Calumet City ( KAL-yuu-MET) is a city in Cook County, Illinois, United States. The population was 36,033 at the 2020 census. It is part of the Chicago metropolitan area.
History
Calumet City (commonly referred to locally as "Cal City") was founded in 1893 when the villages of Schrumville and Sobieski Park merged under the name of West Hammond, since it lies on the west side of the Illinois-Indiana line from Hammond, Indiana.
In 1916, when alcohol was prohibited in Indiana, West Hammond became a preferred location for drinkers coming from northwest Indiana. Bootleggers including Al Capone built on this basis once the Prohibition era arrived, and West Hammond gained the nickname of "Sin City".
West Hammond became known for illegal alcohol consumption, gambling, and prostitution. In 1923, residents wishing to rid the city of its reputation voted to change the name from West Hammond to Calumet City.
Frank LaPorte is believed to have been the member of the Chicago Outfit who was most responsible for developing and maintaining the "Sin Strip" area of Calumet City. Police avoided Sin Strip and risked violence if they tried to make an arrest.
In 1959, the state of Illinois conducted a police raid that resulted in 98 arrests and the seizure of business records. An article published in Chicago Daily News on June 2, 1959, exposed LaPorte as being instrumental in the illegal activities in Calumet City.
In 1995, the city began demolishing bars and taverns in the "Sin Strip" area.
Geography
According to the 2021 census gazetteer files, Calumet City has a total area of 7.32 square miles (18.96 km2), of which 7.20 square miles (18.65 km2) (or 98.31%) is land and 0.12 square miles (0.31 km2) (or 1.69%) is water.
Surrounding areas
In addition to being bordered to the east by Hammond, it is also bordered by Burnham and Chicago to the north, Lansing to the south, and South Holland and Dolton to the west.
Demographics
Racial and ethnic composition
2020 census
As of the 2020 census, Calumet City had a population of 36,033 and 14,549 households; there were 8,607 families residing in the city, and the population density was 4,921.20 inhabitants per square mile (1,900.09/km2). There were 16,196 housing units at an average density of 2,211.96 per square mile (854.04/km2).
The median age was 39.1 years. 23.1% of residents were under the age of 18 and 15.4% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 83.4 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 78.4 males age 18 and over.
100.0% of residents lived in urban areas, while 0.0% lived in rural areas.
There were 14,549 households in Calumet City, of which 30.0% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 25.7% were married-couple households, 21.2% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 47.1% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 35.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.
There were 16,196 housing units, of which 10.2% were vacant. The homeowner vacancy rate was 3.7% and the rental vacancy rate was 8.4%.
Income
The median income for a household in the city was $50,640, and the median income for a family was $55,612. Males had a median income of $34,474 versus $32,079 for females. The per capita income for the city was $23,688. About 15.9% of families and 18.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 29.6% of those under age 18 and 10.9% of those age 65 or over.
Arts and culture
A landmark and point of pride among Cal City residents is the pair of large water towers painted like the popular "Have a Nice Day" smiley faces which are located on Ring Road near River Oaks Mall, the other State Street near Interstate 94.
Government
Calumet City has a Mayor-Council type government.
The city has 7 Wards.
Calumet City is in Illinois's 2nd congressional district.
The mayor of Calumet City is currently Thaddeus Jones. He has served as Mayor since being elected to the office in 2021.
Mayors of Calumet City
Education
Calumet City is served by several elementary school districts:
Calumet City School District 155
Woodrow Wilson Memorial School
Wentworth Intermediate School
Wentworth Jr. High School
Dolton School District 149
Berger Vandenberg School
Carol Moseley Braun School
Caroline Sibley School
Dirksen Middle School
Lincoln Elementary School District 156
Lincoln Elementary School
Hoover-Schrum Memorial School District No. 157
Hoover Elementary School
Schrum Memorial Middle School
The city is served by two high school districts:
Thornton Township High School District 205 (west of Torrence Avenue)
Thornwood High School
Thornton Fractional High School District 215 (east of Torrence Avenue)
Thornton Fractional North High School
Transportation
Pace provides bus service on multiple routes connecting Calumet City to destinations across the Southland.
Notable people
Calboy, American rapper who rose to fame in 2018.
Joseph F. Fanta (1914–1988), member of the Illinois House of Representatives from 1957 to 1963 and 1965–1967. He was a childhood resident of Calumet City.
Arline M. Fantin (b. 1937), Illinois state representative. She resided in Calumet City while a representative.
Frank Giglio (b. 1933), Illinois state representative. He resided in Calumet City while a representative.
John Jurkovic (b. 1967), defensive lineman for several NFL teams; radio host at ESPN Radio 1000
Mirko Jurkovic (1970–2013), former offensive guard for the Chicago Bears and All-American at the University of Notre Dame