Belmont Cragin

Belton Cragin is the community area of Belmont Central neighborhood in Chicago located on the Northwest side of Chicago, Illinois. Cragin Park was developed in 1927 and later modeled as a playground with quipped tennis courts. It is commonly known as Community 19 and has a commute distance of 8 miles from the Chicago Loop. The total area of Belmont Cragin is 3.94square meters. As of 2020, the total population of the place is 78 000. Area zip codes include parts 60634, 60635,60639, and 60641. Portage Park borders it to the North, Irving Park to the North East, Hermosa to the East, and Humboldt Park to the South East. Austin borders the area to the South, Montclare to the South West, and Dunning to the North West. One travels 11 miles to Chicago Midway International Airport to access the closest airport or 12 miles to the Chicago Ohare International Airport. Other airports within a 200-mile radius include the General Mitchell international airport, Fort Wayne International airport, and the Gerald R. Ford International airport. Domestic airports within a 200-mile radius have the Chicago Rockford International airports at 83 miles and the South Bend Regional Airport at 102 miles. Local airports are closer such as the Chicago Metropolitan area at 5 miles and the Naval air station Glenview at 11 miles. Aspire to identify an airport before traveling to the region since it is one of the smaller towns.

Population

Belmont Cragin is a predominantly Hispanic and Latino neighborhood, thus gaining its name. Once upon a time, the largest ethnic population was the Polish. The communities population is racially divided as follows: Data collected by the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning shows that there are 23,450 households with an average household size of 3 to 4. Percentage population change between 2000 to 2010 rates at -0.0%, while from 2010 to 2020 stands at -0.8%. There has been an increase in the child population from the 2000 census. Between 2015 and 2019, the age cohorts distribution is as follows:

· Below 5- Total count 5234, count pct 6.7

· 5 to 19- Total count 18046, count pct 23

· 20 to 34-Total count 16083, count pct 20.5

· 35 to 49-Total count 17698, count pct 22.5

· 50 to 64-Total count 13992, count pct 17.7

· 65 to 74-Total count 4832, count pct 6.2

· 75 to 84-Total count 2134, count pct 2.7

· 85 and above-Total count 601, count pct 0.8.

The median average age of the inhabitants is thus 34.9

Academically, most of the neighborhood’s inhabitants have a little educational background, with the statistics standing as follows between 2015 and 2019:

· Less than a high school diploma-Total count 15903, count pct 31.7

· High school diploma and equivalent-Total count 15647, count pct 31.2

· College education with no degree total count 8879, count pct 17.7

· Associates degree-Total count 2941, count pct 5.9

· Bachelors degree-Total count 4856, count pct 9.7

· Graduates-Total count 1875, count pct 3.7

The majority of the people in Belmont Cragin are Spanish speakers, with a total population count of 54 000 speakers, 74 percent. The second popular language is English, with English-only speakers standing at 18 percent. Full non-English speakers amount to 60147 with a percentile of 82. Data collected between the period conspicuously showed zero Korean and Chinese speakers. Other language percentages stand as follows:

· Slavik languages- 4.8

· Tagalog- 1.5

· Arabic- 0.6

· Other Asian languages- 0.3

The ethnic population distribution of the neighborhood has the majority of Latinos and Hispanics at 63,777. White non-Hispanic populations follow at 10398 total population. Black non-Hispanics are at 1865, while Asian non-Hispanics total 1453 as of 2019.

Real Estate

Intense diversification over the years is responsible for the rise in household sizes across the region and household types. Thirteen thousand five hundred twenty-three houses in Belmont Cragin as of 2019 were built in 1940, while 1059 houses were constructed between 2000 and 2019. Single-family detached homes account for 9364, 38 percent, while single-family attached homes amount to 549 homes. 2 unit homes total count is 5975, thus 24.3 percent. The neighborhood is below the average house pricing of homes in Chicago, with the majority opting for houses between 20000 to 35000 dollars. Housing sizes range between zero to one-bedroom houses and five or more rooms. The median number of rooms in Belmont Cragin is 5.7, with two-bedroom homes having the highest total count at 9567 and 38.9 count percent. Belmont’s redevelopment projects include Hispanic housing developments to meet increased population demands.

