Chicago Southland
The Chicago Southland is a region comprising the south and southwest suburbs of the City of Chicago in the U.S. state of Illinois. Home to roughly 2.5 million residents, this region has been known as the Southland by the local populace and regional media for over 20 years.[1]
Chicago Southland | |
---|---|
Region | |
Largest City | Orland Park |
Population | 2.5 million |
There is great racial and economic diversity in the Southland, with low and middle income areas to the north and higher income areas farther south and west
The south suburbs are home to much of the regions Black suburban population, with the overwhelming majority residing along and east of Interstate 57. [2] The south suburbs are also home to the highest black homeownership rates in the country, with five of its communities ranked in the top ten in 2018.[3]
The region is also home to a high Polish, Lithuanian, Palestinian, and Mexican population.
Municipalites
Cook County
- Alsip
- Bedford Park
- Blue Island
- Bridgeview
- Burbank
- Burnham
- Calumet City
- Calumet Park
- Chicago Heights
- Chicago Ridge
- Country Club Hills
- Crestwood
- Dixmoor
- Dolton
- East Hazel Crest
- Evergreen Park
- Flossmoor
- Ford Heights
- Forest View
- Glenwood
- Harvey
- Hazel Crest
- Hickory Hills
- Hometown
- Homewood
- Justice
- Lansing
- Lynwood
- Markham
- Matteson
- Merrionette Park
- Midlothian
- Oak Forest
- Oak Lawn
- Olympia Fields
- Orland Hills
- Orland Park (vast majority)
- Palos Heights
- Palos Hills
- Palos Park
- Park Forest (vast majority)
- Phoenix
- Posen
- Richton Park
- Riverdale
- Robbins
- Sauk Village (vast majority)
- South Chicago Heights
- South Holland
- Steger (partially)
- Summit
- Thornton
- Tinley Park (vast majority)
- Worth
Will County
- Beecher
- Crete
- Frankfort (vast majority)
- Homer Glen
- Mokena
- Monee
- New Lenox
- Peotone
- University Park (vast majority)
Transportation
Air Transit
The possibility of an airport in Peotone has been discussed since 1968, with official planning beginning in 1984. However, due to concerns that this would negatively impact the environment, the project has yet to be completed. As late as 2014, Illinois Governor Pat Quinn expressed intention to continue with the project, despite slowdown from the FAA.[4]
Mass Transit
- The Metra Electric District, Rock Island District and Southwest Service Metra lines serve Chicago Southland commuters.
- Pace also operates several bus lines in the Chicago Southland, with operating divisions in Markham and a major facility in South Holland.
Interstate Highways
- Interstate 55
- Interstate 57
- Interstate 80
- Interstate 94
- Interstate 294
- Interstate 355
Crime
Generally, crime in the Southland tends to be slightly higher than the other suburban regions of Chicago. Most of the violent crime occurs in the south suburbs, such as Harvey, which in 2019, recorded 23 homicides, the most of any suburb in Cook County.[5]
Shopping centers/Malls
Chicago Ridge Mall (Chicago Ridge, Illinois)
Orland Park Place (Orland Park, Illinois)
Attractions
SeatGeek Stadium (Bridgeview, Illinois)
Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre (Tinley Park, Illinois)
Thornton Quarry (Thornton, Illinois)
Lincoln Oasis (South Holland, Illinois)
Post-Secondary Education
There are a variety of community colleges and universities in the Chicago Southland including:
References
- "Community - Chicago Southland Chamber of Commerce". Chicago Southland Chamber of Commerce. Archived from the original on 3 March 2018. Retrieved 3 March 2018.
- https://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/03/us/03cnccensus.html
- https://www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-and-analysis/blogs/stateline/2018/08/15/where-black-homeownership-is-the-norm
- "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2012-03-15. Retrieved 2011-07-09.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) Battle Over Peotone Airport Still Going
- https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/daily-southtown/ct-sta-harvey-homicide-st-1231-20191230-yejvzva5zzeaphcue6hosh2vfe-story.html