Frankfort, Illinois
Encyclopedia
Frankfort is a village in Will
and Cook Counties
, Illinois
, United States
. The population was 17,782 at the 2010 census. According to Forbes.com, in 2007 the village ranked as the 36th fastest growing suburb in the United States. http://www.forbes.com/forbeslife/2007/07/16/suburbs-growth-housing-forbeslife-cx_mw_0716realestate_2.html?partner=msnre
and Sac and Fox tribes, Frankfort was used as a conduit between the Des Plaines and St. Joseph Rivers. Originally, the area was part of the Virginia Territory before the French signed a treaty with Manitoqua, the Potawatomi Chief, for land in the Prestwick area. The first pioneers came to Frankfort in the early 1830s by means of the Des Plaines River from the southwest and by wagon from the east along the Sauk Trail, a roadway that still exists today.
William Rice, the first non-native settler, made a permanent settlement in Frankfort in 1831. While the first pioneers, coming mainly from the New England Colonies, were mostly of English and Scottish descent, German settlers made the Village of Frankfort a reality. Later in the 1840s German Settlers migrated from the Pennsylvania area to Frankfort.
They had fled harsh conditions in their homeland by coming to America and proved to be very industrious and experienced farmers as they soon bought most of the fertile farm land from the “Yankees”, who were more inclined to provide services for local needs. Establishing both ownership and pride in the area, the German settlers implemented the first system of resident concern for local lands, which has been maintained ever since.
What is now known as Frankfort Township was originally part of the Hickory Creek Precinct. Will County was originally divided into ten precincts. The county, in 1850, was changed to the township form of government. Frankfort Township was named by Frederick Cappel after his native city, Frankfurt-Am-Main, Germany. In 1855 the Joliet and Northern Indiana Railroad, built a line through an area linking Joliet with Lake Station, Indiana. The J&NI Railroad was leased to the Michigan Central Railroad and service was implemented in July 1855. Nelson D. Elwood, an officer of the rail line, and Sherman Bowen, a Joliet attorney and real estate man jointly platted a village of around 23 acrea in March 1855 and named it Frankfort after the townships name. It was commonly referred to as Frankfort Station because of the railroad depot located there.
John McDonald became the first railroad agent in 1857.
In 1879, the Village of Frankfort was incorporated, and elected John McDonald as the first Village President. Along with the establishment of the government, among the first undertakings of the newly formed administration was the institution of land use policies. Early plats that were recorded indicated a traditional grid pattern with residential uses surrounding the business district and railroad line and additional land provided for schools and public open spaces.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the village has a total area of 10.9 square miles (28.2 km²), all of it land.
An unincorporated area north of the village of Frankfort (in Frankfort Township
) is a census-designated place known as Frankfort Square.
of 2000, there were 10,391 people, 3,418 households, and 2,942 families residing in the village. The population density
was 952.7 people per square mile (367.7/km²). There were 3,580 housing units at an average density of 328.2 per square mile (126.7/km²). The racial makeup of the village was 93.86% White, 2.48% African American, 0.17% Native American, 2.13% Asian, 0.62% from other races
, and 0.74% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.31% of the population.
There were 3,418 households out of which 42.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 77.6% were married couples
living together, 6.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 13.9% were non-families. 12.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 4.8% had someone living alone who were 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.98 and the average family size was 3.26.
In the village the population was spread out with 28.7% under the age of 18, 5.9% from 18 to 24, 24.9% from 25 to 44, 30.3% from 45 to 64, and 10.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 94.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.0 males.
The median income for a household in the village was $83,055, and the median income for a family was $89,645. