Northlake · Cook County · IL
Homes for sale in
Northlake.
- Active listings
- 8
- Median list
- $375K
- Avg time on market
- 8 days
- Sold · last year
- 0
Map data, Mapbox / OpenStreetMap contributors
About the community
Living in Northlake.
Northlake sits in western Cook County, Illinois, roughly 14 miles west of downtown Chicago, where North Avenue (IL 64) and Lake Street (US 20) meet near its western border. The city was incorporated in 1949 and grew fast through the postwar housing boom, giving it the modest single-family housing stock that still defines its neighborhoods. As of the 2020 census the population was 12,840, and the community is now majority Hispanic with a sizable foreign-born share. The 2024 median home value sits near $260,000, well below the national figure, with a homeownership rate around 70 percent. Buyers are drawn here by location: O'Hare is roughly 8 miles away and the Loop is reachable in well under half an hour by car in light traffic.
At a glance
~12,840 residents
A compact city of roughly 3.2 square miles, 12,840 at the 2020 census, now majority Hispanic.
Minutes from O'Hare
O'Hare International Airport is about 8 miles away, an estimated 15 minute drive in light traffic.
Median home value ~$260k
Modest postwar single-family homes priced well below the national median, with high homeownership.
Multiple districts
Served by Berkeley District 87 and Mannheim District 83 for grade school, feeding West Leyden (D212) or Proviso West (D209).
Median income ~$84k
2024 median household income about $83,892, with manufacturing and logistics as leading employers.
Taxes
Combined sales tax is 10 percent; the median effective property tax rate runs near 2.90 percent.
Employers
Empire Today is headquartered in Northlake, and the city sits in a busy near-west industrial corridor.
Centerpoint Preserve
A 32-acre public park with walking and bike paths, a dog park, and a fitness area.
What’s close
Northlake's commercial life runs along North Avenue, Lake Street, and Mannheim Road. Modest residential streets fill in between the corridors, with parks and the library serving the neighborhoods.
- North Avenue / Lake Street crossroads
- The city is named for the intersection of North Avenue (IL 64) and Lake Street (US 20) at its western border.
- Mannheim Road corridor
- Mannheim Road (US 12/45) is a primary north-south commercial route, with the Tri-State Tollway nearby.
- O'Hare International Airport
- The airport sits roughly 8 miles away, putting jobs and travel within a short drive.
- Centerpoint Preserve
- A 32-acre public park with trails, a dog park, fitness center, music park, and picnic pavilion.
- Downtown Chicago
- The Loop is about 14 miles east, roughly a 24 minute drive in light traffic.
- Neighboring communities
- Northlake adjoins Melrose Park, Stone Park, Franklin Park, and Leyden Township in western Cook County.
What it’s actually like to live here
Northlake is a practical, family-oriented community of modest postwar homes where most households own their residence and the average commute runs about 28 minutes, typically by car. Daily life centers on neighborhood streets, local parks, and the commercial corridors along North Avenue, Lake Street, and Mannheim Road. The city is diverse, with a majority-Hispanic population and a sizable foreign-born community, and that mix shows up in its local businesses and dining.
Recreation is anchored by the Veterans Park District, which serves Northlake along with Franklin Park, Melrose Park, River Grove, and Leyden Township and runs the Grant Park Recreation Center, camps, and free family events. The 32-acre Centerpoint Preserve adds trails, a dog park, and a fitness area, and the Northlake Public Library District offers programming and a makerspace. For higher education and continuing classes, Triton College in nearby River Grove serves Northlake as its designated community college.
Neighborhoods
Detailed Northlake community pages coming soon.
Browse the listings above. Detailed neighborhood pages with market stats, school info, and lifestyle take-downs land here as we roll them out.
Schools
Districts serving Northlake.
Boundary lines do shift. Always confirm in writing for a specific address before writing an offer.
- D87Grades Pre-K-8
Berkeley School District 87
Schools serving the area
- Riley Elementary School
- Whittier Elementary School
- Northlake Middle School
Serves a portion of Northlake. The city is split among multiple elementary districts, so confirm the assigned schools by exact address.
- D83Grades Pre-K-8
Mannheim School District 83
Schools serving the area
- Roy Elementary School
- Westdale Elementary School
- Mannheim Middle School
Serves another portion of Northlake, with Mannheim Middle School in neighboring Melrose Park. Verify by address.
- D212Grades 9-12
Leyden Community High School District 212
Schools serving the area
- West Leyden High School
Most of Northlake (north of North Ave, west of Mannheim Rd, south of Belmont Ave) is served by West Leyden in District 212. Other sections fall under Proviso Township High Schools District 209 (Proviso West in Hillside), so verify by address.
From the neighborhood
Around Northlake
Real local creators on TikTok. Tap a tile to play it right here.
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@tacosdelbarrio01💀👻The sun's going down sooner, which is a perfect time to drive around and check out Halloween Houses! Halloween House Stop #2 on our Huntley tour --> 📍Holiday Habits: 10716 Wheatlands Way, Hun
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@mosidatfakechef1Around town
What there is to do in Northlake.
A handful of the places people who live here actually use. Not a directory.
- Parks
Centerpoint Preserve
A 32-acre public park in Northlake with walking and bike paths, a dog park, fitness center, and picnic pavilion.
