Illinois' Up-and-Coming Cities, Towns, and Neighborhoods

If you're relocating to Illinois, or if you're considering a move from one Illinois location to another, you'll find the following information quite helpful:

• It lists the fastest-growing cities and towns in Illinois by comparing U.S. Census figures for the year 2000 with 2003 Census estimates for cities and towns whose 2003 populations reached 20,000 or more. These listings include locations outside the Chicago area (approximately 35 miles or more from the lakefront in downtown Chicago), as well as Chicago-area suburbs (those within the 35-mile radius).
• It also identifies a dozen up-and-coming Chicago neighborhoods, using tips obtained from informed Chicago-area residents and real-estate agents.
• It then looks at which of these cities, towns, and neighborhoods meet the specific needs of three distinct demographic groups:
• Upwardly mobile young singles
• Families with children
• Mature Adults
• Finally, it identifies other locations in Illinois that may not be considered "hot" or "new," but that meet the needs of these three demographic groups.

Here are the fastest-growing cities and towns in Illinois:

Fastest-growing Illinois Cities & Towns Outside Chicago Area*
(2000-2003; Est. 2003 Population 20,000+)

City/Town	2000 Pop (in 1000s)	2003 est Pop (in 1000s)	% Growth
(*Approximately 35 miles or more from downtown Chicago at Lakefront; from U.S Census figures; includes locations with estimated population of 20,000+ in 2003)
1. South Elgin	16.1	20.2	25.6%
2. Algonquin	23.2	27.5	18.4%
3. Lake in the Hills	23.1	26.6	15.1%
4. St Charles	27.8	32.0	14.6%
5. Geneva	19.5	22.2	13.9%
6. Carpentersville	30.5	34.8	13.8%
7. Belvidere	20.8	22.9	10.1%
8. O'Fallon	21.9	24.0	9.6%
9. Batavia	24.2	26.3	8.6%
10. Loves Park	20.0	21.6	8.0%
11. McHenry	21.5	23.1	7.5%
12. Normal	45.3	48.6	7.1%
13. DeKalb	39.0	41.3	5.9%
14. Bloomington	64.8	68.5	5.7%
15. Crystal Lake	38.0	40.0	5.1%
16. Champaign	68.5	71.9	5.0%

Fastest-growing Chicago-area Suburbs**
(2000-2003; Est. 2003 Population 20,000+)

City/Town	2000 Pop (in 1000s)	2003 est Pop (in 1000s)	% Growth
(**Within 35 miles of downtown Chicago at Lakefront; from U.S Census figures; includes locations with estimated population of 20,000+ in 2003)
1. Plainfield	13.0	20.1	54.0%
2. Romeoville	21.1	32.4	53.5%
3. New Lenox	17.7	21.5	21.2%
4. Bolingbrook	56.3	66.1	17.9%
5. Joliet	106.2	123.5	15.9%
6. Grayslake	18.5	21.2	15.0%
7. Aurora	142.9	162.1	13.3%
8. Vernon Hills	20.1	22.3	10.8%
9. Woodridge	30.9	33.6	8.7%
10. Round Lake Beach	25.8	28.0	8.7%
11. West Chicago	23.4	25.2	7.6%
12. Naperville	128.3	137.8	7.4%
13. Glenview	41.8	44.8	7.0%
14. Orland Park	51.0	54.0	5.7%
15. Gurnee	28.8	30.3	5.4%
16. Homer Glen	22.1	23.3	5.4%

Up-and-coming Chicago Neighborhoods

Neighborhood	Zipcodes***	Area of City
(***Up-and-coming neighborhoods may include all or part of indicated zipcodes; some zipcodes overlap more than one neighborhood)
Rogers Park	60626	North
Lincoln Square	60625, 60659	North
Andersonville	60640	North
Edison Park	60630, 60631, 60646	Northwest
Irving Park	60641, 60618	Northwest
West Bucktown	60622, 60647	Northwest
Humboldt Park	60647, 60651, 60624	West
Near West	60606, 07, 10, 12, 22, 61, 12, 08, 16	West
Near South	60605, 60607	South
Bridgeport	60608, 60616, 60609	South
Pilsen	60608, 60616	South
Pilsen	60653	South

The Demographics

The following information about the three demographics groups - including their definitions and the criteria that qualify them for inclusion - is obtained from NeighborhoodScout® (www.neighborhoodscout.com). This neighborhood search engine for homebuyers and full-service real estate resource center compiles a huge database of neighborhood statistics on an ongoing basis to identify locations that meet specific demographic criteria.

