Elmwood Park 82 Exceptional
Elmwood Park Livability #50 ranked city in Illinois#1,049 ranked city in the USARanks better than 96% of areas
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Pros and Cons of Living in Elmwood Park

PROS
  • Commute Commute

    A high commute score suggests convenient, easy access to public transportation, with shorter-than-average work commute times to work.

  • Crime 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 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 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.

  • Ratings Ratings

    Locals express favorable opinions about the proximity of everyday local amenities, parks, public transit, neighborly atmosphere, strong sense of community and the general safety of the area.

CONS
  • Nothing Found Nothing Found

    There are no cons identified for this area, as none of the categories received a poor score.

What's it like Living in Elmwood Park?

Elmwood Park is a medium-sized city located in the state of Illinois. The city has a population of 24,953 residents. Elmwood Park has a population density of 13,075 people per square mile. This would be considered well above the national population density level. According to the most recent Census, 76% of Elmwood Park residents are White, 4% Asian and 2% Black. Additionally, more than a quarter of the population of Elmwood Park are of Hispanic or Latino origin, and 24% of the population also speak Spanish. 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 Elmwood Park entails a longer-than-average one-way commute time, averaging 36 minutes.

If you’re considering moving to any new city, it could be a very discouraging task. However, it could also be a fulfilling experience if you are willing to get to know the area before actually living in Elmwood Park, Illinois. When searching for a new neighborhood, several key items should be considered. Safety is of utmost importance, ensuring a secure environment with low crime. Proximity to your workplace or school helps reduce commuting time and offers convenience. Access to amenities such as parks, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities enhances your daily life. Public transportation options contribute to easy mobility. A sense of community fosters a supportive and engaging environment. Lastly, the overall atmosphere should align with your desired lifestyle, ensuring a fulfilling living experience. Considering these items will guide you towards finding the perfect neighborhood that fits all your needs. Finding the best places to live in Elmwood Park and nearby areas is a much easier task when you can rely on information and data from the livability score, which includes crime, health & safety, education, housing and other important metrics.

The livability score in Elmwood Park is 83/100 and the city is ranked in the 97th percentile of all cities across America. Based on this score, Elmwood Park would be considered a very livable city! The cherry on top is that Elmwood Park also ranks in the top 10 percent of all cities. Based on the grades for each individual category, Elmwood Park has been rewarded with high marks for amenities (B), crime (A), employment (A-) and housing (A+). There is at least one category that did not score well in Elmwood Park. The following was graded with a concerning score: cost of living (D).

The mantra of real estate, "location, location, location," underscores the importance of where a property is situated, making it a pivotal factor in your quest for a new home. Fortunately, when you're living in Elmwood Park, you'll discover an abundance of exceptional local amenities and lots of things to do. Among these are conveniently located grocery stores, charming coffee shops, diverse dining options and plenty of spacious parks. These local amenities contribute significantly to its overall appeal, ensuring that your daily needs are met and offering ample opportunities for leisure and recreation. When considering your next move, the thriving local scene in Elmwood Park undoubtedly enhances its desirability, affirming the significance of its prime location.

Ensuring a sense of security is paramount for the majority of residents in any area. Low crime rates exert a positive influence on various aspects, including home prices, rates of home appreciation and the cultivation of positive community dynamics and social cohesion. In the case of Elmwood Park, it boasts a notably low violent crime rate of 169 crimes per 100,000 residents, which significantly outperforms the national average.

A robust real estate market serves as a crucial economic indicator, reflecting the local area's strength, stability and the confidence of its residents. Elmwood Park excels in the housing sector, scoring high marks based on factors such as median home and rental prices, appreciation rates and home affordability. These calculations suggest that the apartment rental and real estate market in the region is exceptionally healthy, highlighting the area's economic vitality and attractiveness to potential homebuyers and renters.

Being close to public transit, grocery stores, parks and other conveniences are all important when weighing your options for a new home in Elmwood Park. Before you determine if any of these amenities are available in the area, you will also want to know if the real estate prices in Elmwood Park are affordable. Median real estate prices in Elmwood Park come in at $483,716, which is 56.8% higher than the Illinois average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Elmwood Park, the home price to income ratio is 5.1, which is 45.7% higher than the Illinois average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Elmwood Park

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      Elmwood Park transportation information

      Statistic Elmwood Park Illinois National
      Average one way commute36min29min26min
      Workers who drive to work75.8%73.4%76.4%
      Workers who carpool7.9%8.3%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit9.4%9.2%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.1%0.6%0.6%
      Workers who walk1.2%3.1%2.8%
      Working from home4.8%4.4%4.6%
      Source: The Elmwood Park, IL data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) and include 2026 modeled data developed using proprietary methodologies.