Northfield is a residential area on the southern outskirts of metropolitan Birmingham. It was the centre of the Midlands nail making industry during the 19th century and home to the Kalamazoo paper factory. Today Northfield is predominantly a residential and dormitory suburb for metropolitan Birmingham. Northfield stands on either side of the main A38, heading south from the centre of Birmingham to Bromsgrove and onwards all the way to Cornwall.
There are also has a number of public facilities in Northfield town centre including Northfield Library, Northfield Pool & Fitness Centre and Victoria Common park. Several bus routes pass through the ward, including routes 18, 27, 29, 29A, 49, 61, 63 and 98 operated by National Express West Midlands, routes 19, 38, 39 and 39A are operated by WMSNT and route 144 operated by First.