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Chicago Heights, Illinois

Coordinates: 41°30′38″N 87°38′03″W / 41.510684°N 87.634069°W / 41.510684; -87.634069
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"Chicago Heights" redirects here. For the film, see Chicago Heights (film).

Chicago Heights, Illinois
City
Looking east across Chicago Road
Looking east across Chicago Road
Flag of Chicago Heights, Illinois
Flag
Official seal of Chicago Heights, Illinois
Seal
Nickname(s): 
"The Crossroads of the Nation" and "Da Heights"
Motto: 
Crossroads of the Nation
Map
Map
Map
Map
Interactive location map of Chicago Heights
Coordinates: 41°30′38″N 87°38′03″W / 41.510684°N 87.634069°W / 41.510684; -87.634069
CountryUnited States
StateIllinois
CountyCook
TownshipBloom
EstablishedEarly-1890's
Incorporated as a village1892
Incorporated as a city1900
Government
[1]
 • TypeCouncil–manager
 • MayorDavid A. Gonzalez
 • City CouncilRenee Smith
Sonia Perez
Wanda Rodgers
Christopher Baikauskas
George Brassea
Vincent J. Zaranti
Kelli Merrick
Area
[2]
 • Total
10.380 sq mi (26.884 km2)
 • Land10.367 sq mi (26.851 km2)
 • Water0.013 sq mi (0.034 km2)  0.13%
Elevation
[3]
653 ft (199 m)
Population
 (2020)[4]
 • Total
27,480
 • Estimate 
(2024)[5]
26,533
 • Density2,651/sq mi (1,023/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central (CST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
ZIP Codes
60411, 60412
Area codes708 and 464
FIPS code17-14026
GNIS feature ID2393512[3]
Websitecityofchicagoheights.org

Chicago Heights is a city in Cook County, Illinois, United States. The population was 27,480 at the 2020 census,[4] and was estimated at 26,533 in 2024.[5] A southern suburb in the Chicago metropolitan area, its nicknames include "The Crossroads of the Nation" and "Da Heights”.[6]

History

[edit]

The first recorded settlement by non-native Americans of the area that would become Chicago Heights occurred in 1833 when Absalom Wells built a cabin on the ridge above Thorn Creek. By the 1840s, a small rural community known as Thorn Grove had been formed, centered around a Presbyterian church.[7][8]

Office of the Chicago Heights Land Association in the 1890s

In the 1890s, a group of Chicago developers led by Charles Wacker formed the Chicago Heights Land Association to create an outer-ring industrial suburb of Chicago. They convinced many businesses to construct factories in the new development, including Inland Steel, the Owens-Illinois Glass Company, and the Ludowici Roofing Tile Company, among many others.[8]

The newly-created factories and plants drew large numbers of Italian, Polish, Slovak, Lithuanian, Irish, and Black workers to the East Side and Hill neighborhoods. A downtown area formed and became a center of activity for the surrounding region. In 1916, the Lincoln Highway Association was persuaded to route the country's first transcontinental highway through the city, leading the community to be dubbed "the crossroads of the nation."[7]

During the Prohibition era, the city was home to many bootleggers. Al Capone was a frequent presence, and criminal bootlegging operations employed many area runners, sugar buyers, and plumbers. Period newspaper accounts placed the value of locally-produced alcohol during the 1925-1929 period at $35 million.[8]

During the Great Depression the area was hard-hit due to its large industrial presence. World War II drove production in local factories essential for the war effort, which led to a resurgence in area prosperity during the 1950s. A Ford stamping factory created during that decade helped further the area. The area declined economically during the 1970s as heavy manufacturing scaled down or left the region.[7]

Geography

[edit]

Chicago Heights lies on the high land of the Tinley Moraine, with the higher and older Valparaiso Moraine lying just to the south of the city.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 10.380 square miles (26.88 km2), of which 10.367 square miles (26.85 km2) is land and 0.013 square miles (0.034 km2) (0.13%) is water.[2]

The city's major crossroads are at Dixie Highway (Illinois Route 1) and Lincoln Highway (U.S. Route 30).

