Is Elmwood Park Safe, Pros and cons of living in Elmwood Park

Elmwood Park, a village nestled in Cook County, Illinois, presents a compelling picture for those considering a move. It offers a suburban charm with convenient access to the bustling city of Chicago, creating a unique blend of community living and urban proximity. With a population of over 23,000 residents, Elmwood Park maintains a close-knit atmosphere that appeals to individuals and families seeking a more tranquil pace of life.

The village is characterized by its diverse community, with a significant portion of its residents being White and Hispanic, alongside smaller percentages of Asian and other ethnic groups. This demographic makeup contributes to the vibrant cultural tapestry of Elmwood Park. The median age is around 41-42 years, indicating a community with a balanced mix of established residents and those in their working years.

Is it Safe to Live in Elmwood Park?

Elmwood Park generally offers a safe environment for its residents, with crime rates that are often reported as lower than the national average. The overall crime rate is approximately 40% lower than the national average (as reported by AreaVibes). Violent crimes are particularly notable for being significantly lower, with rates around 53% below the national average (as reported by AreaVibes).

Your personal safety experience can vary by neighborhood within Elmwood Park. While residents generally consider the northwest part of the city to be the safest, your chance of being a victim of crime can range from 1 in 33 in the southeast neighborhoods to 1 in 55 in the northwest (as reported by AreaVibes). The village is rated as “pretty safe” by many of its residents (as reported by Niche).

Housing Costs and Affordability

Median Home Prices

The housing market in Elmwood Park presents a notable opportunity for affordability, especially when compared to national averages. The median home value in Elmwood Park is approximately $311,500 (as reported by Kurby AI). This figure is significantly below the national average, making homeownership more accessible for many.

Recent market trends show some fluctuations. For instance, in March 2026, Elmwood Park home prices were down 16.3% compared to the previous year, with a median selling price of $308,000 (as reported by Redfin). Homes in Elmwood Park typically sell after about 50 days on the market (as reported by Redfin).

Rental Market

For those considering renting, Elmwood Park offers a range of options. The median rent for all bedroom counts and property types in Elmwood Park, IL, is around $1,725 per month (as reported by Zumper). This is approximately 11% lower than the national average, indicating a more affordable rental market.

A studio apartment in Elmwood Park averages about $1,262 per month, while a one-bedroom apartment is approximately $1,111 per month. For a two-bedroom rental, the average cost is around $1,397 per month, and a three-bedroom rental could be $2,441 or more (as reported by Apartments.com).

Cost of Living Overview

The overall cost of living in Elmwood Park is generally considered to be higher than the national average. Specifically, housing expenses are about 32% higher than the national average (as reported by Payscale). However, utility prices are slightly lower, being 5% below the national average (as reported by Payscale).

Transportation costs, including gas prices and public transit fares, are about 4% higher than the national average. Grocery prices are also slightly elevated, running about 4% higher than the national average (as reported by Payscale). Healthcare expenses in Elmwood Park are notably higher, approximately 16% above the national average (as reported by Payscale).

Job Market and Economy

Average Salaries and Income

The economic landscape of Elmwood Park offers a mixed picture regarding income. The average annual household income in Elmwood Park was reported as $109,354 in 2024 (as reported by Point2Homes). However, other sources indicate a median household income of $91,955 (as reported by VertexAI Search and Elmwood Park Population 2026) and a median income of $75,784 (as reported by Kurby AI).

The average annual salary for an employed individual in Elmwood Park is around $50,962 per year, which equates to approximately $24.50 per hour (as reported by ZipRecruiter). Most salaries in the area range between $36,399 and $61,501 annually (as reported by ZipRecruiter).

Unemployment Rate

The unemployment rate in Elmwood Park is reported to be around 5.9% (as reported by Point2Homes). Other sources place the unemployment rate at 5.4% in 2026 (as reported by Data Commons) and 5% (as reported by Niche).

These figures suggest a labor market where job opportunities are available, though a portion of the workforce is actively seeking employment. The poverty rate in Elmwood Park is approximately 8% (as reported by Niche) or 7.97% (as reported by Elmwood Park Population 2026), indicating that a small percentage of families live below the poverty line.

