Illinois Surprises With Strong Showing in Best States for Families Survey
Illinois may not always expect to land near the top of national rankings, but a new WalletHub survey suggests the Prairie State is doing better than many might assume when it comes to raising a family.
WalletHub compared all 50 states across 50 different indicators, looking at everything from affordability and safety to education, health care, and family-friendly activities. The result is a snapshot of where families may find the strongest overall support systems… and Illinois landed solidly in the Top 10.
Illinois Lands in the Top 10 Nationwide
Illinois finished 9th overall, earning high marks for family fun opportunities and respectable placements in education, child care, and affordability. While the state didn’t dominate every category, its balanced performance across multiple factors helped push it ahead of many larger and faster-growing states.
READ MORE: The 22 Best Places to Live in Illinois, Ranked
Midwest Shows Strong Family Appeal
Illinois wasn’t alone near the top. Wisconsin placed an impressive 4th overall, reinforcing the Midwest’s reputation as a strong region for families. Neighboring states like Minnesota (2nd), North Dakota (3rd), and Nebraska (5th) also cracked the Top 5, showing that family-friendly living isn’t limited to the coasts.
What These Rankings Really Measure
WalletHub’s analysis weighed five main categories: family fun, health and safety, education and child care, affordability, and socio-economics. Together, they paint a picture of how livable, and manageable, family life can be across different states.
The States That Struggled Most
At the bottom of the list were New Mexico, West Virginia, Mississippi, Nevada, and Alabama. That said, rankings don’t tell the whole story. Illinois residents know firsthand that living somewhere ranked lower on one list doesn’t define the people, communities, or quality of life found there.
You can find the complete WalletHub survey results HERE.
READ MORE: These Illinois Grocery Stores Offer the Worst Value for Your Money
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