When incorporated in 1901, the village was known as Shermerville in honor of Frederick Schermer, who donated the land for its first train station. The village changed its name to Northbrook in 1923 as an effort to improve its public image. The name was chosen because the West Fork of the North Branch of the Chicago River runs through the village.[5]
Members of the Potawatomi tribe were the earliest recorded residents of the Northbrook area. After signing the 1833 Treaty of Chicago, the Potawatomi ceded their Illinois lands and moved to a place near Council Bluffs, Iowa.[7] Afterward, Joel Sterling Sherman moved from Connecticut with his family and bought 159 acres (64 ha) of land in the northwest quarter of Section 10 for $1.25 per acre; Northbrook's downtown is located on this site.[8] A German immigrant named Frederick Schermer donated a portion of the land he bought from Sherman to be used for the town's first railroad station, which was named after him.[9] By the 1870s, Shermerville (which also took its name from Shermer) was a farming community. In 1901 the community was incorporated as the Village of Shermerville after a close referendum for incorporation. At the time of incorporation, it had 311 residents and 60 houses. In these early years, Shermerville became notorious for rowdy gatherings at its five saloons; by 1921, therefore, residents believed that the name "Shermerville" had a negative reputation and sought to change it.[10] A renaming contest was held, and the name "Northbrook" was submitted by the US postmaster (and then President of the National Rural Letter Carriers' Association)[11] Edward Landwehr. Landwehr was the son of Herman and Anna Helene Landwehr, both German immigrants and early settlers in the community and for whose family Landwehr Road in Northbrook is named. In 1923, "Northbrook", the winning name, was adopted. At the time, Northbrook had 500 residents. Later on, after the end of World War II, Northbrook's population began to rapidly increase.[12] In 1997, President Bill Clinton visited Northbrook to congratulate the 8th-grade students of Northfield Township (which is mainly Northbrook)[13] for getting the highest score on a world science test, and for getting the second-highest score on a world math test.[14]
Between 1950 and 1980, the town's population rose from 3,319 to 30,735. Northbrook was the first community not bordering Lake Michigan to filter Lake Michigan water for public use.[15] Owing to the suburbanization of the community, the last working farm in Northbrook, the Wayside Farm, was sold and closed in 1987.[15]
According to the 2020 US gazetteer files, the village has a total area of 13.30 square miles (34.4 km2; 3,440 ha), of which 13.24 square miles (34.3 km2; 3,430 ha) is land, and 0.07 square miles (0.18 km2; 18 ha) (or 0.45%) is water.[1] Situated along the West Fork of the North Branch of the Chicago River, Techny Prairie Park and Fields is the largest park in Northbrook at 113.82 acres and features picnic areas, a sled hill, batting cages, the nine-hole Anetsberger Golf Course[22][23] and Techny Prairie Activity Center, a 44,200 square foot facility housing fitness equipment and studios, an indoor track, pickleball courts, and more.[23] One of the biggest lakes in Northbrook, Lake Shermerville, is located within Wood Oaks Green Park, a 55.9 acre open space with fishing platforms, tennis courts, a playground, bike trail, and more.[24][25] Northbrook lies within the Chicago/Calumet Rivers watershed.[26][27]
Due to its proximity to the city, Northbrook's climate shares many of the same traits as Chicago. Northbrook lies in a humid continental climate zone (Köppen: Dfa) and experiences four distinct seasons.[28] Northbrook receives an average of 37.82 inches (961 mm) of precipitation each year.[29] According to MyForecast, Northbrook's record high is 104 °F (40 °C), and the record low is -24 °F (-31.1 °C).[30]Summers are hot and humid, with frequent heat waves. July is the hottest month, and the daily average temperature is 82 °F (27.7 °C), while the daily low temperatures are around 66 °F (18.8 °C).[31] On average, summer temperatures reach at least 90 °F (32 °C) on as many as 16 days.[30]Winters are relatively cold and snowy, with blizzards sometimes occurring, as in 2011.[32] There are many sunny but cold days in winter. The average winter high from December through March is about 36 °F (2.2 °C), with January and February being the coldest months; a polar vortex occurred in January 2019. Spring and autumn are mild, short seasons. Dew point temperatures in the summer range from an average of 56 °F (13.3 °C) in June to 62 °F (16.7 °C) in July.[30] Like all Chicago suburbs, Northbrook lies within USDA plant hardiness zone 5b.[33]
As of the 2020 census[37] there were 35,222 people, 12,749 households, and 9,347 families residing in the village. The population density was 2,647.28 inhabitants per square mile (1,022.12/km2). There were 14,209 housing units at an average density of 1,067.94 per square mile (412.33/km2). The racial makeup of the village was 77.53% White, 0.76% African American, 0.07% Native American, 16.35% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.80% from other races, and 4.49% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.41% of the population.
