The 10 Best Small Towns In Illinois For 2026


The best small towns in Illinois are Dunlap and Leland Grove for 2026 based on Saturday Night Science.

By: Chris Kolmar | About HomeSnacks
Last Updated: April 18, 2026

You’ve seen these lists before. Best places to live in Illinois. Best sururbs in Illinois. Best counties in Illinois.

Etc., etc., etc.

But they all focus on major cities and towns in the Prairie State, and no one pays attention to the little guy.

Well, that’s all about to change as we put together a list of the superb small towns in Illinois based on numbers–not opinions or hearsay.

We’ll dive right into our methodology in the next section, but first, we thought you might want to know which places in Illinois ranked the best based on Saturday Night Science.

Table Of Contents: Top Ten | Methodology | Summary | Table

The 15 Best Small Towns To Live In Illinois For 2026

  1. Dunlap
  2. Leland Grove
  3. Knollwood
  4. Prestbury
  5. Hudson
  6. Sherman
  7. Metamora
  8. Third Lake
  9. Kenilworth
  10. Fairbury
  11. Rochester
  12. St. Joseph
  13. Teutopolis
  14. Stillman Valley
  15. Deer Park

Best Small Towns To Live In Illinois Map

What’s the best small town in Illinois? Dunlap is the best small town in Illinois based on the most recent Census data. If you live in one of these small towns like Dunlap, chances are, you’re not surprised. After all, you know how great you have it.

But for the rest of you–keep reading, and we’ll get to just why these small towns made our list.

For more reading on the Prairie State check out:

The 15 Best Small Towns In Illinois For 2026

1. Dunlap

Overall SnackAbility

7
/10

Population: 1,360
Median Income: $141,552 (22nd Best)
Median Home Value: $371,677 (29th Best)
Unemployment Rate: 2.4%

2. Leland Grove

Overall SnackAbility

6
/10

Population: 1,517
Median Income: $130,833 (29th Best)
Median Home Value: $317,201 (43rd Best)
Unemployment Rate: 2.5%

3. Knollwood

Overall SnackAbility

7.5
/10

Population: 1,864
Median Income: $138,618 (25th Best)
Median Home Value: $426,487 (19th Best)
Unemployment Rate: 0.0%

4. Prestbury

Overall SnackAbility

5
/10

Population: 2,045
Median Income: $165,486 (10th Best)
Median Home Value: $393,605 (26th Best)
Unemployment Rate: 0.0%

5. Hudson

Overall SnackAbility

6
/10

Population: 1,918
Median Income: $110,000 (47th Best)
Median Home Value: $300,507 (55th Best)
Unemployment Rate: 1.5%

6. Sherman

Overall SnackAbility

7
/10

Population: 4,386
Median Income: $148,906 (17th Best)
Median Home Value: $324,533 (39th Best)
Unemployment Rate: 2.6%

7. Metamora

Metamora, IL

Source: Public domain
Overall SnackAbility

6
/10

Population: 4,159
Median Income: $129,479 (31st Best)
Median Home Value: $215,841 (125th Best)
Unemployment Rate: 0.0%

8. Third Lake

Overall SnackAbility

5
/10

Population: 1,137
Median Income: $150,139 (14th Best)
Median Home Value: $409,866 (24th Best)
Unemployment Rate: 2.3%

9. Kenilworth

Kenilworth, IL

Source: Public domain
Overall SnackAbility

6
/10

Population: 2,503
Median Income: $250,001 (1st Best)
Median Home Value: $2,032,329 (1st Best)
Unemployment Rate: 4.0%

10. Fairbury

Fairbury, IL

Source: Wikipedia User IvoShandor | GFDL
Overall SnackAbility

5
/10

Population: 3,713
Median Income: $70,962 (176th Best)
Median Home Value: $187,084 (156th Best)
Unemployment Rate: 0.9%

11. Rochester

Overall SnackAbility

7
/10

Population: 3,766
Median Income: $117,118 (39th Best)
Median Home Value: $289,437 (64th Best)
Unemployment Rate: 2.9%

12. St. Joseph

St. Joseph, IL

Source: Public domain
Overall SnackAbility

6
/10

Population: 3,778
Median Income: $120,789 (35th Best)
Median Home Value: $278,421 (75th Best)
Unemployment Rate: 0.9%

13. Teutopolis

Overall SnackAbility

5
/10

Population: 1,729
Median Income: $115,938 (41st Best)
Median Home Value: $257,842 (91st Best)
Unemployment Rate: 2.0%

14. Stillman Valley

Overall SnackAbility

6
/10

Population: 1,260
Median Income: $87,833 (98th Best)
Median Home Value: $279,569 (72nd Best)
Unemployment Rate: 1.2%

15. Deer Park

Overall SnackAbility

6
/10

Population: 3,711
Median Income: $174,458 (8th Best)
Median Home Value: $743,157 (8th Best)
Unemployment Rate: 2.3%

Best States In America

Methodology: How We Determined The Coolest Towns In Illinois

We threw a lot of criteria at this report to get the best, most complete results of the best small towns in Illinois possible.

