Is Deerfield Safe, Pros and cons of living in Deerfield

Deerfield, Illinois, offers a compelling blend of suburban tranquility and accessibility to a major metropolitan center. This community is recognized for its well-regarded school system, attractive housing options, and a strong sense of local engagement. It presents a desirable environment for families and professionals alike, balancing a peaceful residential atmosphere with convenient access to urban amenities and employment opportunities.

The town’s strategic location provides residents with the advantages of a serene hometown feel while remaining within easy reach of Chicago’s extensive cultural, entertainment, and professional resources. This dual appeal makes Deerfield a noteworthy consideration for those seeking a balanced lifestyle.

Is it Safe to Live in Deerfield?

Deerfield, Illinois, generally presents a safe environment for its residents. The overall crime rate is considered lower than the average for comparably sized cities across America, according to NeighborhoodScout’s analysis of FBI crime data. This suggests a relatively secure atmosphere for daily life and community activities.

While violent crimes occur less frequently in Deerfield than in many parts of the country, property crime rates are noted as being above the national average. Residents can find specific crime analytics and safest neighborhood information through resources like NeighborhoodScout. This detailed data can help individuals make informed decisions about personal safety within the community.

Crime Statistics

In Deerfield, Illinois, FBI crime data indicates a crime rate of 10 incidents per one thousand residents (as reported by NeighborhoodScout). The chance of becoming a victim of either violent or property crime in Deerfield is one in 98 (as reported by NeighborhoodScout). This statistic positions Deerfield as having a crime rate that is higher than 68% of Illinois’s cities and towns of all sizes (as reported by NeighborhoodScout).

Violent crimes, such as assault, rape, murder, and armed robbery, happen less often in Deerfield than in most of America. The chance of becoming a victim of a violent crime is one in 3,828, with a violent crime rate of 0 per one thousand inhabitants (as reported by NeighborhoodScout). However, the property crime rate is 10 per one thousand population, indicating an above-average chance of becoming a victim of property crime when compared to all other communities in America of all population sizes (as reported by NeighborhoodScout).

Housing Costs in Deerfield

The housing market in Deerfield, Illinois, is characterized by a competitive environment and a notable increase in home prices. As of March 2026, the median sale price of a home in Deerfield was $862,000, representing a 5.7% increase since the previous year (as reported by Redfin). The median sale price per square foot also saw an increase, up by 22.5% year-over-year (as reported by Redfin).

Homes in Deerfield typically receive an average of 7 offers and sell relatively quickly, with an average of 35 days on the market. This indicates a strong demand from buyers. The sale-to-list price ratio is 104.4%, and 57.1% of homes sell above list price, further underscoring the competitive nature of the market (as reported by Redfin).

Median Home Price

The median sale price for a home in Deerfield, IL, was $862,000 in March 2026 (as reported by Redfin). This reflects a significant increase of 5.7% compared to the same period last year (as reported by Redfin). Homes in this market are selling for an average of 4.4% above their list price (as reported by Redfin).

The housing market in Deerfield is considered very competitive, scoring 73 out of 100 on Redfin’s scale. Homes typically receive an average of 7 offers and sell in about 35 days (as reported by Redfin). The median sale price per square foot is $348, which is up 22.5% from last year (as reported by Redfin).

Rental Market

The rental market in Deerfield, Illinois, is experiencing a “hot” trend, indicating increasing renter demand compared to the national average (as reported by Zillow). As of April 29, 2026, the average rent in Deerfield, IL, is $2,707 (as reported by Zillow). This figure represents a $130 increase month-over-month and a $50 increase year-over-year (as reported by Zillow).

Rental prices for properties in Deerfield range from $1,250 to $4,400. The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment is $2,132, while a 2-bedroom apartment averages $2,965 (as reported by Zillow). There are currently 24 rentals available in Deerfield, IL (as reported by Zillow).

Cost of Living in Deerfield

Deerfield, Illinois, offers a high quality of life, which is reflected in its cost of living. The median household income in Deerfield was $181,660 in 2024 (as reported by CUBIT, referencing US Census Bureau data). This median income is higher than in many surrounding areas, indicating a strong economic base within the community.

While specific cost of living indices are not readily available from a single source, the high median income suggests that residents have a strong capacity to manage expenses. The median property value in Deerfield was $623,400 in 2024, with a homeownership rate of 82.5% (as reported by Data USA, referencing Census Bureau data).

Income and Employment

The median household income in Deerfield, IL, was $181,660 in 2024 (as reported by CUBIT). This figure places Deerfield households above those in neighboring communities like Mettawa and Custer Park (as reported by CUBIT). Despite this high income level, 1.8% of Deerfield families live in poverty (as reported by CUBIT).

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics does not provide specific unemployment rates for Deerfield, IL. However, national and state unemployment data can offer context. As of April 2026, the national unemployment rate was 4.3% (as reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). The employed population in Deerfield in 2024 was 9,869, showing a slight 1-year decline (as reported by Data USA).

