Quantifying the characteristics of Chicago’s urban neighborhoods

Getting a sense of Chicago through location data

Local Logic provides location intelligence solutions that help home buyers and investors find new opportunities that match their preferences and requirements. We draw upon thousands of data points to develop 18 proprietary Location Scores to provide street- and neighborhood-level insights.

Location Scores measure nearby amenities and mobility patterns around a neighborhood, so homebuyers can better understand and assess a location. Using our location insights, you can make more informed decisions on where to live by finding properties based on specific characteristics, such as the level of quietness or proximity to schools.

Benchmarking neighborhood scores against Chicago’s average scores

Below you’ll find the Location Scores for the best Chicago neighborhoods for families as well as the city’s average. We analyzed the locations by the following family-friendly scores:

• Quiet: Level of noise nearby
• Pedestrian-friendly: Represents how many stores and institutions are nearby and how pleasant it is to walk to them
• Parks: Quantity and area of parks nearby
• Groceries: Distance to closest grocery store and quantity of grocery stores nearby
• Elementary Schools: Distance to closest elementary school
• High Schools: Distance to closest high school

Then, we ranked each neighborhood by a composite score of all these factors.

Ranking urban Chicago’s most family-friendly neighborhoods

Here’s our data-informed list of urban Chicago’s most family-friendly neighborhoods:

1. Lincoln Square

2. Andersonville

Andersonville is known for its family-friendly atmosphere, excellent schools, and community events. The Andersonville Farmers Market, which runs from May to October, and the Swedish American Museum, which offers cultural and educational activities for children, are great places to visit with your family.

Many restaurants and shops in the neighborhood cater specifically to families, such as Toys et Cetera and Women & Children First bookstore. A few other notable attractions include the Edgewater Historical Society Museum, which has exhibits on local history, and the Andersonville Galleria, a gallery that showcases work by local artists and designers.

3. Rogers Park

Rogers Park is a diverse and multicultural neighborhood with a strong sense of community. The neighborhood is good for people who like quiet areas, as the streets are quite peaceful. It is home to Loyola University Chicago and several other excellent schools as well as many family-friendly parks and playgrounds. For a fun weekend adventure, parents can take their children to the Glenwood Sunday Market, which runs from June to October, or the Glenwood Avenue Arts District, which hosts many galleries and performance spaces.

Families can also visit the Leather Archives & Museum to learn about the history of leather culture and the Mayne Stage to see performances and concerts that are suitable for all ages.

4. Roscoe Village

Roscoe Village is a family-friendly area known for its excellent schools, tree-lined streets, and many local shops and restaurants. People who enjoy spending time in green spaces will feel at home in this neighborhood. There are a few public green spaces close by for residents to discover, and they are especially well-spread out, making them easy to reach. Families in Roscoe Village can enjoy visiting Hamlin Park, which has a pool, a playground, and a sports field, as well as the Music House School of Performing Arts, which offers music and theater classes for children.

The neighborhood is also home to several local shops and boutiques, including Timeless Toys and Roscoe Books, which specialize in toys and books for children. Parents can also take their children to the Roscoe Village Burger Fest, which takes place every summer, or the Hamlin Dog Park, which is popular with families who have pets.

5. Hyde Park

Located on the south side of Chicago, Hyde Park is a diverse and culturally rich neighborhood with many family-friendly attractions. This quieter area of Chicago is home to the University of Chicago and many other excellent schools, as well as accessible green spaces, such as Jackson Park and Nichols Park. Families in Hyde Park can enjoy visiting the Museum of Science and Industry for fun, interactive exhibits on science and technology, or the Hyde Park Art Center, which offers art classes and workshops for children.

The neighborhood also hosts a variety of restaurants, small boutiques, and local events such as the Hyde Park Farmers Market, which runs from June to October. For a weekend rich in culture, parents can also take their children to visit the DuSable Museum of African American History, which has exhibits on African American culture and history, and the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Robie House, which offers tours for families.

Finding the right neighborhood in Chicago for your family

Our Location Scores are available through Local Content on many of our partners’ sites and their real estate listings in Chicago. When searching for your next home, or a new neighborhood, you can look for specific characteristics on each individual listing to find the perfect place for you and your family.