2021 Most Diverse Places to Live in Cook County

West Ridge

• Neighborhood in Chicago, IL
• Rating 3.51 out of 5  105 reviews

Current Resident: It goes block by block. Many beautiful homes and buildings and friendly neighbors in certain pockets and with real eyesores in others. Extremely diverse and everyone gets along. Hidden gem used to be very affordable compared to the rest of the North side. Unfortunately the affordability and parking is not going to last long. Love my long-time neighbors!...Read 105 Reviews

• grade B+

• grade B minus

• grade A+

• 78,466 Population

Chicago

• City in Illinois
• Rating 4.17 out of 5  2,524 reviews

Current Resident: Chicago is an incredible city that I've been lucky to call home for over 5 years. Incredibly diverse with rich culture in every neighborhood, the windy city has something to offer everyone. As a queer person, I feel incredibly safe here and am surrounded by community. The CTA, our public transit system, and the city's bike-friendliness have allowed me to happily, easily live here without a car. The winter's are tough, but the summers are worth it!...Read 2,524 Reviews

• grade A minus

• grade C+

• grade A+

• 2,709,534 Population

Bridgeport

• Neighborhood in Chicago, IL
• Rating 3.77 out of 5  78 reviews

Current Resident: Bridgeport feels like a very safe place, there are many popular stereotypical restaurants you will see there and they are all recommended! I have lived in Bridgeport for most of my life and attended my elementary years there and the environments are accepting to say at the most, I really love this neighborhood...Read 78 Reviews

• grade B

• grade C+

• grade A+

• 34,540 Population

North Park

• Neighborhood in Chicago, IL
• Rating 3.7 out of 5  40 reviews

Current Resident: What I like about North Park is that is calm. The neighborhood is clean and yes there might be a cemetery but what I like the most is like I said before that is calm, is close to a University and a High school...Read 40 Reviews

• grade A minus

• grade B minus

• grade A+

• 18,914 Population

Albany Park

• Neighborhood in Chicago, IL
• Rating 3.5 out of 5  129 reviews

Current Resident: Albany Park is one of the most diverse neighborhoods in Chicago. It's a hidden gem. The neighborhood is full of local shops, restaurants, bakeries, and international grocery stores. There are many parks and a nature preserve near by. The neighborhood is more quiet than some others in Chicago, but the Brown line is a short walk away, and it will get you to many of the most popular and bustling neighborhoods in the city in no time!...Read 129 Reviews

• grade B+

• grade C+

• grade A+

• 49,806 Population

Little Italy/UIC

• Neighborhood in Chicago, IL
• Rating 3.52 out of 5  50 reviews

Current Resident: Moved here two years ago, and I love it here. Everything is pretty accessible by walking or CTA within a 15min. The neighborhood is quiet and isn’t as transient as other trendier neighborhoods (if that’s what you’re looking for). A lot of great diverse food and bar options on Taylor St. Definitely feels safer year-after-year...Read 50 Reviews

• grade A

• grade C+

• grade A+

• 29,990 Population

Rogers Park

• Neighborhood in Chicago, IL
• Rating 3.81 out of 5  180 reviews

Current Resident: Rogers Park is a great location for college students since Loyola, Northwestern, and North Park campuses are close by. There’s a plethora of ethnic foods to try for any foodie- Indian, Senegalese, Ethiopian, Greek, and more! There are more chain restaurants close to campus which allows students to get meals taken care of even when schedules get really busy. Locations for Target, Aldi, Walgreens, CVS, Whole Foods, and Cermak are scattered around and easily accessible. For people interested in nightlife activities, Rogers Park has its own bars, but also Uptown is pretty close where there are jazz bars, a theater, and late night bars with chill vibes...Read 180 Reviews

• grade A minus

• grade C+

• grade A+

• 56,941 Population

Berkeley

• Suburb of Chicago, IL
• Rating 3.73 out of 5  22 reviews

Current Resident: Moved to Berkey a few years ago wanting to find a small quiet town outside the city but close to Metra. I absolutely love that it's a small, tree covered town minutes from the metra. I can get into downtown in 35 minutes!...Read 22 Reviews

• grade B minus

• grade C minus

• grade A+

• 5,116 Population

Skokie

• Town in Illinois
• Rating 4.01 out of 5  221 reviews

Current Resident: Skokie is a great place! The diversity all around you will make you learn about new cultures and different belief systems that make it feel like you’ve traveled around the world, when really you haven’t left your neighborhood. It has a rich history, being a place that many Holocaust survivors moved to after World War II. Additionally, it has great businesses, both local businesses that fill up the downtown area and chain businesses in places like Old Orchard mall. My only real complaint is that there aren’t sidewalks everywhere, and while my inner 4th-grader loves to balance on the curb, walking on the road is not as nice as a good sidewalk...Read 221 Reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• grade A+

• 63,821 Population

Hillside

• Suburb of Chicago, IL
• Rating 3.79 out of 5  33 reviews

Current Resident: I liked the small community Hillside provides, with the local shopping district and the humble neighborhood residents.Read 33 Reviews

