Dolton, Illinois

Dolton, Illinois
Village
Aerial view of Dolton (2012)
Aerial view of Dolton (2012)
Flag of Dolton, Illinois
Flag
Official seal of Dolton, Illinois
Seal
Motto: 
"A community working together"
Location of Dolton in Cook County
Location of Dolton in Cook County
Dolton is located in Greater Chicago
Dolton
Dolton
Location within Greater Chicago
Dolton is located in Illinois
Dolton
Dolton
Location within Illinois
Dolton is located in the United States
Dolton
Dolton
Location within the United States
Coordinates: 41°37′39″N 87°35′55″W / 41.62750°N 87.59861°W / 41.62750; -87.59861
CountryUnited States
StateIllinois
CountyCook
TownshipThornton
Incorporated1893
Government
 • TypeMayor–council
 • MayorJason House (D)
Area
 • Total
4.69 sq mi (12.14 km2)
 • Land4.57 sq mi (11.84 km2)
 • Water0.12 sq mi (0.30 km2)  2.56%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
21,426
 • Density4,687.7/sq mi (1,809.94/km2)
Time zoneUTC−06:00 (CST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−05:00 (CDT)
ZIP Code
60419
Area code(s)708
FIPS code17-20292
Websitevodolton.org

Dolton (/ˈdɔːltən/) is a village and south suburb in Thornton Township, Cook County, Illinois, United States. The population was 21,426 at the 2020 census. Dolton is located just west of the expressway Interstate 94 and immediately south of the city limits of Chicago. It is bordered by Chicago to the north, Riverdale and Harvey to the west, South Holland to the south, and Calumet City to the east.

History

A post office has been in operation in Dolton since 1854. The village was named for a family of early settlers. The villages of Dolton and nearby Riverdale were effectively one community until each incorporated separately in 1892.

Geography

In 2021, Dolton was an area of 4.69 square miles (12.15 km2), of which 4.57 square miles (11.84 km2) (or 97.50%) is land and 0.12 square miles (0.31 km2) (or 2.50%) is water.

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1880448—
18901,110147.8%
19001,22910.7%
19101,86952.1%
19202,07611.1%
19302,92340.8%
19403,0584.6%
19505,33874.6%
196018,746251.2%
197025,93738.4%
198024,766−4.5%
199023,956−3.3%
200025,6146.9%
201023,153−9.6%
202021,426−7.5%
U.S. Decennial Census
2010 2020

Racial and ethnic composition

Dolton village, Illinois – Racial and ethnic composition
Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.
Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic) Pop 1980 Pop 1990 Pop 2000 Pop 2010 Pop 2020 % 1980 % 1990 % 2000 % 2010 % 2020
White alone (NH) 23,265 13,429 3,390 1,226 598 93.94% 56.12% 13.23% 5.30% 2.79%
Black or African American alone (NH) 483 9,044 20,973 20,932 19,322 1.95% 37.79% 81.88% 90.41% 90.18%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) 17 52 28 14 19 0.07% 0.22% 0.11% 0.06% 0.09%
Asian alone (NH) 221 313 144 68 38 0.89% 1.31% 0.56% 0.29% 0.18%
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander alone (NH) 1 25 4 3 1 0.00% 0.10% 0.02% 0.01% 0.00%
Other race alone (NH) 48 6 34 24 107 0.19% 0.03% 0.13% 0.10% 0.50%
Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) x x 250 264 404 x x 0.98% 1.14% 1.89%
Hispanic or Latino (any race) 731 1,061 791 622 937 2.95% 4.43% 3.09% 2.69% 4.37%
Total 24,766 23,930 25,614 23,153 21,426 100.00% 100.00% 100.00% 100.00% 100.00%

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, Dolton had a population of 21,426, with 7,766 households and 5,361 families.

The median age was 39.5 years. 22.9% of residents were under the age of 18 and 15.6% were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females, there were 85.1 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 78.8 males age 18 and over. 100.0% of residents lived in urban areas, while 0.0% lived in rural areas.

