Bridgeview, IL

 

Bridgeview, Illinois

Location within the Chicago metropolitan area. The Chicago metropolitan area.
Incorporated	Village in 1947.
County; State	Cook; Illinois
Township	Lyons, Palos, Stickney, Worth
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)
Income	Per capita:   $18,802 Household: $41,976
Home value	Mean:    $125,065 (2000) Median: $131,500
Website	villageofbridgeview.com
Demographics (Full data) White Black Hispanic Asian Islander Native Other 87.42% 0.82% 9.42% 2.22% 0.00% 0.30% 3.97%

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.

Geography

Bridgeview is located at 41°44′33″N, 87°48′24″W (41.742432, -87.806789)¹.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of 10.7 km² (4.1 mi²), all land.

Demographics

As of the census² 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, including 7.7% of Mexican descent.

The top five non-Hispanic 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%).^[1]

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 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.

Government

Bridgeview is in Illinois' 3rd congressional district.

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.

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.

Arab culture on Harlem Avenue

Today, there is a high concentration of Arab-Americans in Bridgeview, and an increase in Middle Eastern culture has appeared on Harlem Avenue. The numerous self-owned businesses that reflect Middle Eastern culture create an atmosphere similar to that of many Arab diaspora communities across the world. Some businesses include: Middle Eastern grocery stores (containing imported groceries and appliances used to cook regional dishes, cultural souvenirs, and calling cards used specifically for customers to use when speaking to relatives overseas, Hookah lounges, Middle Eastern sweets, and mosques. The area has been nicknamed by many as the "Arab Projects," due to the large number of Arabs that reside in apartment buildings alongside Harlem Avenue. 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. One of the most notorious incidents in this neighborhood occurred in early 1996, when three members of The Arabian Posse were critically wounded in a drive-by shooting by rival members of the Satan Disciples gang at 92nd and Harlem Avenue.^{[citation needed]} The area was also the site of protests following the September 11, 2001 attacks. On September 12, an estimated mob of 300 poor whites marched from neighboring Oak Lawn to the Bridgeview mosque at 93rd Street and Harlem and was met by a police presence from Bridgeview and Oak Lawn, and the Illinois State Police.

Land value has skyrocketed in the area surrounding the Bridgeview Mosque Foundation (home to the largest Arab-Muslim community in Illinois after Detroit, Michigan), reflecting high demand by Muslims to live near the mosque and adjacent private schools. On average a vacant lot would sell between $250K-$300K, which is comparable to wealthier nearby suburbs such as Orland Park and Palos Park.

References

1. ^ Profile of General Demographic Characteristics, Bridgeview, IllinoisPDF (39.0 KiB). U.S. Census Bureau. Accessed 2007-03-30.

External links

Coordinates: 41.742432° N 87.806789° W

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