Dolton, Illinois

Summary

Dolton (/ˈdɔːltən/, DAWL-tən) is a village in Cook County, Illinois, United States. The population was 21,426 at the 2020 census.[2] Dolton is located just west of the expressway Interstate 94 and immediately south of the city limits of Chicago. Its most common ZIP code is 60419.

Dolton, Illinois
Village
Flag of Dolton, Illinois
Official seal of Dolton, Illinois
Motto: 
"A community working together"
Location of Dolton in Cook County, Illinois.
Location of Dolton in Cook County, Illinois.
Location of Illinois in the United States
Location of Illinois in the United States
Coordinates: 41°37′39″N 87°35′55″W / 41.62750°N 87.59861°W / 41.62750; -87.59861
CountryUnited States
StateIllinois
CountyCook
TownshipThornton
Incorporated1893
Government
 • TypeMayor-council
 • MayorTiffany Henyard
Area
 • Total4.69 sq mi (12.14 km2)
 • Land4.57 sq mi (11.84 km2)
 • Water0.12 sq mi (0.30 km2)  2.56%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total21,426
 • Density4,687.38/sq mi (1,809.94/km2)
Standard of living (2009-11)
 • Per capita income$21,742
 • Median home value$131,600
Time zoneCentral Standard Time
ZIP code(s)
60419
Area code(s)708
Geocode17-20292
FIPS code17-20292
Websitevodolton.org

Dolton is bordered by Chicago to the north, Riverdale and Harvey to the west, South Holland to the south and Calumet City to the east.

History edit

A post office has been in operation in Dolton since 1854.[3] The village was named for a family of early settlers.[4] The villages of Dolton and nearby Riverdale were effectively one community until each incorporated separately in 1892.[5]

Geography edit

In 2021, Dolton was an area of 4.69 square miles (12.15 km2), of which 4.57 square miles (11.84 km2) (or 97.50%) is land and 0.12 square miles (0.31 km2) (or 2.50%) is water.[6]

Surrounding areas edit

  Chicago
  Riverdale       Chicago
  Riverdale / Harvey      Calumet City
  Harvey       South Holland
  South Holland

Education edit

The entire village is part of South Suburban Community College District 510.[7]

Demographics edit

Historical population
CensusPop.Note
1880448
18901,110147.8%
19001,22910.7%
19101,86952.1%
19202,07611.1%
19302,92340.8%
19403,0584.6%
19505,33874.6%
196018,746251.2%
197025,93738.4%
198024,766−4.5%
199023,956−3.3%
200025,6146.9%
201023,153−9.6%
202021,426−7.5%
U.S. Decennial Census[8]
2010[9] 2020[10]

In the 2020 census[11] there were 21,426 people, 7,985 households, and 5,361 families in the village. The population density was 4,570.39 inhabitants per square mile (1,764.64/km2). There were 8,768 housing units at an average density of 1,870.31 per square mile (722.13/km2).

The racial makeup of the village was 90.69% African American, 3.25% White, 0.17% Native American, 0.21% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 2.62% from other races, and 3.04% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.37% of the population.

There were 7,985 households. 29.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them. 25.45% were married couples living together. 35.94% had a female householder with no husband present. 32.86% were non-families. 29.42% of all households were made up of individuals. 12.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.44. The average family size was 2.78.

The village's age distribution consisted of 24.8% under the age of 18, 10.7% from 18 to 24, 21.8% from 25 to 44, 27% from 45 to 64, and 15.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36.7 years. For every 100 females, there were 86.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 79.5 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $50,237. The median income for a family was $57,634. Males had a median income of $33,939 versus $33,354 for females. The per capita income for the village was $22,135. About 15.4% of families and 22.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 42.8% of those under age 18 and 13.2% of those age 65 or over.

Dolton village, Illinois – Racial and ethnic composition
Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.
Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic) Pop 2000[12] Pop 2010[9] Pop 2020[10] % 2000 % 2010 % 2020
White alone (NH) 3,390 1,226 598 13.23% 5.30% 2.79%
Black or African American alone (NH) 20,973 20,932 19,322 81.88% 90.41% 90.18%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) 28 14 19 0.11% 0.06% 0.09%
Asian alone (NH) 144 68 38 0.56% 0.29% 0.18%
Pacific Islander alone (NH) 4 3 1 0.02% 0.01% 0.00%
Some Other Race alone (NH) 34 24 107 0.13% 0.10% 0.50%
Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) 250 264 404 0.98% 1.14% 1.89%
Hispanic or Latino (any race) 791 622 937 3.09% 2.69% 4.37%
Total 25,614 23,153 21,426 100.00% 100.00% 100.00%

Government edit

Most of the village is part of the Dolton Park District, with a small portion served by the Calumet Memorial Park District. The entire village is part of the Dolton Public Library District and the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District.[7]

Allegations of misspending and harassment edit

In November 2023, WGN News published a two-part series of articles alleging widespread misspending and harassment of political opponents by the mayor, Tiffany Henyard.[13][14][15]

On 20 February 2024 it was reported that the Federal Bureau of Investigation had launched a probe into alleged misconduct by Mayor Henyard. [16]

Mayors edit

Transportation edit

Pace provides bus service on multiple routes connecting Dolton to destinations across the Southland.[38]

Notable people edit

William Shaw, Illinois state legislator, served as the first African-American mayor of Dolton.[39] He was followed as mayor by Ronnie Lewis, who was the first African-American to serve as an official in the Dolton government.[40]Nelsan Ellis, who played Lafayette Reynolds in True Blood, grew up there.[41]

