Three Illinois communities have been named among the 50 best small cities in the United States, with Edwardsville, Downers Grove and Oak Park recognised for their combination of affordability, transport links, education and quality of life.
The ranking was compiled by Livability, which assessed more than 2,000 locations using measures including safety, health, housing, the economy, education, amenities, transport and the environment.
Edwardsville leads Illinois entries
Edwardsville was the highest-ranked Illinois city, placing 13th with a LivScore of 785 out of 1,000.
The St Louis suburb was praised for its extensive trail network, revitalised town centre, historic university campus and access to the wider metropolitan area. It recorded particularly strong results for safety, transport and housing costs, scoring 93 for safety, 90 for transport and 84 for housing and cost of living.
Livability also highlighted the city’s walkable centre, with independent cafés, restaurants, shops and theatres, as well as its proximity to parks, wetlands and nature trails.
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville was identified as an important economic and educational asset. The university brings more than 12,000 students, staff and researchers to the area, supporting local employment and activity.
Edwardsville has a population of 27,388, according to figures published with the ranking. Its median home value was listed at $285,507, while the median household income stood at $93,956 and the average commute was 18 minutes.
Downers Grove praised for Chicago access
Downers Grove was placed 17th, achieving a LivScore of 782. The DuPage County community was singled out for its combination of suburban space, green areas and easy access to Chicago.
The town scored especially well for health, education and safety, recording a health score of 96, alongside 82 for education and 82 for safety. Livability also gave it a score of 78 for both amenities and housing and cost of living.
Its historic centre, lined with independent shops, restaurants and boutiques, was described as the heart of the community. The ranking also pointed to local parks and natural areas, including Lyman Woods and McCollum Park.
Transport was another key feature. Downers Grove is served by commuter rail links into Chicago, including express services, while O’Hare and Midway airports are also within reach.
The community has a population of about 49,561. Livability listed a median home value of $414,232, median household income of $118,529 and an average commute of 24 minutes.
Oak Park makes the top 50
Oak Park was the third Illinois entry, ranking 48th with a LivScore of 722.
The community, immediately west of Chicago, was recognised for its walkability, cultural attractions and blend of urban convenience with a suburban setting. It received its strongest marks for health, amenities and education, scoring 98, 82 and 78 respectively.
Oak Park’s architectural heritage was among the attractions cited by Livability. The village is home to a Frank Lloyd Wright historic district and Unity Temple, which is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Ernest Hemingway Birthplace Museum, galleries, independent shops and restaurants were also highlighted.
Its parks and conservatories were noted alongside family-oriented facilities and high schools with established arts programmes. Public transport provides a direct connection to central Chicago, although Oak Park received lower scores than the other two Illinois locations for transport and safety.
Livability put Oak Park’s population at 52,989, with a median home value of $422,276 and median household income of $107,417. The average commute was listed as 32 minutes.
How the cities were assessed
Livability said it focused on communities with populations between 15,000 and 75,000 people, while excluding places with median home values above $550,000. The aim was to identify locations where residents could benefit from local amenities and community networks without facing the costs associated with larger metropolitan areas.
The publication’s assessment considered factors ranging from crime and school performance to commuting times, health provision, housing costs and access to outdoor space.
Edwardsville, Downers Grove and Oak Park were among communities across the US included in the final list, which also featured locations in Alabama, Ohio, Missouri, Texas, Wisconsin, New Jersey and Washington state.
