Best Cities for Outdoor Enthusiasts in Illinois
What Outdoor Enthusiasts Should Know About Illinois
Illinois ranks #37 out of 50 for outdoor enthusiasts, which may surprise given its reputation. The outdoor access score of 6/100 indicates limited public outdoor infrastructure compared to western and northeastern states. At just 2.4% public land, access to wilderness requires more effort — but state and local parks fill some of the gap.
Environmental quality matters when you spend significant time outdoors. Illinois's environment score of 31/100 is a concern for outdoor athletes and those with respiratory sensitivity — air quality (AQI: 43) and environmental protections lag behind top-ranked states. Moderate natural disaster risk means seasonal awareness is important — check local conditions before heading out.
The practical side: average living costs (index: 99) keep outdoor lifestyles manageable. Safety (54/100) is worth researching at the local level, and the overall health infrastructure (59/100) supports an active lifestyle with good access to sports medicine and emergency care.
All 20 Cities Ranked for Outdoor Enthusiasts
| # | City | Grade | Outdoor Enthusiasts Score | Overall | Outdoor Access | Environment | Safety | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Naperville | A+ | 46.7 | 68.0 | 6 | 31 | 96 | 151,220 |
| 2 | Arlington Heights | A | 45.7 | 63.1 | 6 | 31 | 95 | 77,699 |
| 3 | Bloomington | B+ | 44.5 | 58.6 | 6 | 31 | 100 | 78,591 |
| 4 | Palatine | B+ | 44.4 | 59.7 | 6 | 31 | 92 | 65,176 |
| 5 | Schaumburg | B+ | 43.7 | 59.7 | 6 | 31 | 85 | 76,128 |
| 6 | Des Plaines | B+ | 43.5 | 59.2 | 6 | 31 | 91 | 59,408 |
| 7 | Evanston | B+ | 42.7 | 59.2 | 6 | 31 | 73 | 75,073 |
| 8 | Skokie | B+ | 41.6 | 57.0 | 6 | 31 | 75 | 64,939 |
| 9 | Bolingbrook | B+ | 40.4 | 57.3 | 6 | 31 | 86 | 75,121 |
| 10 | Champaign | C+ | 40.3 | 51.7 | 6 | 31 | 66 | 89,191 |
| 11 | Elgin | B | 40.0 | 53.5 | 6 | 31 | 85 | 118,799 |
| 12 | Aurora | B | 39.7 | 54.8 | 6 | 31 | 79 | 179,355 |
| 13 | Cicero | C+ | 37.5 | 50.8 | 6 | 31 | 71 | 81,006 |
| 14 | Waukegan | C | 36.6 | 48.4 | 6 | 31 | 75 | 89,097 |
| 15 | Joliet | C+ | 36.4 | 50.2 | 6 | 31 | 73 | 147,944 |
| 16 | Chicago | C | 35.4 | 49.5 | 6 | 31 | 43 | 2,664,454 |
| 17 | Decatur | D | 31.1 | 40.8 | 6 | 31 | 44 | 66,594 |
| 18 | Springfield | D | 30.1 | 43.8 | 6 | 31 | 23 | 112,327 |
| 19 | Peoria | D | 29.2 | 41.4 | 6 | 31 | 15 | 113,442 |
| 20 | Rockford | D | 28.1 | 39.7 | 6 | 31 | 24 | 146,219 |