There were 12,749 households, out of which 28.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 66.61% were married couples living together, 5.79% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.68% were non-families. 24.98% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.31% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.06 and the average family size was 2.55.
The village's age distribution consisted of 20.8% under the age of 18, 5.5% from 18 to 24, 17.5% from 25 to 44, 30.5% from 45 to 64, and 25.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 49.7 years. For every 100 females, there were 90.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.0 males.
The median income for a household in the village was $128,883, and the median income for a family was $173,545. Males had a median income of $105,262 versus $53,061 for females. The per capita income for the village was $72,969. About 1.7% of families and 3.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.7% of those under age 18 and 4.3% of those age 65 or over.
Northbrook village, Illinois – Racial and ethnic composition Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.
Besides Judaism, Protestantism and Catholicism are major religions in Northbrook. Northbrook has many churches, including the St. Nortbert Catholic Church,[47] the Village Presbyterian Church of Northbrook,[48] the Northbrook United Methodist Church,[49] the St. Giles Episcopal Church,[50] and the Northbrook Covenant Evangelical Church.[51] There is also a small Eastern Orthodox community.
The Society of the Divine Word constructed Northbrook's Techny Towers in 1901 to house their North American headquarters and St. Joseph's Technical School, which operated for twelve years; Techny's name is derived from this school. St. Mary's Mission Seminary, the first of its kind which prepared priests and brothers for foreign missions, was opened by the Divine Word Missionaries in 1909.[52][53][54]
Northbrook has a workforce population of 27,058 people with 15,219 who are employed, according to a 2018 estimate from the U.S. Census Bureau.[58] The village has over 3,000 businesses providing more than 45,000 jobs, surpassing its population by over 10,000 positions.[59] Northbrook’s economy is centered around the service industry, primarily professional services, health care, administration, retail, and manufacturing.[60] The village has over 2.4 million square feet of commercial space, 1 million of which is at Northbrook Court.[60][61] The community’s largest employer at 8,000 personnel[62] is Allstate, which is based in an unincorporated area of Northbrook.[63][64] In 2021, the company announced it would sell the property.[65]UL, a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory,[66] is headquartered in Northbrook and employs 2,000 workers.[62]Bell Flavors & Fragrances and Crate & Barrel are also located in the village.[67][68]
Approximately 13% of Northbrook workers are employed at businesses inside the city limits, while about 87% commute elsewhere.[73] The majority of the city's employed residents (67%) commute to work in single-occupant vehicles, while 5 percent use carpools and 10 percent use public transportation.[58] Northbrook workplaces have employees who live across Cook county, with 5 percent from within the village, 18.9% from Chicago, 2.4% from Glenview, and 2.2% from Arlington Heights and Wheeling.[73]
Founded in 1973, the Northbrook Historical Society works to preserve Northbrook's heritage and educate people about it.[79] It operates a museum located in the former Northfield Inn.[80]
Founded in 1980, the Northbrook Symphony is a nonprofit that plays orchestral music in the town.[81]
Northbrook's largest event is Northbrook Days, a multi-day festival typically held every year towards the end of the summer.[82] It features carnival games, roller coasters and amusement rides, food vendors, live music, and raffles. Another prominent event is the Farmers' Market held every Wednesday from June to October in the Meadow Shopping Plaza parking lot on the corner of Cherry Lane & Meadow Street in downtown Northbrook.[83] There, vendors sell locally-made goods such as produce, cheese, pies, and condiments.[84]
Parks and recreation
Lake Shermerville, Wood Oaks Green Park
Northbrook has many parks and golf courses. Parks in Northbrook include Village Green Park, Techny Prairie Park and Fields, Wood Oaks Green Park, Stonegate Park, Crestwood Park, and Greenfield Park. Golf courses in Northbrook include Heritage Oaks Golf Club (formerly Sportsman's Country Club),[85] Anetsberger Golf Course, and Willow Hill Golf Course. Other facilities in the town include the Ed Rudolph Velodrome, Techny Prairie Activity Center, Northbrook Sports Center, Northbrook Leisure Center, and Meadowhill Aquatic Center.[86] The Skokie Valley Trail passes through the town.
