Census: Western Springs More Than Twice State Average in Income, Home Values

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 Western Springs from the census:

• The Village population is about 13,000; 51.6 percent female. 96.8 percent of residents identify as white, 0.4 percent as black, 1.4 percent as Asian and 0.9 percent as mixed-race. 2.8 percent identify as having Hispanic origin.
• Median household income is about $136,000, nearly two and a half times the Illinois average of about $56,500. A full 26.9 percent of Village households are in the highest reported income bracket of $200,000+.
• The median value of owner-occupied housing units in the Village is about $566,700, over two and a half times the Illinois average of $198,500.
• An estimated 64.6 percent of residents 16 and older are employed in the labor force (the state average is 66.7 percent.) Unemployment is estimated at 6.0 percent, versus a 9.3 percent average for all Illinois.
• The homeownership rate is an estimated 96.0 percent, far above the state average of 68.7.
• Only 1.9 percent of Western Springs residents are below the poverty level, versus a 13.1 percent state average.

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

Get news alerts and Facebook updates from these Patch sites:

• La Grange/La Grange Park newsletter and La Grange Patch Facebook
• Western Springs newsletter and Western Springs Patch Facebook