Brookfield, Illinois
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| Brookfield, Illinois | |
|---|---|
| Name | Brookfield, Illinois |
| Settlement type | Village |
| Subdivision type | Country |
| Subdivision name | United States |
| Subdivision type1 | State |
| Subdivision name1 | Illinois |
| Subdivision type2 | County |
| Subdivision name2 | Cook |
| Subdivision type3 | Townships |
| Subdivision name3 | Lyons, Riverside |
| Leader title | Mayor |
| Leader name | Michael Garvey |
| Established title | Incorporated |
| Established date | 1893 |
| Area total km2 | 8.20 |
| Area total sq mi | 3.17 |
| Area land km2 | 8.20 |
| Area land sq mi | 3.17 |
| Area water km2 | 0.00 |
| Area water sq mi | 0.00 |
| Population as of | 2020 |
| Population total | 19476 |
| Population density km2 | 2375.12 |
| Population density sq mi | 6143.85 |
| Timezone | CST |
| Utc offset | -6 |
| Timezone DST | CDT |
| Utc offset DST | -5 |
| Postal code type | ZIP Code |
| Postal code | 60513 |
| Area code | 708 |
| Blank name | FIPS code |
| Blank info | 17-08558 |
| Blank1 name | GNIS feature ID |
| Blank1 info | 2397440 |
| Website | www.brookfieldil.gov |
Brookfield, Illinois. Brookfield is a vibrant village located in Cook County, Illinois, approximately 13 miles west of Downtown Chicago. Incorporated in 1893, it is renowned as the home of the world-famous Brookfield Zoo and for its historic Hollywood neighborhood, a designated National Register Historic District. The community is characterized by its strong park system, classic bungalow architecture, and convenient access to major transportation corridors like the Tri-State Tollway and the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway.
History
The area was originally inhabited by the Potawatomi people before European settlement accelerated with the completion of the Illinois and Michigan Canal in 1848. The community developed around a station stop on the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad, initially named "Grossdale" after real estate developer Samuel Eberly Gross. It was renamed Brookfield upon incorporation in 1893. The village's growth was significantly shaped by the 1934 opening of the Brookfield Zoo, a project championed by the Chicago Zoological Society. The post-World War II era saw a housing boom, with many of its distinctive bungalows constructed during this period. The historic Hollywood subdivision, developed in the 1920s with themes from the Golden Age of Hollywood, remains a unique architectural attraction.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, Brookfield has a total area of 3.17 square miles, all land. The village is situated on the Des Plaines River valley, with the river forming part of its western border. It is bordered by the villages of La Grange Park to the north, Lyons to the east, Riverside to the southeast, and North Riverside to the northeast, with McCook and Hodgkins to the south. Major roadways include Interstate 294 (Tri-State Tollway), U.S. Route 34 (Ogden Avenue), and Illinois Route 43 (Harlem Avenue). The village operates an extensive network of parks, including the expansive Kiwanis Park and Ehlert Park.
Demographics
As of the 2020 United States census, the population was 19,476. The racial makeup was predominantly White (78.5%) and Hispanic or Latino (16.1%), with smaller populations of African American, Asian, and multiracial residents. The median household income was notably above the national average, and the population density was high for a suburban community. Brookfield has historically been a destination for Czech and other Central European immigrants, a heritage still reflected in local institutions and annual events.
Economy
Brookfield's economy is a mix of local retail, light industry, and institutional anchors. The primary economic driver and tourist attraction is the Brookfield Zoo, one of the largest zoos in the United States, operated by the Chicago Zoological Society. The village's commercial corridors are concentrated along Ogden Avenue and Harlem Avenue, featuring a variety of independent shops, restaurants, and service businesses. Major employers in the area include Loyola University Medical Center in nearby Maywood and various manufacturing and distribution facilities in the surrounding Cook County region. The village also benefits from its proximity to the Chicago Union Station via the Metra BNSF Railway Line.
Education
Public education is served by Brookfield School District 95 for elementary and middle schools and Lyons Township High School District 204 for high school. Students attend Brookfield Elementary School and S. E. Gross Middle School before progressing to Lyons Township High School in La Grange. The village is also home to several private institutions, including St. Barbara Catholic School and St. Louise de Marillac Catholic School. Higher education opportunities are accessible at nearby institutions such as Morton College in Cicero and Dominican University in River Forest. The Brookfield Public Library provides extensive community resources and programming.
Notable people
Notable individuals associated with Brookfield include Bob Newhart, the acclaimed comedian and actor; John Belushi, the legendary comedian and original cast member of Saturday Night Live, who lived in the village as a child; and Michele Tafoya, the former sideline reporter for NBC Sports and ESPN. Jim Peterik, Grammy-winning songwriter and founding member of the band The Ides of March and co-writer of hits for Survivor, is a longtime resident. Additionally, Richard J. Daley, the longtime Mayor of Chicago, worked in Brookfield early in his career.
Category:Villages in Illinois Category:Villages in Cook County, Illinois Category:1893 establishments in Illinois