Woodridge, Illinois
Encyclopedia
Woodridge is a suburb
of Chicago
, located primarily in DuPage County
, Illinois
with portions in Will County
and Cook County
. It uses the 630 and 331 area codes. The population was 30,934 at the 2000 census. A special census commissioned in 2003 put the population at 33,253. Woodridge is the home of the Morey Corporation, a campus of Westwood College
, Wilton Brands Inc., Pabst Brewing Company
and the Seven Bridges golf course and housing development.
Woodridge was incorporated on August 24, 1959 with less than 500 residents, on a wooded area of high ground overlooking the DuPage River's East Branch
. Woodridge is a young community with the vast majority of its homes, businesses, and churches constructed after the 1950s. Woodridge was founded by a housing developer, Albert Kaufman, who was largely responsible for the creation of the village.
In July 2007, Woodridge was ranked #61 on Money Magazine
's, 100 Best Places to Live.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the village has a total area of 8.4 square miles (21.8 km²), of which, 8.3 square miles (21.5 km²) of it is land and 0.04 square mile (0.1035995244 km²) of it (0.24%) is water.
Woodridge is bordered by Downers Grove, Bolingbrook, Naperville
, Darien
, Lisle and Lemont.
. The North-South Tollway allows access to a variety of western and northwestern Chicago suburbs, while I-55 gives direct access to the City of Chicago to the north and Joliet and downstate Illinois
to the south. Other important routes are 75th Street and Illinois Route 53.
An industrial spur for the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad serves International Center, a large industrial area in the far south section. Commuter passenger rail service between Chicago and Aurora can be accessed in nearby Lisle or Downers Grove.
Bus service is provided by PACE, under the coordination of the Regional Transportation Authority.
The Police Department is a full service force of 51 officers, a records department and a resource center. The Woodridge Police Department also contracts with DuPage Public Safety Communications to provide dispatch services. Woodridge was one of the first communities nationwide to adopt aggressive legislation against underage tobacco use, and the Woodridge Police Department was one of the first to conduct regular "sting" operations using young teens hired by the department to check compliance for tobacco and alcohol sales.
Building and Zoning monitors construction permits, land use, up keep, and other considerations.
Public Works is responsible for the streets and other village infrastructure, including the water supply. Woodridge receives its water from Lake Michigan.
The Village Hall is located in Town Center at Five Plaza Drive. Town Center also includes the Police/Public Works building (One Plaza Drive), the Woodridge Public Library (Three Plaza Drive), and the United States Post Office (Two Plaza Drive).
Woodridge lies within three fire protection districts, the boundaries of which were drawn before the incorporation of the Village. As a result, Woodridge does not maintain a village fire department. The fire departments serving the residents are the Lisle-Woodridge Fire District, the Darien-Woodridge Fire District, and the Lemont Fire District. Lisle-Woodridge is top rated as "ISO 1" by the Insurance Services Office.
of 2000, there were 30,934 people, 11,382 households, and 8,092 families residing in the village. The population density
was 3,716.7 people per square mile (1,435.5/km²). There were 11,708 housing units at an average density of 1,406.7 per square mile (543.3/km²). The racial makeup of the village was 66.29% White, 9.38% African American, 0.16% Native American, 11.27% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 3.11% from other races
, and 3.14% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 25.18% of the population.
There were 11,382 households out of which 38.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.1% were married couples
living together, 10.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.9% were non-families. 23.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 3.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.71 and the average family size was 3.26.
In the village, the population was spread out with 27.3% under the age of 18, 9.2% from 18 to 24, 36.0% from 25 to 44, 22.2% from 45 to 64, and 5.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females there were 99.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.8 males.
The median income for a household in the village was $42,842, and the median income for a family was $73,691. Males had a median income of $39,159 versus $29,475 for females. The per capita income
for the village was $21,851. About 5.2% of families and 5.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.5% of those under age 18 and 3.9% of those age 65 or over.
zone. On average, July is the warmest month, and January is the coldest month. August typically has the most precipitation
, and February the least. The record high for Woodridge was 105 °F (40.56 °C) in July 2005, and the record low of -26 °F (-32 °C) was set in January, 1985.
Woodridge has been named a "Tree City
" by the Arbor Day Foundation for the past 16 years, and a study undertaken in 1996 indicated that village has over 8,000 publicly owned tree
s.
or South
High Schools in the recently renamed Community High School District 99. Some students in southern Woodridge are served by Lemont District 210 and attend Lemont High School
. Additionally, Woodridge students who reside west of the DuPage River (Seven Bridges Single-Family Residences) attend Naperville schools in District 203. Some students also attend the nearby parochial schools St. Scholastica (K-8), St. Joan of Arc (PK-8) and Benet Academy
(9-12).
