Riverdale 68 Good
Riverdale Livability #471 ranked city in Illinois#9,781 ranked city in the USARanks better than 66% of areas
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Pros and Cons of Living in Riverdale

PROS
  • Commute Commute

    An elevated score in the commute category points to excellent public transit accessibility and shorter-than-average work commute times in this area.

  • Cost Of Living Cost Of Living

    Taking into account the cost of goods and services like housing, groceries, transportation and utilities, the overall cost of living in this area is well below average.

  • Housing Housing

    High scores in the housing category are a distinguishing feature of this area, possibly driven by a favorable home affordability ratio, higher home values and appreciation rates.

CONS
  • Amenities Amenities

    The majority of amenities are not ideally located within walking distance. To access these amenities, residents may be required to rely on a vehicle or public transit.

  • Crime Crime

    This area reports elevated crime rates per 100,000 individuals, potentially pointing some areas being unsafe for its residents. Stats are based on both property and violent crimes.

  • Employment Employment

    In the employment category, a low score could be attributed to low income levels and high unemployment in the area, suggesting potential difficulties in finding lucrative employment.

  • Schools Schools

    The low schools score could result from issues like below-average graduation rates, inadequate reading and math scores, and the unavailability of local elementary and high schools.

What's it like Living in Riverdale?

Located in the state of Illinois, Riverdale is a medium-sized city with a population of 12,878 residents. Riverdale has a population density of 3,602 people per square mile. This would be considered well above the national population density level. With a total of 86%, the Black or African American racial group makes up the majority of the population in Riverdale. The next most represented races are 6% White and 0% Asian. The median age of all Riverdale residents is 32, which is well below the national average. This is a good indication that this city could be ideal for a younger demographic. In Riverdale, only 34% of people over the age of fifteen are married. This city could be a good option for singles ready to mingle. An important consideration when living in Riverdale is the longer-than-average commute times. If you seek a short work commute, this area may not be the best choice for you. The one-way commute time here typically takes 38 minutes, far surpassing the national average of 26 minutes.

Living in Riverdale can be a positive experience for anyone moving to the town. Having said that, in the state of Illinois, there are many incredible places to live, so choose wisely! When searching for a new neighborhood, several factors play a vital role in determining its suitability. Safety should be a top priority, ensuring a secure environment with low crime rates. Proximity to your workplace or school helps minimize commuting time and allows for a better work-life balance. Availability of essential amenities such as parks, coffee shops, restaurants, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities contributes to convenience and well-being. Access to reliable public transportation options facilitates easy commuting and connectivity. Additionally, considering the sense of community and the overall atmosphere that resonates with your lifestyle and preferences fosters a harmonious living experience. The best areas in Riverdale and in surrounding cities are easier to find when you are able to make informed decisions. Using data from amenities, crime, cost of living, health & safety, housing, you will see a detailed breakdown of the most important information as well as comparisons to the Illinois and national averages.

Riverdale, IL receives 69/100 for its livability score; this results in a ranking of #357 in Illinois and #7,459 in the USA. If we explore each of the categories on their own, we see that Riverdale ranks well for cost of living (A) and housing (A-). There is at least one category that did not score well in Riverdale. The following was graded with a discouraging score: amenities (F), education (F) and employment (D-).

Real estate represents the most substantial investment for homebuyers, constituting their most valuable asset. Renters, on the other hand, typically see their monthly rent as their most significant expense. The Riverdale market earns a high score in the housing category, surpassing the national average in factors like home and rental affordability and appreciation rates. This robust real estate market not only benefits individual homeowners and renters but also spurs vigorous local economic activity and job growth, solidifying its significance in driving the region's prosperity and financial well-being.

There are many factors that go into deciding if an area is the right fit for your lifestyle. Certain “must haves” like low crime, great schools and nearby amenities are all at the top of most people's lists. But before even considering if those options are attainable, we'll need to know if the real estate in Riverdale is actually affordable. Median real estate prices in Riverdale come in at $143,178, which is 53.6% lower than the Illinois average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Riverdale, the home price to income ratio is 2.5, which is 28.6% lower than the Illinois average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Riverdale

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      Riverdale transportation information

      Statistic Riverdale Illinois National
      Average one way commute38min29min26min
      Workers who drive to work69.5%73.4%76.4%
      Workers who carpool8.9%8.3%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit16.0%9.2%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.0%0.6%0.6%
      Workers who walk2.6%3.1%2.8%
      Working from home0.7%4.4%4.6%
      Source: The Riverdale, 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.