Flossmoor, Illinois
Encyclopedia
Flossmoor is a village in south suburban Cook County
, Illinois
, United States
. The population was 9,464 at the 2010 census.
The village is renowned for the quality and architectural variety of its housing stock, as well as its proximity to numerous country clubs. It prides itself on being a multicultural and multiracial community known for its public art. The 2004 Encyclopedia of Chicago classified the community as now being upper-middle-class whereas in past years it was considered as one of the elite places to live in the United States.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the village has a total area of 3.5 square miles (9.1 km²), all of it land.
Flossmoor has a station on the Metra Electric
Main Line, which provides easy access to the Chicago Loop
and the University of Chicago
.
, Elisabeth Kubler-Ross
, George Stigler
, Buddy Guy
, and Muhammad Ali
. This diversity is also reflected in those who were raised in Flossmoor and its environs, such as John Dean
of the Watergate era; Brian Kerwin
, the actor; the film director, Andy Tennant
; and playwright David Mamet
.
Back when Flossmoor was very "WASPY" and Republican, its residents often did not want to acknowledge being part of greater Chicagoland as Town & Country magazine reported in 1978. Residents often said, " We don't live outside Chicago. We live fifteen miles from Kankakee". That attitude has changed since; and today, people of all faiths, colors, and cultural heritages truly make Flossmoor a microcosm that can be labelled a "global village"; and it is an integral and vibrant part of greater Chicago.
of 2010, there were 9,464 people, 3,677 households, and 2,648 families residing in the village. The population density
was 2,617.6 people per square mile (1,011.6/km²). There were 3,433 housing units at an average density of 966.1 per square mile (373.4/km²). The racial makeup of the village was 47.40% White, 48
.80% African American, 0.01% Native American, 2.50% Asian, 0.55% from other races
, and 2.30% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.20% of the population.
There were 3,331 households out of which 38.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 68.4% were married couples
living together, 8.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 20.5% were non-families. 18.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.79 and the average family size was 3.19.
59.7% of the adult population has at least a bachelor's degree, and 30.5% hold a graduate or professional degree as well.
In the village the population was spread out with 27.8% under the age of 18, 5.5% from 18 to 24, 21.7% from 25 to 44, 30.9% from 45 to 64, and 14.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 92.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.8 males.
The median income (2000 census) for a household in the village was $94,222, and the median income for a family was $103,539. Males had a median income of $71,839 versus $40,773 for females. The per capita income
for the village was $42,820. About 2.5% of families and 2.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.1% of those under age 18 and 2.3% of those age 65 or over.
Flossmoor is also home to Infant Jesus of Prague School, a private, Roman Catholic K-8 school operated by the Infant Jesus of Prague Parish. IJP, as the school is known, is a two-time winner of the U.S. Department of Education's Blue Ribbon Award for excellence.
The majority of students in the area then go on to attend the local public high school, Homewood-Flossmoor High School
(School District #233), which is a three time recipient of the U.S. Department of Education's Blue Ribbon Award.
Chad Smith - Drummer for the Red Hot Chili Peppers
John List - Economist, University of Chicago
Cook County, Illinois
Cook County is a county in the U.S. state of Illinois, with its county seat in Chicago. It is the second most populous county in the United States after Los Angeles County. The county has 5,194,675 residents, which is 40.5 percent of all Illinois residents. Cook County's population is larger than...
, Illinois
Illinois
Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The population was 9,464 at the 2010 census.
The village is renowned for the quality and architectural variety of its housing stock, as well as its proximity to numerous country clubs. It prides itself on being a multicultural and multiracial community known for its public art. The 2004 Encyclopedia of Chicago classified the community as now being upper-middle-class whereas in past years it was considered as one of the elite places to live in the United States.
Geography
Flossmoor is located at 41°32′30"N 87°41′6"W (41.541684, -87.684970).According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the village has a total area of 3.5 square miles (9.1 km²), all of it land.
Flossmoor has a station on the Metra Electric
Metra Electric Line
The Metra Electric District is an electrified commuter rail line owned and operated by Metra which connects Millennium Station in downtown Chicago, with the city's southern suburbs...
Main Line, which provides easy access to the Chicago Loop
Chicago Loop
The Loop or Chicago Loop is one of 77 officially designated Chicago community areas located in the City of Chicago, Illinois. It is the historic commercial center of downtown Chicago...
and the University of Chicago
University of Chicago
The University of Chicago is a private research university in Chicago, Illinois, USA. It was founded by the American Baptist Education Society with a donation from oil magnate and philanthropist John D. Rockefeller and incorporated in 1890...
.
History
Although Flossmoor has roots well into the nineteenth century, it was first recognized as an affluent community in the 1920s when it became known as a cultural and recreational mecca of elite country clubs and stately golf courses. It was incorporated as a village in 1924. In the years since, Flossmoor was not only seen as the "status" suburb of south/southwest suburban Chicago but also as one of "the fashionable places to Live In" nationally. Flossmoor's allure also attracted a diverse group of residents over time, including George Schultz, Beryl Sprinkel, Ed DerwinskiEd Derwinski
Edward Joseph Derwinski is an American politician who served as the first Cabinet-level United States Secretary of Veterans Affairs, serving under President George H. W. Bush from March 15, 1989 to September 26, 1992...