Westwood College
maintains a Woodridge campus. Other nearby higher education opportunities are Benedictine University
(Lisle), North Central College
(Naperville), Lewis University
(Romeoville), College of DuPage
(Glen Ellyn), Joliet Junior College
(Romeoville and Joliet) and University of St. Francis (Joliet).
A series of bike paths built by the park district allow cyclists to ride through the town on paved, dedicated paths.
Golf is another popular recreational activity. Village Greens of Woodridge is a Village-owned, 18-hole golf course; Seven Bridges is another Woodridge owned (but not members-only) championship class course. Zigfield Troy is a 9-hole, par 3 course.
Woodridge is home to three multi-screen movie theaters, most notably IMAX at Seven Bridges and Hollywood Boulevard, as well as dining options ranging from fast food to formal banquets.
Woodridge is also located near the renowned Morton Arboretum
.
Suburb
The word suburb mostly refers to a residential area, either existing as part of a city or as a separate residential community within commuting distance of a city . Some suburbs have a degree of administrative autonomy, and most have lower population density than inner city neighborhoods...
of Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
, located primarily in DuPage County
DuPage County, Illinois
As of the 2010 Census, the population of the county was 916,924, White Americans made up 77.9% of Dupage County's population; non-Hispanic whites represented 70.5% of the population. Black Americans made up 4.6% of the population. Native Americans made up 0.3% of Dupage County's population...
, 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,...
with portions in Will County
Will County, Illinois
As of the census of 2000, there were 502,266 people, 167,542 households, and 131,017 families residing in the county. The population density was 600 people per square mile . There were 175,524 housing units at an average density of 210 per square mile...
and Cook County
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...
. It uses the 630 and 331 area codes. The population was 30,934 at the 2000 census. A special census commissioned in 2003 put the population at 33,253. Woodridge is the home of the Morey Corporation, a campus of Westwood College
Westwood College
Westwood College, owned by Alta Colleges Inc., is a United States for-profit institution of higher learning with 17 campus locations in six states and online learning options. Westwood is accredited by national organizations including the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges of...
, Wilton Brands Inc., Pabst Brewing Company
Pabst Brewing Company
Pabst Brewing Company is an American company that dates its origins to a brewing company founded in 1844 by Jacob Best and by 1889 named after Frederick Pabst. It is currently the holding company contracting for the brewing of over two dozen brands of beer and malt liquor from defunct companies...
and the Seven Bridges golf course and housing development.
Woodridge was incorporated on August 24, 1959 with less than 500 residents, on a wooded area of high ground overlooking the DuPage River's East Branch
DuPage River
The DuPage River is a tributary of the Des Plaines River in the U.S. state of Illinois.-Course:The river begins as two individual streams. The West Branch of the DuPage River, long, starts in Schaumburg at Campanelli Park in Cook County and continues southward through the entire county of DuPage,...
. Woodridge is a young community with the vast majority of its homes, businesses, and churches constructed after the 1950s. Woodridge was founded by a housing developer, Albert Kaufman, who was largely responsible for the creation of the village.
In July 2007, Woodridge was ranked #61 on Money Magazine
Money Magazine
Money Magazine is a business news and financial programme that is broadcast on Sundays at 7:00pm in Hong Kong by television channel TVB Pearl.-Producers and reporters:...
's, 100 Best Places to Live.
Geography
Woodridge is located at 41°44′40"N 88°2′38"W (41.744582, -88.043869).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 8.4 square miles (21.8 km²), of which, 8.3 square miles (21.5 km²) of it is land and 0.04 square mile (0.1035995244 km²) of it (0.24%) is water.
Woodridge is bordered by Downers Grove, Bolingbrook, Naperville
Naperville, Illinois
Naperville is a city in DuPage and Will Counties in Illinois in the United States, voted the second best place to live in the United States by Money Magazine in 2006. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 141,853. It is the fifth largest city in the state, behind Chicago,...
, Darien
Darien, Illinois
Darien is a city in DuPage County, Illinois, USA. The population was 22,086 at the 2010 census.A suburb of Chicago, Darien was named after a town in Connecticut.-Popular culture:...
, Lisle and Lemont.
Transportation
Two major interstates run through Woodridge: the North-South Tollway (I-355) and the Stevenson Expressway (I-55)Interstate 55
Interstate 55 is an Interstate Highway in the central United States. Its odd number indicates that it is a north–south Interstate Highway. I-55 goes from LaPlace, Louisiana at Interstate 10 to Chicago at U.S. Route 41 , at McCormick Place. A common nickname for the highway is "double...
