lake Michigan. Kildeer’s 4.43 square miles have limited development and houses on large lots so there’s plenty of room to stretch your legs (and tire out your kids!).

#3 Clarendon Hills

If you are looking for a safe neighborhood with great public schools that have a bit more of a city feel, Clarendon Hills might be the place for your family. Niche reports that the area has lots of parks, coffee shops, and restaurants. With a population of 8,658 living in 1.82 square miles, the area is definitely more dense than Kildeer and Inverness.

Homes are also a bit more affordable than Kildeer and Inverness with the median home value set at $570,600. There are a few more renters than in our fourth and fifth best places as well with 84 percent of residents owning their homes. The median household income is $115,923.

Clarendon Hills ranked as the eighth place in America with the best public schools. Along with stellar educational opportunities, the city also offers families plenty of recreational activities. The Trust for Public Lands reports that an impressive 91 percent of people live within 10 minutes walking distance to a park.

#2 Kenilworth

Kenilworth, like Inverness, is located in Cook County, but unlike Inverness, Kenilworth’s eastern border is Lake Michigan. The city’s prime beach location is likely one of the factors that set its median home value at almost $1.4 million. Median household income is $250,001 and 98 percent of residents own their valuable homes.

Forbes ranked Kenilworth as the richest city in Illinois. Along with wealth, the city’s 755 households are some of the safest in the state. Kenilworth’s violent crime rate is zero out of every 100,000 residents. Its property crime rate is only a fraction of the national average.

Encompassing just 0.67 square miles, 100 percent of Kenilworth’s 2,537 residents live within a 10-minute walking distance to a park. Sounds like paradise, if you can afford it.

#1 Long Grove

Illinois’ first historic district, Long Grove is a charming tourist destination and the best place to raise a family in the Prairie State. The idyllic village was named one of Chicago’s Best Public Spaces by the Metropolitan Planning Council. Long Grove is a village of quaint, brightly painted shops, cobblestone paths, and beautifully preserved historic homes.

Residents and visitors alike are drawn by Long Grove’s relaxed pace and mix of attractions, festivals, entertainment, and pristine country charm. The town is 12.61 square miles and has a permanent population of 8,279, although tourism brings in quite a few more people.

Crime rates are low and public school ratings are high. With a median home value of $721,100, purchasing a home in Long Grove is a bit more affordable than Kenilworth. Median family income is $236,172.

The country charm of the village combines with its bustling historic downtown to offer families a uniquely wonderful place to call home. Along with dining, entertainment, and shopping, residents have 450 acres of ponds and streams, wetlands, woodlands, and community parks to explore. There’s not much more a family could ask for in a home. That’s why Long Grove is our number one best place to raise a family in Illinois.

Summary Table of the Top 5 Places to Raise a Family in Illinois