Is Northbrook Safe, Pros and cons of living in Northbrook

Northbrook, a well-established suburb of Chicago, offers a blend of suburban tranquility and convenient access to urban amenities. Nestled in Cook County, this community is part of the affluent North Shore region, known for its upscale residential areas and strong sense of community. Its proximity to Chicago makes it an attractive option for those seeking a balance between a peaceful hometown atmosphere and the opportunities of a major metropolitan area.

The village has a history dating back to its incorporation in 1901, originally known as Shermerville. Today, Northbrook is recognized for its high quality of life, excellent schools, and diverse economic base. The community is committed to providing world-class amenities while preserving its cherished small-town charm, making it a desirable place to live, work, and raise a family.

Is it Safe to Live in Northbrook?

Northbrook is generally considered a safe community with crime rates significantly below the national average. In the most recent FBI data, Northbrook reported a total crime rate of 1,225.8 per 100,000 residents, which is considerably lower than the national average of 2,752.3 per 100,000 residents (as reported by FBI UCR 2024). This places Northbrook in the 66th percentile for safety, meaning it is safer than 66% of U.S. cities.

Violent crime rates are particularly low, with 6 reported incidents, equating to 17.9 per 100,000 individuals, a figure 95% lower than the national average (as reported by FBI UCR 2024). Property crime rates are also substantially lower than the national average, with 406 incidents reported, or 1,208 per 100,000 residents, which is 31.4% lower than the U.S. average (as reported by FBI UCR 2024). These statistics indicate a low chance of being a victim of crime in Northbrook, with an overall chance of 1 in 82 (as reported by AreaVibes).

Housing and Cost of Living

Housing Costs

Northbrook’s housing market is characterized by its relatively high prices, reflecting its desirability as a suburban community. The average home value in Northbrook is approximately $688,265, with a median list price of $622,000 (as reported by Zillow and Realtor.com® respectively). Homes in Northbrook tend to sell quickly, with a median of 14 days on the market, indicating a competitive market for buyers (as reported by Zillow).

Rental prices in Northbrook are also above the national average. The median rental price for an apartment is around $2,700 per month (as reported by Realtor.com® and Apartments.com). This figure can vary based on the number of bedrooms, with one-bedroom apartments averaging about $1,828 and two-bedroom units around $2,421 per month (as reported by Apartments.com). For those looking to buy, the median sale price of a home was $605,000 last month, though this figure has seen a decrease of 12.9% compared to the previous year (as reported by Redfin).

Cost of Living

The overall cost of living in Northbrook is higher than the national average, with estimates placing it around 19% to 60% higher depending on the source (as reported by ERI Economic Research Institute and Payscale). Housing expenses are a significant contributor to this higher cost, being approximately 208% higher than the national average (as reported by Payscale).

While housing is a major expense, other costs such as utilities are slightly lower than the national average. Transportation and grocery expenses are also slightly higher than the national average. Overall monthly expenses are estimated at around $2,761 for a single person and $6,115 for a family of four (as reported by Salary.com).

Economy and Employment

Major Employers

Northbrook boasts a diverse economic landscape with several major companies headquartered or with significant operations in the village. Allstate, a major insurance provider, has its headquarters in Northbrook, employing around 8,000 personnel (as reported by Wikipedia). Other prominent employers include UL, a global safety science company, and Bell Flavors & Fragrances (as reported by Wikipedia and Discover Northbrook).

Additionally, Northbrook is home to the North American headquarters of Astellas, a Japanese pharmaceutical company, and Barilla, the Italian pasta manufacturer (as reported by Wikipedia). The village also hosts numerous other businesses in sectors such as professional services, healthcare, administration, retail, and manufacturing, contributing to a robust local job market.

Job Market and Salaries

Northbrook has a substantial business presence, with over 3,000 businesses providing more than 45,000 jobs, significantly more than its resident population (as reported by Wikipedia). The average annual salary in Northbrook is around $59,977, with an hourly rate of approximately $28.84 (as reported by ZipRecruiter). However, other sources indicate a higher average salary, with some reporting figures around $62,000 annually or even higher for specific roles (as reported by Zippia and Salary.com).

The unemployment rate in Northbrook was 3.70% as of the latest data, which is slightly higher than the previous month but lower than the long-term average (as reported by YCharts). High-paying jobs in Northbrook include roles in fields such as Anesthesiology, Pharmacology, and Dermatology, with some of these positions earning significantly above the city’s average salary (as reported by ZipRecruiter).

Climate and Environment

Temperature and Precipitation

Northbrook experiences a humid continental climate with four distinct seasons, similar to Chicago. Summers are warm to hot, with average high temperatures in July reaching around 83.07°F (as reported by Northbrook, Illinois, US Climate Zone, Monthly Averages, Historical Weather Data). Winters are cold, with January seeing average low temperatures around 20.34°F (as reported by Northbrook, Illinois, US Climate Zone, Monthly Averages, Historical Weather Data).

The village receives an average of about 37.82 inches of precipitation annually (as reported by Wikipedia). Rainfall is most prevalent in May, while November is typically the driest month. Snowfall is also a characteristic of Northbrook’s winters, with an average of around 35 inches per year (as reported by Livability.com).

Education and Demographics

School Ratings

Northbrook is served by several highly-rated school districts, contributing to its appeal for families. Northbrook School District No. 28 and Northbrook-Glenview School District No. 30 both receive overall “A” grades from Niche, with particular strengths in areas such as teachers and academics (as reported by Niche). These districts serve students from pre-kindergarten through 8th grade.

Students in Northbrook consistently score above average on standardized tests, reflecting the quality of education provided. For instance, in Northbrook School District No. 28, 73% of students are proficient in math and 79% in reading (as reported by Niche). Similarly, Northbrook-Glenview School District No. 30 reports 81% of students proficient in both math and reading (as reported by Niche).

Demographics

As of the 2020 census, Northbrook had a population of 35,222 residents (as reported by Wikipedia). Projections for 2026 estimate the population to be around 35,100 (as reported by Northbrook Demographics | Current Illinois Census Data). The median age in Northbrook is approximately 49.6 years, indicating a mature population (as reported by Northbrook Demographics | Current Illinois Census Data).

The racial composition of Northbrook is predominantly White, accounting for about 73.8% of the population, followed by Asian residents at 16.2%, and Hispanic residents at 5.4% (as reported by Northbrook Demographics | Current Illinois Census Data). The median household income in Northbrook was reported as $157,782 in 2024 (as reported by Northbrook Demographics | Current Illinois Census Data), which is significantly higher than the national average.