Belmont Cragin
Belmont Cragin has experienced dramatic population shifts as Latino families have moved west of Cicero Avenue from the gentrifying neighborhoods of Logan Square and West Town. The Latino share of the population grew to 79 percent in 2010 (from 6 percent in 1990) as families purchased or rented still-affordable bungalows, cottages and apartments near the neighborhood’s good schools and busy retail centers. While many parts of Chicago have experienced recent population declines, Belmont Cragin has grown, adding more than 21,000 residents since 1990.
Levels of household income and educational attainment are lower than in other Northwest Side neighborhoods, and the large turnover in housing resulted in a rash of foreclosures. The influx of larger, younger families has increased demand for educational and social services, stressing a community that has less nonprofit capacity than many others.
LISC supported the Northwest Side Housing Center in 2015 as the convening agency for Belmont Cragin’s first Quality-of-Life plan, which addresses local issues including job skills, education, poverty, safety and business development. To read the Belmont Cragin Quality-of-Life plan click here or visit www.belmontcragin.org for more information.
Population
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Population (2010)
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78,743
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Up 38% from 1990
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Racial/ethnic makeup (2010)
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79% Latino, 15% White
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Strong Latino migration since 1990
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Housing
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Total occupied units (2010)
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21,562
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Down slightly from 2000
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Owner occupied units (2012)
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10,663
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49% owner occupied
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Income
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Median household income (2014)
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$48,224
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Percentage above $53,000
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46%
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Population data from U.S. Census. Housing and income data from Woodstock Institute Data Portal.
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From Planning to Action on the Northwest Side
- Carl Vogel, May 19, 2016
- Belmont Cragin celebrates the completion of its quality-of-life plan, which is already having an impact in the community, and planning continues in Auburn Gresham, Englewood and Chicago Lawn.
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A New Stage for Belmont Cragin…and, Quality-of-Life Planning in Auburn Gresham, Chicago Lawn and Englewood
- Carl Vogel, Jan 20, 2016
- The high-energy planning meeting in the Northwest Side neighborhood gathered final details from residents and gave other local LISC partners new ideas for their own quality-of-life planning process.
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Quality-of-Life Planning Is Back …
- John McCarron, Aug 4, 2015
- Fueled by resources raised through its recently completed Campaign for Stronger Neighborhoods, LISC Chicago is gearing up for a new round of neighborhood planning.
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A New Plan in Belmont Cragin
- Carl Vogel, Jul 30, 2015
- Full house of community members in changing Northwest Side neighborhood kicks off the latest locally led quality-of-life planning process.