The 25 Best Small Towns for Families in Illinois
Ranked on The Town Files lifestyle rankings among 238 towns of 500–10,000 people in Illinois. #1 is Deer Park, IL.
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25Fox Lake Hills, Illinois
Better for families than 91% of Illinois towns
Fox Lake Hills is a community of 2,684 people in Lake County, Illinois. It also ranks more of a college town than 88% of Illinois towns and more upscale than 80% of Illinois towns.
2,684 people · Lake County · median home $245,000 · income $111,964 · Jan low 15°F · 43 in snow
Full Fox Lake Hills, Illinois profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →
The Town Files lifestyle rankings, percentile vs Illinois towns. -
24Lena, Illinois
Better for families than 91% of Illinois towns
Lena is a village of 2,772 people in Stephenson County, Illinois. It also ranks better for retirees than 95% of Illinois towns and quieter than 75% of Illinois towns.
2,772 people · Stephenson County · median home $146,000 · income $72,663 · Jan low 12°F · 36 in snow
Full Lena, Illinois profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →
The Town Files lifestyle rankings, percentile vs Illinois towns. -
23Heyworth, Illinois
Better for families than 91% of Illinois towns

Photo: Troy Semple (public domain, Wikimedia Commons) Heyworth is a village of 2,791 people in McLean County, Illinois. It also ranks easier by car than 98% of Illinois towns and more upscale than 85% of Illinois towns.
2,791 people · McLean County · median home $210,600 · income $96,500 · Jan low 16°F · 13 in snow
Full Heyworth, Illinois profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →
The Town Files lifestyle rankings, percentile vs Illinois towns. -
22North Barrington, Illinois
Better for families than 91% of Illinois towns
North Barrington is a village of 3,171 people in Lake County, Illinois. It also ranks more upscale than 97% of Illinois towns and better for retirees than 87% of Illinois towns.
3,171 people · Lake County · median home $765,900 · income $226,055 · Jan low 14°F · 43 in snow
Full North Barrington, Illinois profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →
The Town Files lifestyle rankings, percentile vs Illinois towns. -
21Sherman, Illinois
Better for families than 91% of Illinois towns
Sherman is a village of 4,673 people in Sangamon County, Illinois. It also ranks more upscale than 91% of Illinois towns and easier by car than 80% of Illinois towns.
4,673 people · Sangamon County · median home $297,800 · income $148,906 · Jan low 20°F · 21 in snow
Full Sherman, Illinois profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →
The Town Files lifestyle rankings, percentile vs Illinois towns. -
20Mahomet, Illinois
Better for families than 91% of Illinois towns
Mahomet is a village of 9,434 people in Champaign County, Illinois. It also ranks more upscale than 92% of Illinois towns and better for cycling than 82% of Illinois towns.
9,434 people · Champaign County · median home $299,100 · income $118,586 · Jan low 17°F · 17 in snow
Full Mahomet, Illinois profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →
The Town Files lifestyle rankings, percentile vs Illinois towns. -
19Metamora, Illinois
Better for families than 92% of Illinois towns

Photo: ProfDEH (public domain, Wikimedia Commons) Metamora is a village of 3,904 people in Woodford County, Illinois. It also ranks better for retirees than 90% of Illinois towns and more upscale than 86% of Illinois towns.
3,904 people · Woodford County · median home $201,800 · income $129,479 · Jan low 17°F · 21 in snow
Full Metamora, Illinois profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →
The Town Files lifestyle rankings, percentile vs Illinois towns. -
18Davis Junction, Illinois
Better for families than 93% of Illinois towns
Davis Junction is a village of 2,512 people in Ogle County, Illinois. It also ranks easier by car than 85% of Illinois towns.
2,512 people · Ogle County · median home $205,500 · income $107,833 · Jan low 15°F · 37 in snow
Full Davis Junction, Illinois profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →
The Town Files lifestyle rankings, percentile vs Illinois towns. -
17Inverness, Illinois
Better for families than 93% of Illinois towns
Inverness is a village of 7,616 people in Cook County, Illinois. It also ranks more upscale than 98% of Illinois towns and better for retirees than 96% of Illinois towns.
7,616 people · Cook County · median home $715,600 · income $207,434 · Jan low 13°F · 39 in snow
Full Inverness, Illinois profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →
The Town Files lifestyle rankings, percentile vs Illinois towns. -
16Fox River Grove, Illinois
Better for families than 94% of Illinois towns