• grade B minus

• grade C minus

• grade A+

• 8,080 Population

Galewood

• Neighborhood in Chicago, IL
• Rating 4.18 out of 5  11 reviews

Current Resident: Galewood is an amazing community. It is a very peaceful, safe and family oriented neighborhood. We have several Metra train stops that will get you into downtown in under 20 minutes. There are beautiful homes throughout the neighborhood with a variety of different architecture. We love this community and could not see ourselves living anywhere else in the city. :)...Read 11 Reviews

• grade A minus

• grade C+

• grade A+

• 9,224 Population

Chicago Heights

• Suburb of Chicago, IL
• Rating 3.17 out of 5  109 reviews

Current Resident: Got a beautiful home at a great price! Plenty of diamonds in the rough here and banks have grants depending on the area you buy. It's got easy access to many nearby towns with tons of amenities and the local businesses here are great! The ice cream place Zarlengos is fantastic. The people are kind and most keep their homes nice...There are parts of the heights that are a bit poorer but everyone works really hard to make it a good town. Easy to get a hold of our local officials as well. I see lots of opportunity here!Lots of nice neighborhoods by Vollmer and Joe Burr and only getting better!Read 109 Reviews

• grade C+

• grade C

• grade A+

• 29,856 Population

Wheeling

• Suburb of Chicago, IL
• Rating 3.63 out of 5  147 reviews

Current Resident: I have lived in Wheeling for over 30 years and seen the community grow. I came from the north side of Chicago have seen the park districts grow the parks are newly remodeled and very very clean. The village of Wheeling is very highly patrolled by the police officers a great fire department and public works. Neighbors are friendly and helpful. Great shopping and restaurants in the area. Great public transportation and trains. Excellent public schools. Good walking and bicycle pass. New public library Indian trails public library. During the winter sidewalks are clean by the village of Wheeling public works. Streets and sidewalks during the winter are always clean...Read 147 Reviews

• grade A

• grade A

• grade A+

• 38,499 Population

Lansing

• Suburb of Chicago, IL
• Rating 3.64 out of 5  105 reviews

Current Resident: Lansing has an amicable atmosphere and everyone for the most part is friendly. We support each other and overall we have a nice safe community. The schools around here give us the necessary tools to move on into adulthood. Very rarely does anything criminal happen. Neighbors leave their doors open, kids play in the streets, and people walk their pets at night. Whenever I go to the park I see happy families. Lansing has unity which I've seen when the protests started. People follow the rules and stay in their houses because of the virus. I feel at peace in Lansing. The only thing that I would change is to increase funding to the schools programs since some clubs suffer because of financial problems. That or more sidewalks and pothole covers but that is because I am a serious bike rider. My parents picked Lansing because they knew that the people and the location were out of the city and therefore safer for us kids to flourish in without many worries or troubles. I am glad to live here...Read 105 Reviews

• grade B minus

• grade C+

• grade A+

• 27,904 Population

Hyde Park

• Neighborhood in Chicago, IL
• Rating 4.04 out of 5  106 reviews

Current Resident: Hyde Park has exponentially grown over the past 15 years. With an official downtown, the neighborhood boasts a variety of global cuisine including a Michelin Star award recipient and a James Beard nominee. With a variety of housing options and parks the neighborhood is family friendly. It is protected by the University of Chicago police and the Chicago Police Department. Although there is a great public high school option-Kenwood Academy- the primary school options are average at best. It is short 15 minute drive to downtown or 35 minute ride on public transportation. Several bus lines run through the neighborhood and the 'L' is just a quick bus ride away. With close proximity to the lake and the coveted Promitory Point, the neighborhood offers the perks of city life and the get away of a lake front retreat...Read 106 Reviews

• grade A

• grade B minus

• grade A+

• 27,482 Population

Irving Park

• Neighborhood in Chicago, IL
• Rating 3.58 out of 5  114 reviews

Current Resident: I have lived in many neighborhoods in Chicago but Old Irving Park is my favorite. The community is very diverse and so friendy with lots of dogs and kids. We have Korean Catholic, African Methodist, Muslim & Buddhist churches. It’s very economically diverse too & the cheapest place I’ve lived. If you’re city smart, you have no need to worry about safety. Lots of restaurants, thrift stores, and old buildings. Very quiet. There is some littering and it’s not a fully developed neighborhood so some areas closer to busier streets are louder and dirtier. Not much nightlife at all, but I like that because it’s quiet. There is a good mix of condo/home owners and renters, and rent prices are pretty low for the space you get. I just bought a condo here for a very affordable price! Love the area! But don’t tell anyone so our hidden gem remains a secret :)...Read 114 Reviews

• grade B+

• grade C+

• grade A+

• 53,530 Population

Blue Island

• Suburb of Chicago, IL
• Rating 3.45 out of 5  58 reviews

Current Resident: This town is diverse of cultures and people, great suburb to raise kids as I have grown up here. I love everything about this town except for the potholes! Great youth programs, public library, local food places and bars. Located in the Midwest not far from Chicago it is close to the city for tourist attractions such as Millennium Park, Navy Pier, all the museums and zoos, as well as beaches...Read 58 Reviews

