Here Are The Top 25 Places To Raise A Family In Illinois

ILLINOIS — As kids head back to school this year, parents won't need to worry if they're getting a quality education in many Illinois communities, according to a list that ranks the best Illinois places for families.

Quality of public schools was just one of many factors Niche took into consideration when compiling 2025's list of Best Places to Raise a Family in America. To determine which places topped the list, Niche analyzed data from sources like the U.S. Census Bureau, U.S. Department of Education and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Researchers also took into consideration millions of reviews from students, parents and residents.

Report cards for each place were then compiled based on factors including public schools, higher education rate, cost of living, crime and safety, housing and family amenities.

In Illinois, the best place to raise a family is Hinsdale in DuPage County.

According to Niche, Hinsdale is also among the best places to live in Illinois. With a population of just over 17,100, Hinsdale offers "a sparse suburban feel," according to Niche's evaluation of the village.

The second-best place to raise a family in Illinois is Clarendon Hills, a village of just under 8,700 people in DuPage County.

According to Niche, living in Clarendon Hills has a more "dense suburban feel" and is known for its highly rated public schools.

Rounding out the top three best places to raise a family is Kildeer, a Lake County community with a population of just under 4,200. Niche praised Kildeer's "rural feel" and its abundance of parks.

Here are the top 25 places in Illinois to raise a family:

1. Hinsdale
2. Clarendon Hills
3. Kildeer
4. Long Grove
5. Hawthorn Woods
6. Naperville
7. Western Springs
8. Wilmette
9. Tower Lakes
10. Kenilworth
11. Vernon Hills
12. Riverwoods
13. Lincolnshire
14. Northbrook
15. Lake Bluff
16. Buffalo Grove
17. Barrington
18. South Barrington
19. Winnetka
20. North Barrington
21. Deerfield
22. Riverside
23. Bannockburn
24. River Forest
25. Libertyville

See Niche's full ranking online.

In addition to its list of the Best Places to Raise a Family, Niche frequently spotlights Illinois communities in its other roundups, including the Best Cities to Live in America.