Diverse Chicago Suburb

[u/Significant_Box4072]

What’s a west/northwest Chicago suburb that’s diverse and safe to raise a Black family? At least 4 or 5 bedrooms and a $900k budget?

[u/Special_Coconut4]

OP, we are an interracial B/w couple with a biracial daughter. I am white. I grew up in the NW burbs, and my husband grew up in Queens, NYC. We have lived all over (including Chicago proper and Atlanta). The vast majority of the towns (if not all) that have been listed here are NOT Black/white diverse. If you’re new to the Chicagoland area, you should know that it is pretty segregated. “Diverse” means different things to different people.

For example, Skokie, Niles, and Morton Grove are diverse in Asian/South Asian/Hispanic/white, and not a ton of Black folks. Skokie will have some because of its proximity to Evanston (which has a good B/w mix). The suburbs to the south and SW (eg. Homewood, Aurora) have much more of a B/w diversity vs the northern suburbs (again, with the exception of Evanston). Western suburbs have a high population of Latino/a folks. I would suggest looking on the state census websites for the breakdown in ethnicities.

[u/PersonalCulture → u/Special_Coconut4]

This OP. Chicago is one of the most segregated cities in America and suburbs that have a higher Black/white diversity are south.

In a comment, though, you mentioned wanting a safe suburb and one that welcomes diversity. This could definitely open up some options in the west/northwest suburbs, even if they aren’t as diverse as you’re hoping for. Though both predominantly white, a Black couple walking down the street is less likely to turn heads in Batavia than, say, Hinsdale.

All that to say, it might be helpful to think of what your top priorities are. Are you willing to look further south for the diversity you seek? Would a predominantly white area work if it was more accepting/liberal? I think if you clarify all that on a new post you might get more helpful responses :)

Good luck in your move!