Northbrook is an upscale and vibrant village in northeastern Illinois. The suburban village of Northbrook IL is known for its remarkably low crime rate, ideal location, and quaint downtown shopping district featuring lovely boutiques and specialty stores. Northbrook is further home to a welcoming and tight-knit community that appreciates the village’s green scenery, beautiful parks, activity and sports centers, golf courses, and some of the best educational systems in the state.
As a farm town, Northbrook IL was incorporated in 1901 as “Shermerville.” The village eventually exalted the eponymous West Fork of the North Branch of the Chicago River that runs through the community, thus bearing the name ”Northbrook.” In more recent years, the charming village of Northbrook became the filming location for The Breakfast Club 1985 and Ferris Bueller’s Day Off 1986 – both shot in the village’s Glenbrook North High School. Today, Northbrook Illinois is a great place to live for families and professionals seeking a safe, affluent, and family-friendly community with close proximity to downtown Chicago amenities.
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Where Is Northbrook Illinois Located?
Situated on the northern edge of Cook County, the village of Northbrook is a suburb of Chicago and is located in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin Metro Area. To the east of Northbrook is the marvelous Potawatomi Woods and Des Plaines River, while to the west is the Skokie Lagoons and glorious Lake Michigan. Northbrook is also home to Lake Shermerville in addition to numerous serene natural areas. The distance from Northbrook IL to Chicago IL is 25 miles south.
Northbrook is bordered by Deerfield to the north, Highland Park to the northeast, and Glenview to the south. Major roads in Northbrook include I-94 Edens Expressway, I-294 Tri-State Tollway, US 41 Skokie Highway, US 45 Milwaukee Avenue, and the Northbrook IL Dundee Road. Regarding public transportation, Northbrook is part of Chicago’s transportation network. Being situated along the Milwaukee District North Line, the trains in Northbrook are operated by the Metra commuter rail. Likewise, the bus routes in Northbrook are served by Pace Suburban Bus.
Northbrook IL Population & Demographics
The high-end village of Northbrook has a population of 35,222 distributed over 13.24 miles at a population density of 2,660 per square mile. The population has increased by 6.2% in the last decade. The median age in Northbrook is 49.7, whereas 19.6% of residents are foreign-born. 98.2% of the Northbrook population have earned a high school diploma or higher, and 71.9% have attained a bachelor’s degree or higher. The Northbrook IL median household income is $143,506, which is $70,943 above the state median.
Northbrook has been called home by several highly notable individuals, including film director John Hughes, professional DJ Kaskade, former professional ice hockey player Mike Brown, and professional basketball coach Jon Scheyer.
The racial demographics in Northbrook are somewhat diverse, with Whites making up 78.8% of the population. Asians make up 15%, Hispanics are at 3.4%, and Blacks are at 1.1%. The gender makeup in Northbrook is 52.2% female and 47.8% male.
How safe is Northbrook, Illinois? Due to its incredibly low expenditure on crime, Northbrook has been ranked as one of the safest towns in Illinois. According to the FBI, the Northbrook crime rate is just 231 per 100k population, which is significantly lower than the national average. To be exact, this is 88.4% lower than the state and 90.2% lower than the country. If you’re moving to Northbrook, you can relax knowing that both property and violent crime are over 87% lower than the Illinois average. With that said, it’s safe to say that Northbrook IL is an exceptionally safe place to live and raise a family.
While there isn’t much Northbrook Illinois police activity, the village is nonetheless served by the Northbrook Police Department with its 66 full-time officers.
Cost of Living in Northbrook IL
Is Northbrook Illinois wealthy? Being on the more affluent side of things, Northbrook has a cost of living that is a decent amount higher than the average village or city in Illinois. The cost of living index for Northbrook, IL is around 162, or 62% above the national average. According to the Economic Policy Institute, a family of four living in Cook County should be making approximately $89,187 to live comfortably. The income tax in Northbrook sits at 5%, while the sales tax is 10%.
Interested in Northbrook IL real estate? There are many lovely Northbrook IL homes for sale scattered throughout the village. According to Redfin, Northbrook has a median home price of $650,000. If searching for Northbrook IL apartments is what you have in mind, the average monthly apartment rent in Northbrook is $1,846 for 921 sq. ft on RentCafe.
Northbrook IL typical living expenses
Below is a list of Payscale’s typical living expenses in Northbrook, Illinois.
- Average Northbrook utilities per month: $171.69
- Doctor’s visit: $141.65
- Gallon of gas: $4.23
- Gallon of milk: $2.56
- One dozen eggs: $2.37
Northbrook IL Neighborhoods | Where to Live in Northbrook
Northbrook is home to many safe, cultural, and family-oriented neighborhoods with peaceful wooded scenery and green spaces. In fact, Northbrook has been designated as a Tree City U.S.A community by the Arbor Day Foundation since 1994. To promote cultural and commercial ties, Northbrook has been a sister city with Diegem, Belgium since 1966.
The inclusive village of Northbrook has many lovely single-family homes and Northbrook IL condos for sale. There are also many beautiful Northbrook IL rentals within its borders.
The west side of Northbrook is near the charming Des Plaines River, the beautiful Potawatomi Woods, and the Heritage Oaks Golf Club. On the flip side, Northbrook’s eastern part brings you close to tranquil lagoons, Somme Prairie Nature Preserve, Sunset Ridge Country Club, and the renowned Chicago Botanic Garden. You’ll also be within close reach of the village’s enchanting Somme Woods, Chipilly Woods, and Sunset Ridge Woods. Here are two of the best neighborhoods in Northbrook Illinois:
Techny | Affordable Northbrook IL Neighborhood with Outstanding Parks & Golf Courses
This south-central neighborhood in Northbrook gives residents close access to the Anetsberger Golf Course, the Willow Hill Golf Course, and an extensive park with everything from baseball fields to a skate park. With a price range between $200,000 and $500,000, there are often more affordable homes in this neighborhood as opposed to the others.
