Northfield, village in Cook County, Illinois, United States
Northfield is a small village in Cook County located about 17 miles northwest of downtown Chicago, spanning just under 3 square miles. Homes sit on spacious, tree-lined properties, and the streets are lined with mature trees, creating an open and quiet residential character.
The village was founded in the 1850s when a blacksmith named John Happ moved from Winnetka and other farmers settled in the area. It received its current name in the 1920s after a new train line opened up the region.
The name Northfield was officially adopted in the 1920s after a new train line brought development to the area. Today, the village is shaped by close neighborhood bonds and regular community gatherings where residents meet for cookouts and seasonal festivals.
The village is walkable and has biking paths leading to the Skokie Lagoons and Erickson Woods nearby. Public transportation is limited but available through bus routes that connect to larger transit lines, and most visitors find it easier to drive around the area.
The village allows residents to keep horses on some large properties, making it unusual for an area so close to Chicago. This rural tradition gives it a character rarely found in suburban communities near the city.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
