Dolton, Illinois

Dolton, Illinois
Village
Aerial view of Dolton in 2012
Flag Seal
Motto:  "A community working together"
Location of Dolton in Cook County, Illinois.
Dolton Show map of Greater Chicago Dolton Show map of Illinois Dolton Show map of the United States
Coordinates: 41°37′39″N 87°35′55″W
Country	United States
State	Illinois
County	Cook
Township	Thornton
Incorporated	1893
Government
• Type	Mayor-council
• Mayor	Tiffany Henyard (D)
Area [1]
• Total	4.69 sq mi (12.14 km^2)
• Land	4.57 sq mi (11.84 km^2)
• Water	0.12 sq mi (0.30 km^2)  2.56%
Population  (2020)
• Total	21,426
• Density	4,687.38/sq mi (1,809.94/km^2)
Standard of living (2009-11)
• Per capita income	$21,742
• Median home value	$131,600
Time zone	Central Standard Time
ZIP code(s)	60419
Area code(s)	708
Geocode	17-20292
FIPS code	17-20292
Website	vodolton.org

Dolton (/ˈdɔːltən/) is a village in Cook County, Illinois, United States. The population was 21,426 at the 2020 census.^[2] Dolton is located just west of the expressway Interstate 94 and immediately south of the city limits of Chicago. Its most common ZIP code is 60419.

Dolton 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.^[3] The village was named for a family of early settlers.^[4] The villages of Dolton and nearby Riverdale were effectively one community until each incorporated separately in 1892.^[5]

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.^[6]

Surrounding areas

  Chicago

  Riverdale Chicago

  Riverdale / Harvey   Calumet City

  Harvey South Holland

  South Holland

Education

The entire village is part of South Suburban Community College District 510.^[7]

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1880	448		—
1890	1,110		147.8%
1900	1,229		10.7%
1910	1,869		52.1%
1920	2,076		11.1%
1930	2,923		40.8%
1940	3,058		4.6%
1950	5,338		74.6%
1960	18,746		251.2%
1970	25,937		38.4%
1980	24,766		−4.5%
1990	23,956		−3.3%
2000	25,614		6.9%
2010	23,153		−9.6%
2020	21,426		−7.5%
U.S. Decennial Census[8] 2010[9] 2020[10]

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 2000[11]	Pop 2010[9]	Pop 2020[10]	% 2000	% 2010	% 2020
White alone (NH)	3,390	1,226	598	13.23%	5.30%	2.79%
Black or African American alone (NH)	20,973	20,932	19,322	81.88%	90.41%	90.18%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH)	28	14	19	0.11%	0.06%	0.09%
Asian alone (NH)	144	68	38	0.56%	0.29%	0.18%
Pacific Islander alone (NH)	4	3	1	0.02%	0.01%	0.00%
Other race alone (NH)	34	24	107	0.13%	0.10%	0.50%
Mixed race or Multiracial (NH)	250	264	404	0.98%	1.14%	1.89%
Hispanic or Latino (any race)	791	622	937	3.09%	2.69%	4.37%
Total	25,614	23,153	21,426	100.00%	100.00%	100.00%

In the 2020 census^[12] there were 21,426 people, 7,985 households, and 5,361 families in the village. The population density was 4,570.39 inhabitants per square mile (1,764.64/km²). There were 8,768 housing units at an average density of 1,870.31 per square mile (722.13/km²).

The racial makeup of the village was 90.69% African American, 3.25% White, 0.17% Native American, 0.21% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 2.62% from other races, and 3.04% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.37% of the population.

There were 7,985 households. 29.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them. 25.45% were married couples living together. 35.94% had a female householder with no husband present. 32.86% were non-families. 29.42% of all households were made up of individuals. 12.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.44. The average family size was 2.78.

The village's age distribution consisted of 24.8% under the age of 18, 10.7% from 18 to 24, 21.8% from 25 to 44, 27% from 45 to 64, and 15.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36.7 years. For every 100 females, there were 86.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 79.5 males.

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.

Government

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.^[7]

Allegations of misspending and harassment

In November 2023, WGN News published a two-part series of articles alleging widespread misspending and harassment of political opponents by the mayor, Tiffany Henyard.^[13][14][15]

On February 20, 2024, it was reported that the Federal Bureau of Investigation had launched a probe into alleged misconduct by Mayor Henyard.^[16]

