Beach Park, Illinois

Beach Park
Village
Country United States
State Illinois
County Lake
Coordinates
Area 6.4 sq mi (17 km2)
 - land 6.4 sq mi (17 km2)
Population 10,072 (2000)
Density 1,569.0 / sq mi (606 / km2)
Timezone CST (UTC-6)
 - summer (DST) CDT (UTC-5)
Postal code 60099/60087/60083
Area code 847
Location of Beach Park within Illinois
Wikimedia Commons: Beach Park, Illinois

Beach Park is a village in the Benton and Waukegan Townships of Lake County, Illinois, United States. The population was 10,072 at the 2000 census.

Contents

Geography

Beach Park is located at (42.423763, -87.847753).[1]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of 6.4 square miles (17 km2), all of it land.

Major Streets

Demographics

As of the census[2] of 2000, there were 10,072 people, 3,636 households, and 2,727 families residing in the village. The population density was 1,569.0 people per square mile (605.7/km²). There were 3,743 housing units at an average density of 583.1 per square mile (225.1/km²). The racial makeup of the village was 85.31% White, 4.54% African American, 0.28% Native American, 1.49% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 6.12% from other races, and 2.24% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 13.58% of the population.

There were 3,636 households out of which 36.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.7% were married couples living together, 10.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.0% were non-families. 20.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.77 and the average family size was 3.21.

In the village the population was spread out with 27.0% under the age of 18, 7.7% from 18 to 24, 29.9% from 25 to 44, 25.1% from 45 to 64, and 10.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 98.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.3 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $56,553, and the median income for a family was $65,064. Males had a median income of $42,982 versus $32,412 for females. The per capita income for the village was $23,803. About 3.5% of families and 3.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.1% of those under age 18 and none of those age 65 or over.

Illinois Beach State Park

Beach Park is the home to Illinois Beach State Park: South Beach. The North Beach is in Winthrop Harbor, Illinois. The beach was originally part of Camp Logan, a rifle range developed by the Illinois National Guard in 1892. Then in World War I and World War II it served as a rifle range for the Great Lakes Naval Training Station. The range remained in operation until 1973, when it was transferred to the Illinois Department of Conservation. In 1950, the Illinois Dunes Preservation Society was established to maintain the natural qualities of the beach. With the help of the Illinois Department of Conservation the area south of Beach Road was established as the state's first natural preserve. The northern beach, between beach road and the Wisconsin state border, were obtained between 1971 and 1982.[3]

The south beach is now home of the Illinois Beach Resort and Conference Center. The North Point Marina is at the north beach. This is Illinois' newest and largest marina. It is also the largest fresh water marina in the United States.

On May 9, 2000, the area encompassing Illinois Beach State Park and North Point Marina was officially designated as the Cullerton Complex in honor of William J. Cullerton, Sr., war hero, avid environmentalist and long-time friend of conservation.

Public safety

The Village of Beach park is policed by the Lake County Sheriff's Office. The Village has contracted with the Sheriff's Office to provide additional Deputy Sheriff personnel to patrol the Village during the day. These Deputies are able to call on the resources of multiple deputies, and the members of the Zion, Waukegan and Gurnee Police departments should an emergency require it. The Village has allowed the Deputies to use the Village Hall as a small sub-station, which limits the time Deputies are out of the area. Previously, the deputies had to return to Waukegan or Libertyville for paperwork issues.

The Village of Beach Park is provided fire and EMS protection by the Newport Township Fire Protection District, the Winthrop Harbor Fire Protection District and the Beach Park Fire Protection Districts. The Beach Park Fire Protection District provides 90% of the Village with fire and EMS services. All three districts, with the addition of the Zion Fire-Rescue Department have signed agreements which provide immediate response by one or all four to major emergencies. This protection, provided 24 hours-a-day is one of the best in the State of Illinois.

In early 2006, the Beach Park Fire Protection District asked for and received voter support for a nominal tax increase. This increase made full-time Firefighter/Paramedics a reality. The department was also able to lower the Insurance Services Organization (ISO) rating to a 3. This is one of the lowest in the area and saves residents on homeowners and renter's insurance. The Beach Park Fire Department is taking positive steps by replacing older fire equipment. This will ensure that the residents receive good fire response by newer apparatus.

All departments which provide Fire and Emergency Medical Services are also part of the MABAS Mutual Aid program. This program, funded by member agencies, provides assistance from the local region all the way to national resources. This aid program should make residents and business owners feel secure.

Notable residents

References

External links