brookfield, illinois

Brookfield is a village located in Cook County, Illinois, 13 miles west of Chicago. As of the 2000 census, the village had a total population of 19,085. It is home to the world famous Brookfield Zoo.

Geography

Brookfield is located at 41°49'22" North, 87°50'51" West (41.822681, -87.847532). According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of 7.9 km² (3.1 mi²). 7.9 km² (3.0 mi²) of it is land and none of it is covered by water.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there are 19,085 people, 7,536 households, and 5,034 families residing in the village. The population density is 2,416.0/km² (6,252.4/mi²). There are 7,753 housing units at an average density of 981.5/km² (2,539.9/mi²). The racial makeup of the village is 93.53% White, 0.89% African American, 0.14% Native American, 1.24% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 2.88% from other races, and 1.31% from two or more races. 8.05% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race. There are 7,536 households out of which 31.3% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.5% are married couples living together, 10.6% have a female householder with no husband present, and 33.2% are non-families. 27.8% of all households are made up of individuals and 11.4% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.50 and the average family size is 3.10. In the village the population is spread out with 23.9% under the age of 18, 6.4% from 18 to 24, 32.3% from 25 to 44, 22.2% from 45 to 64, and 15.2% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 38 years. For every 100 females there are 90.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 87.8 males. The median income for a household in the village is $52,636, and the median income for a family is $64,075. Males have a median income of $45,293 versus $33,136 for females. The per capita income for the village is $24,307. 4.3% of the population and 2.3% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 4.0% of those under the age of 18 and 6.4% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.

History

Settlement of the village dates to 1889 when Samuel Eberly Gross, a Chicago lawyer, began selling building lots platted from farms and woodlands he had acquired along both sides of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad line, which provided passenger and freight service between Chicago and Aurora, Illinois. "Grossdale," as his development was originally called, offered suburban living at prices affordable to working-class families. Prospective buyers were enticed with free train rides, brass bands, picnic lunches, and an inevitable sales pitch. Grossdale was incorporated as a village in 1893. The name was changed to Brookfield in 1905 after residents became displeased with Gross, whose personal life and fortune had floundered. In 1920, the old Plank Toll Road, now called Ogden Ave (US Hwy 34), was paved, providing easy automobile access to and from Chicago. The Chicago Zoological Park, commonly called the Brookfield Zoo, opened in 1934.

Attractions

The world renowned Brookfield Zoo, managed by the Chicago Zoological Society, is open every day of the year.

External links

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