Homewood, Illinois

According to the 2010 census, Homewood has a total area of 5.259 square miles (13.62 km²), of which 5.21 square miles (13.49 km²) (or 99.07%) is land and 0.049 square miles (0.13 km²) (or 0.93%) is water.[7] It lies on the Calumet Shoreline. The ancient shoreline can be seen clearly as the sand ridge along Ridge Road. A south suburban village, Homewood is 22 miles (35 km) due south of The Loop/downtown Chicago at 800 west and 18300 south on the Chicago grid system.

As of the 2010 census,[9] there were 19,323 people living in the village. The racial makeup of the village was 59.5% White, 34.1% African American, 0.1% Native American, 1.4% Asian, 2.1% from other races, and 2.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.9% of the population.

As of the 2000 census,[10] there were 19,543 people, 7,552 households, and 5,256 families living in the village. The population density was 3,755.5 people per square mile (1,451.1/km²). There were 7,827 housing units at an average density of 1,504.1 per square mile (581.2/km²). The racial makeup of the village was 78.1% White, 17.5% African American, 0.1% Native American, 1.6% Asian, 1.1% from other races, and 1.6% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.1% of the population.

There were 7,552 households, out of which 35.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.7% were married couples living together, 11.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.4% were non-families. 27.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.55 and the average family size was 3.14.

In the village, the population was spread out, with 27.1% under the age of 18, 5.4% from 18 to 24, 26.8% from 25 to 44, 24.3% from 45 to 64, and 16.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 85.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 80.3 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $57,213, and the median income for a family was $70,941. Males had a median income of $50,689 versus $35,978 for females. The per capita income for the village was $26,074. About 3.2% of families and 4.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.1% of those under age 18 and 6.5% of those age 65 or over.

Homewood has been the subject of an advertising campaign in Chicago that attempts to market the town based on its diversity and reasonably priced housing options.[11]

Homewood is in Illinois' 2nd congressional district, currently represented by Rep. Robin Kelly.

Children in grades K-8 attend schools under the jurisdiction of Homewood public school district 153, although some may attend Flossmoor School District 161 if they live west of Western Avenue and south of 183rd street. School District 153 has three schools: Winston Churchill Elementary, Willow Elementary, and James Hart Junior High School.[12] Children in grades K-2 attend Willow, then move on to Churchill for grades 3-5, then move on to finish grades 6-8 at James Hart. Homewood School District 153.

The majority of students in the area then go on to attend the local public high school, Homewood-Flossmoor High School. Homewood-Flossmoor High School is its own school district, school district 233. H-F is a three-time winner of the U.S. Department of Education's Blue Ribbon Award for excellence. HF also owns WHFH 88.5, the highest powered high school radio station with 1,500 watts.

The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago operated a Catholic school, St. Joseph School. It closed in 2017. It had 64 students in 2017.[13]

Amtrak provides rail service to Homewood. Amtrak Train 59, the southbound City of New Orleans, is scheduled to depart Homewood at 8:54 pm daily with service to Kankakee and points south through Tennessee and Mississippi to New Orleans. Amtrak Train 58, the northbound City of New Orleans, is scheduled to depart Homewood at 7:44 am daily with service to Chicago Union Station. Homewood is also served by Amtrak Train 390/391, the Saluki, daily in the morning, and Amtrak Train 392/393, the Illini, daily in the afternoon/evening. Both the Saluki and Illini operate between Chicago and Carbondale, Illinois. Metra also provides commuter rail service on the Metra Electric line between Millennium Station and University Park. Homewood is the American headquarters of Canadian National Railways including a large freight classification yard and major shop facilities.

• Sarah Bloom Raskin, 13th United States Deputy Secretary of the Treasury
• J Harlen Bretz, geologist, best known for his research that led to the acceptance of the Missoula Floods.[14]
• Brian Colin, video game designer (Rampage, Arch Rivals, General Chaos)[15]
• John Doody, member of the Illinois House of Representatives. He served as Mayor of Homewood prior to his tenure in the Illinois House.[16]
• Peter Doran, geologist specializing in Antarctic climate and ecosystems. He is a native of Homewood.[17]
• Manny Hoffman, member of the Illinois House of Representatives. He served as Mayor of Homewood prior to his tenure in the Illinois House.[18]
• George Nolfi, scriptwriter and producer (Ocean's Twelve, The Bourne Ultimatum, The Adjustment Bureau)[19]
• Susan D. Page, 1st United States Ambassador to South Sudan. She was raised in Homewood.[20]
• Eugene Parker, solar astrophysicist who developed the theory of the supersonic solar wind. He lived in Homewood while a professor at the University of Chicago.[21]
• Quintin E. Primo III, co-founder of Capri Capital Partners, LLC
• Steve Sarowitz, founder of Paylocity Corporation. He was born and raised in Homewood.[22]
• Juice Wrld, rapper, singer, and songwriter. He was raised in Homewood after his family moved there in 1999.[23]

• Homewood Memorial Gardens

• Village of Homewood official website
• Think Homewood

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