Northfield, Illinois Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Northfield, Illinois had a total population of 5,487, the 320th largest village in Illinois, with a median household income of $161,500, which is 94% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 3.2%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 94% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in Illinois.
- An exceptionally low poverty rate of 3.2% — among the lowest in Illinois.
- 80.7% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Illinois.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 2.2%.
Northfield Quick Facts
How Northfield Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 5,683 | 5,487 | -3.4% |
| Median household income | $180,492 | $161,500 | -10.5% |
| Median home value | $807,700 | $878,300 | +8.7% |
How Northfield Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 61 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Northfield Rankings in Illinois
Explore Illinois Rankings
Other Cities in Cook County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago | 2,711,226 | $77,902 | 16.8% | $334,100 |
| Elgin | 114,934 | $90,282 | 9.8% | $273,000 |
| Cicero | 82,797 | $70,842 | 14.6% | $249,400 |
| Schaumburg | 76,868 | $97,514 | 5.7% | $330,400 |
| Evanston | 76,340 | $96,434 | 11.8% | $481,200 |
| Arlington Heights | 76,005 | $116,723 | 6.0% | $414,500 |
| Palatine | 66,293 | $97,819 | 8.2% | $355,600 |
| Skokie | 66,219 | $95,337 | 9.7% | $387,200 |
| Des Plaines | 59,156 | $97,875 | 6.0% | $335,600 |
| Orland Park | 57,916 | $98,910 | 7.3% | $367,200 |
Cities Similar to Northfield
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Barrington | 5,442 | $141,958 | $475,700 | 63.6% | 6.3% |
| Grandwood Park | 5,262 | $126,736 | $330,500 | 59.2% | 2.8% |
| Spring Grove | 5,917 | $134,210 | $398,400 | 44.9% | 1.4% |
| Lakewood | 4,707 | $173,625 | $552,600 | 61.3% | 3.5% |
| Volo | 6,706 | $160,792 | $319,700 | 52.2% | 2.1% |
Population Overview
Northfield is a small city located in Illinois, within Cook County. The total population is 5,487. It ranks as the 320th most populous out of 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois.
Age Demographics
The median age in Northfield is 49.2 years. This is 26% higher than the state median of 39.0 years. 13.2% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Northfield is $161,500. This is 94% higher than the state median of $83,390. It is also 100% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 3.2%. This is 73% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.8%. This exceptionally low poverty rate indicates strong economic prosperity across the community. The unemployment rate is 2.2%. This is 62% lower than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $878,300. Housing costs are 234% higher than the state median of $263,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.4x. 91.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 37% higher than the state average of 67.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
Northfield has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 85.3% of all residents. Asian residents account for 8.1%. The Black or African American population (0.2%) is well below the state average of 13.3%. The Hispanic or Latino population (2.1%) is well below the state average of 18.8%.
Education
80.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Northfield in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 113% higher than the state rate of 37.9%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 99.7%. Notably, 38.6% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Northfield, Illinois is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Illinois state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Northfield, Illinois?
Northfield, Illinois has a population of 5,487 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Northfield, IL?
The median household income in Northfield is $161,500, which is 100% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Northfield, IL?
The poverty rate in Northfield is 3.2%. This means approximately 174 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Northfield, Illinois?
Northfield's population is 85.3% White, 0.2% Black, 2.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 8.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in Northfield, IL?
The median home value in Northfield is $878,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.4x.
How educated is Northfield, Illinois?
80.7% of adults (25+) in Northfield hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 38.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.