Glen Ellyn receives the higher standardized Area Score. That reflects AreaProfile's weighting, not a judgment about which place is better to live in.
Signals
Darien
Glen Ellyn
Opportunity
47 · Bottom 31%
vs52 · Bottom 41%
Growth
56 · Top 39%
vs59 · Top 34%
Climate
63 · Bottom 25%
vs60 · Bottom 15%
Physical resilience
81 · Top 22%
vs81 · Top 22%
Housing affordability
89 · Top 34%
vs90 · Top 31%
Schools
76 · Top 19%
vs80 · Top 14%
Access
93 · Top 47%
vs96 · Top 31%
Economic stability
77 · Top 13%
vs71 · Top 27%
Measured values
| Metric | Darien | Glen Ellyn | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 21,879 | 28,390 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $111,215 | $140,938 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $55,898 | $74,079 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 3,544/sq mi | 4,073/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $398,700 | $544,000 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $1,857 | $1,433 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 78.8% | 78.3% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Unemployment rate | 4.9% | 4.7% | June 2026 |
| Employment change (year over year) | -3.0% | -3.0% | June 2026 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 52.4% | 68.2% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 4.2% | 6.3% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Housing units permitted (12 months) | 54 | 58 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permits per 1,000 residents | 2.5 | 2.0 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permit change (year over year) | 54.3% | 205.3% | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Average July high | 85°F | 84°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low | 19°F | 16°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Annual precipitation | 34.4" | 33.2" | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 16 mi | 11 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 31.1 min | 32.0 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 44.4 | 39.8 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Public schools | 9 | 12 | 2024-25 school year |
| Students per teacher | 12.31 | 15.43 | 2024-25 school year |
| Math proficiency | 35.8% | 43.2% | 2019-20 school year |
| Reading proficiency | 36.2% | 50.0% | 2019-20 school year |
| Free or reduced-price lunch eligibility | 27.8% | 27.8% | 2024-25 school year |
A bolded value is the more favorable of the two where the metric has a clear direction. Metrics like population and density have no inherent better or worse and are shown unweighted.
Your best match
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Darien
73
Your Score
69
Area Score
Glen Ellyn
74
Your Score
70
Area Score
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Full profiles: Darien, IL · Glen Ellyn, IL · How this is calculated: methodology