Darien, Illinois facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Darien
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City
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| City of Darien | ||
Rocky Glen Falls
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| Motto(s):
"Gateway to Waterfall Glen"
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Location of Darien in DuPage County, Illinois.
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| Country | United States | |
| State | Illinois | |
| County | DuPage | |
| Township | Downers Grove | |
| Incorporated | 1969 | |
| Government | ||
| • Type | Council–manager | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 6.28 sq mi (16.27 km2) | |
| • Land | 6.17 sq mi (15.98 km2) | |
| • Water | 0.11 sq mi (0.29 km2) 1.90% | |
| Elevation | 751 ft (229 m) | |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 22,011 | |
| • Density | 3,566.84/sq mi (1,377.25/km2) | |
| Standard of living | ||
| • Per capita income | $39,795 (median: $89,836) | |
| • Home value | $231,382 (median: $214,500 (2000)) | |
| ZIP code(s) |
60561
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| Area code(s) | 630 and 331 | |
| Geocode | 17-18628 | |
| FIPS code | 17-18628 | |
| GNIS feature ID | 2393720 | |
Darien (once called Cass) is a city in DuPage County, Illinois, United States. It's a suburb southwest of Chicago. In 2020, about 22,011 people lived there. Darien got its name from a town in Darien, Connecticut. It's located just north of I-55 and Historic U.S. Route 66. The southern edge of the city is right next to Waterfall Glen.
Contents
History of Darien
Early Settlers and the Town of Cass
The first people to settle in the Darien area came from New England around 1835. They traveled through the Erie Canal and the Great Lakes. Families like the Neimans, Rapones, and Capras were among the first to arrive. They settled along an old stagecoach route.
Andres Neiman was an important early leader. He served as a Justice of the Peace, Town Clerk, and Assessor. Mr. Capra helped establish the Capra Inn, which was a popular stop for stagecoaches. It had a tavern and a post office. Andres Neiman named this early settlement "Cass."
Andres Neiman, Father Beggs, and Louis Capra Sr. built the First Cass Church. This log cabin church was also used as a school.
Growth and New Buildings
In 1838, Elisha and Eliza Smart and their ten children settled in Cass. Elisha later went to California for the Gold Rush. He returned seven years later and bought more land. In 1870, he donated land for a new Cass Church. His brother, William Smart, gave land for the Cass Cemetery.
John and Hannah Oldfield arrived in Cass in 1850. Mr. Oldfield raised cattle and owned a large amount of land. In 1881, Franklin Blanchard opened a cheese factory in the area.
Martin B. Madden moved to Cass from England with his parents in 1869. He married Elisha and Eliza Smart's youngest daughter in 1878. In 1903, Mr. Madden built a large home called Castle Eden. It looked like the White House in Washington D.C.. Today, Castle Eden is part of the Aylesford Retreat Center.
Churches and Schools
A group of German Lutherans settled near 67th and Clarendon Hills Road in 1859. They built the first St. John Lutheran Church and started a cemetery behind it. This cemetery is still there today. A new church was built in 1899 at Cass Avenue and 75th Street. The current St. John's Lutheran Church was built in 1969.
A school was built in 1860 at Cass and 75th Street. It was called the Lace School. It burned down in 1924 but was replaced by the building you see today. This building is now a museum. You can visit it on the first Sunday of each month from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM.
The Village of Lace and Founding of Darien
By 1890, the Village of Lace was formed. An important area was "The Point," where Cass Avenue, Plainfield Road, and 75th Street met. The Point had the Town Hall, a General Store, a Blacksmith Shop, and a doctor's office. A Post Office was set up there in 1884.
The area that would become Darien was originally part of the Lace and Cass communities. In the 1960s, the nearby city of Downers Grove began to grow. People living in subdivisions like Marion Hills, Brookhaven, Farmingdale, and Hinsbrook wanted to form their own city. This happened in 1969.
When the committee couldn't agree on a name, acting mayor Sam Kelly suggested "Darien." He had visited Darien, Connecticut, and thought it was a very nice place. Today, Darien, Illinois, is known as "A Nice Place to Live." This motto honors the city's founding year, 1969. In Illinois, "Darien" is pronounced with the accent on the first part of the word.