, Elisabeth Kubler-Ross
Elisabeth Kübler-Ross
Elisabeth Kübler-Ross, M.D. was a Swiss American psychiatrist, a pioneer in Near-death studies and the author of the groundbreaking book On Death and Dying , where she first discussed what is now known as the Kübler-Ross model.She is a 2007 inductee into the American National Women's Hall of Fame...
, George Stigler
George Stigler
George Joseph Stigler was a U.S. economist. He won the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences in 1982, and was a key leader of the Chicago School of Economics, along with his close friend Milton Friedman....
, Buddy Guy
Buddy Guy
George "Buddy" Guy is an American blues and jazz guitarist and singer. He is a critically acclaimed artist who has established himself as a pioneer of the Chicago blues sound, and has served as an influence to some of the most notable musicians of his generation...
, and Muhammad Ali
Muhammad Ali
Muhammad Ali is an American former professional boxer, philanthropist and social activist...
. This diversity is also reflected in those who were raised in Flossmoor and its environs, such as John Dean
John Dean
John Wesley Dean III is an American lawyer who served as White House Counsel to United States President Richard Nixon from July 1970 until April 1973. In this position, he became deeply involved in events leading up to the Watergate burglaries and the subsequent Watergate scandal cover-up...
of the Watergate era; Brian Kerwin
Brian Kerwin
Brian Kerwin is an American actor.Born in Chicago, Illinois, Kerwin won the Theatre World Award in 1988 for the off-Broadway play Emily. His Broadway theatre credits include the 1997 revival of The Little Foxes and the Elaine May comedy After the Night and the Music in 2005...
, the actor; the film director, Andy Tennant
Andy Tennant
Andy Tennant is an American screenwriter, film and television director, and dancer.-Life and career:Born in Chicago, Illinois, Tennant was raised in Flossmoor, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago. His father was Don Tennant, a legendary creative advertising talent with Leo Burnett Agency in Chicago...
; and playwright David Mamet
David Mamet
David Alan Mamet is an American playwright, essayist, screenwriter and film director.Best known as a playwright, Mamet won a Pulitzer Prize and received a Tony nomination for Glengarry Glen Ross . He also received a Tony nomination for Speed-the-Plow . As a screenwriter, he received Oscar...
.
Back when Flossmoor was very "WASPY" and Republican, its residents often did not want to acknowledge being part of greater Chicagoland as Town & Country magazine reported in 1978. Residents often said, " We don't live outside Chicago. We live fifteen miles from Kankakee". That attitude has changed since; and today, people of all faiths, colors, and cultural heritages truly make Flossmoor a microcosm that can be labelled a "global village"; and it is an integral and vibrant part of greater Chicago.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2010, there were 9,464 people, 3,677 households, and 2,648 families residing in the village. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 2,617.6 people per square mile (1,011.6/km²). There were 3,433 housing units at an average density of 966.1 per square mile (373.4/km²). The racial makeup of the village was 47.40% White, 48
.80% African American, 0.01% Native American, 2.50% Asian, 0.55% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 2.30% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.20% of the population.
There were 3,331 households out of which 38.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 68.4% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 8.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 20.5% were non-families. 18.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.79 and the average family size was 3.19.
59.7% of the adult population has at least a bachelor's degree, and 30.5% hold a graduate or professional degree as well.
In the village the population was spread out with 27.8% under the age of 18, 5.5% from 18 to 24, 21.7% from 25 to 44, 30.9% from 45 to 64, and 14.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 92.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.8 males.
The median income (2000 census) for a household in the village was $94,222, and the median income for a family was $103,539. Males had a median income of $71,839 versus $40,773 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the village was $42,820. About 2.5% of families and 2.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.1% of those under age 18 and 2.3% of those age 65 or over.
Government
Flossmoor is in Illinois' 2nd congressional district. It has an elected mayor, Paul Braun, and elected Village trustees, as well as a professional Village Manager, Bridget Wachtel.Education
Children in grades K-8, attend schools under the jurisdiction of public school district 161. School District 161 has four elementary schools, Western Avenue, Serena Hills, Flossmoor Hills, and Heather Hill, all of which serve students in grades K-5. After attending elementary school, students go to Mardell M. Parker Junior High School, which serves children in grades 6-8.Flossmoor is also home to Infant Jesus of Prague School, a private, Roman Catholic K-8 school operated by the Infant Jesus of Prague Parish. IJP, as the school is known, is a two-time winner of the U.S. Department of Education's Blue Ribbon Award for excellence.
The majority of students in the area then go on to attend the local public high school, Homewood-Flossmoor High School
Homewood-Flossmoor High School
Homewood-Flossmoor High School is a public high school in Flossmoor, Illinois, in the Chicago metropolitan area. The majority of HF students live in Flossmoor and nearby Homewood, but the school also serves areas of Olympia Fields, Chicago Heights, Glenwood, and Hazel Crest serving school...
(School District #233), which is a three time recipient of the U.S. Department of Education's Blue Ribbon Award.
Notable residents
Xavier Fulton - Tackle number 68 for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers;Chad Smith - Drummer for the Red Hot Chili Peppers
John List - Economist, University of Chicago