Ed Rudolph Velodrome
In recognition of the village's vast greenspace, the Arbor Day Foundation has designated Northbrook as a Tree City U.S.A. community since 1994.[87]
The Northbrook Park District, headquartered in Northbrook, operates recreational facilities in Northbrook.[88] The 17.25-square-mile (44.7 km2) park district, formed in June 1927, serves all of Northbrook and some unincorporated areas within Cook County. The park district lies within the townships of Northfield and Wheeling.[89]
The Village of Northbrook adopted a council-manager form of government after a 1953 referendum. The Village President, six-member Board of Trustees, and the Village Clerk, all of whom must be residents of Northbrook, are elected at large for staggered four year terms. The board establishes policies and hires a village manager to operate the day-to-day business.[95][96] The most recent board election took place in 2021, with Kathryn Ciesla winning 4,263 votes (63.31% of the total vote).[97] The current board consists of:
Position
Name
Elected
Term expires
President
Kathryn L. Ciesla
2021
2025
Trustee
Robert P. Israel
2019
2027
Trustee
Heather E. Ross
2019
2027
Trustee
Daniel H. Pepoon
2021
2025
Trustee
Michelle Z. Kohler
Appointed in Dec 2023 to replace Muriel Collison
2025
Trustee
Johannah K. Hebl
2019
2027
Trustee
Joy U. Ebhomielen
2021
2025
Clerk
Debra J. Ford
2021
2025
The Northbrook Police Department provides law enforcement and the Northbrook Fire Department provides fire suppression and emergency medical services for the village and its residents.[98][99] Civil and criminal law cases are heard in the Cook County Circuit Court of the State of Illinois court system,[100] or in the Northern District of Illinois in the federal system.[101] In the state court, the public prosecutor is the Illinois state's attorney; in the Federal court it is the United States attorney.
The North Shore is known for its low crime rates. In fact, Northbrook was ranked by MoneyGeek, a financial planning website, as being the safest town in Illinois, largely due to its low ($116 per capita) expenditure on crime.[110] Northbrook's crime rate is significantly lower than the national average.[111] That being said, thefts in Northbrook are not uncommon[112] and have made headlines.[113][114] Moreover, a murderer who acted in Northbrook is on the U.S. Marshals ’15 Most Wanted Fugitives’ list.[115]
District 27 operates three grade-level centers in Northbrook, including Hickory Point Elementary School (K-2), Shabonee Elementary School (3–5), and Wood Oaks Junior High School (6-8). In the past, the district also contained the Grove School (closed in 2011) and Indian Ridge School (closed in 1984), which is now home to the Leisure Center and Indian Ridge Park.[121][122]
District 28 operates three (K-5) elementary schools, Meadowbrook Elementary School, Greenbriar Elementary School, and Westmoor Elementary School.[123] Northbrook Junior High School (6-8) is the district's middle school.[124] Formerly operated by District 28, Oaklane School opened in 1957 and closed in 1977.[125][126]
District 30 operates Wescott Elementary School (K-5) in Northbrook and Willowbrook Elementary School (K-5) in Glenview, with both schools serving Northbrook.[123] Maple Junior High School (6-8) in Northbrook is District 30's middle school.[124]
The portion of Northbrook encompassed by District 31 is served by Winkelman Elementary School in Glenview[123] and Field Junior High School in Northbrook.[124]
Areas within CCSD 21 are served by two schools,[127] Walt Whitman Elementary School in Wheeling[128] and Holmes Junior High School in Wheeling.[129]
Sunset Ridge School District 29 operates two schools in Northfield - Middlefork School (K-3) and Sunset Ridge School (4-8). Several neighborhoods in Northbrook north and west of the Sunset Ridge Country Club in Northfield are served by this school district.[130]
Residents of Sunset Ridge School District 29 are served by New Trier Township High School District,[132][133] which operates a freshmen-only campus in Northfield and a campus for upperclassmen in Winnetka.
