Moving to Northbrook, IL? Your 2020 Guide

Whether you are moving to Northbrook permanently or looking for an apartment to rent, you will definitely fall in love with this beautiful village located on the north shore of Chicago.

From being incorporated as Shermerville with a population of just 311 residents in 1901 to becoming one of the most exclusive and sought-after housing markets for families, Northbrook has enjoyed massive transformation over the past few decades.

Today, it features world-class amenities including 500-acres of parkland, dense suburban feel, safe neighborhoods, blue ribbon schools, a median household income that is far better than the national average, a great shopping and dining scene and greenery. No wonder, this Chicago suburbs ranks among the best places to live and raise kids in Illinois.

In this guide, we are going to cover everything you want to know about the key factors that could make this the best place for you, including Northbrook , IL real estate, apartments for rent, Northbrook movers, where to shop for furniture and grocery and what to do when you are visiting this Chicago suburb.

This guide aims at helping you make informed decisions while buying a home or renting one in Northbrook. And, when you are ready to relocate, you can hire Northbrook movers with Easymove app.

Download the app to get free access to details of all the trusted Northbrook movers and negotiate the best price for any type of moving service. To get an estimate of moving cost, click here.

Northbrook history, demographics & transport

In 1830s, the members of the Potawatomi tribe settled in the area known today as Northbrook. The town was incorporated in 1901 and was called Shermerville. It had only 60 homes at that time. The village was renamed as Northbrook in 1923 and by that time the population had increased to over 500 people.

Real estate development exploded in Northbrook in the past World War II era. It was divided into subdivisions and the developed happened in a very planned manner. The completion of a water line from Lake Michigan to Northbrook's water treatment plant stimulated additional growth. By 1970, the population reached 25,422. Today, Northbrook is home to nearly 35,000 people – most of them long-time residents. There are a total of 18 streets in Northbrook named after the first settlers.

Whites make up the majority of population (almost 85%), but there is a sizable population of Asian and foreign-born residents also. One of the most notable features is that most residents are married couples with young kids. It is for this reason that the median age is 48 years and over 77% residents are aged 18 years or above. The median household income is about $120,000, so Northbrook can be considered an affluent suburb. Many millionaires and professional athletes call Northbrook their home.


Most newcomers find Northbrook an open and inviting community. There are a wide range of religious organizations in the area. Many of them have come together under the umbrella of the Northbrook Clergy Association. Northbrook is religiously diverse, with about 30 houses of worship representing numerous denominations.

One of the biggest draws that make Northbrook very desirable for entrepreneurs and professionals is its close proximity to downtown Chicago. It is located just 25 miles from downtown. There is a commuter rail service connecting downtown with most Northbrook neighborhoods. The Metra train system links Northbrook directly to downtown Chicago. Both O’Hare International Airport and Chicago Midway International Airport are also in close proximity – at nearly 20 minutes’ drive.

Most common mode of transport is cars; however, Northbrook ranks very well as far as its Walkability Score is concerned. It features wide tree-lined streets with pavements and dedicated corridors for pedestrians and cyclists.

The Edens Expressway (I-94), the Edens Spur, and the Tri-State Tollway (I-294) are easily accessible from Northbrook if you want to drive to Chicago.

Source: Easymove