• grade B minus

• grade B

• grade A+

• 22,611 Population

South Chicago Heights

• Suburb of Chicago, IL
• Rating 2.6 out of 5  5 reviews

• grade C

• grade C

• grade A+

• 4,076 Population

Hoffman Estates

• Town in Illinois
• Rating 3.94 out of 5  204 reviews

Current Resident: I’ve was born and raised in Hoffman Estates and still live here for college. My experience with the public schools have been very positive with the school body was typically very diverse. Also a lot of opportunities for execrated/honors/AP classes as well as many extracurriculars. The down side is that many restaurants around are chains, but not much in terms of entertainment...Read 204 Reviews

• grade A

• grade A

• grade A+

• 50,841 Population

Alsip

• Suburb of Chicago, IL
• Rating 3.82 out of 5  51 reviews

Current Resident: Alsip has been the nicest little town in the suburbs of Chicago I've got to live in. I moved there in the summer of 2018 when I was only 17. It's proximity to various schools (whether it was a High School, Middle School or a College) is great for students who cannot afford a DownTown living space. It is only 30 minutes away from Chicago's center, which is a big plus for commuters for work or studying. Alsip is also about 10 minutes away from a train station in case some people cannot drive themselves to work and just need to take a train. Alsip is a nice town to live in for a family with kids, students or elders!...Read 51 Reviews

• grade B+

• grade B

• grade A+

• 19,022 Population

Streamwood

• Suburb of Chicago, IL
• Rating 3.68 out of 5  104 reviews

Current Resident: Streamwood is an overall average city with a pretty calm lifestyle. There are an average amount of opportunities, although the schools lack a good education and environment. The schools should be improved, but other than that it's a pretty okay place to live. I've lived here all my life and felt like I belong. It's a welcoming community with mostly friendly people and affordable housing...Read 104 Reviews

• grade B+

• grade B

• grade A+

• 39,809 Population

Ashburn

• Neighborhood in Chicago, IL
• Rating 3.41 out of 5  161 reviews

Current Resident: I have resided in Ashburn for thirteen years. I attended Stevenson Elementary from kindergarten until eighth grade. I no longer attend this school, but I have siblings who would describe the education as gradually improving. As for leisure activities and food to eat, Ashburn is filled with a wide variety. I like being able to walk to from Scottsdale Branch Public Library, to Rainey Park, to the movie theaters all within in an hour. Most people I have encountered are very friendly. Recently there have been a few incidences related to safety issues regarding gangs, but overall it isn't anything too dangerous...Read 161 Reviews

• grade B

• grade C+

• grade A+

• 48,853 Population

Edgewater

• Neighborhood in Chicago, IL
• Rating 3.81 out of 5  157 reviews

Current Resident: The thing to know about Edgewater is that you can find almost anything here from a housing perspective. There are apartments that rent for about $1,000, homes that cost $1,500,000+ and there is everything from high-rises to single family homes. The rule of thumb is the closer to the lake, the more dense. Transit is very good and you can drive downtown in 20 minutes or less outside of rush hours. There are a ton or restaurants, bars and stores. Grocery shopping here is not a hassle and there are even a number of good hardware stores! I moved up here from Lakeview in 1999 buying a townhouse on the park. Wanted a single family home with a yard so bought one in 2014. Really liked the townhouse but love the house. The neighborhood is fantastic. A true neighborhood. People are very friendly without being too involved in your private life. My neighborhood looks like a small town yet is only three blocks from the EL. My block is very wealthy but not showy. Highly recommend...Read 157 Reviews

• grade A

• grade C+

• grade A+

• 54,523 Population

Evanston

• Town in Illinois
• Rating 4.12 out of 5  193 reviews

Current Resident: I grew up here and moved back one year ago. I wouldn't change it for anything! Tree lined streets, diverse walks of life, public parks everywhere, huge gardens, shops and locally owned businesses for days. Everything you could ever need. The perfect place to learn to ride a bike, sit on the beach right on the lake, chat on the porch with neighbors, bbq in the backyard, etc. Everyone here says hello and knows one another. Small town vibe in and around a big bustling city. Easy commute right into the city. Lovely little bars, breweries, wineries and kombucha on tap!...Read 193 Reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• grade A

• 74,587 Population

Uptown

• Neighborhood in Chicago, IL
• Rating 3.81 out of 5  91 reviews

Current Resident: I've been living in this neighborhood for almost three years and my experience has been pretty good. Obviously if you live anywhere in Chicago violence is always going to happen regardless of where you live. Besides that, if you are someone who does not like long commute to the store or library then Uptown is for you. There are so many local stores around not to mention the nearby red and purple line train station. The proximity to the lakefront in Uptown is perfect! There's a running and bike trail for the locals or those who just want to get some fresh air. The people in this neighborhood come from all walks of life. The community is very diverse; you'll always see a friendly face when you walk down the street...Read 91 Reviews

• grade A

• grade C+

• grade A

• 58,979 Population