. The North-South Tollway allows access to a variety of western and northwestern Chicago suburbs, while I-55 gives direct access to the City of Chicago to the north and Joliet and downstate Illinois
Downstate Illinois
Downstate Illinois refers to all of Illinois outside of the Chicago metropolitan area. This term is flexible, but because it is generally meant to refer to everything outside the Chicago-area, some cities in Northern Illinois, such as Rockford and DeKalb, , are considered to be "downstate".The term...
to the south. Other important routes are 75th Street and Illinois Route 53.
An industrial spur for the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad serves International Center, a large industrial area in the far south section. Commuter passenger rail service between Chicago and Aurora can be accessed in nearby Lisle or Downers Grove.
Bus service is provided by PACE, under the coordination of the Regional Transportation Authority.
Government
The Village's government is overseen by the Mayor and a Board of Trustees elected at large. the mayor is William F. Murphy, who was originally elected in 1981 after serving two terms as a village trustee. One of the elementary schools is named after him. the Village Clerk is Eileene Nystrom. current Village Trustees are Anne Banks, Pamela Beavers, Joseph Kagann, Edward McManus, Gina Cunningham-Picek and David Pittinger. Village Departments include Finance, Administration, Police, Building and Zoning, Community Development, and Public Works.The Police Department is a full service force of 51 officers, a records department and a resource center. The Woodridge Police Department also contracts with DuPage Public Safety Communications to provide dispatch services. Woodridge was one of the first communities nationwide to adopt aggressive legislation against underage tobacco use, and the Woodridge Police Department was one of the first to conduct regular "sting" operations using young teens hired by the department to check compliance for tobacco and alcohol sales.
Building and Zoning monitors construction permits, land use, up keep, and other considerations.
Public Works is responsible for the streets and other village infrastructure, including the water supply. Woodridge receives its water from Lake Michigan.
The Village Hall is located in Town Center at Five Plaza Drive. Town Center also includes the Police/Public Works building (One Plaza Drive), the Woodridge Public Library (Three Plaza Drive), and the United States Post Office (Two Plaza Drive).
Woodridge lies within three fire protection districts, the boundaries of which were drawn before the incorporation of the Village. As a result, Woodridge does not maintain a village fire department. The fire departments serving the residents are the Lisle-Woodridge Fire District, the Darien-Woodridge Fire District, and the Lemont Fire District. Lisle-Woodridge is top rated as "ISO 1" by the Insurance Services Office.
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 2000, there were 30,934 people, 11,382 households, and 8,092 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 3,716.7 people per square mile (1,435.5/km²). There were 11,708 housing units at an average density of 1,406.7 per square mile (543.3/km²). The racial makeup of the village was 66.29% White, 9.38% African American, 0.16% Native American, 11.27% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 3.11% 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 3.14% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 25.18% of the population.
There were 11,382 households out of which 38.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.1% 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, 10.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.9% were non-families. 23.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 3.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.71 and the average family size was 3.26.
In the village, the population was spread out with 27.3% under the age of 18, 9.2% from 18 to 24, 36.0% from 25 to 44, 22.2% from 45 to 64, and 5.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females there were 99.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.8 males.
The median income for a household in the village was $42,842, and the median income for a family was $73,691. Males had a median income of $39,159 versus $29,475 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 $21,851. About 5.2% of families and 5.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.5% of those under age 18 and 3.9% of those age 65 or over.
Climate and Environment
Woodridge is in a humid continental climateHumid continental climate
A humid continental climate is a climatic region typified by large seasonal temperature differences, with warm to hot summers and cold winters....
zone. On average, July is the warmest month, and January is the coldest month. August typically has the most precipitation
Precipitation (meteorology)
In meteorology, precipitation In meteorology, precipitation In meteorology, precipitation (also known as one of the classes of hydrometeors, which are atmospheric water phenomena is any product of the condensation of atmospheric water vapor that falls under gravity. The main forms of precipitation...
, and February the least. The record high for Woodridge was 105 °F (40.56 °C) in July 2005, and the record low of -26 °F (-32 °C) was set in January, 1985.
Woodridge has been named a "Tree City
Tree City USA
Tree City USA is a tree planting and tree care program sponsored by the National Arbor Day Foundation for cities and towns in the United States.- Requirements :...
" by the Arbor Day Foundation for the past 16 years, and a study undertaken in 1996 indicated that village has over 8,000 publicly owned tree
Tree
A tree is a perennial woody plant. It is most often defined as a woody plant that has many secondary branches supported clear of the ground on a single main stem or trunk with clear apical dominance. A minimum height specification at maturity is cited by some authors, varying from 3 m to...
s.
