Itasca, Illinois
Encyclopedia
Itasca is a village in DuPage County
, Illinois
, United States
. The population was 8,302 at the 2000 census.
In 2009, BusinessWeek
rated Itasca as the 'Best Affordable Suburb' in the state of Illinois. Also, Business Week rated Itasca had the #1 Best Parks and #1 stop signs.
Prior to 1995, Itasca's School District 10 had one PreK-5 elementary school on each side of town: Franzen School on the North Side and Washington School on the South Side. (Upon entering 6th grade, all students attend Peacock Jr. High (Currently Peacock Middle School) on the town's North Side. Itasca is served by High School District 108, Lake Park High School
in nearby Roselle
).
Beginning with the 1995-1996 school year, the elementary schools were consolidated: Benson Primary School, formally Washington School would become PreK-2nd Grade; Franzen Intermediate School would become 3rd-5th Grades.
St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church and School has offered elementary education in Itasca since the 1960s, until its closure recently.
St. Luke Lutheran Church and School dates back to 1885. The Church and school were relocated to their current location at Washington and Rush street in 1961.
There are only four railroad crossings in Itasca, from west to east: IL 53/Rohlwing Road, Catalpa Street, Walnut Street, and CR 10/Prospect Avenue.
Walnut Street, between Bloomingdale Road and Division Street, is generally regarded as Itasca's "downtown". There is a 7-11, dry cleaners, discount bread shop, dog groomers, Cucina Casale Italian Restaurant, Kean's Bakery, the train station, a Starbucks, Tree Guys Pizza Pub, Medusa's Oblongata peanut store, Delia's Deli and Ice Cream Shop as well as Wine With Me and a new catering business is located in the Old Village Hall. The town's landmarks include Itasca Baptist Church and Usher Park, which is on Walnut Street. A riverwalk was recently added, and Gigi Gruber Lane is a tribute to former mayor Gigi Gruber. Irving Park Road between Interstate 290 and First Street is also a commercial corridor, as well as the home of the town's Municipal Campus (library, museum, pool, fire station, and police station/village hall). West of I-290, Irving Park Road remains commercial, but with more national chain businesses (Holiday Inn, Subway, etc.) The Itasca post office is also on this stretch.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the village has a total area of 5 square miles (12.9 km²), of which, 4.9 square miles (12.7 km²) of it is land and 0.1 square mile (0.258998811 km²) of it (1.40%) is water.
of 2000, there were 8,302 people, 3,179 households, and 2,257 families residing in the village. The population density
was 1,688.8 people per square mile (651.5/km²). There were 3,258 housing units at an average density of 662.7 per square mile (255.7/km²). The racial makeup of the village was 88.04% White, 1.69% African American, 0.26% Native American, 5.83% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 1.72% from other races
, and 2.43% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 7.00% of the population.
There were 3,179 households out of which 31.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.9% were married couples
living together, 8.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.0% were non-families. 23.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 5.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.57 and the average family size was 3.07.
In the village the population was spread out with 23.0% under the age of 18, 7.5% from 18 to 24, 33.0% from 25 to 44, 25.1% from 45 to 64, and 11.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 93.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.9 males.
The median income for a household in the village was $88,282 and the median income for a family is $101,891. Males had a median income of $51,816 versus $35,541 for females. The per capita income
for the village was $34,117. About 3.1% of families and 4.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.4% of those under age 18 and 6.5% of those age 65 or over.
, one of the world's largest insurance broker
age firms, and Midas are headquartered in Itasca. Additionally, PrimeCo
had its headquarters in Itasca.
on Metra
's Milwaukee District/West Line
, which provides daily rail service between Elgin
and Chicago (at Union Station
).
The town is also located at the junction of Interstate 290, Veterans Memorial Tollway
, and the Elgin-O'Hare Expressway
, making Itasca a prime location for commerce and industry in the northwest suburbs.
State Highway 19 (Irving Park Road), which connects Chicago and Elgin, runs east-west through the center of town. State Highway 53 (Rohlwing Road) runs north-south through the western edge of the village.
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,...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The population was 8,302 at the 2000 census.
