Crete, Illinois
Encyclopedia
Crete is a village in Will County
, Illinois
, United States
. The population was 7,346 at the 2000 census. Originally named Wood's Corner, it was founded in 1836 by Vermont
ers Dyantha and Willard Wood.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the village has a total area of 6.4 square miles (16.6 km²), of which, 6.4 square miles (16.6 km²) of it is land and 0.04 square mile (0.1035995244 km²) of it (0.47%) is water. Crete is located about 2 miles (3.2 km) west of Illinois Route 394 and within 40 miles (64.4 km) of downtown Chicago
.
, the Badlands paintball park, Heritage Park, and many other recreational activities. Former United States congresswoman
from the 11th district
Debbie Halvorson
resides in Crete. Crete is also home to celebrity acrobat and live-animal juggler Erica Jensen and pro bass fisherman Kurt Borkowski. Crete is home to acres of forest preserve along with Plum Creek (Goodenow Grove
), a park with ice skating
and sledding
in the winter, and hiking
in the summer.(Goodenow Grove
does, however, have a Beecher, Illinois
address.)
Crete was formerly known for having Cruise Nights on Thursdays, where antique car
s could be presented. It also formerly had Wild West Days for a few days during the summer (lasting fifteen years). Both of these activities were discontinued in 2008. But since Early June 2010,Cruise Nights have been brought back,and are now on Mondays.
of 2000, there were 7,346 people, 2,704 households, and 2,090 families residing in the village. The population density
was 1,151.8 people per square mile (444.6/km²). There were 2,807 housing units at an average density of 440.1 per square mile (169.9/km²). The racial makeup of the village was 86.46% White, 10.47% African American, 0.07% Native American, 0.75% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.93% from other races
, and 1.32% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.63% of the population.
There were 2,704 households out of which 34.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 66.4% were married couples
living together, 7.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.7% were non-families. 19.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.67 and the average family size was 3.06.
In the village the population was spread out with 24.7% under the age of 18, 6.2% from 18 to 24, 26.8% from 25 to 44, 28.4% from 45 to 64, and 13.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 95.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.4 males.
The median income for a household in the village was $67,671, and the median income for a family was $73,987. Males had a median income of $51,191 versus $31,090 for females. The per capita income
for the village was $29,671. About 0.6% of families and 1.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 0.2% of those under age 18 and 3.7% of those age 65 or over.
, which is a unit school district which combines elementary, middle, and high schools. Serving the village of Crete are:
Crete is also home to Crete Lutheran School, Balmoral elementary.
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...
, 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 7,346 at the 2000 census. Originally named Wood's Corner, it was founded in 1836 by Vermont
Vermont
Vermont is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. The state ranks 43rd in land area, , and 45th in total area. Its population according to the 2010 census, 630,337, is the second smallest in the country, larger only than Wyoming. It is the only New England...
ers Dyantha and Willard Wood.
Geography
Crete is located at 41°27′21"N 87°37′8"W (41.455910, -87.618798).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 6.4 square miles (16.6 km²), of which, 6.4 square miles (16.6 km²) of it is land and 0.04 square mile (0.1035995244 km²) of it (0.47%) is water. Crete is located about 2 miles (3.2 km) west of Illinois Route 394 and within 40 miles (64.4 km) of downtown 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...
.
Attributes
Crete is home to the Bible League International's Headquarters, Balmoral Park RacetrackBalmoral Park
Balmoral Park is a horse racing track located just south of Crete, Illinois, United States. The track hosts harness racing for most of the year except for a brief period in January when the track is dark.-History:1925...
, the Badlands paintball park, Heritage Park, and many other recreational activities. Former United States congresswoman
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
from the 11th district
Illinois' 11th congressional district
The 11th Congressional District of Illinois includes the towns of Joliet, Bloomington, Normal, Kankakee, LaSalle, Ottawa and Streator, and all or parts of Will, Kankakee, Grundy, LaSalle, Bureau, Woodford and McLean counties...