Among households in Dolton, 33.1% had children under the age of 18 living in them. 28.9% were married-couple households, 17.6% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 47.2% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 26.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

There were 8,768 housing units, of which 11.4% were vacant. The homeowner vacancy rate was 4.1% and the rental vacancy rate was 12.1%. The population density was 4,570.39 inhabitants per square mile (1,764.64/km2), and housing density was 1,870.31 per square mile (722.13/km2).

Demographic estimates

The average household size was 3.44 and the average family size was 2.78.

The village's age distribution included 10.7% from 18 to 24, 21.8% from 25 to 44, and 27% from 45 to 64.

Income and poverty

The median income for a household in the village was $50,237. The median income for a family was $57,634. Males had a median income of $33,939 versus $33,354 for females. The per capita income for the village was $22,135. About 15.4% of families and 22.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 42.8% of those under age 18 and 13.2% of those age 65 or over.

Arts and culture

Dolton Public Library opened in 1954. First located inside the Village Hall, it contained 5,000 books and magazines. The library moved to a new facility in 1967 and featured a collection of 35,000 books.

Parks and recreation

Dolton features over 120 acres (49 ha) of recreational properties, and 11 parks. A recreational center contains a gymnasium and fitness room.

Government

Village Hall

Most of the village is part of the Dolton Park District, with a small portion served by the Calumet Memorial Park District. The entire village is part of the Dolton Public Library District and the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District.

Mayors

Allegations of misspending and harassment

In November 2023, WGN News published a two-part series alleging widespread misspending and harassment of political opponents by the mayor, Tiffany Henyard.

On February 20, 2024, it was reported that the Federal Bureau of Investigation had launched a probe into alleged misconduct by Mayor Henyard.

Education

The entire village is part of South Suburban Community College District 510.

Infrastructure

Pace bus in Dolton

Transportation

Pace provides bus service on multiple routes connecting Dolton to destinations across the Southland.

