Orland Park, Illinois facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Orland Park, Illinois
Village
The Orland Square Mall in January 2020
Flag Seal Logo
Nickname(s):  “World’s Golf Center”
Motto(s):  “Where you want to be”
Location of Orland Park in Cook and Will Counties, Illinois.
Orland Park, Illinois Location in Greater Chicago Show map of Greater Chicago Orland Park, Illinois Location in Illinois Show map of Illinois Orland Park, Illinois Location in the United States Show map of the United States
Country	United States
State	Illinois
Counties	Cook, Will
Townships	Cook: Orland, Palos, Bremen Will: Frankfort
Incorporated	May 31, 1892
Government
• Type	Council–manager
Area
• Total	22.31 sq mi (57.79 km2)
• Land	22.03 sq mi (57.05 km2)
• Water	0.28 sq mi (0.74 km2)  1.31%
Elevation	686 ft (209 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	58,703
• Density	2,664.93/sq mi (1,028.92/km2)
Standard of living (2009-11)
• Per capita income	$35,320
• Median home value	$292,200
ZIP code(s)	60462, 60467
Area code(s)	708
Geocode	56640
FIPS code	17-56640

Orland Park is a village in Illinois, United States. It's mostly in Cook County, with a small part in Will County. This village is a suburb of Chicago, located about 25 miles (40 km) southwest of the big city. In 2020, about 58,703 people lived here. Orland Park is easy to reach, with a major highway (I-80) on its southern edge. You can also take the Metra train system to get to Chicago and its airports.

A Look Back in Time: Orland Park's History

Orland Park was first settled in 1834 and was called "Orland." Henry Taylor was the very first settler in the area. Other early families included the Myricks, Hosterts, Coopers, and Humphreys. The Hostert brothers even built some of the first log cabins for their families.

In 1879, a railroad line reached Orland Park. This led to the town's first train station, called "Sedgwick Station." The railroad helped Orland Park grow from a farming community into a place where goods could be shipped. The village officially became a town on May 31, 1892. In 1976, the Orland Square Mall opened, which is still a popular shopping spot today.

Where is Orland Park?

Orland Park covers about 22.31 square miles (57.79 square kilometers). Most of this area is land, but about 1.28% is water. The two main bodies of water in Orland Park are Lake Sedgewick and McGinnis Slough.

Orland Park shares its borders with several other communities. To the west, you'll find Homer Glen. To the south are Orland Hills and Mokena. Tinley Park is to the southeast, and Oak Forest is to the east. To the north, you'll find Palos Park and Palos Heights.

Who Lives in Orland Park?

In 2020, Orland Park had 58,703 residents. The village is home to many different people. About 82.54% of residents are White, 3.42% are African American, and 5.36% are Asian. About 7.94% of the population identifies as Hispanic or Latino.

The average age in Orland Park is about 46.1 years old. About 20.9% of the people living here are under 18 years old. Many households in Orland Park are families, with about 59.33% being married couples.

The average income for a household in Orland Park was $84,676. For families, the average income was $104,343. Orland Park also has one of the largest Palestinian-American populations in the United States.

Orland Park's Economy and Jobs

Orland Park has many different types of businesses and jobs. These include finance, retail stores, services, and healthcare. You can find large shopping centers like Orland Park Crossing and Orland Square Mall.

The village has plans to grow its downtown area and a business district near the I-80 highway. This will bring even more jobs and opportunities to the community.

Top Employers in Orland Park

Here are some of the biggest employers in Orland Park, based on a 2012 report:

Fun and Recreation in Orland Park

The historic John Humphrey House

Orland Park has a fantastic Recreation and Parks Department. The village boasts over 60 parks! You can find everything from sports fields to peaceful nature trails.

Centennial Park Aquatic Center

The Centennial Park Aquatic Center is a huge 192-acre park with a public pool. It has six water slides, two large pools, and a special play area for children. It's one of the biggest public pools around! The Aquatic Center has been updated many times since it opened in 1992. It now includes new water slides and outdoor sand volleyball courts.

Lake Sedgewick

Just south of the Aquatic Center is the 95-acre Lake Sedgewick. This lake is perfect for outdoor activities. You can enjoy hiking paths, nature trails, and boardwalks. There are also boat ramps, and you can rent pedal boats and kayaks. Fishing is allowed here too!

Winter Wonderland Ice Rink

Also in Centennial Park is the Winter Wonderland Ice Rink. This outdoor ice rink is open from November to March. It's free to use, and you can rent ice skates at a small warming hut nearby.

