2021 Best Places to Live in Champaign County

Savoy

Current Resident: I love the “small town feel” the villainess of Savoy offers, even though it’s basically part of Champaign-Urbana. Everything I need is within walking distance these days, whereas in past years it was pretty desolate. The growth in this community has positively impacted Savoy, which today has nearby grocery stores, doctors offices, gas stations, restaurants, higher-end liquor stores/wine shops, the movie theatre (which was pretty much all that was out here before) and retail shops. Bonus: safe neighborhood and a nice park! ...Only real con: only one bus runs out this way, so if you’re without a car it’s harder to go into downtown Champaign.Read 23 Reviews

• grade A+

• grade B

• 8,534 Population

Urbana

• Town in Illinois
• Rating 3.73 out of 5  124 reviews

Current Resident: When I was thirteen years old, I moved from Charleston, Illinois to Urbana, Illinois, which vary greatly in population, as well as values. Charleston is a small town with individuals who share predominantly conservative viewpoints, whereas Urbana displays liberal values. Urbana was a very welcoming environment. Because of the inclusive and diverse environment in Urbana, I had amazing experiences throughout middle school and high school...Read 124 Reviews

• grade A

• grade B minus

• 42,718 Population

Mahomet

• Town in Illinois
• Rating 3.61 out of 5  23 reviews

Current Resident: Mahomet has 2 large forest preserves, extremely convenient location to get to Champaign shopping, work, and downtown. The schools are top notch with a highly involved community.Read 23 Reviews

• grade A

• grade A

• 8,392 Population

Champaign

• Town in Illinois
• Rating 3.73 out of 5  214 reviews

Current Resident: It's a decent town; however there have been some crime problems in recent year. Great town with lots of diversity, although somewhat segregated. Lovely university campus with international students, progressive culture, and diverse food choices, etc. However, public schools have been having more problems unfortunately. (Don't support private schools, though)...Read 214 Reviews

• grade A

• grade B

• 87,636 Population

St. Joseph

• Town in Illinois
• Rating 4.6 out of 5  5 reviews

Current Resident: St. Joseph is a small community that is very close knit. Every one is friendly, the town is mostly crime free, every one knows each other and they are very sports oriented. It's the type of place you can leave your doors unlocked and opened and trust that everything will be there when you get home. Although it is small, it still has amenities such as gas stations, a grocery store, tanning salon, hair salon, 24-hour gym and even a winery!...Read 5 Reviews

• grade A minus

• grade A

• 4,448 Population

Tolono

Current Resident: The Tolono I grew up in and the current Tolono are two very different things. Small town values and friendly neighbors were the normal. Without having to worry about our children walking the streets or playing at the park. Today however with the increase in population from Champaign, Tolono has become a much different scene. I still much prefer Tolono over many surrounding communities...Read 2 Reviews

• grade A minus

• grade B

• 3,237 Population

Lake of the Woods

• Town in Illinois

• grade B+

• grade A

• 2,404 Population

Rantoul

• Town in Illinois
• Rating 3.33 out of 5  24 reviews

Niche User: No place is perfect. I have chosen to make Rantoul my home. It has excellent schools that serve a diverse population very well. My children have benefited from their schooling and have gone on to attend excellent colleges (and graduate!). We feel strongly that Rantoul is a microcosm of the US in general and that real world experiences are available right here in our hometown. The local government is just that ... a local government and not perfect by any means. While they are unable to please everyone, it appears that they take into account the general consensus of the people when making decisions. For those seeking church or a parochial school, Rantoul has an excellent Catholic school and many fine churches that help make our hometown a nice place to live...Read 24 Reviews

• grade B minus

• grade C+

• 13,218 Population

Champaign Township

Current Resident: I really enjoy living in this town. Coming from Chicago and moving here was a bit different, but I think living here is a happy medium. It is live because of the university here and the community always has events going on...Read 3 Reviews

• grade A+

• grade B+

• 11,450 Population

Champaign City Township

Current Resident: Everything a City could possess. Nice urban area, but not unwieldly. Short commutes, world class university with amazing cultural opportunities, large international presence but solid midwestern character. Close to Chicago, Indy and St Louis. Good air and rail connections. Lots of walking trails and stupendous sunsets over the prairie...Read 4 Reviews

• grade A

• grade B

• 87,636 Population

Cunningham Township

• grade A

• grade B minus

• 42,718 Population

Newcomb Township

• Town in Illinois
• Rating 3.67 out of 5  6 reviews

Niche User: Usually crime in unheard of in the town of Mahomet.Read 6 Reviews

• grade A

• grade A

• 1,385 Population

Mahomet Township

• Town in Illinois
• Rating 4 out of 5  10 reviews

Current Resident: I have live drama in mahomet all my life. It's a great place to live and raise children. It also has phenomenal schools. It's also growing.Read 10 Reviews

• grade A

• grade A

• 13,463 Population

Tolono Township

• grade A minus

• grade B

• 5,460 Population

St. Joseph Township

• Town in Illinois
• Rating 5 out of 5  4 reviews

Current Resident: I was born and raised in this community, and had opportunities for academic and athletic success I wouldn't have found elsewhere. What I would like to see is the education system better preparing students for life outside of school. If students decide to continue their education, they should be taught different essay formats such as APA and Chicago, rather than just MLA. For students going into the workforce, they can be better equipped if schools taught students how to file taxes, what to say in a job interview, and how to better finance their money...Read 4 Reviews

• grade A minus

• grade A

• 5,846 Population

Urbana Township

• grade A minus

• grade B

• 7,284 Population

Philo Township

• grade B+

• grade B

• 1,993 Population

Scott Township

• grade B+

• grade A minus

• 1,034 Population

Ogden

• Town in Illinois
• Rating 3.5 out of 5  6 reviews

Niche User: There is very little to no crime at all. The fire chief is always riding around time. People are always watching out for one another, there is privacy as wellRead 6 Reviews

• grade B+

• grade A

• 809 Population

Ogden Township

• Town in Illinois

• grade B+

• grade A minus

• 1,612 Population

Crittenden Township

• Town in Illinois

• grade B+

• grade B minus

• 333 Population

Gifford

• Town in Illinois

• grade B

• grade B

• 945 Population

Hensley Township

• grade B

• grade B+

• 1,280 Population

Pesotum Township

• grade B

• grade B

• 953 Population

Rantoul Township

• Town in Illinois
• Rating 5 out of 5  1 review

Current Resident: My kids have had an excellent experience. One has earned a college scholarship to play baseball and the other is very high ranking in her class poised to attend either a big ten university or state school to study pharmacy and is very well prepared. They both have been active in sports, and clubs at the school as well as in the community. They have taken leadership roles and chosen to mentor others. Coming from a small grade school this was out of their comfort zone and RTHS game them the skills and opportunities to succeed...Read 1 Review

• grade B

• grade B minus

• 11,111 Population