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The 20 Richest Neighborhoods in Illinois

Forest Glen, Winnetka

Illinois is often described as a microcosm of the United States. It's certainly true that it has a little something of everything. You can get everything from big, sprawling cities to tiny little backwaters, natural attractions, and urban thrills. These all make Illinois a state that manages to pack a lot in.

It's also a state where high crime rates sidle up against small-town values, where mansions sit next to hovels, and where high incomes are juxtaposed with extreme poverty. After all, it's a place where a city as big as Chicago juts up against some truly tiny, rural areas to the south.

As a result, Illinois residents, with the benefit of big paychecks and mammoth savings accounts, certainly have no lack of places to live. But which of the state's neighborhoods rank as the wealthiest? Find out now as we run through the 20 richest neighborhoods in Illinois to learn more!

Our Methodology 

When examining the richest neighborhoods in Illinois, we utilize the same basic process that we have in all our previous content. We focus heavily on doing a lot of research, examining your options carefully, and ensuring that you get the results you deserve. Our methodology includes:

  1. Examining our existing articles to see what they have to say on the subject 
  2. Performing new research to identify important information about each city 
  3. Updating each entry to include more accurate and well-written content
  4. Uploading this new data and paying attention to any changes we may notice 
  5. Rewriting the article, as needed, to ensure you get the most accurate results for your needs

The 20 Richest Neighborhoods in Illinois

When examining the most expensive neighborhoods in Illinois, we'll carefully examine many facets that may impact the livability of these cities. We want to provide you with the best information to make an intelligent and informed decision. Here's what you need to know about these unique cities, including what makes them so interesting for people moving to or around the state.

20. North Centre, Chicago

Residents of the North Centre neighborhood of Chicago may have to fork out almost half a million for a home, but they get a lot by way of return. Not only is the neighborhood blessed with a great little selection of boutiques, parks, restaurants, and bars. That gives you plenty of cool things to do!

It also boasts a median income of just a smidgeon under $100,000. You’ll need to make at least that much money to live here because homes can be well over a million dollars in certain areas. Pay close attention to your options here to ensure that you find a home that makes sense for your needs.

19. Lincoln Park, Chicago

For those with money to burn, the neighborhood of Lincoln Park has long been considered one of the best places in Chicago to live. Several millionaire property investors have bought up numerous lots in the area, turning it into the kind of place where home prices frequently exceed the million mark. 

As you'd expect, the residents aren't short of a few bucks. According to the latest data, most households are pulling in just short of $100,000 a year. That’s pretty similar in most of the richest neighborhoods in Illinois, so make sure that you pay attention to these facts before moving here.

Thankfully, this great area isn't too far from most of the best areas of the city. Most people love this region because it's slightly more affordable than other Chicago neighborhoods while still remaining affluent. As a result, it's a good choice if you watn to feel cozy and comfortable in a great city.

18. Hidden Lakes, South Barrington

According to city-data.com, the median income in South Barrington dropped by a hefty 14.5 percent between 2000 and 2019. Considering that still leaves most households on an income of $198,388 every year, you can hold the violins for those who live in this expensive region.

While the entire village is doing well for itself, those in Hidden Lakes are doing better than most, at least if the average property price is anything to go by. When you set your sights on this exclusive little neighborhood, you'll struggle to find anything for less than $897,900, with some hitting $2 million.

That said, schools here are well above average, with most sitting between 7-9 or so. Crime is also relatively low here, with just 7.9 violent crimes and 20.7 property crimes. Both are well below the national average, which makes it a safe place to live.

17. Old Barrington Estates, North Barrington

If you don't mind blowing a little over $1.5 million for a property, you might want to cast your eyes in the direction of the North Barrington neighborhood of Old Barrington Estates. The city itself typically has a home value of about $688,300 or so, depending on various pricing factors.

The neighborhood, which consists largely of expansive new builds with every mod con you can imagine, is safe, leafy, and blessed with easy access to the amenities and facilities of the city. If you're happy to sink your entire fortune into a home, you'll find few better places to do it.