In 2009, BusinessWeek
BusinessWeek
Bloomberg Businessweek, commonly and formerly known as BusinessWeek, is a weekly business magazine published by Bloomberg L.P. It is currently headquartered in New York City.- History :...
rated Itasca as the 'Best Affordable Suburb' in the state of Illinois. Also, Business Week rated Itasca had the #1 Best Parks and #1 stop signs.
Neighborhoods
Itasca's residential neighborhoods, for the most part, straddle the railroad tracks running through the village. The railroad splits the town into the "North Side" and the "South Side". (Itasca has two unincorporated neighborhoods west of Rohlwing Road: Nordic Hills near the intersection of Rohlwing and Bloomingdale Roads, and the Ranchettes near the intersection of Rohlwing and Irving Park Roads).Prior to 1995, Itasca's School District 10 had one PreK-5 elementary school on each side of town: Franzen School on the North Side and Washington School on the South Side. (Upon entering 6th grade, all students attend Peacock Jr. High (Currently Peacock Middle School) on the town's North Side. Itasca is served by High School District 108, Lake Park High School
Lake Park High School
Lake Park High School is a public, four-year high school occupying two campuses, both located in Roselle, Illinois, a western suburb of Chicago. Freshmen and sophomores attend the East Campus , located near Medinah and juniors and seniors attend the West Campus. It is part of the Lake Park...
in nearby Roselle
Roselle, Illinois
Roselle is a city located in DuPage County and a small portion in Cook County Illinois in northeastern Illinois. It was first incorporated in 1922 and can correctly be relegated to a bedroom community — that is, a community that largely consists of residential zoning in both income streams...
).
Beginning with the 1995-1996 school year, the elementary schools were consolidated: Benson Primary School, formally Washington School would become PreK-2nd Grade; Franzen Intermediate School would become 3rd-5th Grades.
St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church and School has offered elementary education in Itasca since the 1960s, until its closure recently.
St. Luke Lutheran Church and School dates back to 1885. The Church and school were relocated to their current location at Washington and Rush street in 1961.
There are only four railroad crossings in Itasca, from west to east: IL 53/Rohlwing Road, Catalpa Street, Walnut Street, and CR 10/Prospect Avenue.
Walnut Street, between Bloomingdale Road and Division Street, is generally regarded as Itasca's "downtown". There is a 7-11, dry cleaners, discount bread shop, dog groomers, Cucina Casale Italian Restaurant, Kean's Bakery, the train station, a Starbucks, Tree Guys Pizza Pub, Medusa's Oblongata peanut store, Delia's Deli and Ice Cream Shop as well as Wine With Me and a new catering business is located in the Old Village Hall. The town's landmarks include Itasca Baptist Church and Usher Park, which is on Walnut Street. A riverwalk was recently added, and Gigi Gruber Lane is a tribute to former mayor Gigi Gruber. Irving Park Road between Interstate 290 and First Street is also a commercial corridor, as well as the home of the town's Municipal Campus (library, museum, pool, fire station, and police station/village hall). West of I-290, Irving Park Road remains commercial, but with more national chain businesses (Holiday Inn, Subway, etc.) The Itasca post office is also on this stretch.
Geography
Itasca is located at 41°58′29"N 88°1′7"W (41.974678, -88.018513).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 5 square miles (12.9 km²), of which, 4.9 square miles (12.7 km²) of it is land and 0.1 square mile (0.258998811 km²) of it (1.40%) is water.
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 8,302 people, 3,179 households, and 2,257 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 1,688.8 people per square mile (651.5/km²). There were 3,258 housing units at an average density of 662.7 per square mile (255.7/km²). The racial makeup of the village was 88.04% White, 1.69% African American, 0.26% Native American, 5.83% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 1.72% 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 2.43% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 7.00% of the population.
There were 3,179 households out of which 31.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.9% 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, 8.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.0% were non-families. 23.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 5.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.57 and the average family size was 3.07.
In the village the population was spread out with 23.0% under the age of 18, 7.5% from 18 to 24, 33.0% from 25 to 44, 25.1% from 45 to 64, and 11.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 93.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.9 males.
The median income for a household in the village was $88,282 and the median income for a family is $101,891. Males had a median income of $51,816 versus $35,541 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 $34,117. About 3.1% of families and 4.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.4% of those under age 18 and 6.5% of those age 65 or over.
Economy
Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.
Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. is a US-based global insurance brokerage and risk management services firm headquartered at the Gallagher Centre in Itasca, Illinois...
, one of the world's largest insurance broker
Insurance broker
An insurance broker finds sources for contracts of insurance on behalf of their customers. The three largest insurance brokers in the world, by revenue, are Aon, Marsh & McLennan, and Willis Group Holdings.-Purpose of insurance brokers:...
age firms, and Midas are headquartered in Itasca. Additionally, PrimeCo
PrimeCo
PrimeCo Personal Communications, L.P. was a joint venture of Bell Atlantic and AirTouch Communications, and was the first wireless telecommunications provider to turn up CDMA service on the PCS band in late 1995. When the company was founded, it had its headquarters in Westlake, Texas...
had its headquarters in Itasca.
Transportation
Itasca has a stationItasca (Metra)
Itasca is a station on Metra's Milwaukee District/West in Itasca, Illinois. The station is away from Union Station, the eastern terminus of the line. In Metra's zone-based fare system, Itasca is in zone E.Itasca Station is located near the Itasca Country Club...
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 Milwaukee District/West Line
Milwaukee District/West Line
The Milwaukee District/West is a commuter rail line provided and operated by Metra in Chicago, Illinois, and its surrounding suburbs...
, which provides daily rail service between Elgin
Elgin, Illinois
Elgin is a city in northern Illinois located roughly northwest of Chicago on the Fox River. Most of Elgin lies within Kane County, Illinois, with a portion in Cook County, Illinois...
and Chicago (at Union Station
Union Station (Chicago)
Union Station is a major train station that opened in 1925 in Chicago, replacing an earlier 1881 station. It is now the only intercity rail terminal in Chicago, as well as being the city's primary terminal for commuter trains. The station stands on the west side of the Chicago River between Adams...
).
The town is also located at the junction of Interstate 290, Veterans Memorial Tollway
Interstate 355
Interstate 355 , also known as the Veterans Memorial Tollway, is an Interstate Highway and tollway in the western and southwest suburbs of Chicago, Illinois, U.S. Like most other toll roads in the northeastern portion of the state, I-355 is maintained by a State Highway Authority...
, and the Elgin-O'Hare Expressway
Elgin-O'Hare Expressway
The Elgin-O'Hare Expressway is an Interstate-standard freeway in northeast Illinois, United States. Contrary to its given name, the expressway does not enter either Elgin or O'Hare International Airport, giving it a somewhat infamous reputation as a "road to nowhere"...
, making Itasca a prime location for commerce and industry in the northwest suburbs.
State Highway 19 (Irving Park Road), which connects Chicago and Elgin, runs east-west through the center of town. State Highway 53 (Rohlwing Road) runs north-south through the western edge of the village.
Miscellaneous
- The movie Grace Is GoneGrace Is Gone (film)Grace Is Gone is a 2007 drama film starring John Cusack as a father who does not want to tell his two daughters that their mother has died while serving in Iraq...
, starring John CusackJohn CusackJohn Paul Cusack is an American film actor and screenwriter. He has appeared in more than 50 films, including The Journey of Natty Gann, Say Anything..., Grosse Point Blank, The Thin Red Line, Stand by Me, Con Air, Being John Malkovich, High Fidelity, Serendipity, Runaway Jury, The Ice Harvest,...
, was filmed in Itasca. - Kyle Aevermann, a social mediaSocial mediaThe term Social Media refers to the use of web-based and mobile technologies to turn communication into an interactive dialogue. Andreas Kaplan and Michael Haenlein define social media as "a group of Internet-based applications that build on the ideological and technological foundations of Web 2.0,...
blogBlogA blog is a type of website or part of a website supposed to be updated with new content from time to time. Blogs are usually maintained by an individual with regular entries of commentary, descriptions of events, or other material such as graphics or video. Entries are commonly displayed in...
ger, and CNNCNNCable News Network is a U.S. cable news channel founded in 1980 by Ted Turner. Upon its launch, CNN was the first channel to provide 24-hour television news coverage, and the first all-news television channel in the United States...
contributor grew up in Itasca. - Joe Book, a popular regional DJ and well-known Missouri Valley Basketball writer for www.examiner.com, grew up in Itasca.
- Justin McCareins, who played for nearly a decade in the NFL, grew up in Itasca.