Private schools
St. Norbert Catholic School, a K-8 Catholic Grade School.
The Cove School, a K–12 school for disabled children.
Solomon Schechter, a K-8 Jewish school.
Countryside Montessori School, a K-8 private school.
Northbrook Public Library is the public library of Northbrook. The library's origins stem from a reading room created by the Citizens' Club of Shermerville. A primary advocate for a library in Northbrook after World War II was Carolyn A. Landwehr, daughter-in-law of Edward Landwehr who had originally suggested the name "Northbrook" for the community. The Northbrook Public Library first opened on June 30, 1952, in space located in the village hall; the first dedicated library building was dedicated in 1954. The northern portion of the current library opened in 1969, and bonds of 1975 and 1997 expanded the current library.[135]
Media
Television
Northbrook's government has a television station that all residents are able to access, NCTV Cable Channel 17. The station broadcasts meetings and information about the village.[136]
Director John Hughes, a native of Northbrook, used the fictional town of "Shermer" as a setting for several of his films.[145] David Kamp of Vanity Fair said "Hughes's Shermer was partly Northbrook and partly a composite of all the North Shore's towns and neighborhoods—and, by extension, all the different milieus that existed in American suburbia" and that Shermer "was at once an Everytown for every teen and an explicit homage to Hughes's home turf, the North Shore suburbs above Chicago". Hughes and his family moved to Northbrook in 1962, and Hughes attended Glenbrook North High School.[146]
Some exterior shots of Glenbrook North High School were used in the films The Breakfast Club[147] and Ferris Bueller's Day Off. Northbrook is notable for being home to the "Save Ferris" water tower featured in the movie, which inspired the name of the synonymous band.[148][149]
Northbrook is also served by Pace suburban bus routes 213, 422, and 471.[157][158][159]
For elderly or disabled residents, Northbrook offers paratransit in the form of a subsidized taxi program.[160]Northfield Township, which Northbrook lies in, has an identical program called "Dial-a-Ride".[161]
From 1929 to 1973 Northbrook was home to Sky Harbor Airport.[163] Today the area it sat on has been transformed into Sky Harbor Business Park, which includes a restaurant and an air conditioning business that operate out of the airport's former hangar.[164]
Utilities
Northbrook's government manages water and sewer services while other utilities are privately managed; electricity is provided by Commonwealth Edison (ComEd), internet can be accessed through Comcast or AT&T, natural gas is provided by Nicor Gas, and garbage and recycling services are handled by LRS Waste Management.[165][166]
The United States Postal Service operates three post offices in Northbrook: the Northbrook Post Office,[167] the Northbrook Downtown Post Office,[168] and the Techny Post Office.[169]
Health Systems
Several clinics and medical service centers exist in Northbrook including a Lurie Children's Hospital's Outpatient Center.[170] Nearby hospitals include Glenbrook Hospital and Highland Park Hospital, both of which are operated by NorthShore University HealthSystem.
Area codes
From 1947 until 1988, Northbrook used a single area code, 312.[171] However, in 1988, the 312 area code was made exclusive to Chicago and the 708 area code was introduced.[172] Then, in 1996, the 708 area code was split into three: 708, 630, and 847.[173] Currently, Northbrook uses the 847 area code as well as the 224 area code[174] which was introduced in 2002.[175]
^Hughes, Judith J. "Northbrook by Any Other Name Is Still the Same." Northbrook, Illinois: The Fabric of Our History. Ed. Gerry and Janet Souter. Northbrook Historical Society, 2000, p. 99
^"Doing Business". www.northbrook.il.us. Retrieved September 7, 2023.
^ abc"Employment of Northbrook Residents"(PDF). Northbrook Community Data Snapshot. Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning. 2019. Retrieved September 7, 2023.
^Greenfield, Jimmy and Masterson, Kathryn. "Bartman Today; Four months later, Cubs fan trying to lead a normal life." (February 26, 2004). Chicago Tribune, p. 4.10
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