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Park Ridge at a Glance

Overview:

Population: 37,775 (2000 Census)

2000 Census Information

Size: 7.1 square miles; Residential land: 48%; commercial: 5%; public, institutional, park, open spaces: 24%; transportation & utilities: 23%

Location: Adjacent to the City of Chicago, 15 miles northwest of downtown Chicago; 1.5 miles east of O’Hare Airport.

Form of Government: Mayor/city manager/city council; 1 alderman elected from each of 7 wards.

Miscellaneous: Area code: 847; Zip code: 60068

CITY FINANCIAL FACTS:

Budget FY 2009-2010: $51,102,800 This is a 3% decrease from the previous year’s budget

City's portion/total property tax bill: 13%, including the library (Maine Township residents)

Average cost to homeowner: Market value $531,466; EAV $85,035; average cost to homeowner $706

Cost per capita of city services: $1,264 (second lowest of 9 neighboring communities)

Source of Revenues: Property Tax: 30%; Water Sales: 14%; Utility Tax: 9%; Sales Tax: 10%; Income Tax: 7%; Other: 30%

Sales tax receipts: $3,500,000 (budgeted 09-10)

DEMOGRAPHICS:

Median Household Income: $73,154 (Source: City Budget 09-10)

Median Single Family Home Sales Price: $627,458 (Source: Chicago Tribune)

Median Age: 42.5 (2000 Census)

Number of Households (85% owner occupied): 14,365

Average Household Size: 2.62 persons

Housing Stock: 77% single family detached; 23% multi-family & townhomes

CITY PARTICULARS:

Transportation: Metra Commuter Train Stations: Uptown; Dee Road; Metra buses: 209, 241, 290; 68; CTA Rapid Transit; Park Ridge Taxi; Kennedy Expressway; Tri-State Tollway

Largest Employers: Lutheran General Hospital (Advocate Health Care System), George S. May International; School District 207; City of Park Ridge, Park Ridge Public Library, and Rainbow Hospice.

Employment: 1,752 businesses located in Park Ridge with 18,563 employees and an unemployment rate of 4.4% in 2008.

Main shopping areas: Uptown; Summit Mall; South Park; Village Green; Crossroads

Local Newspapers: Park Ridge Herald-Advocate (Pioneer Press); Park Ridge Journal (Journal & Topics); The Bugle

OTHER GOVERNMENTAL UNITS:

State, National & County Elected Officials:

Township governments: Leyden; Maine; Norwood

School Districts: Oakton Community College, District 535; Maine Township High School District 207; Elementary Consolidated School District 63 & 64; various parochial/private schools

Park District: Park Ridge Recreation and Park District

First Place Governor Home Town Awards

2001: Brickton Art Center

1998: Park Ridge Civic Orchestra

1997: Park Ridge Center of Concern

1992: Park Ridge Economic Development Corporation

PARK RIDGE HISTORY:

First settled: Mid-1830s (land from Pottawatomi Indians)

Village founded: July 4, 1873, name changed to Park Ridge Incorporated: April 19, 1910

Former names: Pennyville; Brickton (1855)