BRIDGEVIEW, IL

Bridgeview is a village in Cook County, Illinois, United States. It is located approximately southwest of the Chicago Loop. As of the 2020 census, the village population was 17,027.

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.

Geography

According to the 2010 census, Bridgeview has a total area of , all land.

The village has a roughly rectangular shape; its borders running north and south stagger between 8300 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.

Bridgeview is southwest of the Chicago Loop.

Demographics

2020 census

Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos can be of any race.

2000 Census

As of the 2000 United States Census, 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/km). There were 5,825 housing units at an average density of 1,411.7 per square mile (544.6/km). 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.

Arts and culture

Harlem Avenue

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, and Middle Eastern sweet shops. The majority of Arab business owners on Harlem Avenue are from Palestine and Jordan.

Sports

Bridgeview was the home of the Chicago Fire professional Major League Soccer team between 2006 and 2019, whose stadium was funded and operated by the village. SeatGeek Stadium is also home of the NISA's team, Chicago House AC, the Fire Reserves, Bridgeview Fire Premier and the Chicago Red Stars of the National Women's Soccer League. 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.

Government

Bridgeview is in Illinois' 3rd congressional district.

Education

Public elementary school districts serving Bridgeview include:

High school districts:

Private schools in Bridgeview:

K-8 private schools in the surrounding area:

Moraine Valley Community College serves area residents.

The Bridgeview Public Library serves residents of the village.

Notable people