- Family
Grant Park Recreation Center
A Veterans Park District recreation center at 44 W Golfview Drive with a full-size gymnasium, walking track, and meeting rooms.
- Culture
Northlake Public Library District
Community library at 231 N Wolf Road offering digital resources, programs, and a second-floor makerspace.
- Family
Northlake Dog Park
A permitted dog park within Centerpoint Preserve, with free permits for Northlake residents.
- Culture
Triton College
A public community college in nearby River Grove serving Northlake, with more than 150 degree and certificate programs.
- Family
Veterans Park District Events
A free family-event calendar for Northlake and neighboring communities run by the local park district.
Getting around
Commute + transit from Northlake.
MetraMD-W line
- Stations: Mannheim
- Terminal: Chicago Union Station
- Distance: 14 miles to downtown Chicago
DriveBy car
- Routes: North Avenue (IL 64) · Lake Street (US 20) · Mannheim Road (US 12/45) · Tri-State Tollway (I-294)
- O'Hare Airport: ~15 min
- Chicago Loop: ~24 min
By the numbers
Northlake taxes + market stats.
Property tax rates vary by exact township and assessor district. Confirm per address before pricing a purchase.
Property tax rate
2.90%
effective avg
Sales tax
10.00%
combined
Median sold price
$307,500
MRED · last 12 mo (70 sales)
Median household income
$83,892
ACS
How Northlake got here
A bit of history.
The land that became Northlake was mostly farmland in the early 20th century, valued for its open space and closeness to Chicago. The city began to take shape in the late 1930s when the Midland Development Company, led by Charles Reskin, bought a subdivided tract at North Avenue and Wolf Road that had been platted by the bankrupt H. O. Stone Company. Strong early home sales prompted Midland to buy more land, and the name Northlake blends North Avenue and Lake Street, the two roads that connected the new community to its neighbors.
Northlake was officially incorporated as a city in 1949 and quickly attracted families seeking affordable homes during the post-World War II boom. Through the 1950s and 1960s the city added homes, schools, businesses, parks, and public services as its population climbed. Industry has long had a presence here: a Dominick's distribution center operated in Northlake until that supermarket chain closed in December 2013, and flooring retailer Empire Today is headquartered in the city. Today Northlake is a diverse community whose largest sectors are manufacturing, transportation and warehousing, and retail trade.
The questions buyers actually ask
Northlake FAQ
The questions I get most from buyers shopping Northlake. If yours isn't here, text 815-355-0582, same-day reply.
- How far is Northlake from O'Hare and downtown Chicago?
- O'Hare International Airport is about 8 miles away, roughly a 15 minute drive in light traffic. Downtown Chicago is about 14 miles east, around a 24 minute drive when traffic is light. That proximity to both the airport and the city is one of Northlake's biggest draws for commuters and travelers.
- What do homes cost in Northlake?
- The 2024 median property value was about $259,800 according to Data USA, below the national median. The housing stock is dominated by modest single-family homes built during the postwar boom, and homeownership is high at around 70 percent. It is one of the more affordable near-west Cook County options.
- What are property taxes like in Northlake?
- Northlake's median effective property tax rate is about 2.90 percent, higher than the Cook County median. Bills are based on the Cook County assessed value, which can be lowered by exemptions such as the homestead or senior exemption. Homeowners who think their assessment is too high can appeal with the Cook County Assessor's Office.
- What is the sales tax rate in Northlake?
- The combined sales tax rate in Northlake is 10 percent. That breaks down into 6.25 percent state, 1.75 percent Cook County, 1 percent city, and 1 percent Regional Transportation Authority. Rates can vary slightly by exact address, so check a specific street address for precision.
- Which schools serve Northlake?
- Northlake is split among several districts. Elementary students are served by either Berkeley School District 87 or Mannheim School District 83, depending on location. High school students attend West Leyden High School (Leyden District 212) or Proviso West High School (Proviso District 209). Triton College in River Grove is the designated community college.
- Is there commuter rail access?
- The nearest Metra station is Mannheim, on the Milwaukee District West line in neighboring Franklin Park, about 14 miles from Chicago Union Station. It is a rush-hour flag stop with limited weekday service, so many riders use larger nearby stations on the line. Pace bus routes also connect the area.
Nearby
Towns next to Northlake.
If you’re cross-shopping the area, these are the places that border Northlake.
Your local agent
Joe knows Northlake
Most agents will list anything. I focus on the communities I actually know, and the details that determine resale value here aren't in the MLS write-up: which lots back to open space, which streets carry the most consistent demand, which floor plans buyers ask for by name, and what each HOA actually covers.
When you're ready to tour or list, you want someone who's walked the streets, talked to the residents, and read the last 50 closed comps in this market specifically. That's how I work. Text or call any time, and I'll give you a real take, not a brochure.
- Lives in McHenry County
- Local specialist
- Northlake specialist
- Honest local market take
- Brokerocity
Thinking of selling?
What's your home actually worth?
Not a Zestimate. A real CMA from someone who's sold this neighborhood, knows the floor plan premiums, and can tell you which upgrades the buyer pool here actually pays for.
- Pricing range with comp-by-comp logic
- Pre-list improvements that pay back, and the ones that don't
- No obligation, no spam, no auto-dialer