The Sportsplex

The Sportsplex is Orland Park's largest indoor recreation center. It's located on 159th Street. Inside, you'll find three full-sized basketball courts and an indoor soccer field. There's also a complete weight room with free weights and cardio machines. You can even run on a ¼-mile indoor track! The Sportsplex offers personal trainers and fitness classes like Pilates, yoga, cycling, and Zumba. It also has a 35-foot rock wall with six different climbing routes for all skill levels.

Community Events

The Recreation and Parks Department also helps organize many public events. Centennial Park hosts charity events and seasonal fun. One popular event is the Orland Park Turkey Trot, a 5K run held on Thanksgiving morning. These events are often supported by students from Carl Sandburg High School.

Orland Park is known as the "World's Golf Center." It's said that there are over 1,000 golf holes within 15 miles of the village! This nickname is even proudly displayed on the village flag and painted on its water towers.

Learning in Orland Park: Schools and Colleges

Orland Park is served by four different elementary school districts. Most of Orland Park is in Orland School District #135, which has 7 primary schools and 3 middle schools. Other districts include Community Consolidated School District #146, Palos School District #118, and Kirby School District #140.

St. Michael School is a private school located in Orland Park. Many other private schools in the area offer bus service for students from Orland Park.

The main high schools for Orland Park students are Carl Sandburg High School, Victor J. Andrew High School, and Amos Alonzo Stagg High School. Carl Sandburg High School has nearly 4,000 students and has won many sports titles over the years.

For higher education, St. Xavier University has a campus in Orland Park. Robert Morris University (Illinois) also has a campus here, including a culinary arts school. If you're looking for community college classes, Moraine Valley Community College is nearby in Palos Hills.

Many adults in Orland Park have gone to college. About 60% of households have at least one person with a bachelor's degree, and many residents have also completed postgraduate studies.

Getting Around Orland Park

Orland Park has good transportation options.

Train Service

The Metra train system has three stops in Orland Park on its SouthWest Service line: 143rd Street, 153rd Street, and 179th Street. This train connects the village to Manhattan, Illinois and Chicago Union Station.

Bus Service

Pace provides bus service on several routes. These buses connect Orland Park to many other places in the Southland area.

Major Roads

Several important highways and roads run through or near Orland Park:

• I-80 is on the southern border of Orland Park.
• US 45 (La Grange Road) is a major road running north and south.
• IL 43 (Harlem Avenue) is near the eastern edge of the village.
• US 6 (159th Street) is a major road running east and west.
• IL 7 is another important north-south road.
• CR B59 (167th Street) is located entirely within Orland Park.

Famous People from Orland Park

Many talented people have come from Orland Park, including:

• Alex Broadhurst, a professional hockey player.
• John Cangelosi, who played outfield for seven Major League Baseball teams.
• Connor Carrick, a defenseman for the New Jersey Devils.
• Pat Fitzgerald, a former head football coach for Northwestern University.
• Evita Griskenas, a rhythmic gymnast and two-time Olympian.
• Buddy Guy, a famous blues singer and guitarist.
• Dan Hampton, a defensive player for the Chicago Bears and a Super Bowl champion.
• Justin Hartley, an actor known for shows like This Is Us.
• Sarah Kustok, a sports reporter.
• Steve Martinson, a former professional hockey player.
• Tim McCarthy, a former Orland Park police chief and Secret Service agent who was injured protecting President Ronald Reagan.
• Michael McDermott (musician), a folk/rock singer and songwriter.
• Mary Therese McDonnell and Shannon McDonnell, both midfielders for the Republic of Ireland women's national football team.
• Hemant Mehta, an atheist and author.
• Bill Rancic, the winner of the first season of The Apprentice.
• Ken Rutkowski, a radio talk show host.
• Michael Schofield, an offensive tackle for the Los Angeles Chargers and a Super Bowl champion with the Denver Broncos.
• Robin Tunney, an actress known for The Mentalist and The Craft.
• Lukas Verzbicas, a long-distance runner and triathlete who won major cross-country championships.

Images for kids

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  The Orland Square Mall in January 2020

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  Flag of Orland Park, Illinois

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  Seal of Orland Park, Illinois

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  Logo of Orland Park, Illinois

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  Location of Orland Park in Cook and Will Counties, Illinois.

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  The historic John Humphrey House

See also

In Spanish: Orland Park (Illinois) para niños