Census: La Grange and La Grange Park Beat State Average in Unemployment, Homeownership

The U.S. Census Bureau on Thursday released estimates from its American Community Survey, which provides local statistics for the combined years from 2007 to 2011 on everything from housing to employment to marital status in communities throughout the country.

Some highlights for La Grange from the census:

• The Village population is about 15,600; 51.9 percent female. 89.9 percent of residents identify as white, 4.9 percent as black, 1.4 percent as Asian and 1.8 percent as mixed-race. 6.4 percent identify as having Hispanic origin.
• Median household income is about $98,900, nearly twice times the Illinois average of about $56,500. The highest percentage of households, 19.5 percent, are in the $100,000 to $149,999 income range.
• The median value of owner-occupied housing units in the Village is about $455,100, over twice the Illinois average of $198,500.
• An estimated 67.9 percent of residents 16 and older are employed in the labor force (the state average is 66.7 percent.) Unemployment is estimated at 7.8 percent, versus a 9.3 percent average for all Illinois.
• The homeownership rate is an estimated 82.1 percent, well above the state average of 68.7.
• 4.9 percent of La Grange residents are below the poverty level, less than half of the 13.1 percent state average.

And for La Grange Park:

• The Village population is about 13,600; 54.5 percent female. 90.4 percent of residents identify as white, 3.9 percent as black, 1.9 percent as Asian and 1.8 percent as mixed-race. 6.8 percent identify as having Hispanic origin.
• Median household income is about $70,397, well over the Illinois average of about $56,500. The highest percentage of households, 18.2 percent, are in the $100,000 to $149,999 income range.
• The median value of owner-occupied housing units in the Village is about $354,100, well over the Illinois average of $198,500.
• An estimated 65.5 percent of residents 16 and older are employed in the labor force (the state average is 66.7 percent.) Unemployment is estimated at 4.9 percent, versus a 9.3 percent average for all Illinois.
• The homeownership rate is an estimated 69.0 percent, just above the state average of 68.7.
• 4.8 percent of La Grange Park residents are below the poverty level, less than half of the 13.1 percent state average.

Read the complete data for La Grange here and for La Grange Park here (click "browse data sets" for expanded information), and for other Lyons Township towns here: Western Springs and Countryside.

The five-year estimates are based on interviews with almost two million housing units nationwide from 2007 through 2011. By pooling several years of survey responses, the American Community Survey generates detailed statistical portraits for small areas. The groupings of five-year estimates are released annually.

“By telling the story of our towns and neighborhoods, the American Community Survey helps planners locate schools and firehouses,” said Thomas Mesenbourg, the Census Bureau’s acting director. “Thanks to the cooperation of the public, the Census Bureau produces reliable, quality statistical information for even small communities in the U.S. That’s why it’s so important for households that are selected to participate in the ACS to respond.”

American Community Survey Data can be found on the Census Bureau's QuickFacts site, and browsers can also use “Easy Stats,” a tool that allows users to build their own tables by selecting a desired topic and geography. Early next year, the Census Bureau will release “Dwellr,” a mobile app designed to put Census Bureau statistics directly in the hands of new users in an engaging way.

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