Love,love
RACE AND ETHNICITY
Population: 52,233 (2019)
Average household: 2.4 (2.7 in Cook County)
Most of the population is white.
The majority speak English, followed by Spanish.
There has been a steady increase in the Hispanic/Latino Population and Other /Multiple Races, while a decrease in all other races. (Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning, 2021)
CULTURE
As of 2019, 15.4% of Oak Park, IL residents (8.05k people) were born outside of the United States, which is lower than the national average of 34%. In 2018, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Oak Park, IL was 9.32%, meaning that the rate has been increasing (Oak Park, IL).
The top ancestries would be German, Irish, English, Polish, Italian, and so on.
"We believe in equity. By embracing equity, with an explicit but not exclusive focus on racial equity, we work to break down systems of oppression, including racism, sexism, homophobia, xenophobia and other forms of bias and hate to achieve a society where race no longer determines one’s outcomes, where everyone has what they need to thrive. This is both a process and a goal. We reject racial barriers that limit and divide us, and we reject bias towards any group of people. (Village of Oak Park, 2019)".
CULTURE CONTINUED
A Day in Our Village provides an opportunity for current and prospective residents to discover the diversity and variety of civic, cultural, social service, business, educational and religious organizations and groups in the Village. A festival that has over 100 booths and local restaurants sell food.
They also have event called Sculpture walk, which local and foreign artists from many cultures and backgrounds display their artwork in the street’s. They make it a fun interactive way to explore the community and to express art works.
Religion
First United Church of Oak Park
St. Edmund Catholic Church
Pilgrim Congregational Church
- Only about 59.9% of the Oak Park population identifies as religious.
-Out those 59.9%, the majority are Catholics, followed by other Christian, Islam, and Baptist.
(Sperling's Best Places, n.d.)
RELIGION
Places of Worship
4 Jewish congregations (1 temple and 3 meet in homes)
45 Protestant and non-denominational churches (23 denominations)
5 Roman Catholic parishes
4 Buddhist communities
(Village of Oak Park , 2019)
POLITICS
Oak Park is considered moderately liberal. A bit less liberal than Cook County.
About 80% are democrats with the rest being republican's.
Individual Campaign Contributions in zip 60302 (Oak Park)
In the last 4 years (2018-2021), there were 12,636 contributions totaling $2,809,638 to the Democratic Party and liberal campaigns, averaging $222 per contribution.
In the last 4 years, there were 488 contributions totaling $146,107 to the Republican Party and conservative campaigns, averaging $299 per contribution (source: Federal Election Commission).
(Sperling's Best Places, n.d.)
Boundaries, Housing & Zoning, Open Spaces, Common Areas
Boundaries
North Ave, Harlem Ave/ IL-43, Roosevelt Road and Austin Blvd
Borders Chicago to the North and East
Cicero and Berwyn to the South
Forest Park and River Forest are West
Boundaries (continued)
Socioeconomics
Compared to its neighbors, Oak Park has the 2nd highest median income ($94,646)
River Forest ($129,928)
Most affluent areas adjacent to River Forest.
Oak Park has the largest cluster of homes designed by Frank Lloyd Wright.
Homes worth millions in this area.
Highest Value Lowest Value
Click to add text
Te
Housing & Zoning
Average Home $387,300
45% Single family residents
10% Multi-family residents
3.7% Commercial Space
4.5% Institutional land use
(religious, government, social, educational, cultural, health care facilities)
Ther are 15 Senior Living facility around downtown area
(14.7% of residents 65 or older)
Single Family
Multi-Family
Transportation
& Other
Click to add text
Open Spaces
Environment
Only 3.5% of Oak Pak has Common Areas, Parks, and Mixed-use areas
100% Walkability
(amenities within walking distance)
32% of land used in Transportation
(highway, train, streets)
.
"Commons"
Food Pantry
Dining & Nightlife
Neighborhood Tours
Safety
Oak Park is not one of the safest communities in America. Relative to Illinois, Oak Park has a crime rate that is higher than 92% of the state's cities and towns of all sizes.
The chance that a person will become a victim of a violent crime in Oak Park is 1 in 336. The rate of 3 per one thousand inhabitants.
Property crimes, your chance of becoming a victim of any of these crimes in Oak Park is one in 33.
Media
Oak Park has a newspaper called "Wednesday Journal" that is publshed weekly.
Oak Park has a television station called "VOP-TV.
The Film "Soul Food" in 1997 was filmed in Oak Park.
Hit show on FX TV "Fargo" will be filming in Oak Park.
There is 10+ including Bloomberg Wire Service, Chicago Suntimes, Chicago Tribune.
Oak Park is bilingual to the needs of their community, with schools and jobs readily available.
Stores, Service Centers
Oak Park has its own chamber of commerce that includes social services and welfare, a local YMCA, non-profits that supports women, mental health services, etc.
There are more fast-food restaurants but there's a pretty good amount of healthy one in the area also. NOT considered a food desert.
This neighborhood gives an equal amount of entertainment and green spaces.
There's a high number of fitness and exercise centers
I believe that this neighborhood has its goods and bads, but I believe the good outweighs the bad.
Schools
10 Elementary/Middle Schools
1 High School with the graduation rate of 93%
No Colleges in Oak Park, but West Surburban College of Nursing was formerly there until they became Resurrection University.
