2021 Most Diverse Suburbs in the Chicago Area

Zion

• Suburb of Chicago, IL
• Rating 3.36 out of 5  67 reviews

Current Resident: We live in a central location to go many places, however, we have a lively small downtown in Zion and there is usually something going on or a place for you to go. Though, parts of Zion can be dangerous and more crime ridden, the entire city isn't that way. The city is a working class city and have I had crime happen in my neighborhood? Yes, my parents' cars have been ransacked and there was a big-time burglar that lived down the street from us. But, this doesn't define my experience or made it any worse. There's good and bad to every place that people live but it's what you do to make that experience the best for yourself...Read 67 Reviews

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• grade C+

• grade A+

• 23,858 Population

Glendale Heights

• Suburb of Chicago, IL
• Rating 3.84 out of 5  93 reviews

Former Resident: Glendale Heights is a village in DuPage County in suburban Chicago. It's a wonderful place to be because of the diverse culture and various people there. As a result of its size, the communtiy is very close-knit, safe, and a has a healthy enviroment. I've been living here for the past eleven years and I can truly say that this is a great place to be! The library, sports hub, and police department have events often that help the kids in the area learn about new and fascinating things. The school districts are great too...Read 93 Reviews

• grade A minus

• grade A

• grade A+

• 34,079 Population

Bolingbrook

• Suburb of Chicago, IL
• Rating 3.81 out of 5  242 reviews

Current Resident: Bolingbrook is a nice place to live with an up and coming economy that was boosted a few years back with the construction of the Promenade Bolingbrook Mall and surrounding commercial success. The are is diverse, with multiple predominantly Spanish companies and stores. Safety and medicine are secure in the area with a wonderful police force and state of the art medical equipment in the hospital. Recreation is abundant including a large public library, many parks, restaurants, bars, nature opportunities, and family friendly activities available. Set between two major highways, easy access to public transportation including trains and busses, and set between other major Chicago suburbs, Bolingbrook isn’t a prime location...Read 242 Reviews

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• 74,431 Population

Preston Heights

• Suburb of Chicago, IL
• Rating 2.25 out of 5  8 reviews

• grade B

• grade B minus

• grade A+

• 2,651 Population

Aurora

• Suburb of Chicago, IL
• Rating 3.61 out of 5  542 reviews

Former Resident: Do not listen to some of these reviews. I was born in Dallas, lived in Oakland for a year, lived in Skokie Illinois for a year, and grew up in Aurora. My whole family is from Illinois and I love this place. This place has my favorite food (Deep dish Chicago pizza, Chicago-Style hotdogs, Italian beef, etc.) and many childhood places (Luigi's, Raging Waves, etc.). However, downtown Naperville is definitely nicer, but downtown Aurora is still really nice. Do not trust some of the statistics and reviews about "bad crime". However, there is a reason I gave this 4 stars... We became broke here and gained debt sadly. After 6th grade, I had to move to Perry Florida, but I'm moving back here, after I graduate from Tallahassee Community College. Everytime I think about this place nostalgia floods back and I can not get it out of my mind. This place is a very underrated gem. So if you like nice medium cities with people and charm this is definitely the place for you. Love you Aurora!...Read 542 Reviews

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• grade B+

• grade A+

• 199,927 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

Hammond

• Suburb in Indiana
• Rating 3.27 out of 5  186 reviews

Nearby Resident: It is a quiet town. There are some people who do not obey the laws and rules but it is way better than Calumet City 5 miles away or any of the South Side Chicago neighborhoods. You can live here without any problems until you create those problems yourself. Like in any other place. It is not for the high class and white-colar elite, but it is a good place for the working-class people, especially for those who spend their working hours in Chicago...Read 186 Reviews

• grade B

• grade C minus

• grade A+

• 76,547 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

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• 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