Downtown | Walkable & Most Desirable Neighborhood in Northbrook
Fall color-colors, trees along West Fork-North Branch Chicago River, cloudy sky weather 2:40pm October 26 2020 downtown Northbrook Illinois -Editorial Use Permission w/Credit: Michael Heimlich @MichaelHeimlich; #Fall #FallColors #River #ILwx @NWSChicago #ThePhotoHour #StormHour pic.twitter.com/Dogpv8fzGX
— Michael Heimlich (@MichaelHeimlich) October 26, 2020
Northbrook’s downtown is often the most desirable neighborhood due to its high walkability and quaint atmosphere. Here, you’ll find an array of special boutiques, stores, and restaurants. The median home price here sits at a $1,170,000.
Northbrook IL Weather & Climate
Curious about the weather in Northbrook IL? Northbrook experiences a humid continental climate where the winters are freezing and snowy with lows of 17°F, and the summers are warm and wet with highs of 83°F. You’ll want a snow shovel during the 36 inches of snowfall in Northbrook and an umbrella throughout the 36 inches of annual rainfall. There are 188 sunny days a year in Northbrook, and the most comfortable seasons are summer and fall. The best months to visit Northbrook are in June, August, and September.
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Things to Do in Northbrook Illinois
Northbrook IL is home to numerous fun things to do both outdoors and indoors. This includes nature preserves, parks, restaurants, and shopping centers like the Willow Festival, Village Square of Northbrook, and the Northbrook Court shopping mall. The community is also home to several Northbrook Illinois hotels, the Chicago Curling Club, a Northbrook IL YMCA, and the Northbrook Historical Society, which aims to preserve the village’s heritage. Northbrooks ideal location along Lake Michigan allows you to fish, sail, swim, and even rent a Northbrook canoe. Let’s dive into the best things to do in Northbrook:
Wood Oaks Green Park
As the top-rated park in Northbrook, Wood Oaks Green Park features well-maintained tennis courts, campgrounds, sports fields, a kid’s playing area, a hiking trail, tennis, and even lovely water views for fishing and enjoying nature.
1062-1198 Sanders Rd, Northbrook, IL 60062, (847) 291-2993
River Trail Nature Center
This nature center provides a beautiful trail and educational exhibits that teach about the local wildlife and biology in Northbrook.
3120 Milwaukee Ave, Northbrook, IL 60062, (847) 824-8360
Northbrook Sports Center
Looking for the perfect place to take the family ice skating or swimming? This excellent sports complex in Northbrook is the place to go!
1730 Pfingsten Rd, Northbrook, IL 60062, (847) 291-2993
Additional attractions in Northbrook IL:
- Techny Prairie Park and Fields
- Heritage Oaks Golf Club
- Willow Hill Golf Course
- North Shore Ice Arena
- Meadowhill Park
The parks and recreational facilities in Northbrook are served by the Northbrook Park District. You can tune in on Northbrook Illinois news via the Northbrook Herald or the village’s official website. Regarding Northbrook IL events, one of the largest events in Northbrook is the Northbrook Days, featuring roller coasters, carnival games, food vendors, live music, and more. Another popular event is the weekly Northbrook Farmers’ Market.
Northbrook IL Restaurants
Residents living in Northbrook have close access to a diverse set of food options– American, Italian, Indian, Japanese, you name it. Here are a few of the best places to eat in Northbrook Illinois:
Barnaby’s of Northbrook
Tasty pizza eatery in a casual American setting.
960 Skokie Blvd, Northbrook, IL 60062, (847) 498-3900
Di Pescara
Delicious seafood and Italian restaurant in Northbrook Illinois.
2124 Northbrook Ct, Northbrook, IL 60062, (847) 498-4321
Prairie Grass Cafe
Upscale and chic American restaurant with locally sourced ingredients.
601 Skokie Blvd, Northbrook, IL 60062, (847) 205-4433
Jobs in Northbrook Illinois
Northbrook is expected to experience a 27.3% job growth over the next decade, which is 6.2% lower than the U.S. average. According to Payscale, the average base salary in Northbrook is $75,000, while the average hourly rate is $20.63. A few of the most popular job positions in Northbrook include certified nurse assistants, registered nurses, and sales associates, whereas a few of the most popular employers include Luminex Corporation, Crate & Barrel, and NorthShore University HealthSystem. If you are interested in Northbrook jobs, try searching online for jobs in and around Northbrook Illinois. You can find more Northbrook job opportunities on their official website.
Northbrook IL Schools
Multiple school districts serve Northbrook– Northbrook School District 27, Northbrook School District 28, Northbrook/Glenview School District 30, West Northfield School District 31, Wheeling Community Consolidated School District 21, and Northfield Township High School District 225. This district includes Glenbrook North High School, which is ranked 20th best-performing school within Illinois by U.S. News & World Report.
The village is served by the Northbrook Public Library.
Northbrook IL Statistics & Information
- County: Cook County
- Northbrook area: 13.3 mi²
- Northbrook IL zip code: 60026, 60062, 60065
- Northbrook area code: 847
- Northbrook elevation: 646’
- Northbrook time zone: Central Time Zone (CT)
- Closest airport to Northbrook IL: O’Hare International Airport (ORD), 13 miles south of Northbrook
Northbrook IL Map
If you’re hoping to start living in Northbrook IL, our professional team of Northbrook movers are ready to give you an easy relocation! Contact Federal Companies today by calling 800-747-4100!
