Cherry Valley, Illinois facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Cherry Valley
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Location of Cherry Valley in Winnebago and Boone County, Illinois.
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Location of Illinois in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Illinois |
| County | Winnebago, Boone |
| Townships | Cherry Valley, Rockford, Belvidere, Flora |
| Area | |
| • Total | 8.66 sq mi (22.42 km2) |
| • Land | 8.40 sq mi (21.77 km2) |
| • Water | 0.25 sq mi (0.65 km2) |
| Elevation | 728 ft (222 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 2,905 |
| • Density | 345.63/sq mi (133.45/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (CST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP Code(s) |
61016
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| Area code(s) | 815 |
| FIPS code | 17-13074 |
| Wikimedia Commons | Cherry Valley, Illinois |
Cherry Valley is a small village in Illinois, USA. It covers about 8.72 square miles (22.6 km2) of land. Most of the village is in Winnebago County. A small part is in Boone County. Cherry Valley is near Rockford and is part of the Rockford area. It is also located in the Kishwaukee River valley. In 2020, about 2,905 people lived there.
Contents
History of Cherry Valley
Cherry Valley was first settled in 1836. The very first settler was Joseph Griggs. He and his family moved to the north bank of the Kishwaukee River in 1835. Cherry Valley officially became a village on January 31, 1857. Important early developments included a mill on the Kishwaukee River. The railroad also arrived in 1852, which helped the village grow.
How Cherry Valley Got Its Name
At first, Cherry Valley had different names like "Griggs Ford" and Graball. People wanted a new name. They put their ideas into a hat. A woman named Mrs. Butler, who was from Cherry Valley, New York, suggested "Cherry Valley." This name was chosen. The center of the village has old brick buildings and houses from the 1800s. Old-style street lamps and brick roads still give it a historic feel.
Cherry Valley's Connection to Rockford
For a long time, Cherry Valley was seen as separate from Rockford. But as cars became common, Cherry Valley became a suburb of Rockford. As Rockford grew, the two communities started to share a border. They have worked together to agree on their shared boundaries.
Cherry Valley Today
In recent years, more people from the Chicago area have moved to Cherry Valley. About one-third of new residents come from Chicago suburbs. They live in Cherry Valley and travel to work in the Chicago suburbs. This is partly because the village is close to Interstate 90. In 2006, toll booths on the I-90 exit were removed. This helped reduce traffic jams.
Most of Cherry Valley is part of the Rockford School District. A small part is in the Belvidere School District.
Geography and Nature
The main part of Cherry Valley is just north of where the north and south branches of the Kishwaukee River meet. The land dips slightly in the center of the village. This is because it is part of the Kishwaukee River valley.
Cherry Valley has a total area of about 8.66 square miles (22.43 km2). Most of this, about 8.41 square miles (21.78 km2), is land. The rest, about 0.25 square miles (0.65 km2), is water. The north branch of the Kishwaukee River flows through the village's main business area. The biggest body of water is Cherry Valley Lake. It is in Baumann Park, east of the Kishwaukee River. Major roads like Interstate 90, Interstate 39, U.S. Route 20, and U.S. Route 51 serve the village.
People of Cherry Valley
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1900 | 349 | — | |
| 1910 | 433 | 24.1% | |
| 1920 | 480 | 10.9% | |
| 1930 | 587 | 22.3% | |
| 1940 | 583 | −0.7% | |
| 1950 | 741 | 27.1% | |
| 1960 | 875 | 18.1% | |
| 1970 | 952 | 8.8% | |
| 1980 | 946 | −0.6% | |
| 1990 | 1,615 | 70.7% | |
| 2000 | 2,191 | 35.7% | |
| 2010 | 3,162 | 44.3% | |
| 2020 | 2,905 | −8.1% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census 2012 Estimate |
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In 2020, there were 2,905 people living in Cherry Valley. There were 1,240 households. About 15.7% of households had children under 18. The average household had 2.59 people. The average family had 2.21 people.
The median age in the village was 52.3 years. About 13.3% of the people were under 18. About 24.1% were 65 or older.
The median income for a household was $68,397. For a family, it was $79,750. Cherry Valley has some of the highest income and education levels in the Rockford area.
Economy and Fun Places
A very important part of Cherry Valley's economy is the CherryVale Mall. This large shopping mall is one of the first enclosed malls in Illinois. Shoppers come from far away to visit it. The mall brings in a lot of money for the village through a sales tax. Because of this tax, Cherry Valley does not have a local property tax.
Another well-known business is the Kegel Motorcycle Company. It is one of the oldest Harley-Davidson dealerships in the world.
The village is also home to Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Rockford. This water park was once called Magic Waters. The Rockford Park District owns it, and Six Flags has managed it since 2018.
Transportation Options
The RMTD offers bus service on Route 19. This bus connects Cherry Valley to Rockford and other places.
The Union Pacific train line also runs through Cherry Valley. This line goes to Rockford.
Famous People from Cherry Valley
- Virgil Abloh was a DJ and fashion designer. He created popular brands like Off-White. In 2018, he became the artistic director for men's wear at Louis Vuitton.
- John Baumgarten was a businessman and an Illinois state representative. He also served as the mayor of Cherry Valley in 1945.
- Mo Pitney (born 1993) is a country music artist.
