Bridgeview, Illinois
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| ||||||||||||||||
| Incorporated | Village in 1947. | |||||||||||||||
| County, State | Cook County, Illinois | |||||||||||||||
| Township | Lyons Township (also portions in Stickney, Palos, and Worth Townships) | |||||||||||||||
| Government | President-Trustee | |||||||||||||||
| President | Steven M. Landek | |||||||||||||||
| Population (2000) | 15,335 (up 6.48% from 1990) | |||||||||||||||
| Pop. density | 1,433.6/km² (3,716.5/mi²) | |||||||||||||||
| Zip code(s) | 60455 | |||||||||||||||
| Area code | 708 | |||||||||||||||
| Land Area | 10.7 km² (4.1 mi²) | |||||||||||||||
| Lat. / long. | ||||||||||||||||
| Income | Per capita: $18,802 Household: $41,976 | |||||||||||||||
| Home value | Mean: $125,065 (2000) Median: $131,500 | |||||||||||||||
| Website | villageofbridgeview.com | |||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||
Bridgeview is a village in Cook County, Illinois, in the United States. It is located approximately 13 miles from the Chicago Loop. As of the 2000 census, the village population was 15,335.
Contents |
[edit] Geography
Bridgeview is located at (41.742432, -87.806789)GR1.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of 10.7 km² (4.1 mi²), all land.
[edit] Demographics
As of the censusGR2 of 2000, there were 15,335 people, 5,631 households, and 3,812 families residing in the village. The population density was 1,433.6/km² (3,716.5/mi²). There were 5,825 housing units at an average density of 544.6/km² (1,411.7/mi²). The racial makeup of the village was 87.42% White, 0.82% African American, 0.30% Native American, 2.22% Asian, 3.97% from other races, and 5.26% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 9.42% of the population.
There were 5,631 households out of which 32.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.6% were married couples living together, 11.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.3% were non-families. 27.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.65 and the average family size was 3.30.
In the village the population was spread out with 24.9% under the age of 18, 9.0% from 18 to 24, 29.6% from 25 to 44, 22.1% from 45 to 64, and 14.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 97.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.4 males.
The top five ancentries reported in Bridgeview as of the 2000 census were Polish (25.7%), Irish (17.2%), German (15.1%), Italian (9.0%) and Arab (7.2%).
The median income for a household in the village was $42,073, and the median income for a family was $52,490. Males had a median income of $38,843 versus $25,881 for females. The per capita income for the village was $18,802. About 5.3% of families and 7.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.5% of those under age 18 and 8.1% of those age 65 or over.
[edit] History
The earliest settlement in Bridgeview occurred in the 1830s, when the area was still populated by Native American groups. By the 1870s German settlers began moving into the area for farming purposes. Italians migrated to the area by the 1920s at which time farming began to decline; real estate and industry began to develop the area considerably. When Lake Michigan water became available to the area, the population began to grow significantly. Bridgeview was incorporated in 1947 with an initial population of approximately 500 residents.
Bridgeview's motto is "A Well Balanced Community," as the village's zoning is divided equally into residential, commercial, and industrial areas. Its proximity to Chicago's Midway airport and downtown, along with access to major highways, has made it a crossroads of the inner southwest suburbs.
The Fifth District Circuit Court of Cook County is located in Bridgeview near 103rd Street and 76th Avenue.
[edit] Professional sports
Bridgeview has recently become the home of the Chicago Fire professional Major League Soccer team, whose stadium was funded by the village of Bridgeview and will be operated by the Fire's parent company, Anschutz Entertainment Group. Toyota Park will be home to not only the Fire, but also the Fire Reserves Division team and the Fire Premier Development League Team as well, and will also host a number of concerts and the 2006 MLS All-Star Game. The village has also developed a plan to have mixed commercial and residential zone near the stadium to give the town a commercial and residential hub near the stadium. Development has not yet been approved.
[edit] Arab culture on Harlem Ave
Today, there is a high concentration of Arab-Americans in Bridgeview and an increase in Middle Eastern culture has appeared on Harlem Ave. The numerous self-owned businesses that reflect Middle Eastern culture create an atmosphere similar to the Middle East itself. Some businesses include: Middle Eastern grocery stores (containing imported groceries and appliances used to cook Middle Eastern dishes, Cultural Souvenirs, and Calling Cards used specifically for customers to use when speaking to relatives overseas in the Middle East), Hookah lounges, Middle Eastern Sweets, and Muslim Mosques. This area has been nicknamed by many as the "Arab Projects," due to the large number of Arabs that reside in apartment buildings alongside Harlem Ave and teenage gangs, such as “The Arabian Posse,” that are in the area. The nickname, “Arab Projects,” has a special significance since the nickname is an analogue being figuratively compared to Cabrini-Green’s housing projects, including some of the problems that arose within Cabrini-Green’s neighborhood. The area was also the site of protests following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. On September 12, 2001, an estimated crowd of 300 people marched from neighboring Oak Lawn to the Bridgeview Mosque at 93rd St. and Harlem Ave. and had to be contained by police from Bridgeview, Oak Lawn and the Illinois State Police.
[edit] External links
- Maps and aerial photos
- Street map from Google Maps, or Yahoo! Maps, or Windows Live Local
- Satellite image from Google Maps, Windows Live Local, WikiMapia
- Topographic map from TopoZone
- Aerial image or topographic map from TerraServer-USA