Chicago Heights is about 30 miles (48 km) south of the Chicago Loop.[9]

Surrounding communities

[edit]

Demographics

[edit]
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
19005,100—
191014,525184.8%
192019,65335.3%
193022,32113.6%
194022,4610.6%
195024,5519.3%
196034,33139.8%
197040,90019.1%
198037,026−9.5%
199033,072−10.7%
200032,776−0.9%
201030,276−7.6%
202027,480−9.2%
2024 (est.)26,533[5]−3.4%
U.S. Decennial Census[10]
2020 Census[4]

According to realtor website Zillow, the average price of a home as of October 31, 2025, in Chicago Heights is $167,101.[11]

As of the 2023 American Community Survey, there are 9,209 estimated households in Chicago Heights with an average of 2.84 persons per household. The city has a median household income of $57,479. Approximately 24.7% of the city's population lives at or below the poverty line. Chicago Heights has an estimated 52.0% employment rate, with 20.2% of the population holding a bachelor's degree or higher and 84.9% holding a high school diploma.[12] There were 10,799 housing units at an average density of 1,041.67 per square mile (402.2/km2).

The top five reported languages (people were allowed to report up to two languages, thus the figures will generally add to more than 100%) were English (67.2%), Spanish (29.5%), Indo-European (2.3%), Asian and Pacific Islander (0.3%), and Other (0.6%).

The median age in the city was 35.6 years.

Chicago Heights, Illinois – racial and ethnic composition
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 may be of any race.
Race / ethnicity (NH = non-Hispanic) Pop. 1980[13] Pop. 1990[14] Pop. 2000[15] Pop. 2010[16] Pop. 2020[17]
White alone (NH) 22,163
(59.86%)		 16,516
(49.94%)		 12,062
(36.80%)		 7,062
(23.33%)		 4,438
(16.15%)
Black or African American alone (NH) 10,558
(28.52%)		 11,406
(34.49%)		 12,305
(37.54%)		 12,370
(40.86%)		 11,487
(41.80%)
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) 17
(0.05%)		 35
(0.11%)		 48
(0.15%)		 44
(0.15%)		 30
(0.11%)
Asian alone (NH) 126
(0.34%)		 92
(0.28%)		 138
(0.42%)		 87
(0.29%)		 74
(0.27%)
Pacific Islander alone (NH) — — 4
(0.01%)		 8
(0.03%)		 23
(0.08%)
Other race alone (NH) 27
(0.07%)		 47
(0.14%)		 39
(0.12%)		 51
(0.17%)		 103
(0.37%)
Mixed race or multiracial (NH) — — 390
(1.19%)		 400
(1.32%)		 611
(2.22%)
Hispanic or Latino (any race) 4,135
(11.17%)		 4,976
(15.05%)		 7,790
(23.77%)		 10,254
(33.87%)		 10,714
(38.99%)
Total 37,026
(100.00%)		 33,072
(100.00%)		 32,776
(100.00%)		 30,276
(100.00%)		 27,480
(100.00%)

2020 census

[edit]

As of the 2020 census, there were 27,480 people, 9,261 households, and 6,454 families residing in the city.[18] The population density was 2,672.37 inhabitants per square mile (1,031.8/km2). There were 10,663 housing units at an average density of 1,036.95 per square mile (400.4/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 21.05% White, 42.50% African American, 1.27% Native American, 0.30% Asian, 0.13% Pacific Islander, 23.35% from some other races and 11.41% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 38.99% of the population.[19]

2000 census

[edit]

As of the 2000 census, there are 32,776 people, 10,703 households, and 7,823 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,322.3 inhabitants per square mile (510.5/km2). There were 11,444 housing units at an average density of 461.7 per square mile (178.3/km2). The racial makeup of the city is 45.02% White, 37.90% African American, 0.45% Native American, 0.44% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 13.46% from other races, and 2.70% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 23.77% of the population.

There were 10,703 households, out of which 38.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.0% were married couples living together, 22.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.9% were non-families. 22.9% of all households are made up of individuals, and 9.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.00 and the average family size was 3.53.