The locations listed here are those rank "Excellent" (with a rating of 90-100 percent), "Very Good" (80-89 percent), and "Good" (70-79%) in meeting established criteria for each of the three groups, as described in their segments below.

It's important to note that the demographic information may apply only to portions of the various cities, towns, and neighborhoods. So be sure to consult with a professional realtor for more specific information.

Also, when you plan to visit these and other locations in Illinois, please consult Illinois.com to learn about area hotel accommodations, restaurants, recreation, and attractions.

Upwardly Mobile Young Singles.

Criteria: The locations listed below combine various criteria. They provide housing that appeals to young singles who are well-educated, employed in professional and executive positions, and currently prefer to rent rather than own property. These upwordly mobile young singles can choose from a great many locations across the state.

The following Illinois cities, towns, suburbs, and neighborhoods are best suited to meet their needs. They include several of the fastest-growing areas, identified above, as well as other suitable locations.

The above criteria may apply to all or part of a location. Locations may meet these individual criteria to varying degrees; by combining the criteria, they rank "Good" or above. For more information about specific locations, please consult with a local realtor.

Singles-oriented Illinois Cities & Towns Outside Chicago Area:

From Fastest-growing List

Northern Illinois
DeKalb
St Charles

Central Illinois
Bloomington
Normal
Champaign

Southern Illinois
O'Fallon

Other Cities & Towns

Northern Illinois
Elgin
Lake Villa
Rockford
Rock Island

Central Illinois
Bensenville
Charleston
Jacksonville
Morton
Macomb
Peoria
Quincy
Rantoul
Springfield
Urbana

Southern Illinois
Alton
Belleville
Carbondale
Edwards
Edwardsville
Murphysboro

Singles-oriented Chicago-area Suburbs:

From Fastest-growing List

Northern Suburbs
Glenview
Grayslake
Vernon Hills

Western Suburbs
Aurora
Naperville
Woodridge

Other Suburbs

Northern Suburbs
Deerfield
Evanston
Fort Sheridan
Glencoe
Highland Park
Kenilworth
Lake Bluff
Lake Forest
Libertyville
Lincolnshire
Northbrook
Skokie
Wilmette
Winnetka

Northwestern Suburbs
Arlington Heights
Barrington
Buffalo Grove
Des Plaines
Mount Prospect
Palatine
Park Ridge
Prospect Heights
Schaumburg
Wheeling

Western Suburbs
Berwyn
Carol Stream
Clarendon Hills
Downers Grove
Elmhurst
Forest Park
Glen Ellyn
Hinsdale
LaGrange
Lisle
Lombard
Maywood
Oak Brook
Oak Park
Riverside
Villa Park
Western Springs
Wheaton

Southwestern Suburbs
Darien
Lemont

Southern Suburbs
Country Club Hills
Oak Lawn

Singles-oriented Chicago Neighborhoods:

From Up-and-coming List

North Side
Andersonville
Lincoln Square
Rogers Park

Northwest Side
Edison Park
Humboldt Park
Irving Park
West Bucktown

West Side
Near West

South Side
Bridgeport
Bronzeville
Near South
Pilsen

Other Neighborhoods

Central City
Loop
Dearborn Park
Near North
Printers' Row
River North

North Side
Albany Park
Budlong Woods
Buena Park
DePaul
Edgewater
Gold Coast
Horner Park
Lakeview
Lincoln Park
North Center
North Park
Oldtown
Ravenswood
Roscoe Village
St Ben's
Streeterville
Uptown
Warren Park
West Ridge
West Rogers Park
Wrigleyville

Northwest Side
Belmont Cragin
Bucktown
Jefferson Park
Logan Square
Portage Park
Wicker Park

West Side
Greektown
River West
Tri-Taylor
Ukrainian Village
UIC
University Village
West Town

South Side
Beverly
Chatham
Englewood
Hyde Park
Kenwood
Little Village
South Shore
Washington Park

Families with Children

Criteria: The ideal locations for families with children combine good public schools, safety from crime, owner-occupied single-family homes, and other families with children living nearby. Neighbors include well-educated adults, many with college and advanced degrees.

Here are the most family-oriented cities, towns, and neighborhoods in Illinois. They include some of the fastest-growing areas and numerous other Illinois cities, towns, and Chicago suburbs, as well as a few Chicago neighborhoods.

The above criteria may apply to all or part of a location. Locations may meet these individual criteria to varying degrees; by combining the criteria, they rank "Good" or above. For more information about specific locations, please consult with a loc