Major Employers

Elmwood Park is supported by a diverse range of employers across various sectors. In New Jersey, notable companies include BioReference Laboratories, a leading clinical diagnostic laboratory, and Marcal Manufacturing LLC, a producer of recycled paper products. Other significant employers in the NJ area include Keyence, an automation product supplier, and Baroan Technologies, an IT services provider (as reported by Lensa).

In Illinois, major employers often include large retail chains and service providers such as McDonald’s, UPS, and Walgreens. Large healthcare providers and financial institutions also play a significant role in the local job market.

Climate and Weather Patterns

Temperatures

Elmwood Park experiences distinct seasonal temperature variations. Throughout the year, temperatures generally range from a low of about 19°F in the winter to a high of 84°F in the summer (as reported by myPerfectWeather). The warm season typically runs from late May to mid-September, with July being the hottest month, averaging a high of 83°F and a low of 68°F (as reported by Elmwood Park Climate).

Conversely, the cold season extends from December to early March. January is the coldest month, with average highs around 32°F and lows dropping to 19°F (as reported by myPerfectWeather).

Rainfall and Precipitation

Elmwood Park receives an average annual precipitation of approximately 40 inches, which includes both rain and the liquid equivalent of snowfall (as reported by myPerfectWeather). The month of June typically sees the most rainfall, with an average of 5 inches (as reported by myPerfectWeather).

Winter months bring snowfall, with an average of 37 inches annually (as reported by myPerfectWeather). The climate is generally described as warm and wet during the summers, and freezing, snowy, and windy during the winters, with partly cloudy conditions year-round (as reported by Elmwood Park Climate).

Education and Schools

School District Overview

Elmwood Park is served by the Elmwood Park Community Unit School District No. 401 in Illinois. This district serves students from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade and is rated with a B grade (as reported by Niche). The district has a student-teacher ratio of approximately 14 to 1 (as reported by Niche).

In terms of academic performance, state test scores indicate that about 24% of students are proficient in math and 43% are proficient in reading within this district (as reported by Niche). However, Elmwood Park High School specifically ranks in the bottom 50% of Illinois schools for overall test scores, with math and reading proficiency rates below the state average (as reported by Public School Review).

School Performance

Within the Elmwood Park School District, individual school performances can vary. Gantner Avenue School is noted as a top performer, demonstrating high proficiency rates in English Language Arts and Math on standardized tests (as reported by SchoolDigger.com). Conversely, Sixteenth Avenue School is noted as lagging behind other schools in the district (as reported by SchoolDigger.com).

Memorial Senior High School has a graduation rate that is above the state average, though the district’s chronic absenteeism rate is a concern at 14.9% (as reported by SchoolDigger.com). A significant percentage of students receive free or reduced-price lunch, ranging from 38% to 46%, which may indicate socioeconomic challenges impacting student achievement (as reported by SchoolDigger.com).

Demographics and Community

Population and Diversity

Elmwood Park is home to a population of approximately 23,868 residents, making it one of the more populated villages in Illinois (as reported by VertexAI Search). The community is diverse, with White residents forming the largest group at around 55.3%, followed by Hispanic residents at approximately 39.7% (as reported by VertexAI Search). Smaller percentages include Asian and other racial or ethnic groups.

The median age in Elmwood Park is around 42 years (as reported by Elmwood Park Population 2026). The population is distributed across various age groups, with a notable segment in the 45-64 age bracket, suggesting a community with a substantial number of working-age and established residents (as reported by Point2Homes).

Income and Poverty Levels

The median household income in Elmwood Park is reported at $91,955 (as reported by VertexAI Search). This figure suggests a community with a solid economic base. However, approximately 5.6% of Elmwood Park families live in poverty (as reported by VertexAI Search).

Further demographic data indicates that while the median household income is robust, a portion of the population may face economic challenges. The poverty rate is also listed as 11.8% by Niche and 7.97% by Elmwood Park Population 2026, indicating some variation in reporting but a consistent presence of poverty within the community.