Community Corner

These 10 IL Counties Are 'The Best' To Live In: New Rankings

Niche ranked the best counties to live in across Illinois, including factors like crime and public schools. See if yours is on the list:

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DuPage County ranked as the best county in Illinois in which to live based on housing costs, public school options, best places for families, and other factors.
DuPage County ranked as the best county in Illinois in which to live based on housing costs, public school options, best places for families, and other factors. (Nicole Bertic/Patch)

ILLINOIS — Finding the perfect place to live and raise a family in Illinois can be difficult, with so many factors to consider like schooling, activities for families, and the real estate market.

Neighborhood ranking site Niche released its 2023 list of the best counties to live in across the Land of Lincoln. Factors include public schools, housing, crime, the county’s diversity, available jobs, and commuting. Users on Niche’s website can also write their own reviews of a place they have lived.

Here are the Niche rankings of the top 10 best counties to live in Illinois, and the score they got in certain factors. You can click on the link for each county to learn more about the Niche ranking:

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1. DuPage County

  • Overall grade: A+
  • Public schools: A+
  • Good for families: A+
  • Diversity: A-
  • Housing: B+
  • Jobs: B+
  • Nightlife A

2. Lake County

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  • Overall grade: A+
  • Public schools: A+
  • Good for families: A+
  • Diversity: A
  • Housing: B+
  • Jobs: B+
  • Nightlife A

3. McLean County

  • Overall grade: A+
  • Public schools: A-
  • Good for families: A
  • Diversity: B+
  • Housing: B+
  • Jobs: A-
  • Nightlife A

4. Champaign County

  • Overall grade: A+
  • Public schools: B+
  • Good for families: A
  • Diversity: A-
  • Housing: B-
  • Jobs: B
  • Nightlife A

5. Cook County

  • Overall grade: A
  • Public schools: B
  • Good for families: A
  • Diversity: A+
  • Housing: C-
  • Jobs: B-
  • Nightlife A+

6. Sangamon County

  • Overall grade: A
  • Public schools: B+
  • Good for families: A-
  • Diversity: B
  • Housing: B+
  • Jobs: B
  • Nightlife A

7. Peoria County

  • Overall grade: A
  • Public schools: A
  • Good for families: A
  • Diversity: A-
  • Housing: B
  • Jobs: B-
  • Nightlife A

8. Will County

  • Overall grade: A
  • Public schools: A-
  • Good for families: A
  • Diversity: A
  • Housing: B-
  • Jobs: B+
  • Nightlife A

9. Kane County

  • Overall grade: A
  • Public schools: A
  • Good for families: A+
  • Diversity: A
  • Housing: C+
  • Jobs: B
  • Nightlife A

10. St. Clair County

  • Overall grade: A
  • Public schools: A-
  • Good for families: A
  • Diversity: A
  • Housing: B
  • Jobs: B-
  • Nightlife A

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