Every parent wants to raise a healthy child, and some communities make it easier than others.
The ease of access to health care, outdoor spaces and recreation facilities are factors for many families when it comes to choosing where to plant roots. Luckily, Niche, a website offering rankings and statistics on towns, schools and colleges, also publishes a ranking of the healthiest places to live. See the rankings below to find out how towns in Chicagoland stack up.
These statistics were calculated based on factors like obesity rates, alcohol consumption, access to healthcare and more. Data for these categories come from the CDC and the U.S. Census. You can find the full methodology here.
Here are the top 10 healthiest places to live in Chicagoland on the list.
1. Naperville
- Average home value: $482,600
- Population: 149,089
Naperville boasts many parks and forest preserves, including popular Centennial Beach. It earns an “A+” from Niche for excellent public schools.
2. Chicago
- Average home value: $304,500
- Population: 2,721,914
Chicago, the most populous city in Illinois, is home to a bustling epicenter of different cultures and communities.
3. Elgin
- Average home value: $242,500
- Population: 114,190
Elgin’s cute downtown corridor and historic districts make it a picturesque city to settle down in.
4. Winnetka
- Average home value: $1,192,600
- Population: 12,607
Winnetka’s shoreline along Lake Michigan makes it easy to get outside. One of its beaches, Tower Road Beach, is home to a fun, sandy playground.
5. Kenilworth
- Average home value: $1,358,000
- Population: 2,537
Kenilworth, a town on the shores of Lake Michigan, is known for its stellar public schools, safety and outdoor activities. This affluent suburb is an excellent place to raise a healthy family.
6. Clarendon Hills
- Average home value: $570,600
- Population: 8,658
This suburb is very safe, offers an easy commute and has excellent public schools options. Clarendon Hills has a station on Metra’s BNSF Line, providing daily transit between Aurora, Illinois and Chicago, too.
7. Glencoe
- Average home value: $1,195,100
- Population: 8,787
It’s never a dull day in Glencoe thanks to its top notch beaches, nature preserves, golf courses and parks.
8. Oak Park
- Average home value: $440,500
- Population: 53,834
Oak Park scores an “A+” in the public schools, health and fitness and “good for families” categories from Niche.
9. Northbrook
- Average home value: $621,600
- Population: 34,950
Northbrook has excellent schools as well as family activity hotspots like the Ed Rudolph Velodrome, the Chicago Curling Club, and the Northbrook Public Library.
10. Northfield
- Average home value: $719,700
- Population: 5,707
The village of Northfield is home to Clarkson Park, Fox Meadow Park, Happ Road Park, Northfield Park and Willow Park. Residents also enjoy a community center with a state-of-the-art fitness facility.
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