In the city the population was spread out with 31.6% under the age of 18, 10.2% from 18 to 24, 28.0% from 25 to 44, 18.3% from 45 to 64, and 11.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females there were 94.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.7 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $36,958, and the median income for a family was $42,681. Males had a median income of $34,207 versus $26,276 for females. The per capita income for the city was $14,963. 17.5% of the population and 13.7% of families were below the poverty line, including 24.5% were under the age of 18 and 9.9% are 65 or older.

Education

[edit]

Schools

[edit]

Chicago Heights School District 170 operates twelve schools, with a student population of 3,600. Highland is the district's preschool for children aged three and four; Garfield, Grant, Greenbriar, Jefferson, Kennedy, Lincoln, Roosevelt, Washington-McKinley, and Wilson are neighborhood schools that serve students from kindergarten through fifth grade. After elementary school/5th grade, students attend Chicago Heights Middle School for grades 6–8.

US 30 in Chicago Heights

Chicago Heights is home to Bloom High School, which all students of District 170 attend after 8th grade, and Bloom Trail High School, which shares its athletic programs with Bloom. Many students from neighboring communities including Steger, South Chicago Heights, Ford Heights, Sauk Village and Glenwood attend high school at Bloom.

Parts of Chicago Heights are included in Flossmoor School District 161 which includes Serena Hills Elementary School in Chicago Heights. After Serena, students attend Parker Jr. High School—also a part of Flossmoor School District 161. Only some students who complete middle school at Parker Jr. High School move on to Homewood-Flossmoor High School; the remainder attend Bloom High School.

Parts of Chicago Heights are also served by Park Forest – Chicago Heights School District 163,[20] and Beacon Hill Primary Center is located in the Beacon Hill neighborhood. After Beaker, students attend Michelle Obama School of Arts and Technology for middle school (6–8). Students from this neighborhood attend Rich Township High School, part of Rich Township High School District 227.[21]

Marian Catholic High School, affiliated with the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago, is a private high school located in the city.

Prairie State College is a community college located in Chicago Heights.

St. Agnes School is a private Catholic school located in Chicago heights.

Public library

[edit]

On May 20, 1901, many Chicago Heights residents signed a petition asking for the mayor and aldermen to select a board of directors that would be responsible for founding and running a free public library in Chicago Heights. On June 28, 1901, the first library board members were sworn in, including Sam W. Lea, F.W. Schact, W.E. Canady, James Bowie, David Wallace, Joseph Caldwell, C.W. Salisbury, A.J. Sorensen, and A.W. McEldowney. The library was opened in a small room in the new city building on February 20, 1902. That month, the library board wrote to industrialist Andrew Carnegie seeking funds to build a library building in Chicago Heights. In July, the board was notified that Carnegie had proposed $15,000 toward the cost of a library building as long as the city could provide a free site for the building and if the council could promise $1,500 a year to keep the library running. The Carnegie Library in Chicago Heights was designed by Richard E. Schmidt. The library was located at 1627 Halsted Street and opened on September 11, 1903, with a staff of two and 1,643 volumes. A bigger library was eventually needed, and on August 5, 1972, the present building at 15th Street and Chicago Road was opened. The Chicago Heights Free Public Library was a million-dollar building that opened with 60,000 books, records, and other materials.

Economy

[edit]

Chicago Heights was once home to several major industrial concerns, including the Thrall Car Manufacturing Company, a manufacturer of freight cars, run for many years by chief executive officer Richard L. Duchossois. The city was also the original home of the Inland Steel Company.

Ford Motor Company operates a metal stamping plant located along Lincoln Highway in Chicago Heights. This facility produces automobile body panels that are shipped to Ford's Chicago Assembly plant approximately 15 miles (24 km) to the north in the Hegewisch community area of Chicago.

Infrastructure

[edit]

Transportation

[edit]
Pace Chicago Heights bus terminal
Pace Chicago Heights bus terminal

Chicago Heights is served by six Pace bus routes and the Pace Chicago Heights Terminal.[22] Chicago Heights will be served by Metra's SouthEast Service on a Corridor which has not seen Commuter rail since 1935.

