City profile
Winnetka, IL
Lake County · Population 12,484
Winnetka is a town in Lake County, IL with about 12,484 residents and a typical home value near $1,338,000. It is 17 miles from Chicago, IL, which shapes its climate, healthcare access and amenities.
Climate
Climate type
Four seasons
Winter avg
26°F
Summer avg
74°F
Sunny days / yr
189
Home prices & cost of living
Median home price
$1,337,800
Typical monthly housing
$9,574
Cost of living (100 = U.S.)
239
Taxes
- Property tax
- 2.07%
- State income tax (top)
- 4.95%
- Social Security
- Not taxed
- Pensions
- Not taxed
- Sales tax (state + avg. local)
- 8.86%
FEMA natural hazard risk
Very High · county score 100/100
Top hazards: Winter weather, Cold wave, Tornado
Nearest major airport
12 mi to Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD)
Political lean (2024 county vote)
Leans Democratic · 60% Democratic / 39% Republican
Community
Population
12,484
Black population
0.3%
County
Lake County
Detailed crime figures are available for our 201 hand-researched cities.
2025–2026 trends
2026 market trends
- ▸More retirees are leaving IL than arriving, mostly over cost
- ▸Home prices are still rising in 2026 — good for long-term value, less room to negotiate
- ▸Climate/cost risks to check: severe storms
Highlights
- About 12,484 residents
- Typical home value about $1,338,000
- 17 miles from Chicago, IL
Trade-offs
- Smaller community with fewer local amenities
- Scores for this place are estimated from Census data and the nearest major city
Figures are estimates from public sources (see How we match). Verify before making decisions.