Using the most recent data from the Census’s 2020-2024 American Community Survey, the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and Saturday Night Science, this is the criteria we used:

  • Population Density (Higher is better)
  • Lowest Unemployment Rates
  • Housing costs (Higher is better. More demand.)
  • Adjusted Median Income (Higher is better)
  • Highly Educated Adults (Higher is better)
  • Insurance Rates (Higher is better)
  • Commute Times (Lower is better)

We looked at places with populations lower than 5,000 people and greater than 1,000, of which there were many – 356 to be exact.

We then ranked each place in each category with scores from 1 to 356, averaged them out, and the lowest scores went to our Best Small Towns in Illinois. Top of that list — Dunlap.

This is our eleventh time ranking the best small places to live in Illinois.

Summary: Science Can Tackle Any Issue, Even Small Ones

We said it once, and we’ll say it again — this list: it’s just science. We did the research, crunched the numbers, and it turns out these 15 small towns in Illinois are the best in which to live.

And who can argue with that?

The best small towns in Illinois are Dunlap, Leland Grove, Knollwood, Prestbury, Hudson, Sherman, Metamora, Third Lake, Kenilworth, and Fairbury.

If you’re curious, here are the worst small towns in Illinois:

  1. Cairo
  2. Grayville
  3. Ford Heights

For more Illinois reading, check out:

Best Small Towns In Illinois

Rank City Population Median Income Median Home Value Unemployment Rate
1 Dunlap, IL 1,360 $141,552 2.4%
2 Leland Grove, IL 1,517 $130,833 2.5%
3 Knollwood, IL 1,864 $138,618 0.0%
4 Prestbury, IL 2,045 $165,486 0.0%
5 Hudson, IL 1,918 $110,000 1.5%
6 Sherman, IL 4,386 $148,906 2.6%
7 Metamora, IL 4,159 $129,479 0.0%
8 Third Lake, IL 1,137 $150,139 2.3%
9 Kenilworth, IL 2,503 $250,001 4.0%
10 Fairbury, IL 3,713 $70,962 0.9%
11 Rochester, IL 3,766 $117,118 2.9%
12 St. Joseph, IL 3,778 $120,789 0.9%
13 Teutopolis, IL 1,729 $115,938 2.0%
14 Stillman Valley, IL 1,260 $87,833 1.2%
15 Deer Park, IL 3,711 $174,458 2.3%
16 Bannockburn, IL 1,148 $214,000 1.8%
17 Tower Lakes, IL 1,106 $154,167 2.8%
18 Twin Grove, IL 1,458 $116,250 0.0%
19 Germa, IL 3,436 $147,341 2.1%
20 St. Jacob, IL 1,759 $112,188 2.4%
21 Lake Camelot, IL 1,629 $133,656 3.3%
22 Big Rock, IL 1,548 $162,854 2.2%
23 Philo, IL 1,487 $105,625 0.9%
24 Tuscola, IL 4,808 $78,179 1.1%
25 Riverwoods, IL 4,013 $249,205 0.7%
26 Wayne, IL 2,562 $161,719 2.7%
27 Forest Lake, IL 1,865 $96,250 4.7%
28 Heyworth, IL 2,573 $96,500 3.2%
29 Aviston, IL 2,387 $117,875 1.9%
30 Tremont, IL 2,366 $79,810 0.3%
31 Forsyth, IL 3,502 $112,000 4.6%
32 Williamsville, IL 1,314 $106,731 1.0%
33 Timberlane, IL 1,278 $147,308 2.9%
34 Port Barrington, IL 1,477 $149,886 2.9%
35 Crystal Lawns, IL 1,766 $82,033 0.9%
36 Le Roy, IL 3,236 $81,875 3.2%
37 Red Bud, IL 3,782 $71,850 2.3%
38 Peotone, IL 4,587 $108,523 4.6%
39 Downs, IL 1,641 $110,625 1.7%
40 The Galena Territory, IL 1,735 $117,548 1.9%
41 Danvers, IL 1,130 $88,854 1.8%
42 Kildeer, IL 4,292 $250,001 5.9%
43 Jerome, IL 1,807 $65,189 2.8%
44 Orion, IL 1,812 $94,375 3.4%
45 Port Byron, IL 1,854 $111,667 2.9%
46 Oakwood Hills, IL 2,416 $109,907 4.4%
47 Heritage Lake, IL 1,522 $133,048 0.0%
48 Catlin, IL 2,160 $72,277 1.2%
49 Hamel, IL 1,134 $109,464 0.7%
50 Winnebago, IL 2,981 $92,614 3.4%
51 Germa, IL 1,350 $92,083 1.8%
52 Coal Valley, IL 4,229 $106,850 3.0%
53 Rome, IL 1,947 $88,750 0.0%
54 Oreana, IL 1,037 $89,000 5.3%
55 Marine, IL 1,049 $76,544 1.7%
56 Elmwood, IL 2,327 $90,285 1.0%
57 Lakewood, IL 4,707 $173,625 1.4%
58 Smithton, IL 3,680 $135,455 3.3%
59 Marquette Heights, IL 2,492 $75,625 1.3%
60 Beecher, IL 4,728 $103,415 1.3%
61 Prairie Grove, IL 2,165 $141,389 3.2%
62 Newark, IL 1,138 $99,375 2.3%
63 Fox River Grove, IL 4,523 $121,506 5.8%
64 Roanoke, IL 1,967 $82,063 0.9%
65 Millstadt, IL 4,008 $90,901 4.3%
66 Hampton, IL 1,926 $90,406 4.3%
67 Lexington, IL 2,126 $99,167 4.1%
68 Fisher, IL 1,605 $97,702 2.0%
69 Green Oaks, IL 4,096 $147,614 6.3%
70 Minier, IL 1,102 $88,542 3.3%
71 Tolono, IL 3,566 $69,653 11.4%
72 Barrington Hills, IL 3,879 $205,074 3.0%
73 Hanna City, IL 1,330 $73,265 2.8%
74 Breese, IL 4,301 $85,222 3.8%
75 Sleepy Hollow, IL 3,161 $149,813 5.1%
76 Marshall, IL 4,040 $76,250 2.3%
77 Indian Head Park, IL 3,974 $100,149 6.7%
78 Lena, IL 2,761 $72,663 2.6%
79 Oakbrook Terrace, IL 2,723 $76,905 3.7%
80 New Baden, IL 3,463 $81,393 2.6%
81 Valmeyer, IL 1,090 $94,821 0.6%
82 Poplar Grove, IL 3,923 $120,278 5.2%
83 Galena, IL 2,931 $58,689 1.6%
84 Worden, IL 1,094 $89,000 2.7%
85 Lake Of The Woods, IL 2,091 $61,625 6.2%
86 Fox Lake Hills, IL 2,399 $111,964 8.2%
87 North Barrington, IL 3,143 $226,055 3.4%
88 Morrison, IL 3,739 $69,089 2.3%
89 Mackinaw, IL 1,979 $67,292 2.8%
90 Pawnee, IL 2,738 $81,103 4.2%
91 Lily Lake, IL 1,293 $140,313 8.9%
92 Pistakee Highlands, IL 3,374 $102,986 2.6%
93 Palos Park, IL 4,816 $121,696 4.7%
94 Mount Sterling, IL 1,980 $59,087 3.1%
95 Lebanon, IL 4,474 $88,750 2.0%
96 Petersburg, IL 2,341 $56,458 1.4%
97 Byron, IL 3,743 $78,852 3.0%
98 Albers, IL 1,280 $109,583 3.1%
99 Essex, IL 1,026 $108,250 3.4%
100 Moweaqua, IL 1,915 $69,625 2.9%
About Chris Kolmar

Chris Kolmar has been in the real estate business for almost ten years now. He originally worked for Movoto Real Estate as the director of marketing before founding HomeSnacks.

He believes the key to finding the right place to live comes down to looking at the data, reading about things to do, and, most importantly, checking it out yourself before you move.

If you've been looking for a place to live in the past several years, you've probably stumbled upon his writing already.

You can find out more about him on LinkedIn or his website.

 Best Small Towns, Rankings