Job Market and Major Employers

Deerfield, Illinois, serves as a hub for several major corporations, contributing to a robust job market. The village is home to the headquarters of prominent companies such as Walgreens Boots Alliance, Baxter Healthcare, and Fortune Brands Home & Security (as reported by Wikipedia). These major employers provide significant employment opportunities within the community and surrounding areas.

The presence of these large corporations, along with a strong business environment promoted by the DBR Chamber of Commerce, fosters economic development and diversity within Deerfield, Bannockburn, and Riverwoods (as reported by the DBR Chamber of Commerce). This economic activity supports a stable job market for residents.

Salaries in Deerfield

The average annual salary for employees in Deerfield, IL, is estimated to be $107,909 as of May 2026 (as reported by SalaryExpert). This equates to an approximate hourly wage of $52 (as reported by SalaryExpert). Salaries at Deerfield typically range from $94,612 to $122,517 annually, reflecting various roles and experience levels (as reported by SalaryExpert).

For H1B visa holders in Deerfield, IL, the median salary in FY 2026 was $107,640 (as reported by H1BGrader.com). The 75th percentile salary was $138,037, and the 90th percentile salary was $190,485 (as reported by H1BGrader.com). This data reflects a competitive salary landscape, particularly for skilled positions.

Climate in Deerfield

Deerfield, Illinois, experiences a climate characterized by distinct seasons, with warm summers and cold, snowy winters. The temperature typically varies between 19°F and 83°F throughout the year, rarely falling below 0°F or exceeding 91°F (as reported by BestPlaces). The warm season lasts from late May to mid-September, with July being the hottest month, averaging a high of 82°F and a low of 66°F.

The cold season spans from early December to early March, with January being the coldest month, featuring an average low of 19°F and a high of 32°F (as reported by BestPlaces). Precipitation is fairly evenly distributed throughout the year, with the wettest month being June, averaging 10.7 days with significant precipitation (as reported by BestPlaces).

Temperature and Precipitation

In Deerfield, Illinois, average daily high temperatures range from 32°F in January to 82°F in July (as reported by BestPlaces). The average daily low temperatures range from 19°F in January to 66°F in July (as reported by BestPlaces). The annual average precipitation in Deerfield is approximately 39.2 inches (as reported by BestPlaces).

The wet season occurs from late March to early October, with June typically having the most wet days. Conversely, the drier season lasts from early October to late March, with February having the fewest wet days (as reported by BestPlaces). The annual average precipitation at Deerfield is 9.99 inches, with August being the wettest month, receiving an average of 4.84 inches (as reported by IDcide).

Education in Deerfield

Deerfield, Illinois, is recognized for its strong public school system, consistently ranking highly within the state. Deerfield School District No. 109 has received an overall Niche grade of A-minus, indicating a high level of educational quality (as reported by Niche). This district serves students from pre-kindergarten through 8th grade.

Deerfield High School, serving grades 9-12, also boasts an excellent reputation, earning an A+ overall Niche grade (as reported by Niche). These strong educational institutions contribute significantly to the desirability of Deerfield as a place to raise a family.

School Ratings and Performance

Deerfield School District No. 109 is highly rated, ranking among the best in the Chicago area and Lake County (as reported by Niche). Within this district, Deerfield High School is particularly distinguished, earning an A+ grade from Niche and ranking among the top public high schools in Illinois (as reported by Niche). According to state test scores, 70% of students at Deerfield High School are proficient in both math and reading (as reported by Niche).

Deerfield School District No. 109 also shows strong performance, with 54% of students proficient in math and 62% in reading at the K-8 level (as reported by Niche). These statistics highlight the commitment to academic excellence within the Deerfield school system.

Demographics of Deerfield

Deerfield, Illinois, is a community with a population of approximately 19,518 residents as of 2024 (as reported by CUBIT). The demographic makeup is predominantly White, accounting for 86.1% of the population, followed by Asian residents at 5.6% and Hispanic residents at 5.4% (as reported by CUBIT). This composition makes Deerfield considerably less diverse than Illinois as a whole (as reported by Census Dots).

The median age in Deerfield is 44.5 years (as reported by CUBIT). The village has a high rate of U.S. citizenship, with 97.2% of residents being citizens as of 2024 (as reported by Data USA). A notable 82.5% of residents are homeowners (as reported by Data USA).

Population and Diversity

Deerfield’s population was recorded at 19,196 in the 2020 census (as reported by Wikipedia). Current estimates place the population slightly higher, around 19,518 (as reported by CUBIT). The racial composition is primarily White (86.1%), with smaller percentages of Asian (5.6%) and Hispanic (5.4%) residents (as reported by CUBIT). This demographic profile indicates that Deerfield is more White than the state of Illinois overall (as reported by Census Dots).

The village has seen a slight increase in its Hispanic population since the 2020 census, growing by an estimated 32.5% (as reported by Census Dots). While the White population share has remained relatively stable, the overall diversity of Deerfield is lower compared to the state average (as reported by Census Dots).