Recent Events
On June 20, 2021, a strong tornado passed through parts of Woodridge and then into Darien. This tornado caused significant damage in the area. It crossed major roads like I-355 and I-55 before it ended near Willow Springs.
Geography of Darien
Darien covers about 6.28 square miles (16.27 square kilometers). Most of this area is land, with a small part being water.
Darien's City Hall is unique. It used to be completely underground! In 1994, it was lifted, so now about 75% of it is still below ground. The City Hall is surrounded on three sides by the village of Downers Grove.
The southern border of Darien is next to Waterfall Glen Forest Preserve. This preserve has one of the only old pine forests in the area. It also features a 773-acre "Bluff savanna". You can find hiking trails, horseback riding trails, and access to the nearby Des Plaines River. The Rocky Glen Waterfall inside the preserve is a popular spot for swimming in the summer.
Darien is bordered by the cities of Downers Grove, Westmont, Woodridge, Lemont, and Willowbrook. It's easy to get to major highways like Interstate 55, Interstate 355, and Interstate 294 from Darien.
Population and People
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1970 | 7,789 | — | |
| 1980 | 14,956 | 92.0% | |
| 1990 | 18,341 | 22.6% | |
| 2000 | 22,860 | 24.6% | |
| 2010 | 22,086 | −3.4% | |
| 2020 | 22,011 | −0.3% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census 2010 2020 |
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In 2020, Darien had a population of 22,011 people. There were 8,697 households and 6,297 families living in the city. The population density was about 3,503 people per square mile.
Most people in Darien are White (74.28%). There are also significant numbers of Asian residents (13.09%) and African American residents (3.40%). About 8.40% of the population is Hispanic or Latino.
About 25.4% of households in Darien had children under 18 living with them. The average household had about 2.98 people. The median age in the city was 44.9 years old.
The median income for a household in Darien was $100,771. This means half of the households earned more than this amount, and half earned less.
| Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic) | Pop 2000 | Pop 2010 | Pop 2020 | % 2000 | % 2010 | % 2020 |
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| White alone (NH) | 18,673 | 17,063 | 15,882 | 81.68% | 77.26% | 72.15% |
| Black or African American alone (NH) | 437 | 695 | 738 | 1.91% | 3.15% | 3.35% |
| Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) | 25 | 15 | 4 | 0.11% | 0.07% | 0.02% |
| Asian alone (NH) | 2,631 | 2,603 | 2,855 | 11.51% | 11.79% | 12.97% |
| Pacific Islander alone (NH) | 6 | 4 | 15 | 0.03% | 0.02% | 0.07% |
| Other race alone (NH) | 21 | 21 | 70 | 0.09% | 0.10% | 0.32% |
| Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) | 236 | 299 | 597 | 1.03% | 1.35% | 2.71% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 831 | 1,386 | 1,850 | 3.64% | 6.28% | 8.40% |
| Total | 22,860 | 22,086 | 22,011 | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% |
Education in Darien
High Schools
Hinsdale Township High School District 86 runs Hinsdale South High School in Darien. Some students in Darien also attend Downers Grove South High School.
Junior High and Elementary Schools
Darien has two junior high schools: Eisenhower Junior High School and Cass Junior High School. There are also several elementary schools, including Lace Elementary School, Mark-DeLay Elementary School, Concord Elementary School, and Elizabeth Ide Elementary School.
Private Schools
Kingswood Academy is a local private school that teaches students up to eighth grade. Our Lady of Peace Catholic School closed in 2020.
Transportation in Darien
Pace offers bus service on Route 715. This route connects Darien to Westmont and other nearby places.
Famous People from Darien
- Doug Lussenhop (born 1973), a musician, video editor, and comedian.
- Manu Raju, a journalist.
- Barbara Alyn Woods (born 1962), an actress known for One Tree Hill and Honey, I Shrunk the Kids.
See also
In Spanish: Darien (Illinois) para niños