Notable buildings

Notable people

References

  1. ↑ "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 15, 2022.
  2. ↑ "Dolton village, Illinois, Illinois profile". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 24, 2022.
  3. ↑ "Cook County". Jim Forte Postal History. Retrieved November 4, 2015.
  4. ↑ Callary, Edward (September 29, 2008). Place Names of Illinois. University of Illinois Press. p. 95. ISBN 978-0-252-09070-7.
  5. ↑ "Dolton, IL". Encyclopedia of Chicago.
  6. ↑ "Gazetteer Files". Census.gov. Retrieved June 29, 2022.
  7. ↑ "Decennial Census of Population and Housing by Decades". US Census Bureau.
  8. 1 2 "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Dolton village, Illinois". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 26, 2024.
  9. 1 2 "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Dolton village, Illinois". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 26, 2024.
  10. ↑ "1980 Census of Population - General Population Characteristics - Illinois- Table 14 - Persons by Race and Table 16 (p. 18-28) - Total Persons and Spanish Origin Persons by Type of Spanish Origin and Race (p. 29-39)" (PDF). United States Census Bureau.
  11. ↑ "1990 Census of Population - General Population Characteristics - Illinois - Table 6 - Race and Hispanic Origin" (PDF). United States Census Bureau.
  12. ↑ "P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Dolton village, Illinois". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 26, 2024.
  13. ↑ Compiliation of American Indian, Eskimo, Aleut categories
  14. ↑ Compiliation of Japanese, Chinese, Filipino, Korean, Asian Indian, and Vietnamese categories. Other Asian groups would be included in the Some Other Race category
  15. ↑ Compiliation of Hawaiian, Guamanian, and Samoan categories. Other Pacific Islander groups would be included in the Some Other Race category
  16. ↑ Derived from extracting Pacific Islander population from Asian population
  17. ↑ Calculated as the difference between the total population and all other categories
  18. ↑ Not an option in the 1980 Census
  19. ↑ Not an option in the 1990 Census
  20. ↑ Listed as Spanish origin in the 1980 Census. Racial identification for Hispanics only consisted of White, Black, and Some Other Race; hence, a small number of Latinos may be also be included in the counts for Asian, Native American, and Pacific Islander
  21. 1 2 3 4 "2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved April 26, 2026.
  22. ↑ "2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved April 26, 2026.
  23. 1 2 "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved June 28, 2022.
  24. ↑ "2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)". United States Census Bureau. 2023. Retrieved April 26, 2026.
  25. 1 2 3 "History of the Dolton Public Library District". Dolton Public Library District. Retrieved January 25, 2025.
  26. 1 2 "General Information". Dolton Park District. Retrieved January 25, 2025.
  27. 1 2 Cook County Clerks Office Archived August 1, 2013, at the Wayback Machine
  28. ↑ "F.J.Ehlert Dies of Heart Attack; Dolton's ex-Mayor". Chicago Tribune. October 21, 1934 – via Newspapers.com.
  29. ↑ Illinois blue book, 1923-1924. State of Illinois. p. 538.
  30. ↑ Illinois blue book, 1925-1926. State of Illinois. p. 610.
  31. ↑ Illinois blue book, 1927-1928. State of Illinois. p. 694.
  32. ↑ Illinois blue book, 1929-1930. State of Illinois. p. 660.
  33. ↑ Illinois blue book, 1931-1931. State of Illinois. p. 625.
  34. ↑ Illinois blue book, 1933-1934. State of Illinois. p. 647.
  35. ↑ "River Ferry Helped Dolton Grow as Settlers Flooded into Junction". Chicago Tribune. October 29, 1986. In 1935, Ira Hastings was elected village president, beginning the longest presidential administration in Dolton`s history. Serving until 1957, when the first planning commission was established, Hastings saw the village through a post-World War II building boom that had swollen the population to 13,102 by the time he turned in his gavel.
  36. 1 2 Congressional Record - Volume 112 - Part 31 - Extension of Remarks of Hon. Edward J. Derwinski. United States Congress. August 3, 1966. pp. A4099.
  37. ↑ "Obituary: Ohlsen, Albert J." Chicago Tribune. November 21, 2004.
  38. ↑ "Dolton, South Holland Echo Older Time". Chicago Tribune. October 29, 1986. Thomas Harper, 75, a Dolton native who has served as a park district commissioner, police magistrate and the village`s mayor from 1965 to 1969.
