Chicago Burb Named USA’s “Best Suburb To Raise A Family”

The Chicagoland area has been doing really well in some recent studies on the best places to live, work, raise a family, etc. Naperville was recently named as the best city to live in across the nation, and now a Chicago burb has been named the best suburb to raise a family in.

Even as Illinois continues to wrestle with a well-documented trend of outbound migration (losing residents to other states in search of lower costs or new opportunities) a new national report is a reminder that the story isn’t all negative. In fact, some communities here are doing so well that the people who live there have little reason to leave.

Case in point: Clarendon Hills.

That's Three Straight Years For Clarendon Hills

The western suburb has just been named the best suburb to raise a family in the United States in Niche.com’s 2026 rankings, marking the third straight year it has landed at the very top. That kind of consistency says something about a sustained level of quality that families clearly value.

So what’s driving that ranking?

Niche evaluates communities using a mix of hard data and resident feedback, focusing on factors that matter most to families, like public schools, safety, affordability, and access to amenities. In Clarendon Hills, those boxes aren’t just checked, they’re highlighted. The suburb’s schools earn top marks, crime rates are low, and the community itself has a reputation for being both welcoming and tight-knit.

With a population of just over 8,600, Clarendon Hills manages to strike a balance that a lot of families are looking for with a small-town feel and big-city access. Located about 23 miles from Chicago, it offers an easy commute while still maintaining its own identity, complete with a walkable downtown, parks, and year-round community events.

Clarendon Hills Isn't The Only Illinois Suburb To Draw High Marks

Other Chicago-area suburbs like Kildeer, Western Springs, and Kenilworth also cracked the national top 10, reinforcing the idea that pockets of Illinois, especially in and around the Chicago suburbs, continue to thrive.

That contrast is striking. While some parts of Illinois are seeing population decline, places like Clarendon Hills are doing the opposite by building communities where families want to put down roots and stay.