Debbie Halvorson
Debbie Halvorson
Deborah L. "Debbie" Halvorson is the former U.S. Representative for , serving from 2009 until 2011. She is a member of the Democratic Party...
resides in Crete. Crete is also home to celebrity acrobat and live-animal juggler Erica Jensen and pro bass fisherman Kurt Borkowski. Crete is home to acres of forest preserve along with Plum Creek (Goodenow Grove
Goodenow Grove
Goodenow Grove Nature Preserve is a unit of the Forest Preserve District of Will County located in Crete Township in Will County, Illinois. The closest town is Crete, Illinois. The preserve covers and contains of trails and a man-made hill which is a sledding hill in the winter. Goodenow Grove...
), a park with ice skating
Ice skating
Ice skating is moving on ice by using ice skates. It can be done for a variety of reasons, including leisure, traveling, and various sports. Ice skating occurs both on specially prepared indoor and outdoor tracks, as well as on naturally occurring bodies of frozen water, such as lakes and...
and sledding
Sledding
Sledding , sledging , sleding or tobogganing is a common activity in wintry areas, similar to sliding, but in a prone or seated position requiring a device or vehicle generically known in the US as a sled or in other countries as a sledge or toboggan...
in the winter, and hiking
Hiking
Hiking is an outdoor activity which consists of walking in natural environments, often in mountainous or other scenic terrain. People often hike on hiking trails. It is such a popular activity that there are numerous hiking organizations worldwide. The health benefits of different types of hiking...
in the summer.(Goodenow Grove
Goodenow Grove
Goodenow Grove Nature Preserve is a unit of the Forest Preserve District of Will County located in Crete Township in Will County, Illinois. The closest town is Crete, Illinois. The preserve covers and contains of trails and a man-made hill which is a sledding hill in the winter. Goodenow Grove...
does, however, have a Beecher, Illinois
Beecher, Illinois
Beecher is a village in Will County, Illinois, United States. It is located on the old Chicago and Eastern Illinois Railroad and the Dixie Highway. Situated in the center of Washington Township, it was originally named Washington Center. The population was 4,359 at the 2010 census. Named for Henry...
address.)
Crete was formerly known for having Cruise Nights on Thursdays, where antique car
Antique car
In the United States, an antique car is generally defined as a car over 45 years of age, this being the definition used by the Antique Automobile Club of America. However, the legal definition for the purpose of antique vehicle registration varies widely. The antique car era includes the veteran...
s could be presented. It also formerly had Wild West Days for a few days during the summer (lasting fifteen years). Both of these activities were discontinued in 2008. But since Early June 2010,Cruise Nights have been brought back,and are now on Mondays.
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 7,346 people, 2,704 households, and 2,090 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 1,151.8 people per square mile (444.6/km²). There were 2,807 housing units at an average density of 440.1 per square mile (169.9/km²). The racial makeup of the village was 86.46% White, 10.47% African American, 0.07% Native American, 0.75% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.93% 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 1.32% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.63% of the population.
There were 2,704 households out of which 34.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 66.4% 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, 7.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.7% were non-families. 19.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.67 and the average family size was 3.06.
In the village the population was spread out with 24.7% under the age of 18, 6.2% from 18 to 24, 26.8% from 25 to 44, 28.4% from 45 to 64, and 13.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 95.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.4 males.
The median income for a household in the village was $67,671, and the median income for a family was $73,987. Males had a median income of $51,191 versus $31,090 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 $29,671. About 0.6% of families and 1.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 0.2% of those under age 18 and 3.7% of those age 65 or over.
Education
All public schools in Crete are managed by Crete Monee Community Unit School District 201UCrete Monee Community Unit School District 201U
Crete-Monee Community Unit School District 201 U, more commonly known as District 201U, is a unified public school district located in the south suburbs of Chicago, Illinois, United States. It serves the communities of Crete, University Park, Monee and parts of Park Forest...
, which is a unit school district which combines elementary, middle, and high schools. Serving the village of Crete are:
- Crete Elementary School (pre-kindergarten through 5th grade)
- Crete Monee Sixth Grade Center (6th grade)
- Crete Monee Middle School (7th & 8th grade)
- Crete Monee High SchoolCrete Monee High SchoolCrete-Monee High School is a secondary education facility located in Crete, Illinois, for teenagers in ninth through twelfth grade. Its current building was completed in 2007 at a cost of $60 million. The old building, built in 1954, currently houses the Crete-Monee Sixth Grade Center on its main...
(9th through 12th grades)
Crete is also home to Crete Lutheran School, Balmoral elementary.