Typically, people here make closer to $200,000 or so every year, with some making even more. Crime is also fairly low here, with just 8.1 violent crimes and 13.4 property crimes per 1,000 people. That’s a great rate that makes it a great and comfortable place to live.

16. South River Forest, River Forest

Home Snacks has ranked the city of River Forest as one of the 10 wealthiest cities in Illinois. With a median income of $129,263 and a median home value of $587,300, it's not hard to see how they came to the conclusion: that said, we know of 15 other places that are more expensive.

Located just 12 miles west of Chicago, this little city is bristling with history, charm, and the kind of stunning homes you'd willingly spend a lot of money buying. Education is strong here, and the crime rate is mostly below average. The property crime level might be slightly higher, though.

That said, if you want to enjoy the champagne and caviar lifestyle, head for the neighborhood of South River Forest, a small community made up of the city's richest residents. That makes it an excellent option for the right person, as long as you have the money to afford it.

15. Lee Woods, Northbrook

The Northbrook neighborhood of Lee Woods has been kicking around since the early 1950s. With each passing decade, it seems to get ever more expensive. With its pretty, leafy streets and its expansive properties, it's not hard to see what draws so many of Illinois' bigwigs to the neighborhood.

Nor is it particularly difficult to see what makes Northbrook itself so popular. With some great schools, fantastic job opportunities, and a crime rate that barely registers, the suburb packs a lot into a relatively small space. Expect homes to cost a median of $555,400 or so in this area.

In fact, you should probably be making close to the region’s median of $143,506 a year if you plan on settling here. It’s hard to ignore the fact that this city costs a lot of money, so make sure that you’re willing to spend a little money to settle in this comfortable and enjoyable area.

14. Meadowbrook, Deerfield

The leafy suburb of Deerfield has excellent schools, a charming historic center, multiple job opportunities, a sublime location just 12 miles west of Lake Michigan, and some of the most expensive properties in Illinois. It’s definitely worth the price, but expect to pay between $500,000 and $1 million.

In fairness, not every home in the city comes with a million-dollar price tag, but most of those in the Meadowbrook neighborhood do. Most Meadowbrook residents are on astronomically high incomes, but even so, the cost of even a modest home here is a hard pill to swallow.

That said, the violent crime rate here is one-quarter that of the national average, and property crime is well below half. Like most of the richest neighborhoods in Illinois, you get many benefits when living there, which makes it a wise investment for many people to seriously consider.

13. Lansdowne, Lake Bluff

Lansdowne is a small neighborhood in the equally small city of Lake Bluff. Developed during the early 20th century, the neighborhood ranks as one of the most expensive neighborhoods in Illinois. In fact, this neighborhood stands apart for its cost in what's already a very rich city.

Median incomes include $173,667 a year, though it’s important to remember that this might be higher in Lansdowne. The average house price is anything but average here. You'll need to part with at least a couple of million to get something decent. That said, some may cost around $680,000 or so.

With its parks, its short commute into Chicago, its excellent schoolsminuscule crime rate, and endless opportunities for fun and recreation, Lake Bluff is understandably considered one of Illinois' gems. Just be prepared to pay over the odds to live here and to find a job that pays pretty well.

12. Woods Of Cantigny, Winfield

Winfield is a small city with 9,700 residents. The entire city is affluent, but those with the most cash to burn tend to congregate in the small, super-exclusive neighborhood of Woods Of Cantigny. This cute community has homes far more expensive than the $361,000 median of Winfield.

According to neighborhoods.com, Woods Of Cantigny 'features large homes' in a 'well-established community that continues to attract interest from buyers looking in the Winfield area.' Education is strong here, as are the relatively low crime rates that make it a cozy place to live.

Whoever those buyers are, they'd better have some serious spending power - homes here are nothing if not expensive. On the plus side, most residents are earning enough (around $131,218 per household per year) not to worry too much about the size of their mortgage for their homes.

11. Lake View, Chicago

Spanning a big portion of the North Side of Chicago, Lake View is one of the largest neighborhoods in Chicago. With great public transportation and a huge array of bars, restaurants, and shops, it's understandably one of the city's most desirable locations.