17 Private Schools , 41% of private schools are religiously affiliated most Roman Catholic and Baptist
Schools Continued
High School Graduation Rate compared to the state and national averages.
Transportation
Oak Park has a very accessible public transit system:
Two CTA (Chicago Transit Authority) Elevated Rail Lines the Blue and Green Lins.
The Metra (Union Pacific West Line) train
PACE and CTA buses
Bike friendly
Health Status of the Community
Top 5 Health Concerns
1. Age Related Illness
2. Diabetes
3. Mental Health
4. Heart Disease and Stroke
Cancer
Health Status of the Community Continued
Persons without health insurance under 65 years of age is 3.6%, between 2018-2019 that declined to 3.12%
6.1% of people under the age of 65 years are with a disability
4.2% of women 15-50 gave birth during the past year
Between 2011-2015 the incidence of binge alcohol consumption dropped.
Between 2016-2020 Oak Park had the highest rate of acute opioid exposure overdose in suburban Cook County rate of mortality was 10.2 per 100,000.
TB cases in 2018 was 3.9 rating per 100,000 of the population
Life Expectancy is 82 which is higher than Chicago which has 77 age life expectancy
References
https://www.oak-park.us/sites/default/files/health/plans/2017-community-health-plan.pdf
https://www.oakpark.com/2021/03/02/oak-parks-opioid-overdose-rates-above-average/
https://www.rush.edu/sites/default/files/2020-09/CHNA-CHIP-ONLINE-REV8-8_FNL.pdf
https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/oakparkvillageillinois
Case Management
Oak Park houses many Community Assets and Resources such as:
2017 Oak Park and River Forest joined together to create a Health Assessment plan for IPLAN.
Hospitals: Rush Oak Park Hospital &West Suburban Medical Center
Community-based Health Centers such as Infant Welfare Society's Children Clinic and PCC Community Lake Street Family Health Center
Mental Health Facilities such as Community Care Options-Fillmore and Thrive Counseling Center
Community Strengths
Extensive public transportation network
Safe environment for young families
96.9 % of the population of Oak Park has health coverage
Historic preservation of its Architecture
Accessibility to healthcare facilities
Poverty rates are lower than in Chicago
Community Weaknesses
Air Quality and Noise pollution along the highway and busy streets.
Investment and support of community programs.
Services to assist unemployed and underemployed.
More racial diversity and inclusiveness
Cost of living and operating a small business in Oak Park can be a challenge
Anthony Clark is running for village trustee. He points out some needed tasks https://www.activisttoolkit.org/anthony-clark-2021-oak-park-village-trustee
Community Resource
In 2017, I-290 Eisenhower Expressway received Federal approval for expansion. It would reduce air pollution caused by stagnant traffic.
On a local level, Triton College is partnering with the Illinois Green Business Association (IGBA) to guide businesses located in Oak Park and River Forest through the certification process.
References
Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning. (2021). Oak Park Community Data Snapshot Municipality Series June 2021 Release. Chicago; Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning.
Cook County Department of Public Health. (2019). Mortality Tables 2017. Oak Forest, IL: Community Epidemiology and Health Planning Unit
COVID-19 coronavirus RESOURCES. Village of Oak Park. (2021, August 5). https://www.oak-park.us/news/covid-19-coronavirus-resources.
Futures, Inc, L. H., Oak Park and River Community Health Plan (n.d.). https://www.oak-park.us/sites/default/files/health/plans/2017-community-health-plan.pdf.
IDOT. (2020). Proposed highway Improvement program. Illinois Department of Transportation. https://idot.illinois.gov/Assets/uploads/files/Transportation-System/Reports/OP&P/HIP/2021-2026/2021-2026%20MYP%20Internet%20Version.pdf
Neighborhood Scout. (2021). Oak park, il demographic data. NeighborhoodScout. https://www.neighborhoodscout.com/il/oak-park/demographics.
Oak park, IL. Data USA. (n.d.). https://datausa.io/profile/geo/oak-park-il/#demographics.
Oak Park. 2015. Eye on the ike - air quality & noise - harlem interchang. Oak Park.https://www.oak-park.us/your-government/village-board/eye-ike/eye-ike-air-quality-noise-harlem-interchange
Romain, M. (2021, March 2). Oak Park's opioid overdose rates above average. Oak Park. https://www.oakpark.com/2021/03/02/oak-parks-opioid-overdose-rates-above-average/.
Rush. (n.d.). 2019 Community Health Needs Assessment and 2020-2022 Community Health Implementation Plan. 2019 Community Health Needs Assessment and 2020 – 2022 Community Health Implementation Plan. https://www.rush.edu/sites/default/files/2020-09/CHNA-CHIP-ONLINE-REV8-8_FNL.pdf.
Rush University Medical Center. (2016, June 8). Community Snapshot: Oak Park. 2016 Community Health Needs Assessment. https://www.rush.edu/sites/default/files/2020-10/chna-oak-park.pdf.
Sperling's Best Places. (n.d.). Politics & voting in Oak Park, Illinois. Oak park, Illinois politics & voting. https://www.bestplaces.net/voting/city/illinois/oak_park.
Sperling's Best Places. (n.d.). Religion in Oak Park, Illinois . Oak park, Illinois Religion. https://www.bestplaces.net/religion/city/illinois/oak_park.
Village of Oak Park. (2019, August 29). Village profile. Oak Park. https://www.oak-park.us/our-community/village-profile
References continued