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Northbrook Introduction

Northbrook is one of the North Shore’s most effervescent communities, boasting a current population of more than 34,400 and growing. Situated 25 miles north of the bustling city of Chicago, residents and businesses take pleasure in the charming and unique lifestyle provided by the village, with easy access to a number of significant amenities. Packed full of beautiful recreational areas, diverse dining establishments, notable shopping centers, esteemed educational institutions and several Fortune 500 companies, Northbrook is the perfect place for both people and businesses to establish residence.

Historically, the first people in this area were the Potawatomis, an Indian tribe that relinquished their land in Illinois in 1833. Shortly after, Joel Sterling Sherman and his family purchased approximately 159 acres of land in the northwest section, now the site of the Northbrook Central Business District. The area was named Shermerville after Frederick Schermer, who made a contribution of land for the first railroad station in the town. The town was incorporated as Shermerville in 1901, encompassing around 60 homes and a total population of 331. Two decades later, residents yearning for a change in name officially renamed the town Northbrook in 1923.

It was not until after World War II that the town began to grow with the development of new subdivisions of homes. The population of Northbrook grew from 1,265 in 1940 to 11,635 in 1960, then took an astonishing jump to 25,422 in 1970. Now, with its current population reaching 34,400, Northbrook continues to draw in more residents with its high quality living and excellent locale.

The village is enviably positioned among the major interstate highways of I-94 (Edens Expressway) and I-294 (Tri-State Tollway), and is also serviced by Federal Highway 41 and State Highways 43 and 68. Reaching Chicago is easy through Metra’s Milwaukee District North Line, running through Northbrook and offering more than 25 daily trips to and from Chicago’s Union Station. Commuters also have easy access to several routes through the Pace bus service, making travel to neighboring communities simple. Chicago O’Hare International Airport and Chicago Midway International Airport can each be found within 30 miles of Northbrook, with Palwaukee Municipal Airport and Waukegan Regional Airport affording air service as well.

Northbrook’s attractive location in the Chicagoland area has appealed to some of the country’s top companies, with Fortune 500 companies such as Allstate, Crate & Barrel and Underwriters Laboratories spanning the area. The village’s Sky Harbor Industrial Park is home to more than 700 manufacturing, light industrial and service companies. Northbrook also enjoys a strong retail sector, led by the renowned Northbrook Court, the site of 125 of the finest stores including Nieman Marcus, Louis Vitton, Burberry, Ralph Lauren, MaxMara, Coach, Cole Haan and Elizabeth Arden Red Door Spa.

On top of all this, Northbrook is complete with more than 515 acres spanning 19 lovely park areas with nearly 30 diverse religious institutions and a public school system that is continually recognized for scoring above the national average on standardized tests. With winsome homes lining its tree-lined streets, a solid economic climate and close proximity to the area’s most popular regional attractions, including the Chicago Botanic Garden, Ravinia Music Festival and Six Flags Great America, Northbrook truly has it all and more. Come for a visit or stay for a lifetime – the village of Northbrook welcomes you!