Unfortunately for those on a shoestring budget, it's also one of the most expensive - so much so, in fact, Home Snacks ranks it as one of the wealthiest areas in Chicago. It’s the kind of Chicago neighborhood where you have to be ready to fork out good money if you plan on living here. 

That said, there are plenty of great parks where you can hang out. You’re also not far from Chicago’s bustling downtown shopping, entertainment, and employment centers. As a result, you should enjoy this city as much as possible and get the great experience that you deserve. 

10. Deere Park, Highland Park

If you've ever watched "Ferris Bueller's Day Off," you'll already be familiar with Highland Park. With its stunning setting on Lake Michigan, the town has provided the setting for countless movies over the years. Deere Park is just one of the many neighborhoods in this cute little suburb.

It provides opportunities for relaxation and play on its beaches and recreational areas, which are endless, while there are enough shops, restaurants, and entertainment venues in the town itself to keep all tastes happy. Education is very strong, and the crime rate is reasonable, considering the location. Even better, the healthcare is very high-quality and cozy enough for most people to enjoy.

The entire town is affluent, but the neighborhood of Deere Park is known as one of its most exclusive areas. If you want to fit in here, you'll need at least a few million tucked away in the bank. A strong income can help you overcome the relatively high prices you'll find in the housing market.

9. Gold Coast, Chicago

The historic neighborhood of Gold Coast has long been one of Chicago's richest neighborhoods. Developed in the wake of the Great Chicago Fire, it's home to some of the most expensive real estate in the city. It's also one of the oldest and most respected areas in the city. 

Described by choosechicago.com as an 'architectural jewel box,' the neighborhood features row upon row of 19th-century homes designed in a stunning array of historical revival styles. It's also got some great bars, world-class restaurants, and plenty of boutiques for its wealthy residents to enjoy.

In fact, you'll probably need to make well over $200,000 a year to live here and might even struggle if you make that much money. Expect to see a lot of celebrities hanging out in this area, particularly those visiting the area while on vacation or holiday from making big movies.

8. Southeast Hinsdale, Hinsdale

There's no escaping the fact that Hinsdale is an affluent community, as well as a desirable one. This little suburb consistently ranks as one of the best places to live in Illinois. Crime is pretty low here, and the schools provide a strong education for just about any child in your life.

Set just 20 minutes from Chicago, it's close enough to the big city for residents to enjoy the attractions and job opportunities but far enough away for them to benefit from the charm of small-town living. Just be ready to be making anywhere between $200-300 thousand per year if you want to live here. 

Wherever you live in Hinsdale, you won't get much change from a million for a property. If you choose to live in the super swanky neighborhood of Southeast Hinsdale, the prices rise even higher. That's because the neighborhood's residents are earning more per month than most of us make in a year.

7. Streeterville, Chicago

If you don't blink an eye at the thought of spending a bomb on a property, you might want to consider Streeterville. This Chicago neighborhood boasts big houses, big price tags, and, according to point2homes.com, some of the highest earners in the city, depending on the area. 

As a result, the mortgages may be massive, but the median incomes are just as huge. That said, if you have the money to buy a home here, you'll probably be pretty happy. There's a strong educational background here, as well as excellent crime protection and healthcare options. 

Even better, Streeterville is often considered one of the most walkable places in the city. Chicago is already known for its great walkability and bike routes. That makes it a comfortable place for just about anybody to settle, especially if you're young and don't mind working your body. 

6. Tuscan Woods, Oak Brook

Oak Brook is a small, affluent suburb of Chicago with a population of around 7,883. As the headquarters of companies such as Ace Hardwood, Lions Club International, and Sanford L.P., job opportunities abound, especially for people working in various tech sectors.

The schools are excellent, as are the amenities. You'll get access to the incredibly picturesque 27-hole public golf facility Oak Brook Golf Course and the slightly more upscale members-only Butler National Golf Club. Apparently, Oak Brook residents love to golf! They also enjoy great healthcare options.

While the entire village is teeming with wealthy residents and multi-million dollar properties, the very richest live in the supremely exclusive neighborhood of Tuscan Woods. You'll need to have a pretty high-earning job if you want to live here, which isn't so bad if you're already earning good cash to live in one of the most expensive neighborhoods in Illinois.

