Is Lincolnwood Safe, Pros and cons of living in Lincolnwood

Lincolnwood, a village nestled in Cook County, Illinois, presents a unique blend of suburban tranquility and urban accessibility. Its strategic location offers residents the advantage of being an inner suburb of Chicago, sharing borders with the bustling city itself, as well as neighboring Skokie. This proximity provides convenient access to the amenities and opportunities of a major metropolitan area while maintaining a distinct community feel.

The village is characterized by its diverse population and a strong sense of community, attracting a wide range of residents. Lincolnwood is known for its well-regarded school district and a stable, albeit somewhat expensive, housing market. Its tree-lined streets and well-maintained neighborhoods contribute to its appeal as a desirable place to live for families and individuals alike.

Is it Safe to Live in Lincolnwood?

Lincolnwood offers a generally safe environment for its residents, though crime rates warrant consideration. The overall crime rate in Lincolnwood is reported to be 29.43 per 1,000 residents in a typical year (according to NeighborhoodScout). While this is slightly higher than the national average, residents often consider the southwest part of the village to be the safest (according to CrimeGrade). The chance of being a victim of crime varies by neighborhood, with eastern areas experiencing more incidents than the southwest (according to CrimeGrade).

When examining specific crime types, Lincolnwood has one of the lowest violent crime rates among U.S. cities, with a rate of 110 violent crimes per 100,000 people (according to AreaVibes). However, other sources indicate that the estimated violent crime rate is 972.6 per 100,000 residents, which is 155% higher than the national average (according to DoorProfit). Property crime is more prevalent, with an estimated rate of 2,207.0 per 100,000 residents, which is 20% higher than the national average (according to DoorProfit). The most common crime in Lincolnwood is larceny/theft (according to DoorProfit).

Cost of Living in Lincolnwood

The cost of living in Lincolnwood is notably higher than the national average. Overall, Lincolnwood’s cost of living is 43% higher than the national average (according to Payscale). Housing expenses are a significant factor, being 130% higher than the national average (according to Payscale). The median home price in Lincolnwood is $619.9K (according to Realtor.com), with a median price per square foot of $296 (according to Realtor.com).

Rental costs are also substantial. The median rent in Lincolnwood is $2,875 per month (according to Zumper), which is 48% higher than the national average (according to Zumper). For a single person, monthly living expenses are estimated at $2,782, and for a family of four, they are approximately $6,125 (according to Salary.com). These figures reflect higher housing, transportation, and food costs compared to national benchmarks.

Housing Market

Lincolnwood’s housing market presents a median listing price of $619.9K, with homes spending an average of 32 days on the market (according to Realtor.com). The sale-to-list price ratio is 97%, indicating homes typically sell slightly below their asking price (according to Realtor.com). Month-over-month, the number of homes for sale has increased, and the median sale price has also seen a rise (according to Realtor.com).

For renters, the market offers a median rent of $2,875 per month (according to Zumper). The rental listing count is around 39, suggesting a healthy supply for renters (according to Realtor.com). Year-over-year, median rent prices have shifted by -6.35%, which may affect renter affordability and lease negotiations (according to Realtor.com).

Job Market and Economy

The economy of Lincolnwood employs approximately 5.41k people (according to Data USA). The largest industries in Lincolnwood are Health Care & Social Assistance, Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services, and Retail Trade (according to Data USA). The highest-paying industries include Public Administration and Finance & Insurance (according to Data USA).

Employment in Lincolnwood has seen a slight decline of -1.06% from the previous year (according to Data USA). The most common job groups among residents are Management Occupations, Sales & Related Occupations, and Office & Administrative Support Occupations (according to Data USA). The average annual salary in Lincolnwood is approximately $62,000, or $29.81 per hour (according to Zippia).

Major Employers

Several companies operate within or near Lincolnwood, contributing to the local job market. Major employers in the vicinity include large retail chains and service providers. For instance, Walmart, Lowe’s Home Improvement, and The Home Depot are significant employers in the broader area (according to Indeed.com). Additionally, healthcare providers and educational institutions play a role in the employment landscape.

