Bridgeview, Illinois facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Bridgeview, Illinois
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Village Hall
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| Motto(s):
A Well Balanced Community
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Location of Bridgeview in Cook County, Illinois.
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 Bridgeview, Illinois
Location in Greater Chicago
Bridgeview, Illinois
Location in Illinois
Bridgeview, Illinois
Location in the United States
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| Country |  United States |
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| State | Illinois | |
| County | Cook | |
| Townships | Lyons, Palos, Stickney, Worth | |
| Incorporated | 1947 | |
| Government | ||
| • Type | Mayor-Trustee | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 4.13 sq mi (10.70 km2) | |
| • Land | 4.13 sq mi (10.70 km2) | |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) 0% | |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 17,027 | |
| • Density | 4,119.77/sq mi (1,590.83/km2) | |
| Up 3.5% from 2010 | ||
| Standard of living (2015-19) | ||
| • Per capita income | $24,474 | |
| ZIP code(s) |
60455
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| Area code(s) | 708/464 | |
| Geocode | 17-08225 | |
| FIPS code | 17-08225 | |
Bridgeview, sometimes called Little Palestine, is a village in Cook County, Illinois, United States. It is about 15 miles (24 km) southwest of downtown Chicago. In 2020, about 17,027 people lived there.
Contents
History of Bridgeview
The first European settlers came to the Bridgeview area in the 1830s. At that time, Native American groups still lived there. By the 1870s, German and Italian families moved in to farm the land.
Later, in the 1920s, Dutch people also moved to the area. Around this time, farming started to slow down. Instead, new homes and businesses began to grow. When water from Lake Michigan became available, more people moved to Bridgeview. The Bridgeview Community Club, started in 1938, became a popular place for local events.
How Bridgeview Got Its Name
Bridgeview officially became a village in 1947. About 500 people lived there then. Residents voted on the name, and "Bridgeview" won by just one vote over "Oketo." Oketo is still a street name in the village today. The name "Bridgeview" comes from the views of the area from the Harlem Avenue, 79th Street, and 87th Street bridges.
Little Palestine Community
The first Palestinians arrived in the 1890s. By 2024, an area between Midway International Airport and SeatGeek Stadium became known as "Little Palestine." This is the largest community of Palestinians in the United States.
Arab Americans are a growing part of Bridgeview. In 2020, they made up 10.8% of the population. An Islamic social club started in 1981 and became a mosque by 1984. Two Islamic schools in Bridgeview teach hundreds of students from kindergarten through 12th grade.
Bridgeview's motto is "A Well Balanced Community." This is because the village has an equal amount of land set aside for homes, shops, and factories. Its close location to Chicago's Midway Airport and major highways makes it an important connection point for the southwest suburbs.
Where is Bridgeview?
Bridgeview covers about 4.13 square miles (10.70 square kilometers) of land. It is shaped like a rectangle. Its borders are generally between Roberts Road and Harlem Avenue. The southern border is 103rd Street. The northern border changes a bit, but it's around 6700 South and 6900 South.
Bridgeview is next to several other communities. These include Bedford Park, Burbank, Oak Lawn, Chicago Ridge, Palos Hills, Hickory Hills, and Justice. It is about 15 miles (24 km) southwest of downtown Chicago.
People of Bridgeview
| Historical population | |||
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| 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% | |
| 2020 | 17,027 | 3.5% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census 2010 2020 |
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In 2020, Bridgeview had 17,027 people living in 5,613 households. The population density was about 4,120 people per square mile (1,591 per square kilometer).
Most people in Bridgeview are White (70.05%). Other groups include African American (4.04%), Asian (3.34%), and Native American (0.85%). About 23.44% of the population were Hispanic or Latino.
About 22.1% of the people were under 18 years old. The average age was 37.5 years. The median income for a household was $55,102. For a family, it was $64,281.
| Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic) | Pop 2000 | Pop 2010 | Pop 2020 | % 2000 | % 2010 | % 2020 |
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| White alone (NH) | 12,589 | 12,574 | 11,287 | 82.09% | 76.46% | 66.29% |
| Black or African American alone (NH) | 126 | 450 | 658 | 0.82% | 2.74% | 3.86% |
| Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) | 25 | 11 | 15 | 0.16% | 0.07% | 0.09% |
| Asian alone (NH) | 340 | 489 | 564 | 2.22% | 2.97% | 3.31% |
| Pacific Islander alone (NH) | 0 | 2 | 4 | 0.00% | 0.01% | 0.02% |
| Other race alone (NH) | 83 | 23 | 67 | 0.54% | 0.14% | 0.39% |
| Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) | 727 | 319 | 441 | 4.74% | 1.94% | 2.59% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 1,445 | 2,578 | 3,991 | 9.42% | 15.68% | 23.44% |
| Total | 15,335 | 16,446 | 17,027 | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% |
Fun Things to Do in Bridgeview
Harlem Avenue Shops
Harlem Avenue has many unique businesses. These shops are often owned by families from Arab diaspora communities. You can find grocery stores with imported foods and cooking tools. There are also cultural souvenirs and special phone cards to call relatives overseas. Many of the Arab business owners on Harlem Avenue are from Palestine and Jordan. This area is known as "Little Palestine."
Sports and Entertainment
Bridgeview was once home to the Chicago Fire professional soccer team. They played at SeatGeek Stadium from 2006 to 2019. The village helped pay for and run this stadium.
Today, SeatGeek Stadium is still a busy place. It hosts the NISA's team, Chicago House AC. It's also home to the Fire Reserves, the Chicago Red Stars (a women's soccer team), and the Chicago Hounds (a rugby team). The stadium has also hosted big concerts and the 2006 Major League Soccer All-Star Game.
Learning and Schools
Bridgeview has several public elementary school districts:
- Indian Springs School District 109
- Two schools from this district are in Bridgeview: Bridgeview Elementary School and Lyle Elementary School.
- Cook County School District 104
- North Palos School District 117
- Students in this part of Bridgeview go to Dorn Elementary, Glen Oaks Elementary, and Conrady Middle School. These schools are in Hickory Hills.
- Ridgeland School District 122
- Students attend Lieb Elementary in Bridgeview and Simmons Middle School in Oak Lawn.
For high school, students go to:
- Argo Community High School (District 217)
- Oak Lawn Community High School (District 229)
- Consolidated High School District 230
- Amos Alonzo Stagg High School serves the part of Bridgeview in District 230.
There are also private schools in Bridgeview:
- Aqsa School (Islamic school for K-12)
- Universal School (Islamic school for K-12)
Nearby private schools for younger students (K-8) include:
- St. Albert the Great School (Burbank)
- St. Louis DeMontfort School (Oak Lawn)
- St. Patricia School (Hickory Hills)
- Zion Lutheran School (Summit)
For college-level learning, Moraine Valley Community College is available to residents. The Bridgeview Public Library also serves the community.
Getting Around Bridgeview
Pace offers bus services in Bridgeview. These buses connect the village to many other places in the Southland area.
Famous People From Bridgeview
- Mark Barnett, a former professional motocross racer.
- Brent Bowers, a former MLB outfielder.
- Todd Rogers, a video game player who used to live here.
Images for kids
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Village Hall
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Seal of Bridgeview
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Location of Bridgeview in Cook County, Illinois.
See also
In Spanish: Bridgeview (Illinois) para niños
