Robbins, Illinois
Encyclopedia
Robbins is a village in Cook County
, Illinois
. The population was 6,635 at the 2000 census. Irene H. Brodie is the current mayor of the city.
, there were 6,635 people, 1,985 households, and 1,490 families residing in the village. The population density
was 4,516.0 people per square mile (1,742.7/km²). There were 2,138 housing units at an average density of 1,455.2 per square mile (561.6/km²). The racial makeup
of the village was 1.82% White, 96.25% African American
, 0.12% Native American
, 0.08% Asian
, 0.93% from other races, and 0.80% from two or more races. Hispanic
or Latino
of any race were 1.94% of the population.
There were 1,985 households out of which 34.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 27.1% were married couples
living together, 40.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.9% were non-families. 22.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.13 and the average family size was 3.63.
In the village the population was spread out with 32.3% under the age of 18, 9.9% from 18 to 24, 26.5% from 25 to 44, 18.6% from 45 to 64, and 12.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females there were 89.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.4 males.
The median income for a household in the village was $24,145, and the median income for a family was $27,602. Males had a median income of $31,667 versus $22,574 for females. The per capita income
for the village was $9,837. About 30.2% of families and 35.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 44.3% of those under age 18 and 22.0% of those age 65 or over.
on Metra
's Rock Island District
commuter rail line. Robbins is served by many PACE bus routes with important terminate such as Midway International Airport, UPS's Hodgkins Center, CTA's 95th Street Red Line Station, and Moraine Valley Community College.
Interstate 294
runs through Robbins, but it has no exits within the village limits. Access to Interstates 57 and 294 are within a five- eight minute drive.
Midway International Airport is within a 15- 20 minute drive. Also home to MDW's southern approach radar tower. O' Hare International Airport is within a 30-45 minute drive via Interstate 294 using the IL-50/ 83 Cicero Exit.
During the years 1930-1933, Robbins Airport, the first to be owned and operated by African Americans in the United States, was located here. It had the only flight school at the time where African Americans could be trained as pilots. It served as a model for the Tuskegee Airmen Program during WW II. Many great African-American pilots flew into this forgotten airport. the surrounding White communities, such as Blue Island and Midlothian, did not approve of this activity, and their police sometimes arrested black pilots after they had landed in Robbins. The one runway airport and hangar were destroyed by a tornado in 1933. School and operations were relocated by the invitation of white owners of the Harlem Airport in Chicago (it was located south of present-day Midway International Airport). From there many of the flight school instructors entered the Tuskegee Airmen Program. One notable instructor was John C. Robinson, who entered WWII as Supreme Commander of The Ethiopian Air Force
. The activities of these men and women have been recognized by the Smithsonian Institution
's Air and Space Museum.
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,...
. The population was 6,635 at the 2000 census. Irene H. Brodie is the current mayor of the city.
Demographics
As of the 2000 censusUnited States Census, 2000
The Twenty-second United States Census, known as Census 2000 and conducted by the Census Bureau, determined the resident population of the United States on April 1, 2000, to be 281,421,906, an increase of 13.2% over the 248,709,873 persons enumerated during the 1990 Census...
, there were 6,635 people, 1,985 households, and 1,490 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 4,516.0 people per square mile (1,742.7/km²). There were 2,138 housing units at an average density of 1,455.2 per square mile (561.6/km²). The racial makeup
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...
of the village was 1.82% White, 96.25% African American
African American
African Americans are citizens or residents of the United States who have at least partial ancestry from any of the native populations of Sub-Saharan Africa and are the direct descendants of enslaved Africans within the boundaries of the present United States...
, 0.12% Native American
Native Americans in the United States
Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples in North America within the boundaries of the present-day continental United States, parts of Alaska, and the island state of Hawaii. They are composed of numerous, distinct tribes, states, and ethnic groups, many of which survive as...
, 0.08% Asian
Asian American
Asian Americans are Americans of Asian descent. The U.S. Census Bureau definition of Asians as "Asian” refers to a person having origins in any of the original peoples of the Far East, Southeast Asia, or the Indian subcontinent, including, for example, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Japan,...
