Four Chicago suburbs have secured top spots in a national ranking of the safest and wealthiest cities in the United States for 2024. Compiled by GOBankingRates, this list analyzed cities across the country using various factors such as average household income, crime rates, cost of living, and livability scores.
Representing Illinois in this ranking are Western Springs, Kenilworth, Winnetka, and Wilmette. The ranking also highlights communities from states like Massachusetts, New Jersey, Ohio, and California. The list showcases cities with high average incomes, impressive property values, remarkably low crime rates, and excellent livability scores.
Introduction to the Safest and Wealthiest Cities
GOBankingRates has released a ranking of the safest and wealthiest cities in the United States for 2024. This list analyzes cities across the country using factors such as average household income, crime rates, and cost of living. Four Chicago suburbs have made it to the top of this prestigious ranking, showcasing the area’s combination of financial prosperity and safety.
Western Springs, Illinois: The Top-Ranked Suburb
Western Springs ranks first on the list of safest and wealthiest cities. With a population of 13,557, this Chicago suburb boasts an impressive average household income of $276,402. The city has a perfect score for safety, with a violent crime rate of 0.00 per 1,000 residents. Western Springs also enjoys a high livability score of 89, indicating an excellent quality of life for its residents.
Kenilworth, Illinois: Small but Mighty
Kenilworth, ranking second overall, is the smallest of the four Chicago suburbs with just 2,537 residents. It stands out with the highest average household income at $437,822 and the most expensive homes, averaging $1,768,606. Like Western Springs, Kenilworth has a violent crime rate of 0.00 per 1,000 residents, making it an extremely safe place to live.
Winnetka, Illinois: Wealth and Safety Combined
Winnetka, ranking fifth overall, is another Chicago suburb that made the top list. With a population of 12,607, it boasts the highest average household income among the four at $458,988. The average single-family home value in Winnetka is $1,623,361. Its livability score of 83 and low crime rates contribute to its high ranking.
Wilmette, Illinois: A Larger Suburban Haven
Wilmette, ranking 17th nationally, is the largest of the four Chicago suburbs on the list with a population of 27,801. It has an average household income of $273,718 and an average single-family home value of $909,173. Wilmette maintains low crime rates and a high livability score of 83, making it an attractive option for those seeking a larger community.
Lexington, Massachusetts: New England’s Gem
Ranking third overall, Lexington represents New England on the list. With a population of 34,221, it has an average household income of $281,187 and a remarkably high livability score of 92. Lexington’s low crime rates and high property values contribute to its high ranking.
Winchester, Massachusetts: Another Massachusetts Marvel
Winchester follows closely behind Lexington, ranking fourth overall. This Massachusetts town of 22,809 residents has an average household income of $283,632 and a livability score of 91. Its low crime rates and high property values make it another attractive option in the Northeast.
Ottawa Hills, Ohio: Midwest’s Hidden Treasure
Ranking sixth overall, Ottawa Hills is a small Ohio village with a population of 4,782. It offers a high average household income of $254,428 and a perfect violent crime rate of 0.00 per 1,000 residents. Its livability score of 88 and relatively low cost of living make it an attractive Midwest option.
Ridgewood, New Jersey: Garden State’s Pride
Ridgewood, ranking seventh, represents New Jersey on the list. With 26,043 residents, it boasts an average household income of $277,428 and a livability score of 88. Its low crime rates and high property values contribute to its high ranking among the safest and wealthiest cities.
Wellesley, Massachusetts: High Income, High Home Values
Wellesley ranks eighth overall, with an impressive average household income of $367,801. This Massachusetts town of 29,862 residents has the highest average single-family home value on the list at $2,034,335. Its livability score of 85 and low crime rates make it a desirable location.
Top 15 Overview: Diverse Locations, Common Traits
The list includes cities from Illinois, Massachusetts, Ohio, New Jersey, California, and Texas. While diverse in location, these cities share common traits: high average incomes, low crime rates, and high livability scores. They represent some of the most desirable places to live in the United States, offering a combination of safety, wealth, and quality of life.
Income and Home Values: A Closer Look
Among the top 15 cities, average household incomes range from $254,428 (Ottawa Hills, OH) to $458,988 (Winnetka, IL). Average single-family home values vary widely, from $408,529 (Ottawa Hills, OH) to $3,877,583 (Ross, CA). These figures reflect the high economic status of residents in these cities and the desirability of properties in these areas.
Safety Metrics: Low Crime Rates Across the Board
One of the key factors in this ranking is safety. Many cities on the list, including Western Springs, Kenilworth, and Ottawa Hills, report a violent crime rate of 0.00 per 1,000 residents. Property crime rates are also consistently low across these cities, with most falling below 10 incidents per 1,000 residents.
Livability Scores: High Quality of Life
Livability scores for the top 15 cities range from 81 to 92, with Lexington, MA scoring the highest at 92. These high scores indicate that these cities offer excellent amenities, good schools, and overall high quality of life for residents. This factor, combined with safety and wealth, contributes significantly to their high rankings.
Methodology: How the Rankings Were Determined
GOBankingRates used several factors to rank these cities, including average household income, population demographics, cost of living, home values, and crime rates. The study focused on cities with a livability index over 80, ensuring a high quality of life. Factors were weighted equally, with scores for crime rates, cost of living, livability, and average household income all contributing to the final rankings. Data was collected and is up to date as of August 8, 2024.
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