  39. ↑ Ross, Sharon (April 20, 1977). "Dolton Incumbents Recapture Seats". The Times – via Newspapers.com.
  40. 1 2 "Suburbs Sprinkled With Big Upsets". Chicago Tribune. April 4, 1985. Mayor Norman MacKay held a charm over Dolton for 10 years as a village board member and 16 years as mayor, but the charm apparently wore off when he decided to retire this year. Trustee Stan Fryzel was backed by MacKay for mayor but lost by more than a 2-to-1 ratio to Michael Peck.
  41. ↑ Lewandowski, Gregory (February 24, 1985). "Peck, Fryzell agree on intent of transfer tax". The Times – via Newspapers.com.
  42. ↑ Rubin, Bonnie Miller (May 14, 1995). "Mayor firmly at Dolton's helm in mind if not body". Chicago Tribune – via Newspapers.com.
  43. ↑ Turner, Tatyana (July 26, 2021). "Former 9th Ward Ald. Robert Shaw, a South Side powerbroker, dies at 83". chicagotribune.com. Chicago Tribune. Retrieved August 9, 2021.
  44. ↑ Crabtree, Stephen (April 2, 1997). "Shaw Campaign Sweeps in Dolton". The Times. pp. B1, B2 – via Newspapers.com.
  45. ↑ Srinivasan, Kirstin (February 25, 2009). "Dolton: Lewis Staves Off Challenger Rogers in Mayoral Primary Challenge". The Times (Munster). pp. A1, A4 – via Newspapers.com.
  46. ↑ "Educator was Suburb's First Black Official". Chicago Tribune. December 8, 2014 – via Newspapers.com.
  47. ↑ "Cook County Consolidation Election - Tuesday, April 07, 2009" (PDF). /www.cookcountyclerkil.gov. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 18, 2024.
  48. ↑ Edwards, Lee (April 10, 2013). "Riley Rogers Triumphant in Dolton's Mayoral Race". The Weekly Citizen.
  49. ↑ McAdams, Alexis (May 8, 2021). "Dolton swears in Tiffany Henyard, 37, as village's first female, youngest mayor". ABC7 Chicago. Archived from the original on December 11, 2023. Retrieved December 27, 2023.
  50. ↑ Brónagh, Tumulty; Ong, Eli. "Jason House sworn in as Dolton mayor, marking end of Tiffany Henyard era". WGN 9. Retrieved May 6, 2025.
  51. ↑ Bradley, Ben; Schroedter, Andrew. "Claims of political targeting spark drama in Dolton". WGN TV. Retrieved November 10, 2023.
  52. ↑ Bradley, Ben; Schroedter, Andrew. "Dolton dysfunction: Bills go unpaid amid questionable expenses". WGN. Retrieved November 10, 2023.
  53. ↑ "Dolton dysfunction: Bills go unpaid amid questionable expenses". YouTube. WGN News. November 8, 2023. Retrieved November 10, 2023.
  54. ↑ Dane Placko (February 20, 2024). "FBI probes misconduct allegations against Dolton Mayor Tiffany Henyard". Fox 32 Chicago. Retrieved February 20, 2024.
  55. ↑ "RTA System Map" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on January 15, 2024. Retrieved January 30, 2024.
  56. ↑ "Ronnie Baker Brooks, SPACE, Evanston". Chicago Blues Guide. November 22, 2021. Retrieved January 25, 2025.
  57. ↑ "Susan Carlson - Chicago". Chicago. Chicago Tribune Media Group. July 2007. Archived from the original on September 24, 2020. Retrieved January 25, 2025.
  58. ↑ "DUCKWORTH CARVES GIANT NICHE AT EASTERN ILLINOIS". Chicago Tribune. August 9, 2021.
  59. ↑ Parker, Ryan (July 8, 2017). "'True Blood' Star Nelsan Ellis Dies at 39". Hollywood Reporter.
  60. ↑ "Reggie Hayward". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved January 25, 2025.
  61. ↑ Vaisvilas, Frank (March 4, 2020). "His daughter's murder nearly ended Andrew Holmes' crusade against gun violence, but 5 years later he's still at it: 'I get out there and do what's on my heart'". Chicago Tribune.
  62. ↑ "'I am anti-China': Dolton-native Johnson on a long-shot bid for presidency". South Cook News. June 22, 2023.
  63. ↑ Bosman, Julie; Smith, Mitch (May 8, 2025). "He Grew Up in a Parish on Chicago's South Side. Now He's the Pope". The New York Times. Retrieved May 8, 2025.
  64. ↑ Schier, Anna (May 27, 2022). "Jane Lynch Has A New Role: Illinois Tour Guide". Patch.
  65. ↑ "Derek Needham". Fairfield University Athletics. Retrieved January 25, 2025.
  66. ↑ Barcus, Steven (November 13, 2013). "Roeper reviewed: Silver screen critic scripted own success".
  67. ↑ 'William "Bill" Shaw: 1937-2008,' Chicago Tribune, Rick Pearson and Stacy St. Clair, November 28, 2008
  68. ↑ Uhelszki, Jaan (December 20, 2000). "Pops Staples Dies". Rollingstone.com. Retrieved January 26, 2026.
  69. ↑ Howlett, Michael J., ed. (1974). Illinois blue book, 1973-1974. State of Illinois. p. 121.