When speaking about Northfield many people refer to it as a "little rural community," according to Kathleen Moore, assistant manager of the village of 5,014 residents.

But at other times, the community is not mentioned at all. The 3-square-mile village is often forgotten when people list the suburbs on Chicago's affluent North Shore.

Just 17 miles north of Chicago, Northfield is sandwiched among Winnetka on the east, Glenview to the south and west and Northbrook to the north. Many outsiders realize they are in Northfield only when they drive east on Willow Road, which narrows from a four-lane fast track to a slow two-lane road when it hits the village.

Although plans have been abuzz for years about widening Willow Road, Moore said Northfielders steadfastly oppose the measure because the potential for speeding traffic might endanger children going to school or playing in the parks that flank the road.

Northfielders are proud of their quaint village that still retains its bucolic air despite being a part of busy Chicagoland. However, Northfield is hardly the fictional town of Mayberry. Pricey housing and business developments have claimed all of what was once farmland.

But Moore pointed out that on the west side of the village, many properties are zoned "R1," meaning homeowners can keep horses. Although fewer homeowners keep horses these days than they did 20 years ago, Moore said, they still can be spotted along many of the woody private lanes that wind through the west side.

One of the reasons buyers are drawn to Northfield is that some land is still available and many of the homes are on 1-acre and 2-acre sites.

Housing. The many home styles include Colonials, Tudors, Cape Cods, bi-levels and ranches. Prices started at $175,000 in 2000 and some climbed to $2.5 million. The average sale price for a Northfield home in 2000 was $635,879.

Existing condominiums sell for prices ranging from $100,000 to $250,000.

Townhouses start at $145,000 and go as high as $850,000. The average sale price of attached housing in 2000 was $311,768.

Schools. Northfield children attend elementary Districts 29, 34 and 37. High school students attend New Trier High School District 203 in Winnetka, where the 2000 average composite ACT score was 26.0.

Transportation. The Tri-State Tollway (I-294) and the Edens Expressway (I-94) are both nearby. The Loop is a 40- minute drive from Northfield. O'Hare Airport is a 15-minute drive, and Midway is an hour away. Rail commuters have a 40- minute trip to the Loop from either the Winnetka or the Glenview stations. Bus service is available.

Other Points of Interest

• Village Map
• Recreation
• New Trier High School Report Card
• Schools
• Library
• Chamber of Commerce
• Hospitals
• Places of worship