Bridgeview, Illinois

Bridgeview, Illinois
Village
Location in Cook County and the state of Illinois.
Location of Illinois in the United States
Coordinates:
Country	United States
State	Illinois
County	Cook
Township	Lyons
Incorporated	1947
Government
• Type	Mayor-Trustee
• Mayor	Steven M. Landek
Area
• Total	4.15 sq mi (10.7 km2)
• Land	4.15 sq mi (10.7 km2)
• Water	0.00 sq mi (0.0 km2)  0%
Population (2010)
• Total	16,446
• Density	3,962.9/sq mi (1,530.1/km2)
	Up 7.2% from 2000
Standard of living (2007-11)
• Per capita income	$21,437
• Median home value	$197,000
ZIP code(s)	60455
Area code(s)	708
Geocode	17-08225
Website	www.bridgeview-il.gov

Bridgeview is a village in Cook County, Illinois, United States. It is located approximately 13 miles (21 km) southwest of the Chicago Loop. As of the 2010 census, the village population was 16,446. Bridgeview is home to the Chicago Fire of Major League Soccer.

Geography

Bridgeview is located at 41.7424,-87.8068.

According to the 2010 census, Bridgeview has a total area of 4.15 square miles (10.75 km²), all land.

The village has a roughly rectangular shape; its borders running north and south stagger between 8200 West and 6800 West, but can generally be defined as between Roberts Road and Harlem Avenue. The southern border of the town is 103rd Street between 76th Avenue and Harlem. The northern border is staggered between 6700 South on the west side of the rail tracks and 6900 South on the east side of the rail tracks.

Bridgeview borders the following communities: Bedford Park, Nottingham Park (unincorporated Cook County, often considered part of Chicago due to its 60638 ZIP code), Burbank, Oak Lawn, Chicago Ridge, Palos Hills, Hickory Hills and Justice.

Demographics

Historical population
Census	Pop.		%±
1950	1,393		—
1960	7,334		426.5%
1970	12,506		70.5%
1980	14,155		13.2%
1990	14,402		1.7%
2000	15,335		6.5%
2010	16,446		7.2%
Est. 2014	16,491		0.3%
U.S. Decennial Census

As of the census of 2000, there were 15,335 people, 5,631 households, and 3,812 families residing in the village. The population density was 3,716.5 people per square mile (1,433.6/km²). There were 5,825 housing units at an average density of 1,411.7 per square mile (544.6/km²). 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 ancestries 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%).

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.

Public education

Bridgeview is served by a few different grade school districts.Most elementary and middle school students attend schools in Indian Springs District 109 [2]. Other areas are split between Summit District 104 [3] and North Palos District 117 [4].Most high school students go on to Argo Community High School District 217. Others attend Consolidated High School District 230 Amos Alonzo Stagg High School in Palos Hills as well as Oak Lawn Community High School.

Universal School, an Islamic all-day school, is in Bridgeview.

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 and Italian settlers began moving into the area for farming purposes. Dutch migrated to the area by the 1920s, at which time farming began to decline; real estate and industry began to develop the area considerably. After Lake Michigan water became available to the area, the population grew significantly. The Bridgeview Community Club was founded in 1938 and became the center of local activities.

Bridgeview was incorporated in 1947 with an initial population of approximately 500 residents. Local residents chose the name "Bridgeview" by one vote over "Oketo", which remains a street name in the village today. The term "Bridgeview" connotes views of the area from the Harlem Avenue bridge, 79th Street bridge and 87th Street bridge.

Arab Americans are a growing presence, making up 7 percent of the population in 2000. In 1981, an Islamic social club was established and by 1984 it had become a mosque. Two Islamic schools in Bridgeview educate hundreds of students from K-12.

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.

Children trick or treating in Bridgeview, IL

Professional sports

Bridgeview has become the home of the Chicago Fire (soccer) professional Major League Soccer team, whose stadium was funded by the village of Bridgeview and is operated by the Fire's parent company, Andell Holdings. Toyota Park is home to not only the Fire, but also the Fire Reserves, Bridgeveiw Fire Premier, and the Chicago Red Stars of Women's Professional Soccer. Toyota Park hosted the 2006 Major League Soccer All-Star Game, and continues to be a premier venue for important concerts. The village has developed a plan to have a 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.

The village of Bridgeview also has an indoor football team called the Bridgeview Red Devils. The team joined the United States Indoor Football League for the 2009 season.

Mosque Foundation, the center of Islamic life in Bridgeview

Harlem Avenue

Bridgeview's Harlem Avenue is a major center of Arab American cultural life. Numerous self-owned businesses create an atmosphere similar to that of some Arab diaspora communities across the world. Businesses include ethnic 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, the United Trust Arab Bank, and Middle Eastern sweet shops. Mosques and Christian Arab churches can be found along the avenue.

Land values rose in the area surrounding the Bridgeview Mosque Foundation (home to the largest Arab-Muslim community in the Midwestern U.S. outside Metro Detroit), reflecting high demand by Muslims to live near the mosque and adjacent private schools. On average, the value of vacant lots are comparable to wealthier southern and southwestern Chicago suburbs such as Orland Hills and Palos Park.

Notable people

• Brent Bowers, player for the Baltimore Orioles
• Matthew Jursich, local snake wrangler and co-host of National Geographic's Snake Wranglers television show

External links

• Village of Bridgeview