Photo: Smallbones (public domain, Wikimedia Commons) Fox River Grove is a village of 4,702 people in McHenry County, Illinois. It also ranks more of a college town than 98% of Illinois towns and more upscale than 93% of Illinois towns.
4,702 people · McHenry County · median home $298,900 · income $121,506 · Jan low 13°F · 39 in snow
Full Fox River Grove, Illinois profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →
The Town Files lifestyle rankings, percentile vs Illinois towns. -
15Forsyth, Illinois
Better for families than 95% of Illinois towns
Forsyth is a village of 3,734 people in Macon County, Illinois. It also ranks more upscale than 94% of Illinois towns and more of a college town than 82% of Illinois towns.
3,734 people · Macon County · median home $281,000 · income $112,000 · Jan low 20°F · 14 in snow
Full Forsyth, Illinois profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →
The Town Files lifestyle rankings, percentile vs Illinois towns. -
14Rochester, Illinois
Better for families than 96% of Illinois towns
Rochester is a village of 3,863 people in Sangamon County, Illinois. It also ranks better for retirees than 90% of Illinois towns and more upscale than 90% of Illinois towns.
3,863 people · Sangamon County · median home $238,900 · income $117,118 · Jan low 19°F · 19 in snow
Full Rochester, Illinois profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →
The Town Files lifestyle rankings, percentile vs Illinois towns. -
13Lakewood, Illinois
Better for families than 96% of Illinois towns
Lakewood is a village of 4,283 people in McHenry County, Illinois. It also ranks more upscale than 90% of Illinois towns and more of a college town than 88% of Illinois towns.
4,283 people · McHenry County · median home $552,600 · income $173,625 · Jan low 14°F · 35 in snow
Full Lakewood, Illinois profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →
The Town Files lifestyle rankings, percentile vs Illinois towns. -
12Frankfort Square, Illinois
Better for families than 96% of Illinois towns
Frankfort Square is a community of 8,968 people in Will County, Illinois. It also ranks more of a college town than 99% of Illinois towns and better for first-time buyers than 89% of Illinois towns.
8,968 people · Will County · median home $305,800 · income $126,897 · Jan low 15°F · 28 in snow
Full Frankfort Square, Illinois profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →
The Town Files lifestyle rankings, percentile vs Illinois towns. -
11St. Joseph, Illinois
Better for families than 97% of Illinois towns

Photo: User:Onemessedzebra (public domain, Wikimedia Commons) St. Joseph is a village of 3,810 people in Champaign County, Illinois. It also ranks better for cycling than 92% of Illinois towns and more upscale than 84% of Illinois towns.
3,810 people · Champaign County · median home $270,900 · income $120,789 · Jan low 18°F · 25 in snow
Full St. Joseph, Illinois profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →
The Town Files lifestyle rankings, percentile vs Illinois towns. -
10Manhattan, Illinois
Better for families than 97% of Illinois towns
Manhattan is a village of 9,385 people in Will County, Illinois. It also ranks more upscale than 78% of Illinois towns and more of a college town than 77% of Illinois towns.
9,385 people · Will County · median home $332,600 · income $128,522 · Jan low 17°F · 17 in snow
Full Manhattan, Illinois profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →
The Town Files lifestyle rankings, percentile vs Illinois towns. -
9Kildeer, Illinois
Better for families than 98% of Illinois towns
Kildeer is a village of 4,091 people in Lake County, Illinois. It also ranks more upscale than 98% of Illinois towns and better for young professionals than 91% of Illinois towns.
4,091 people · Lake County · median home $770,700 · income $250,001 · Jan low 14°F · 43 in snow
Full Kildeer, Illinois profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →
The Town Files lifestyle rankings, percentile vs Illinois towns. -
8South Barrington, Illinois
Better for families than 98% of Illinois towns
South Barrington is a village of 5,077 people in Cook County, Illinois. It also ranks more upscale than 99% of Illinois towns and better for young professionals than 79% of Illinois towns.
5,077 people · Cook County · median home $908,300 · income $221,575 · Jan low 13°F · 39 in snow
Full South Barrington, Illinois profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →
The Town Files lifestyle rankings, percentile vs Illinois towns. -
7Lake Bluff, Illinois
Better for families than 98% of Illinois towns
Lake Bluff is a village of 5,616 people in Lake County, Illinois. It also ranks more upscale than 99% of Illinois towns and better for retirees than 95% of Illinois towns.
5,616 people · Lake County · median home $776,700 · income $204,000 · Jan low 16°F · 39 in snow
Full Lake Bluff, Illinois profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →
The Town Files lifestyle rankings, percentile vs Illinois towns. -
6Glencoe, Illinois
Better for families than 98% of Illinois towns
Glencoe is a village of 8,849 people in Cook County, Illinois. It also ranks more upscale than 100% of Illinois towns and better transit than 94% of Illinois towns.
8,849 people · Cook County · median home $1,432,500 · income $248,933 · Jan low 16°F · 34 in snow
Full Glencoe, Illinois profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →
The Town Files lifestyle rankings, percentile vs Illinois towns. -
5Germantown Hills, Illinois
Better for families than 99% of Illinois towns
Germantown Hills is a village of 3,412 people in Woodford County, Illinois. It also ranks more of a college town than 95% of Illinois towns and more upscale than 94% of Illinois towns.
3,412 people · Woodford County · median home $264,900 · income $147,341 · Jan low 18°F · 22 in snow
Full Germantown Hills, Illinois profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →
The Town Files lifestyle rankings, percentile vs Illinois towns. -
4Millstadt, Illinois
Better for families than 99% of Illinois towns
Millstadt is a village of 4,071 people in St. Clair County, Illinois. It also ranks easier by car than 81% of Illinois towns and more of a college town than 80% of Illinois towns.
4,071 people · St. Clair County · median home $230,500 · income $90,901 · Jan low 24°F · 9 in snow
Full Millstadt, Illinois profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →
The Town Files lifestyle rankings, percentile vs Illinois towns. -
3Hawthorn Woods, Illinois
Better for families than 99% of Illinois towns
Hawthorn Woods is a village of 9,062 people in Lake County, Illinois. It also ranks more upscale than 97% of Illinois towns and better for young professionals than 82% of Illinois towns.
9,062 people · Lake County · median home $619,100 · income $219,631 · Jan low 14°F · 43 in snow
Full Hawthorn Woods, Illinois profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →
The Town Files lifestyle rankings, percentile vs Illinois towns. -
2Kenilworth, Illinois
Better for families than 100% of Illinois towns