References edit

  1. ^ "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 15, 2022.
  2. ^ "Dolton village, Illinois, Illinois profile". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 24, 2022.
  3. ^ "Cook County". Jim Forte Postal History. Retrieved November 4, 2015.
  4. ^ Callary, Edward (September 29, 2008). Place Names of Illinois. University of Illinois Press. p. 95. ISBN 978-0-252-09070-7.
  5. ^ "Dolton, IL". Encyclopedia of Chicago.
  6. ^ Bureau, US Census. "Gazetteer Files". Census.gov. Retrieved June 29, 2022.
  7. ^ a b Cook County Clerks Office Archived August 1, 2013, at the Wayback Machine
  8. ^ "Decennial Census of Population and Housing by Decades". US Census Bureau.
  9. ^ a b "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Dolton village, Illinois". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 26, 2024.
  10. ^ a b "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Dolton village, Illinois". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 26, 2024.
  11. ^ "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved June 28, 2022.
  12. ^ "P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Goodyear city, Arizona". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 26, 2024.
  13. ^ Bradley, Ben; Schroedter, Andrew. "Claims of political targeting spark drama in Dolton". WGN TV. Retrieved November 10, 2023.
  14. ^ Bradley, Ben; Schroedter, Andrew. "Dolton dysfunction: Bills go unpaid amid questionable expenses". WGN. Retrieved November 10, 2023.
  15. ^ "Dolton dysfunction: Bills go unpaid amid questionable expenses". YouTube. WGN News. Retrieved November 10, 2023.
  16. ^ Dane Placko (February 20, 2024). "FBI probes misconduct allegations against Dolton Mayor Tiffany Henyard". Fox 32 Chicago. Retrieved February 20, 2024.
  17. ^ "F.J.Ehlert Dies of Heart Attack; Dolton's ex-Mayor". The Chicago Tribune. October 21, 1934 – via Newspapers.com.
  18. ^ Illinois blue book, 1923-1924. State of Illinois. p. 538.
  19. ^ Illinois blue book, 1925-1926. State of Illinois. p. 610.
  20. ^ Illinois blue book, 1927-1928. State of Illinois. p. 694.
  21. ^ Illinois blue book, 1929-1930. State of Illinois. p. 660.
  22. ^ Illinois blue book, 1931-1931. State of Illinois. p. 625.
  23. ^ Illinois blue book, 1933-1934. State of Illinois. p. 647.
  24. ^ "River Ferry Helped Dolton Grow as Settlers Flooded into Junction". The Chicago Tribune. October 29, 1986. In 1935, Ira Hastings was elected village president, beginning the longest presidential administration in Dolton`s history. Serving until 1957, when the first planning commission was established, Hastings saw the village through a post-World War II building boom that had swollen the population to 13,102 by the time he turned in his gavel.
  25. ^ a b Congressional Record - Volume 112 - Part 31 - Extension of Remarks of Hon. Edward J. Derwinski. United States Congress. August 3, 1966. pp. A4099.
  26. ^ "Obituary: Ohlsen, Albert J." The Chicago Tribune. November 21, 2004.
  27. ^ "Dolton, South Holland Echo Older Time". The Chicago Tribune. October 29, 1986. Thomas Harper, 75, a Dolton native who has served as a park district commissioner, police magistrate and the village`s mayor from 1965 to 1969.
  28. ^ Ross, Sharon (April 20, 1977). "Dolton Incumbents Recapture Seats". The Times – via Newspapers.com.
  29. ^ a b "Suburbs Sprinkled With Big Upsets". The Chicago Tribune. April 4, 1985. Mayor Norman MacKay held a charm over Dolton for 10 years as a village board member and 16 years as mayor, but the charm apparently wore off when he decided to retire this year. Trustee Stan Fryzel was backed by MacKay for mayor but lost by more than a 2-to-1 ratio to Michael Peck.
  30. ^ Lewandowski, Gregory (February 24, 1985). "Peck, Fryzell agree on intent of transfer tax". The Times – via Newspapers.com.
  31. ^ Rubin, Bonnie Miller (May 14, 1995). "Mayor firmly at Dolton's helm in mind if not body". The Chicago Tribune – via Newspapers.com.
  32. ^ Turner, Tatyana (July 26, 2021). "Former 9th Ward Ald. Robert Shaw, a South Side powerbroker, dies at 83". chicagotribune.com. Chicago Tribune. Retrieved August 9, 2021.
  33. ^ Crabtree, Stephen (April 2, 1997). "Shaw Campaign Sweeps in Dolton". The Times. pp. B1, B2 – via Newspapers.com.
  34. ^ Srinivasan, Kirstin (February 25, 2009). "Dolton: Lewis Staves Off Challenger Rogers in Mayoral Primary Challenge". The Times (Munster). pp. A1, A4 – via Newspapers.com.
  35. ^ "Educator was Suburb's First Black Official". The Chicago Tribune . December 8, 2014 – via Newspapers.com.
  36. ^ Edwards, Lee (April 10, 2013). "Riley Rogers Triumphant in Dolton's Mayoral Race". The Weekly Citizen.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  37. ^ McAdams, Alexis (May 8, 2021). "Dolton swears in Tiffany Henyard, 37, as village's first female, youngest mayor". ABC7 Chicago. Archived from the original on December 11, 2023. Retrieved December 27, 2023.
  38. ^ "RTA System Map" (PDF). Retrieved January 30, 2024.
  39. ^ 'William "Bill" Shaw: 1937-2008,' Chicago Tribune, Rick Pearson and Stacy St. Clair, November 28, 2008
  40. ^ Tejada, Gregory (December 8, 2014). "Educator was Suburb's First Black Official". The Chicago Tribune – via Newspapers.com.
  41. ^ Parker, Ryan (July 8, 2017). "'True Blood' Star Nelsan Ellis Dies at 39". Hollywood Reporter.

External links edit

  • Official website