Education
The Village of Woodridge School District 68 maintains six elementary schools, Edgewood, Willow Creek, Sipley, William F. Murphy (named after Mayor Murphy), Meadowview, and Goodrich, (serving grades K-6) and one junior high, Jefferson Junior High School, (for grades 7 and 8). Woodridge does not have its own high school. The majority of Woodridge secondary school students attend Downers Grove NorthDowners Grove North
Downers Grove North High School, or DGN, and locally referred to as "North," is a public four year high school located near the corner of Main Street and Ogden Avenue in Downers Grove, Illinois, a western suburb of Chicago, Illinois, in the United States. It is part of Community High School...
or South
Downers Grove South
Downers Grove South High School, or DGS, is a public four-year high school located at the corner of Dunham Road and 63rd Street in Downers Grove, Illinois, a western suburb of Chicago, Illinois, in the United States. It is part of Community High School District 99, which also includes Downers Grove...
High Schools in the recently renamed Community High School District 99. Some students in southern Woodridge are served by Lemont District 210 and attend Lemont High School
Lemont High School
Lemont High School, or LHS, is a public four-year high school located in Lemont, Illinois, a south-western suburb of Chicago, Illinois, in the United States...
. Additionally, Woodridge students who reside west of the DuPage River (Seven Bridges Single-Family Residences) attend Naperville schools in District 203. Some students also attend the nearby parochial schools St. Scholastica (K-8), St. Joan of Arc (PK-8) and Benet Academy
Benet Academy
Benet Academy is a co-educational, college-preparatory, Benedictine high school in Lisle, Illinois, United States, overseen by the Diocese of Joliet. Founded in 1887, the school was initially established in Chicago as the all-boys St. Procopius College and Academy by Benedictine monks, who also...
(9-12).
Westwood College
Westwood College
Westwood College, owned by Alta Colleges Inc., is a United States for-profit institution of higher learning with 17 campus locations in six states and online learning options. Westwood is accredited by national organizations including the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges of...
maintains a Woodridge campus. Other nearby higher education opportunities are Benedictine University
Benedictine University
Benedictine University is a private Catholic university located in Lisle, a suburb of Chicago, Illinois. The institution has retained close relations with the Benedictine Order. Originally named St. Procopius College and located in the Pilsen community of Chicago, the school was founded in 1887 by...
(Lisle), North Central College
North Central College
North Central College is a leading liberal arts college providing students at different stages of life and from different ethnic, economic and religious backgrounds with comprehensive educational programs.-Academics:...
(Naperville), Lewis University
Lewis University
Lewis University is a private Roman Catholic and Lasallian university located in Romeoville, Illinois, United States . The enrollment is currently around 6,800 students...
(Romeoville), College of DuPage
College of DuPage
College of DuPage, or COD, is a two-year community college in Glen Ellyn, Illinois. The college also owns and operates facilities in the Illinois communities of Addison, Bloomingdale, Carol Stream, Naperville, West Chicago, and Westmont...
(Glen Ellyn), Joliet Junior College
Joliet Junior College
Joliet Junior College , a community college based in Joliet, Illinois, was the first public community college founded in the United States. JJC offers pre-baccalaureate programs for students planning to transfer to a four-year university, as well as occupational education leading directly to...
(Romeoville and Joliet) and University of St. Francis (Joliet).
Recreation
The Woodridge Park District maintains a well distributed group of local parks and open spaces, offering facilities for picnicking as well as sports like baseball, basketball, tennis, soccer, cricket and newly added for 2008, Frisbee golf. The Park District also maintains Cypress Cove water park.A series of bike paths built by the park district allow cyclists to ride through the town on paved, dedicated paths.
Golf is another popular recreational activity. Village Greens of Woodridge is a Village-owned, 18-hole golf course; Seven Bridges is another Woodridge owned (but not members-only) championship class course. Zigfield Troy is a 9-hole, par 3 course.
Woodridge is home to three multi-screen movie theaters, most notably IMAX at Seven Bridges and Hollywood Boulevard, as well as dining options ranging from fast food to formal banquets.
Woodridge is also located near the renowned Morton Arboretum
Morton Arboretum
The Morton Arboretum, in Lisle, Illinois, covers 1,700 acres and is made up of gardens of various plant types and collections of trees from specific taxonomical and geographical areas. It includes native woodlands and a restored Illinois prairie. The Arboretum has over 4,100 different species of...
.