Belmont offers an array of festivities and recreational activities. The Cragin park offers nature and outdoor activities along the lakefront trail for bikers and pedestrians. Neighborhood festivals and fairs are conducted in areas such as the Old Irving Park Beer area at the Irving park for fundraisers and funfairs. Taste of Elmwood Park festival is conducted annually in different locations where ten or more restaurants participate in cuisine art. Carnival rides, lounge areas, and beverages are added advantages. A day in our village festivals incorporates cultures and people from schools, churches, health and fitness places, political parties, and nonprofit organizations. People do voluntary work while learning about the village. Booths offer free food and live music too.

Schools

As seen in the previously stated statistics, the education attainment rate is slightly lower. School categories include elementary schools, high schools, and private schools. The ranking is conducted through major educational factors such as state test scores, ACT scores, teacher quality, and institutional college readiness. Most elementary schools in the neighborhood are rated first and have high CPS rates. Local high schools are recently facing a local students dropout phenomenon where only a quarter of the CPS students go to their respective neighborhood schools. They thus rate below average on student retainment. The best schools in the neighborhood under the three categories are as follows:

1. Hawthorne Scholastic school

Total population- 568

Teacher to student ratio: 15 to 1

Best subjects proficiency: Reading(70%) Math ( 75%)

Rated best public middle school

2. STEM Magnet Academy Elementary school

Total population: 448

Teacher to student ratio: 14:1

Best subject proficiency: maths(68%) Reading (74%)

3. Noble Street College Preparatory

Total population: 692

Teacher to student ratio: 15 to 1

Grades taught: 9 to 12

4. Morgan Park Academy( Private)

Total population: 423

Teacher to student ratio:8 to 1

Crime Rates

Murder rates in District 3 have had a 50 percent change, increasing from 2 in 2021 to 3 in 2022. Burglary and theft cases saw the highest rise in changes at 43 and 33%, respectively. Crime complaints on shooting incidents saw consistent percentile drop rates. Historical comparisons show that motor vehicle cases have constantly been rising from 2018( 30 cases) to 2022(52 cases)

History

The development of Belmont Cragin started with a saloon business by George Merrill in 1835 while living at the Armitage and Grand Avenues intersection. Michael Moran established a hotel in 1862, but it remained rural and attracted fewer permanent residents. It was not until 20 years later that the town grew. The Cragin brothers started an iron sheet and tin plating industry and warehouses. The Chicago St.Paul Railroad constructed a Leclair station to cater to the workers. It attracted visitors who later became permanent residents. In 2 years after the construction, the population reached 200, and there were essential services such as schoolhouses, general stores, and a church. Industrial development improved with the extended Belt railway services across the neighborhood. The Washburn and Moen Manufacturing company for wires got launched in 18890, and by 1920, many industries started attracting people of polish, Italian, and German descent. It was not until 1930 that the community area adopted its current name, Belmont Cragin.

Overall population growth in the community area rose by above 6 % in the mid-1980s and up to 37%in between 1990 and 2000. Hispanic and Latino populations significantly increased from 3072 in 1980 to 17000 by the 1990s. The rise in population affected employment opportunities, and the poverty levels skyrocketed. Plants and industrial companies began to shut down, and by 1995, retail activity was low. Th Chicago state government has improved the economy, and it continues to redevelop further.

The first library to be operational was the Chicago Public Library. It was located in a storefront after its launch in 1927. It opened a permanent location eventually in 1969. Today, the library boasts 80 places, inclusive of 2 regional libraries.

The Chicago Rippers Satanic Chapel location is a controversy in th Belmont Cragin neighborhood between 1981 and 1982. 4 cult worshippers were raping and mutilation spree while killing several local female residents. Most crimes occurred at the RipVan Motel at Villa Park, while some were taken to a satanic chapel at 2163 North McVicker Avenue, Belmont Cragin. Each victim sported one severely mutilated breast. Andrew Kokoraleis was executed using lethal injections in 1999. Thomas, his brother, currently serves a 70-year jail sentence at the Hill Correctional Center in Illinois. Ed Spreitzerr was initially a death sentence inmate. However, his sentence was commuted in 2003 by the then governor George Ryan. The last member did not confess to the court of his crimes and thus served a life sentence. He is, however, eligible for parole in 2022.