Commute
A high commute score suggests convenient, easy access to public transportation, with shorter-than-average work commute times to work.
Crime
The crime rate is far lower than the national average per 100,000 residents. As such, it should be considered a very safe place to live when compared to other areas.
Employment
This area excels in the employment category with a score well above average, primarily due to the higher median home income, per capita income and low unemployment rates.
Housing
High scores in the housing category are attributed to this area, possibly pointing to a favorable home affordability ratio, robust appreciation rates or elevated home values.
Schools
The schools category boasts a high score thanks to factors like excellent test scores, impressive graduation rates and the convenient placement of elementary and high schools in this area.
Cost Of Living
The cost of living in this area is notably high, making it a more expensive place to live. You'll find higher expenses for everyday goods and services, housing and groceries.
Located in the state of Illinois, Darien is a medium-sized city with a population of 22,419 inhabitants. In Darien, there are 3,619 people per square mile, which is well above the national population density average. If we look at the most recent Census, Darien is known to have a predominantly White population. The next two most common races are Asian and Black. Long, unnecessary commutes can be both frustrating and inconvenient when heading to work. Nationwide, the average one-way commute time takes 26 minutes, but regrettably, residing in Darien entails a longer-than-average one-way commute time, averaging 30 minutes.
Whether you’re relocating to a new town to be closer to family, friends or for a new job, living in Darien could be a positive experience compared to other cities in Illinois if you know where to look. Don't forget to determine what matters most to you in a neighborhood. Consider factors such as safety, proximity to work or school, access to amenities (like parks, fitness facilities, grocery stores, restaurants), public transportation options, community atmosphere and the overall vibe you're looking for. Finding the best places to live in Darien and nearby areas is a much easier task when you can rely on information and data from the livability score, which includes amenities, crime, commute, education, employment and other important metrics.
With a livability score of 83 out of 100, Darien is ranked #686 in the United States and #31 in Illinois. Compared to the US average, Darien ranks among some of the best places to live in the country! Darien also ranks in the top 10 percent of all cities, which is no small feat! If we dig a little deeper into each category within the livability score, we see that Darien has higher than average grades for the following: crime (A+), education (B+) and housing (A+). There is at least one category that did not score well in Darien. The following was graded with a concerning score: cost of living (F).
Feeling a sense of safety in the area that you live in is a must for most people. Low crime rates can have a positive impact on things like home prices, home appreciation rates and can help foster positive community dynamics and social cohesion. Darien has a violent crime rate of 42 crimes per 100,000 residents which is far lower than the national average.
A healthy real estate market serves as a key economic indicator. It could signify overall local economic strength, stability and reflects consumer confidence in the area. Based on multiple factors including: median home and rental prices, appreciation rates and home affordability, Darien has received high marks in the housing category. Based on these calculations, the apartment rental and real estate market appears to be very healthy.
Certain items on your wish list like shopping, restaurants, nightlife, parks and proximity to public transportation are all important things to look for. Having said that, perhaps the most important metric to consider when contemplating a move to Darien is real estate affordability. Median real estate prices in Darien come in at $600,491, which is 94.6% higher than the Illinois average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Darien, the home price to income ratio is 4, which is 14.3% higher than the Illinois average.
| Statistic | Darien | Illinois | National |
| Average one way commute | 30min | 29min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 76.2% | 73.4% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 4.7% | 8.3% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 5.4% | 9.2% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 0.3% | 0.6% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 0.3% | 3.1% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 12.5% | 4.4% | 4.6% |
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