Clarendon Hills and Hinsdale both landed in the top 3 of a recently released list of 2025 Best Places to Live in Illinois, and in the top 25 nationally, in the latest rankings by Niche.
The best places to live are among several rankings done by Niche, which also grades schools around the state and country.
Clarendon Hills ranked No. 2 in Illinois, only behind Naperville, and Hinsdale was ranked No. 3 in the state, based on grades that take into account several key factors, including the quality of local schools, crime rates, housing trends, employment statistics, and access to amenities in an attempt to measure the overall quality of an area, according to information from Niche.
Clarendon Hills Village President Eric Tech said he was completely unsurprised by the impressive ranking, calling the village, “a very special place.”
“It has everything you could want from your hometown,” he said. “Clarendon Hills is very walkable, with every resident being able to walk to the downtown train station and a short commute to the city (of Chicago).
“There are community events throughout most of the year, and with a population of only 8,700 it’s a close-knit community that values excellent schools, amazing neighbors and good times.”
Tech said that moving forward, the village is committed to maintaining its existing charm, which inspires continued shared public spaces for present and future generations.
“We are committed to pedestrian safety and design standards that improve the aesthetic, function and flow of the downtown district and that encourages a dynamic destination for shopping, dining and community centered programming.”
Clarendon Hills Village Manager Zach Creer said a large part of the quality of life in the village is due to other local taxing bodies — the park and school districts.
“That being said, our police department does a great job of keeping the town safe, and our public works’ winter response is a point of pride,” he said. “We are blessed with a walkable community from the start and our downtown continues to grow into a community amenity.”
A group of kids enjoy sledding near Madison School in Hinsdale in 2021. Hinsdale recently was named on a list of the Best Places to Live in Illinois. (Mike Mantucca/Pioneer Press)
Hinsdale Village Manager Kathleen Gargano said she and others in the village are proud to be recognized as one of the top places to live in Illinois.
“Hinsdale is more than a place; it is a community,” she said. “We are pleased to see Hinsdale recognized for its outstanding qualities as a community. With top-rated schools, a vibrant downtown, and a strong sense of community, Hinsdale continues to be a community of choice for residents seeking an exceptional quality of life.”
Following Clarendon Hills and Hinsdale in the top 10 of the Illinois ranking were Vernon Hills, Killdeer, Lincolnshire, Evanston, the Chicago Loop, Buffalo Grove and Long Grove, respectively. Nearby Western Springs was ranked No. 14.
In the national ranking, Clarendon Hills was No. 25, and Hinsdale, No. 29. The top 3 places, nationally, were No. 1 Colonial Village, a neighborhood in Arlington, Virginia; No. 2 Atlantic Station, a neighborhood in Atlanta; and No. 3 Chesterbrook, a suburb of Philadelphia.
Chuck Fieldman is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.