Healthcare

[edit]

There was a Well Group Clinic (part of St. James) located on Dixie Highway. Well Group was previously known as Suburban Heights Medical Center. There are also two Aunt Martha's health centers in Chicago Heights.[23]

In September 2018, St. James Hospital closed after more than 100 years.[24]

Notable people

[edit]
Julian Wright

Sister cities

[edit]

Chicago Heights has four sister cities. They are:[29]

See also

[edit]

Chicago portal

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "David A. Gonzalez". City of Chicago Heights, Illinois. Retrieved November 30, 2025.
  2. ^ a b "2025 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 30, 2025.
  3. ^ a b U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Chicago Heights, Illinois
  4. ^ a b c "Explore Census Data". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 30, 2025.
  5. ^ a b c "City and Town Population Totals: 2020-2024". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 30, 2025.
  6. ^ "Chicago Heights Illinois Profile and Resource Guide, City or community of Chicago Heights, Illinois Facts, Information, Relocation, Real Estate, Advertising". www.usacitiesonline.com. Retrieved March 26, 2018.
  7. ^ a b c Durkin Keating, Ann (2008). Chicago Neighborhoods and Suburbs. Chicago, Illinois: University of Chicago Press. p. 125. ISBN 9780226428833.
  8. ^ a b c Paul, Barbara; Candeloro, Dominic (2004). Chicago Heights: At the Crossroads of the Nation. Arcadia Publishing. pp. 44, 105–106, 130. ISBN 9780738524702.
  9. ^ Candeloro, Dominic. "Chicago's Italians: A Survey of the Ethnic Factor, 1850–1990." In: Jones, Peter d'Alroy and Melvin G. Holli. Ethnic Chicago: A Multicultural Portrait. Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing, 1995. p. 229–259. ISBN 0802870538, 9780802870537. p. 229.
  10. ^ "Decennial Census of Population and Housing". www.census.gov. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  11. ^ "Chicago Heights, IL Housing Market". Zillow. Retrieved November 30, 2025.
  12. ^ "U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Chicago Heights city, Illinois". www.census.gov. Retrieved November 30, 2025.
  13. ^ General Social and Economic Characteristics: Illinois (PDF). United States Census Bureau. p. 59. Retrieved November 30, 2025.
  14. ^ Illinois: 1990 (PDF). United States Census Bureau. p. 64. Retrieved November 30, 2025.
  15. ^ "P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Chicago Heights city, Illinois". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 30, 2025.
  16. ^ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Chicago Heights city, Illinois". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 30, 2025.
  17. ^ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Chicago Heights city, Illinois". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 30, 2025.
  18. ^ "U.S. Census Bureau, Table P16: Household Type". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 30, 2025.
  19. ^ "How many people live in Chicago Heights city, Illinois". USA Today. Retrieved November 30, 2025.
  20. ^ "Park Forest - Chicago Heights School District 163". www.sd163.com. Retrieved March 3, 2024.
  21. ^ "Rich Township High School District 227". www.rich227.org. Retrieved March 3, 2024.
  22. ^ "Pace Bus". www.pacebus.com. Retrieved March 26, 2018.
  23. ^ "Locations". Aunt Martha's Health Center. Archived from the original on January 26, 2011.
  24. ^ "St. James Hospital Slated To Close Soon". Patch. July 17, 2018.
  25. ^ "BACON, Donald J." Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Retrieved August 19, 2025.
  26. ^ Pope, John (July 14, 2011). "John Mosca, owner of the landmark restaurant bearing his name, dies at 86". The Times Picayune. Retrieved July 28, 2011.
  27. ^ 'Illinois Blue Book 1959-1960,' Biographical Sketch of Maurino Richon, pg. 204-205
  28. ^ Bushey, Claire (November 13, 2019). "40 under 40: Andy Rosenband". Crain's Chicago Business. Retrieved November 14, 2019.
  29. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on April 5, 2017. Retrieved April 10, 2017.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  • Kenneth J. Schoon, Calumet Beginnings, 2003, p. 115–117
[edit]
Wikisource has the text of the 1921 Collier's Encyclopedia article Chicago Heights.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Chicago_Heights,_Illinois&oldid=1324914629"