Photo: architect George W. Maher, photographer Henry Fuerman (public domain, Wikimedia Commons) Kenilworth is a village of 2,514 people in Cook County, Illinois. It also ranks more of a college town than 100% of Illinois towns and more upscale than 100% of Illinois towns.
2,514 people · Cook County · median home $1,560,300 · income $250,001 · Jan low 16°F · 34 in snow
Full Kenilworth, Illinois profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →
The Town Files lifestyle rankings, percentile vs Illinois towns. -
1Deer Park, Illinois
Better for families than 100% of Illinois towns
Deer Park is a village of 3,681 people in Lake County, Illinois. It also ranks more upscale than 97% of Illinois towns and better for young professionals than 86% of Illinois towns.
3,681 people · Lake County · median home $661,300 · income $174,458 · Jan low 13°F · 39 in snow
Full Deer Park, Illinois profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →
The Town Files lifestyle rankings, percentile vs Illinois towns.
Price vs ranking
More Illinois rankings
- The 25 Best Small Towns to Retire in Illinois
- The 25 Quietest Small Towns in Illinois
- The 25 Most Affordable Small Towns in Illinois
- The 16 Best Quiet, Affordable Small Towns to Retire in Illinois
- 25 Small Towns in Illinois With the Cheapest Homes
- 25 Small Towns in Illinois With the Mildest Winters
- The 25 Most Walkable Small Towns in Illinois
- 25 Small Towns in Illinois With the Fewest Tornadoes Since 1950
- The 25 Best Small Towns for First-Time Home Buyers in Illinois
- The 22 Best Affordable Small Towns to Retire in Illinois With Mild Winters
Same ranking, other places
- The 50 Best Small Towns for Families in America
- The 25 Best Small Towns for Families in Pennsylvania
- The 25 Best Small Towns for Families in New York
- The 25 Best Small Towns for Families in Michigan
- The 25 Best Small Towns for Families in Texas
- The 25 Best Small Towns for Families in California
- The 25 Best Small Towns for Families in New Jersey
- The 25 Best Small Towns for Families in Florida
- The 25 Best Small Towns for Families in Wisconsin
- The 25 Best Small Towns for Families in Ohio
- U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates (2020–2024)
- U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 Census and 2025 Gazetteer (2020 / 2025)
- NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals (1991–2020)
- NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database (1950–2026)
- FEMA OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations (this product uses the FEMA OpenFEMA API but is not endorsed by FEMA) (1953–2026)
- NCES Common Core of Data (2023–24)
- BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages; USDA ERS county unemployment (BLS LAUS) (2000–2024)
- The Town Files lifestyle rankings, built from federal demographic, school, crime and housing data (2025)