Westchester, Illinois

Racial and ethnic composition

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, Westchester had a population of 16,892.^[13] The population density was 4,582.75 inhabitants per square mile (1,769.41/km²). There were 7,230 housing units at an average density of 1,961.48 units per square mile (757.33 units/km²).^[14]

The median age was 48.3 years. 17.0% of residents were under the age of 18 and 24.3% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 90.4 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 87.1 males age 18 and over.^[15]

100.0% of residents lived in urban areas, while 0.0% lived in rural areas.^[16]

There were 6,930 households in Westchester, and 4,385 families residing in the village.^[15][14] Of all households, 24.5% had children under the age of 18 living in them. About 50.1% were married-couple households, 14.9% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 29.6% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 28.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.00 and the average family size was 2.36.^[15][14]

Of the 7,230 housing units, 4.1% were vacant. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.7% and the rental vacancy rate was 4.2%.^[15]

Income and poverty

The median income for a household in the village was $88,861, and the median income for a family was $108,067. Males had a median income of $57,055 versus $48,533 for females. The per capita income for the village was $43,868. About 2.3% of families and 3.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.1% of those under age 18 and 4.0% of those age 65 or over.

Top employers

According to the Village's 2012 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report,^[18] the top employers in the city are:

Public schools

Westchester Public School District 92½ serves most of the city.^[19] There are four schools in this district:

• Westchester Primary School (Preschool – 2nd grade)
• Westchester Intermediate School (3rd grade – 5th grade)
• Westchester Middle School (6th grade – 8th grade)
• Britten School (Special Needs)^[20]

In addition Hillside School District 93, which operates a single K-8 school in Hillside, serves a section of Westchester.^[21] In 1968 the school district proposed a bond for a junior high school,^[22] on a 12.5-acre (5.1 ha) parcel of land in Westchester.^[23] The voters rejected the referendum and the plans were scrapped. The president of Concord Homes, Roger Mankedick, stated in the Chicago Sun-Times that the student population that was supposed to surround the school never came.^[24] The Chicago Tribune stated there was a decline in students in the area surrounding the school site. In 1998 the district instead sold the land to Concord Homes for $2.6 million.^[23]

Proviso Township High Schools District 209 serves high school residents. Zoned students attend Proviso West High School in Hillside.^[20] Westchester residents may apply to Proviso Math & Science Academy in Forest Park.

Private schools

The following private Catholic school of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago is located in the village:

• Divine Providence School (PS–8)^[25]

Other private schools are located in the village:

• Immanuel Christian Academy (K–8, Lutheran)
• Westchester Christian School (K-12, Non-Denominational)
• PAEC Academy (K-8, Special Needs)^[26]

Parks and playgrounds

• Camberly Park
• Community Park
• Drury Lane Park
• Gladstone Park
• High Ridge Park
• Mayfair Park
• Middle School Athletic Fields
• Norfolk Park
• Primary School Park
• Sweetbriar Park
• Forest the Fox's Playbox at the Mayfair Recreation Center

Fitness

• Westchester Community Center
• Mayfair Recreation Center
• Anytime Fitness

Aquatics

John J. Sinde Community Swimming Pool serves as Westchester's public pool. The facility was dedicated with a ribbon-cutting event on June 5, 1977, and officially opened on June 11, 1977. The facility features a beautiful 50-meter pool with a 12-foot-deep diving well. Other enjoyable features are a separate zero-depth wading pool with bubblers. The main pool has a 25-foot-high, 150-foot-long water slide and an SCS interactive water play structure in the shallow end. A concession stand and grass area round out the facility. The facility is typically in operation from Memorial Day through Labor Day.^[37]
The Chicago Highlands Club also boasts an outdoor seasonal pool, however those wishing to use it must possess a membership to the club or be a guest of a current member.^[38]