Other notable companies providing employment opportunities include CVS Health and Sam’s Club (according to Indeed.com). Woodbridge Sanitary Pottery Corp. is a manufacturing company headquartered in Lincolnwood (according to Zippia). NuCare Services Inc. and The Millard Group, Inc. are also listed among companies in Lincolnwood (according to Zippia).

Climate and Weather

Lincolnwood experiences a climate with distinct seasons. Summers are warm, humid, and wet, while winters are freezing, snowy, and windy. The village is partly cloudy year-round (according to Time and Date). The temperature typically ranges from 21°F to 82°F, rarely falling below 3°F or exceeding 90°F (according to Livability.com).

The average high temperature in July is 82°F, and the average low is 68°F, making it the hottest month (according to Time and Date). January is the coldest month, with an average low of 22°F and a high of 33°F (according to Time and Date). Rainfall occurs throughout the year, with August receiving the most rain (3.6 inches) and January the least (0.9 inches) (according to Time and Date).

Seasonal Temperatures and Precipitation

The warm season in Lincolnwood lasts from June to September, with daily high temperatures averaging above 72°F (according to Time and Date). The cold season extends from December to March, with average daily high temperatures below 42°F (according to Time and Date). Annual average rainfall is approximately 38 inches (according to Livability.com), with the wet season occurring from late March to early October.

The month with the most wet days is June, averaging 10.6 days with at least 0.04 inches of precipitation (according to Time and Date). Conversely, January has the fewest wet days, averaging 5.2 days (according to Time and Date). Snowfall averages around 36 inches annually (according to Livability.com).

Education and School Ratings

Lincolnwood is served by Lincolnwood School District No. 74, which includes elementary and middle schools. This district is recognized as a high-performing district in Illinois, ranked 182 out of 811 and rated 4 stars out of 5 by SchoolDigger (according to SchoolDigger.com). The district serves students from PK through 8th grade and has a student-teacher ratio of 11 to 1 (according to Niche).

Within the district, Lincoln Hall Middle School is a standout performer, consistently ranking among the top 25% of Illinois middle schools with a 4-star rating (according to SchoolDigger.com). Rutledge Hall Elementary School also performs well, ranking in the top 25% of Illinois elementary schools with a 4-star rating (according to SchoolDigger.com). However, the district faces a challenge with high chronic absenteeism rates across all its schools (according to SchoolDigger.com).

School District Performance

Lincolnwood School District No. 74 is rated an A- by Niche, indicating a strong overall performance (according to Niche). The district is also recognized for its diversity, ranking 148th out of 604 in Illinois for diversity (according to Niche). The district is also considered a good place to teach, ranking 129th out of 600 for districts with the best teachers in Illinois (according to Niche).

State test scores show that 30% of students in the district are proficient in math and 59% are proficient in reading (according to Niche). Lincolnwood Elementary School, serving grades K-5, is rated C overall by Niche, but ranks #213 out of 2,210 for Best Public Elementary Schools in Illinois (according to Niche).

Demographics and Population

Lincolnwood is home to a population of approximately 13,112 residents (according to Data USA). The village’s population has seen a slight annual decline of -0.69% (according to World Population Review). The racial composition is diverse, with White residents making up about 57.99%, followed by Asian residents at 27.51% (according to Data USA).

The median age in Lincolnwood is 45.6 years, with a slightly higher proportion of females to males (according to Data USA). A significant portion of the population, 33.7%, were born outside the United States (according to Data USA). The median household income is reported at $109,731 (according to Data USA), with a poverty rate of 6.28% (according to Data USA).

Age and Diversity

Lincolnwood has a notable senior population, with over 27% of residents aged 65 or older (according to the Village of Lincolnwood Community Profile). The village’s population is also characterized by a significant foreign-born presence, with over 34% of residents being foreign-born (according to the Village of Lincolnwood Community Profile). Approximately 52% of residents aged five and older use a foreign language at home (according to the Village of Lincolnwood Community Profile).

Ethnically, Lincolnwood is diverse, with White residents forming the largest group at 57.2%, followed by Asian residents at 27.3%, and Hispanic residents at 7.4% (according to Point2Homes). This diversity contributes to the unique cultural fabric of the village.