What are the schools like in Northfield, IL?

Northfield is served primarily by Sunset Ridge SD 29. The district operates 1 elementary schools, 1 middle schools, and several high schools with a student-to-teacher ratio of 9.1:1.

What is the median household income in Northfield?

The median household income in Northfield, IL is $146,538 according to the most recent US Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates. The unemployment rate is 1.5%.

What is the weather like in Northfield, IL?

Northfield has an average high temperature of 32.3°F in January and 83.5°F in July. Annual precipitation averages 36.8 inches and annual snowfall averages 33.6 inches.

Northfield, IL Cost of Living, Crime & Is It a Good Place to Live? (2026)

Q: Is Northfield, IL affordable or expensive?

Northfield's cost of living index is 103, where 100 represents the national average. This means Northfield is 3% more expensive than the average US city. The median home value is $719,700 and the median rent is $2,427 per month.

Q: What is the crime rate in Northfield, IL?

Northfield has a violent crime rate of 18.3 incidents per 100,000 residents and a property crime rate of 766.8 per 100,000. The national average violent crime rate is approximately 380 per 100,000.

Is Northfield, IL a Good Place to Live?

Northfield is a small town of 5,707 in Illinois, with a median household income of $146,538 and a 1.5% unemployment rate. Its cost of living index is 103 (US average = 100), which is 3% above the national average.

Strengths: Northfield stands out for lower-than-average crime, solid school ratings (A+), a well-educated population.

Trade-offs: Potential downsides include high home prices. Whether Northfield is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.

All Northfield city data on this page comes from official government sources — the US Census Bureau, FBI, NCES, BEA, and NOAA — updated annually.

Cost of Living

Index: 102.6

Northfield's overall cost of living index is 102.6, where 100 represents the US national average. Living in Northfield costs roughly 3% more than the average American city.

Metric	Northfield, IL	National Avg
Median Home Value	$719,700	$244,900
Median Monthly Rent	$2,427	$1,163
Homeownership Rate	91.8%	65.9%
Median Household Income	$146,538	$74,755

Crime & Safety

Very Safe

Northfield's violent crime rate is 18.3 per 100,000 residents — 95% lower than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.

Violent Crime

18.3 /100k

Property Crime

766.8 /100k

Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.

Schools & Education

Northfield is served primarily by Sunset Ridge SD 29. The student-to-teacher ratio is 9.1:1 (better than the national average of ~16:1).

Metric	Northfield, IL	National Avg
School District	Sunset Ridge SD 29	—
Elementary Schools	1	—
Middle Schools	1	—
High Schools	N/A	—
Student/Teacher Ratio	9.1:1	16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher	77.0%	35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher	100.0%	91.1%

Weather & Climate

Northfield sees average highs of 32.3°F in January and 83.5°F in July, with 36.8 inches of annual precipitation and 33.6 inches of snow per year.

Metric	Northfield, IL
Average High — January	32.3°F
Average High — July	83.5°F
Annual Precipitation	36.8"
Annual Snowfall	33.6"

Demographics

Metric	Northfield, IL	National Avg
Population	5,707	—
Median Age	49.9	38.9
Unemployment Rate	1.5%	3.7%
Avg Commute Time	26.8 min	26 min
White (non-Hispanic)	87.2%	59.3%
Black or African American	0.2%	13.6%
Hispanic or Latino	2.2%	18.9%
Asian	8.8%	6.3%
Under 18	23.8%	22.2%
65 and over	24.5%	16.8%

Nearby Cities

Winnetka, IL 2 mi Glencoe, IL 2 mi Glenview, IL 3 mi Wilmette, IL 3 mi Golf, IL 3 mi

Northfield vs Other Cities

Northfield, IL vs Winnetka, IL Northfield, IL vs Glencoe, IL Northfield, IL vs Glenview, IL Northfield, IL vs Wilmette, IL Northfield, IL vs Golf, IL

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Northfield, IL affordable or expensive?

Northfield's cost of living index is 103, where 100 is the national average. That puts Northfield roughly 3% above the national average in cost. The median home price is $719,700 and median rent is $2,427/month.

What is the crime rate in Northfield, IL?

Northfield's violent crime rate is 18.3 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 766.8 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.

What are the schools like in Northfield?

Public schools in Northfield are operated by Sunset Ridge SD 29. The district has 1 elementary, 1 middle, and several high schools. The student-to-teacher ratio is 9.1:1. 77.0% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Is Northfield, IL a good place to live?

Northfield, IL has a population of 5,707, a median household income of $146,538, and an unemployment rate of 1.5%. Whether it's right for you depends on your priorities — use the compare tool above to stack it against another city you're considering.

What is the weather like in Northfield?

Northfield averages 32.3°F in January and 83.5°F in July. Annual rainfall is 36.8 inches with about 33.6 inches of snow per year. Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).

What is the population of Northfield?

The population of Northfield, Illinois is 5,707 with a median age of 49.9. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What are the pros and cons of living in Northfield?

Key numbers for living in Northfield: cost of living index 103 (100 = US average), median home $719,700, median household income $146,538, crime index 17 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated A+. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Northfield side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.