A mural of Freedom Park in Chicago Ridge adds a splash of colour to an old building.
Chicago Ridge Prairie in Oak Lawn maintains several acres and walking trails through a beautiful prairie grass field.
Chicago Ridge has a butterfly garden in the center of town.
Chicago Ridge is a quiet suburb near Chicago.
Located in the heart of Chicago Ridge is Freedom Park, complete with a playground, splash pad, and baseball field.

Chicago Ridge, IL

Area Guide

Avg Rent

$965

Population

14,266

Renter Mix

50% Rent

All of Chicagoland is at your fingertips from this southwestern suburb

Suburb Commuter Rail Service

Chicago Ridge carries a quiet confidence that comes from being just far enough from downtown Chicago to feel like your own world, yet close enough to reach it in under an hour. This Cook County village, situated about 25 miles southwest of the city, was literally shaped by Chicago history. Its namesake ridges formed from soil hauled out during construction of the 1893 Columbian Exposition. That kind of grounded, layered past gives the village a sense of place that larger suburbs sometimes lack.

Day-to-day life here leans residential and easygoing. Stony Creek winds through the area, and the golf course bearing its name offers a low-key escape when the week winds down. Chicago Ridge Mall anchors the northern edge with retailers and a movie theater, keeping most errands and entertainment within reach. Metra rail service connects residents directly to Chicago's Union Station, making car-free commuting genuinely practical.

The rental landscape reflects the village's approachable, grounded character. Apartment communities here tend toward well-maintained mid-size buildings and garden-style layouts, with a solid mix of one- and two-bedroom floor plans suited to a range of lifestyles. The overall rental market sits notably below broader Illinois averages, making Chicago Ridge an appealing option for those who want suburban breathing room without stretching their budget.

Explore the City

Chicago Ridge has a butterfly garden in the center of town.

Chicago Ridge is a quiet suburb near Chicago.

Located in the heart of Chicago Ridge is Freedom Park, complete with a playground, splash pad, and baseball field.

The Splash Pad at Freedom park is a Chicago Ridge fan favorite in the summer.

Relax or fish at the scenic lake.

Residents of Chicago Ridge have easy access to several major highways.

Demographics

Median Household Income

$59,291

Average: $71,825

Education

2,809

Residents Have a Degree

Job Market

6,652

Workers Employed

Age Distribution
Get a sense of this area's population profile.

Median Age

38 Years

Largest Age Group

30-39 Years

Approximately 15% of Residents

Under 20

25%

Over 65

17%

Housing Distribution

In Chicago Ridge, there are roughly the same number of renters and homeowners.

Renters
50%
Non-Renters
50%

Education Distribution

Review this city's overall education levels.

Bachelor's or Higher
17%
Other Education
83%

Rent Trends

As of June 2026, the average apartment rent in Chicago Ridge, IL is $965 for one bedroom, and $1,195 for two bedrooms. Apartment rent in Chicago Ridge has increased by 2.6% in the past year.

Property Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Apartment
$965/month
571 Sq Ft
See Rental Market Trends in Chicago Ridge, IL

Getting Around

Fairly Walkable

Walkability

40 / 100

Good Public Transit

Transit

70 / 100

Very Drivable

Drivability

80 / 100

Fairly Bikeable

Bikeability

50 / 100

Schools

Ridge Central Elementary School

Public

Grades PK-5

523 Students

Ridge Lawn Elementary School

Public

Grades PK-5

528 Students

Elden D Finley Jr High School

Public

Grades 6-8

392 Students

Points of Interest

Top Apartments in Chicago Ridge

Houses for Rent in Chicago Ridge

Living in Chicago Ridge

History

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Chicago Ridge developed as a residential community in the early 20th century along the ridgeline that gave the village its name, positioned just southwest of Chicago's urban sprawl. The area transitioned from farmland to suburbia during the post-World War II housing boom, when returning veterans sought affordable homes within commuting distance of the city. The community grew substantially during the 1950s and 1960s, establishing itself as a popular suburb with tree-lined streets and modest single-family homes. Today, visitors can still observe the architectural styles of that period throughout the residential neighborhoods, offering a glimpse into the suburban expansion that defined the region's growth.

Transportation

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Chicago Ridge is a southwest suburb of Chicago, situated near several well-traveled roadways that make commuting straightforward. Interstate 294 (Tri-State Tollway) runs along the village's western edge, while U.S. Route 6 and Southwest Highway provide convenient east-west access. Residents who prefer public transit can use Pace bus service connecting Chicago Ridge to neighboring communities and the broader Chicagoland region. For rail access, the nearby Metra Southwest Service line offers connections into downtown Chicago. Midway International Airport is just a short drive north, making air travel accessible. Sidewalks are present throughout much of the village, and the area's grid-style street layout keeps local errands manageable by foot or car.

Parks

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Chicago Ridge, Illinois, offers residents a pleasant mix of local parks and nearby green spaces perfect for outdoor recreation. Hurwich Park and other neighborhood parks throughout the village feature open fields, playgrounds, and picnic areas. Nature lovers will appreciate the area's proximity to the Palos Forest Preserves, just a short drive away, which span thousands of acres and offer extensive trail systems for hiking, biking, and horseback riding, along with serene lakes and lush woodlands. These preserves provide a remarkable natural escape for those seeking outdoor adventure close to home.

Highlights

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Chicago Ridge, IL, is a southwest suburb of Chicago that offers convenient access to the city while maintaining a comfortable, close-knit community feel. The area is anchored by the Chicago Ridge Mall, a major retail and dining destination, making everyday errands and weekend outings easy. With well-maintained parks, nearby forest preserves, and straightforward access to major expressways and public transit, Chicago Ridge combines suburban comfort with urban connectivity, an appealing option for renters seeking value and convenience just minutes from downtown Chicago.

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Methodology

† Our analysis of utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, home prices, and other goods and services is sourced from the Cost of Living Index, a respected benchmark published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) that provides a thorough overview of living expenses across different regions.

Rent data is provided by CoStar Group’s Market Trend reports. As the industry leader in commercial real estate information, analytics, and news, CoStar conducts extensive research to produce and maintain a comprehensive database of commercial real estate information. We combine this data with public record to provide the most up-to-date rental information available.

Consumer goods, services, and home prices are sourced from the Cost of Living Index published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER). The data on this page is updated quarterly. It was last published in June 2026.

Demographic information comes from Neustar and combines detailed address data with U.S. Census and American Community Survey statistics to produce reliable local estimates.