Mayors

Mayors of Dolton, Illinois

Image Mayor Years Notes Fred J. Ehlert 1913–1919 [17] Charles H. Smythe 1919–1923 [18] William C. Krueger 1923–1927 [19] John Harms Jr. 1927–1929 [20] Charles Dickelman 1929–1935 [21][22][23] Ira Hastings 1935–1957 [24] Fred Kasten 1957–1965 [25] Albert J. Ohlsen 1965 Served the last six months of mayor Kasten's term[25][26] Thomas Harper 1965–1969 [27] Norman MacKay 1969–1985 [28][29] J. Michael Peck 1985–1993 [29][30] Donald Hart 1993–1997 [31] William Shaw 1997–2008 Died in office First African-American mayor.[32][33] Ronnie Lewis 2008–2013 Acting in 2008;[34] elected to full term in 2009[35] Riley H. Rogers 2013–2021 [36] Tiffany Henyard 2021–Present [37]

Transportation

Pace provides bus service on multiple routes connecting Dolton to destinations across the Southland.^[38] Metra’s planned SouthEast Service will have a station in Dolton. This corridor has not seen commuter service since 1935.^{[citation needed]}

Notable people

William Shaw, Illinois state legislator, served as the first African-American mayor of Dolton.^[39] He was followed as mayor by Ronnie Lewis, who was the first African-American to serve as an official in the Dolton government.^[40]

Nelsan Ellis, who played Lafayette Reynolds in True Blood ^[41] and film critic Richard Roeper grew up in Dolton.^[42]

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. Cook County Clerks Office Archived August 1, 2013, at the Wayback Machine
8. "Decennial Census of Population and Housing by Decades". US Census Bureau.
9. "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.
10. "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.
11. "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.
12. "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved June 28, 2022.
13. Bradley, Ben; Schroedter, Andrew. "Claims of political targeting spark drama in Dolton". WGN TV. Retrieved November 10, 2023.
14. Bradley, Ben; Schroedter, Andrew. "Dolton dysfunction: Bills go unpaid amid questionable expenses". WGN. Retrieved November 10, 2023.
15. "Dolton dysfunction: Bills go unpaid amid questionable expenses". YouTube. WGN News. Retrieved November 10, 2023.
16. Dane Placko (February 20, 2024). "FBI probes misconduct allegations against Dolton Mayor Tiffany Henyard". Fox 32 Chicago. Retrieved February 20, 2024.
17. "F.J.Ehlert Dies of Heart Attack; Dolton's ex-Mayor". The Chicago Tribune. October 21, 1934 – via Newspapers.com.
18. Illinois blue book, 1923-1924. State of Illinois. p. 538.
19. Illinois blue book, 1925-1926. State of Illinois. p. 610.
20. Illinois blue book, 1927-1928. State of Illinois. p. 694.
21. Illinois blue book, 1929-1930. State of Illinois. p. 660.
22. Illinois blue book, 1931-1931. State of Illinois. p. 625.
23. Illinois blue book, 1933-1934. State of Illinois. p. 647.
24. "River Ferry Helped Dolton Grow as Settlers Flooded into Junction". The 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.
25. Congressional Record - Volume 112 - Part 31 - Extension of Remarks of Hon. Edward J. Derwinski. United States Congress. August 3, 1966. pp. A4099.
26. "Obituary: Ohlsen, Albert J." The Chicago Tribune. November 21, 2004.
27. "Dolton, South Holland Echo Older Time". The 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.
28. Ross, Sharon (April 20, 1977). "Dolton Incumbents Recapture Seats". The Times – via Newspapers.com.
29. "Suburbs Sprinkled With Big Upsets". The 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.
30. Lewandowski, Gregory (February 24, 1985). "Peck, Fryzell agree on intent of transfer tax". The Times – via Newspapers.com.
31. Rubin, Bonnie Miller (May 14, 1995). "Mayor firmly at Dolton's helm in mind if not body". The Chicago Tribune – via Newspapers.com.
32. 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.
33. Crabtree, Stephen (April 2, 1997). "Shaw Campaign Sweeps in Dolton". The Times. pp. B1, B2 – via Newspapers.com.
34. Srinivasan, Kirstin (February 25, 2009). "Dolton: Lewis Staves Off Challenger Rogers in Mayoral Primary Challenge". The Times (Munster). pp. A1, A4 – via Newspapers.com.
35. "Educator was Suburb's First Black Official". The Chicago Tribune . December 8, 2014 – via Newspapers.com.
36. Edwards, Lee (April 10, 2013). "Riley Rogers Triumphant in Dolton's Mayoral Race". The Weekly Citizen.
37. 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.
38. "RTA System Map" (PDF). Retrieved January 30, 2024.
39. 'William "Bill" Shaw: 1937-2008,' Chicago Tribune, Rick Pearson and Stacy St. Clair, November 28, 2008
40. Tejada, Gregory (December 8, 2014). "Educator was Suburb's First Black Official". The Chicago Tribune – via Newspapers.com.
41. Parker, Ryan (July 8, 2017). "'True Blood' Star Nelsan Ellis Dies at 39". Hollywood Reporter.
42. Barcus, Steven (November 13, 2013). "Roeper reviewed: Silver screen critic scripted own success".

External links

• Official website