City profile · Illinois · Census ACS 2023

Northbrook, IL

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Northbrook - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

34,642
Residents
$155,321
Median income
$644,100
Median home
$1,781
Median rent (state)

Northbrook - the verdict

Northbrook ranks in the 95th percentile for household income and the 55th percentile for safety nationally, out of every US city with at least 1,000 residents. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

95th
percentile, household income
91st
percentile, home value
72nd
percentile, median rent
55th
percentile, safety
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Northbrook, IL

34,642 people live in Northbrook, Illinois - a small city by U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. The typical household in Northbrook brings in $155,321 a year, placing it in the top quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 2.4%. Home values in Northbrook run a median of $644,100, and the median resident age is 49.2 years. About 73.1% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 58.6% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

In 2024, 97 residential building permits were authorized in Northbrook (Building Boom), up 162% from five years earlier, per Census BPS data. Northbrook reports a comparatively low crime rate: per-100,000 total crime stands at 1225.9 in FBI UCR data, below the national average (a voluntary reporting program, read this as reporting activity, not a definitive danger score).

Illinois tracks close to the national cost-of-living baseline: the state registers 100.0 on a 100-equals-national-average index (Near Average) per BEA Regional Price Parities 2024. A typical two-bedroom carries a HUD Fair Market Rent of $1,781 per month statewide. Statewide, average monthly utility bills in Illinois run around $240, per EIA 2023 residential energy data. Natural-hazard exposure scores 96.0 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Very High).

Population

34,642 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Illinois

Median Household Income

$155,321 /yr

Poverty 2.4%

Cost of Living Index (state)

100.0 (US=100)

Near Average - BEA RPP 2024, Illinois average

How does Northbrook compare to other US cities?

Here's how Northbrook stacks up against the full field of US cities (population 1,000+), computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 95% higher than other cities
Home value 91% pricier than other cities
Median rent 72% pricier than other cities
Safety 55% safer than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

Zoom in to just Illinois and the picture shifts: Northbrook ranks #280 of 455 Illinois cities by lowest crime rate, a different read than the national percentile above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares Northbrook against every qualifying US city; each in-state rank narrows that to Illinois only. Full formula and direction notes: methodology.

Illinois-relative analysis

Median Home Value is Northbrook's strongest outlier among Illinois cities

Among the 1,315 Illinois cities PlainCities tracks with reported median home value data, Northbrook ranks #25 - the 98th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Northbrook only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#40 of 1,311
97th percentile in Illinois
Median Gross Rent
#17 of 1,336
77th percentile in Illinois
Median Home Value
#25 of 1,315
98th percentile in Illinois
Poverty Rate
#1,080 of 1,335
19th percentile in Illinois
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#24 of 1,336
98th percentile in Illinois

Ranked by raw value (highest first); a higher rank is not automatically "better" for every measure, see each metric's own context above. This is a comparison within Illinois only, not a livability score. See the methodology for the source and calculation.

95thIncome percentile
55thSafety percentile

95th percentile nationally for median household income · 55th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Northbrook's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Northbrook's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 56 Avg. percentile National median
Northbrook's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How Northbrook's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$644,100 9th percentile more affordable than 9% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Below this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). This entry sits in this band. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Northbrook $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Northbrook, IL Northbrook, IL's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Northbrook, IL-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Northbrook, IL median $155,321/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Northbrook, IL's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Northbrook, IL. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 73.1%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 2.4%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 58.6%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
34,642
Median Income
$155,321
Median Home Value
$644,100
Median Age
49.2
Poverty Rate
2.4%
Labor force participation
58.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
73.1%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
1225.9
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
17.9
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
1208.0
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Schools

Total Schools
11
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
34,000 residents34,500 residents35,000 residents35,500 residents 202020212022202320242025 35,159 residents 34,744 residents ▼ -1.2%
Northbrook's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

📈 Building Boom
Total Permits (2024)
97
housing units authorized
Single-Family
25
detached homes
Multifamily
72
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
2.8
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 37
2020 44
2021 49
2022 60
2023 18
2024 97

Permit volume increased 162% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
56.9%
Carpool
4.6%
Public Transit
7.0%
Walk
2.2%
Work from Home
27.4%
Other
1.9%

Based on 16,401 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for Illinois - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$100
avg/month
Natural Gas
$90
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$50
avg/month
Total Utilities
$240
estimated/month

Estimates reflect Illinois state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a Illinois state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Northbrook sits in

Cost of Living Index
100.0
Near Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,781/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
96.0 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Illinois

Calumet City
35,253 people
Woodridge
33,889 people
Oswego
35,463 people
Addison
35,470 people
Glendale Heights
32,864 people
St. Charles
32,733 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Northbrook's 34,642 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Del Rio, TX
34,638 people
University City, MO
34,655 people
Randolph, MA
34,683 people
Canton, GA
34,587 people
Manhattan Beach, CA
34,584 people
Prosper, TX
34,567 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Northbrook's $155,321 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Riverlea, OH
$155,313 median income
Dorrington, CA
$155,357 median income
Dublin, OH
$155,282 median income
Keystone, FL
$155,365 median income
Hill View Heights, WY
$155,233 median income
Browns Crossing, IN
$155,467 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Northbrook, IL Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Northbrook, IL - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 75.5% 16.6% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 5.3% White 75.5% Black or African American 2.8% Asian 16.6% American Indian 0.0% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 0.7% Two or more races 4.6% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Northbrook compares to nearby Illinois cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Northbrook (this city) 34,642 $155,321
Calumet City 35,253 $53,991
Woodridge 33,889 $97,263
Oswego 35,463 $119,881
Census ACS 5-year FIPS IL FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Northbrook, IL?

What is the population of Northbrook, IL? +

The population of Northbrook, IL stands at 34,642 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Northbrook, IL? +

Northbrook households earn a median of $155,321 annually, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Northbrook? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Northbrook; the closest available measure is the Illinois state average, a cost of living index of 100.0 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Near Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within Illinois vary by metro area.

Is Northbrook, IL safe? +

Northbrook has a total crime rate of 1225.9 per 100,000 residents, which is below the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in Northbrook, IL? +

The median home value in Northbrook is $644,100, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.