, 0.93% from other races, and 0.80% from two or more races. Hispanic
Hispanic
Hispanic is a term that originally denoted a relationship to Hispania, which is to say the Iberian Peninsula: Andorra, Gibraltar, Portugal and Spain. During the Modern Era, Hispanic sometimes takes on a more limited meaning, particularly in the United States, where the term means a person of ...
or Latino
Latino
The demonyms Latino and Latina , are defined in English language dictionaries as:* "a person of Latin-American descent."* "A Latin American."* "A person of Hispanic, especially Latin-American, descent, often one living in the United States."...
of any race were 1.94% of the population.
There were 1,985 households out of which 34.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 27.1% 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, 40.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.9% were non-families. 22.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.13 and the average family size was 3.63.
In the village the population was spread out with 32.3% under the age of 18, 9.9% from 18 to 24, 26.5% from 25 to 44, 18.6% from 45 to 64, and 12.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females there were 89.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.4 males.
The median income for a household in the village was $24,145, and the median income for a family was $27,602. Males had a median income of $31,667 versus $22,574 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 $9,837. About 30.2% of families and 35.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 44.3% of those under age 18 and 22.0% of those age 65 or over.
Transportation
Robbins is served by stationRobbins (Metra)
Robbins is a station on Metra's Rock Island District line located in Robbins, Illinois. Robbins is located at 139th and Utica. The station is from LaSalle Street Station, the northern terminus of the Rock Island District line. In Metra's zone-based fare structure, Robbins is located in zone D....
on Metra
Metra
Metra is the commuter rail division of the Illinois Regional Transportation Authority. The system serves Chicago and its metropolitan area through 240 stations on 11 different rail lines. Throughout the 21st century, Metra has been the second busiest commuter rail system in the United States by...
's Rock Island District
Rock Island District
The Rock Island District is a commuter rail line operated by Metra from Chicago, Illinois, United States, southwest to Joliet. While Metra does not specifically refer to any of its lines by a particular color, the timetable accents for the Rock Island District line are printed in "Rocket Red"...
commuter rail line. Robbins is served by many PACE bus routes with important terminate such as Midway International Airport, UPS's Hodgkins Center, CTA's 95th Street Red Line Station, and Moraine Valley Community College.
Interstate 294
Interstate 294
Interstate 294 is a tolled Interstate Highway in northeastern Illinois, U.S.A.. It forms the southern portion of the Tri-State Tollway in Illinois. I-294 runs from South Holland at Interstates 80 and 94, and Illinois Route 394 to Northbrook at I-94. Interstate 294 is long; are shared with I-80....
runs through Robbins, but it has no exits within the village limits. Access to Interstates 57 and 294 are within a five- eight minute drive.
Midway International Airport is within a 15- 20 minute drive. Also home to MDW's southern approach radar tower. O' Hare International Airport is within a 30-45 minute drive via Interstate 294 using the IL-50/ 83 Cicero Exit.
During the years 1930-1933, Robbins Airport, the first to be owned and operated by African Americans in the United States, was located here. It had the only flight school at the time where African Americans could be trained as pilots. It served as a model for the Tuskegee Airmen Program during WW II. Many great African-American pilots flew into this forgotten airport. the surrounding White communities, such as Blue Island and Midlothian, did not approve of this activity, and their police sometimes arrested black pilots after they had landed in Robbins. The one runway airport and hangar were destroyed by a tornado in 1933. School and operations were relocated by the invitation of white owners of the Harlem Airport in Chicago (it was located south of present-day Midway International Airport). From there many of the flight school instructors entered the Tuskegee Airmen Program. One notable instructor was John C. Robinson, who entered WWII as Supreme Commander of The Ethiopian Air Force
Ethiopian Air Force
The Ethiopian Air Force is the air arm of the Ethiopian National Defense Forces and is tasked with protecting the air space, providing support to the ground forces as well as assisting during national emergencies.- Early years :...
. The activities of these men and women have been recognized by the Smithsonian Institution
Smithsonian Institution
The Smithsonian Institution is an educational and research institute and associated museum complex, administered and funded by the government of the United States and by funds from its endowment, contributions, and profits from its retail operations, concessions, licensing activities, and magazines...