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• 8,080 Population

Hanover Park

• Suburb of Chicago, IL
• Rating 3.71 out of 5  89 reviews

Current Resident: There's a Target AND a Jewel Osco AND a Michael's near my place! The PetSmart is phenomenal! I also really like the Walmart nearby, good atmosphere.Read 89 Reviews

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• grade A

• grade A+

• 37,984 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

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• grade A

• grade A+

• 38,499 Population

Merrillville

• Suburb in Indiana
• Rating 3.62 out of 5  107 reviews

Current Resident: I've lived in Merrillville for a few years now, and I've had a positive experience thus far. I grew up in the country for my entire childhood, and then as an adult moved to a large town, which is Merrillville. I still get the feel of the country that hold fondly, but everything is a short drive away. I love it! A big plus is Merrillville seems to be putting effort in expanding and making sure our communities are safe and developing...Read 107 Reviews

• grade B+

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• grade A+

• 34,889 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

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• grade A+

• 27,904 Population

Fairmont

• Suburb of Chicago, IL

• grade B

• grade A

• grade A+

• 2,699 Population

Joliet

• Suburb of Chicago, IL
• Rating 3.58 out of 5  371 reviews

Current Resident: I love the diversity Joliet carries in its neighborhoods, but the downtown area really needs some fixing. There are many historical sites for tourists and is home to my entire family!Read 371 Reviews

• grade B

• grade B

• grade A+

• 147,826 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

Addison

• Suburb of Chicago, IL
• Rating 3.54 out of 5  79 reviews

Current Resident: Addison is a small town where in some neighborhoods everybody nows everyone and in other areas the people could care less about knowing their neighbors. However down the Main Street neighborhoods are put behind us and we are all in this together uniting as one town. Lake street is where this happens and lake street is where most of us kids hold our dearest memories. From biking down it, to just looking at it brings a nostalgic feeling to all no matter what the age. It's home to many businesses and the dear birthplace to the family owned businesses. Overall, a great place to live, but an even better place to just make memories in...Read 79 Reviews

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• grade B+

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• 36,896 Population

Round Lake

• Suburb of Chicago, IL
• Rating 3.35 out of 5  69 reviews

Current Resident: I love the location of Round Lake, I am close to everything yet far enough so that traffic during rush hour is not an issue. I feel the pricing of homes is wonderful you get a lot for your money. Where I am located which would be considered the unincorporated area my children will be attending the Mundeline schools. Some parts of Round Lake such as my location the children attend better schools. The other parts of Round Lake attend lower quality schools. Such as the high school which has metal detectors and the reviews on the school are not positive. Property taxes are responsible for what your buying however with the amount of property taxes being paid the schools should be better...Read 69 Reviews

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• grade B

• grade A+

• 18,349 Population

Crest Hill

• Suburb of Chicago, IL
• Rating 3.41 out of 5  37 reviews

Current Resident: I've lived here for two years now and my neighbors are so kind! Over the years I've lived in many places, and this town is on my top list.Read 37 Reviews

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• grade A minus

• grade A+

• 20,550 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

Waukegan

• Suburb of Chicago, IL
• Rating 3.19 out of 5  191 reviews

Current Resident: I’ve been living in and out of the city of Waukegan since I was five years old. This city has become my home and It is difficult to be unbiased to a city that I know has so much potential. The citizens of Waukegan go about their own business and I believe that they deserve more than what this city has to offer. Waukegan would be an excellent place to bring in more businesses, more tourist attractions and more food services. This alone would bring more jobs to the citizens and it’ll allow the city of Waukegan to thrive without relying solely on donations. Waukegan is a city full of friendly people who are willing to help in times of need, despite it being a low income community, the people here understand what it is to struggle and that is why they’re super supportive when anyone reaches out for help. I believe that once everyone sees the same potential as I do, and they reach out to help or to open a business in our city, that we will finally be able to strive as a community...Read 191 Reviews

• grade B minus

• grade C+

• grade A+

• 87,297 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