5. Barrington Lakes, Barrington Hills

Barrington Hills is a small village located about 40 miles northwest of Chicago. The entire village is affluent, but nowhere is quite as affluent as the neighborhood of Barrington Lakes. Barrington Lakes is easily one of the most expensive neighborhoods in Illinois, and for a reason. 

While properties here rarely come onto the market, you can expect a multi-million price tag to be attached when they do. You can also expect several acres of land to go with the house. After all, despite having just 4000 residents to its name, the village sprawls over 29 square miles. 

This means that there are just 140 people per square mile. To put that into perspective, Chicago has over 10,000 people per square mile. Thankfully, the cost of living expenseseducational costs, and healthcare are all very strong in this area, providing plenty of benefits for homeowners.

4. Village Center, Hawthorn Woods

According to neighborhoodscout.com, Hawthorne Woods has a median home price that's more expensive than 93.0% of the neighborhoods in Illinois and 83.0% of the neighborhoods in the U.S. Thankfully, crime is pretty low here, and educational costs remain very competitive.

That said, renting is no less expensive- if you do manage to find an apartment (although good luck with that - as most people own their homes here), expect to part with around $2,347 per month. As a result, you need to expect to pay pretty good money when buying a house here.

In compensation for the high property prices, most households can expect to earn around $213,605 per year. You'll have to be making that kind of money if you want to live here because there are plenty of expenses that will make this one of the most expensive neighborhoods in Illinois.

3. Inverness, Inverness

Inverness is small; in fact, the entire village is made up of just one neighborhood. But what a neighborhood! With an enviable combination of great schoolslow crime, leafy green spaces, and first-class eateries, it regularly ranks as one of Illinois' most desirable places to live.

It's also pretty expensive. Make no mistake, property prices here are sky-high. Even a modest, relatively humble single-family home will set you back around $656,500. Meanwhile, the average rental property comes in north of $3,000. That's a pretty high price to pay to live here.

Fortunately, most residents are compensated by way of a median household income that ranks as one of the highest in the state. By the last count, most families were earning a distinctly high salary of $190,458. In fact, even this salary might make it a little hard for some people to live here!

2. Skokie Heights, Glencoe

Skokie Heights is a neighborhood in Glencoe, Illinois. Although no area of Glencoe is what you'd describe as undesirable, Skokie Heights is arguably its most exclusive (and expensive) neighborhood. Crime is low throughout the area, and education remains a very strong option for many.

But unless you're happy enough to sleep on someone else's sofa, living here comes at a premium. If you want a single-family home, expect to part with around $1,091,200, which is much higher than the U.S. median of just over $338,000. That's the kind of cost that not many people can afford. 

While rental property is a little more reasonable (around $1,574 per month), the vast majority of residents own their own homes. As a result, you'll struggle to find anything on the property market that isn't for sale. Meanwhile, the median income is an enviable $212,132 every year.

1. Forest Glen, Winnetka

As winnetkahistory.org notes, the Forest Glen neighborhood of Winnetka has a history that started well before World War II. During the 1920s and 1930s, rich Chicago families would descend on Winnetka to spend their summers away from the grime and noise of the city, giving it a luxurious personality.

One of those families was the Dennehys, who fell so much in love with the beauty of the area that they ended up building the estate and mansion that would later expand into Forest Glen. Today, it's one of the most exclusive and richest neighborhoods in Illinois and a great place to live. 

As one of the most expensive neighborhoods in Illinois, it has a median home value of $1,348,300 and a median income of $250,001. As a result, you need to make sure that you're making enough money to afford this neighborhood, as you might find yourself quickly out of a home if you don't.

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Liz Flynn

Written by Liz Flynn

Liz Flynn has worked as a full-time writer since 2010 after leaving a career in education. She finds almost all topics she writes about interesting, but her favorite subjects are travel and food. Liz loves the process of researching information, learning new things, and putting into words what others who share her interests might like to read. Although she spends most of her time writing, she also enjoys spending time with her husband and four children, watching films, cooking, dining out, reading, motorsports, gaming, and walking along the beach next to her house with her dog.

Read more posts by Liz Flynn

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