's Air and Space Museum.
Notable natives and residents
- Cornel Darden Jr. - Researcher, Historian, and Librarian
- Nichelle NicholsNichelle NicholsNichelle Nichols is an American actress, singer and voice artist. She sang with Duke Ellington and Lionel Hampton before turning to acting...
- Born Grace Nichols in Robbins, best known for playing UhuraUhuraNyota Uhura is a character in Star Trek: The Original Series, Star Trek: The Animated Series, the first six Star Trek films, and the 2009 film Star Trek...
in Star TrekStar TrekStar Trek is an American science fiction entertainment franchise created by Gene Roddenberry. The core of Star Trek is its six television series: The Original Series, The Animated Series, The Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, Voyager, and Enterprise...
. - Dwyane WadeDwyane WadeDwyane Tyrone Wade, Jr. nicknamed Flash or D-Wade, is an American professional basketball player for the Miami Heat. Awarded 2006 Sportsman of the Year by Sports Illustrated, Wade has established himself as one of the most well-known and popular players in the league...
- NBA basketball player for the Miami HeatMiami HeatThe Miami Heat is a professional basketball team based in Miami, Florida, United States. The team is a member of the Southeast Division in the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association . They play their home games at American Airlines Arena in Downtown Miami...
. Wade mentions his hometown in a Converse commercial. - Keke PalmerKeke PalmerLauren Keyana "Keke" Palmer is an American actress and singer who rose to fame for her performance in the 2006 film Akeelah and the Bee. She also starred as the title character in the Nickelodeon sitcom True Jackson, VP...
- Actress and singer, best known for the NickelodeonNickelodeon (TV channel)Nickelodeon, often simply called Nick and originally named Pinwheel, is an American children's channel owned by MTV Networks, a subsidiary of Viacom International. The channel is primarily aimed at children ages 7–17, with the exception of their weekday morning program block aimed at preschoolers...
show True Jackson VP - Guy Black- Award-winning Radio Broadcasting Legend, Voice Over Pro. Ebony Magazine Singles Issue, Head of Operations for Foxxhole International Radio Network.
- Michon Ellis- Managing Director- LimeGreen Productions, LLC, Former McDonald'sMcDonald'sMcDonald's Corporation is the world's largest chain of hamburger fast food restaurants, serving around 64 million customers daily in 119 countries. Headquartered in the United States, the company began in 1940 as a barbecue restaurant operated by the eponymous Richard and Maurice McDonald; in 1948...
Corporation Director of Global Communications - Joe MontgomeryJoe MontgomeryJoseph Montgomery, Jr. is a former professional American football running back for three seasons in the National Football League for the New York Giants and Carolina Panthers. He played college football at Ohio State University and was drafted in the second round of the 1999 NFL Draft....
- Former professional American football running back for three seasons in the NFL for the New York GiantsNew York GiantsThe New York Giants are a professional American football team based in East Rutherford, New Jersey, representing the New York City metropolitan area. The Giants are currently members of the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
and Carolina PanthersCarolina PanthersThe Carolina Panthers are a professional American football team based in Charlotte, North Carolina. They are currently members of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Panthers, along with the Jacksonville Jaguars, joined the NFL as expansion... - Bessie ColemanBessie ColemanElizabeth “Bessie” Coleman was an American civil aviator. She was the first female pilot of African American descent and the first person of African American descent to hold an international pilot license.-Early life:...
and Cornelius Coffey - Founders of the Robbins Airport, an operations center for black aviation in the North. - Michael A. Thomas, M.D. - Gynecologist, noted fertility specialist, prolific researcher in the field of contraception. Physician, professor, lecturer, author, and researcher at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine
- SB Fuller - American Businessman
- Jan BradleyJan BradleyJan Bradley is an American soul singer.Bradley grew up in Robbins, Illinois. She was noticed by manager Don Talty at a high school talent show. After graduating, she auditioned for Curtis Mayfield, and soon recorded the Mayfield-penned "We Girls", which became a hit regionally in the Midwest...
- 1960s R&B singer who had a hit with "Mama Didn't Lie" - Shawn Wiggins- former wide receiver for Cleveland Browns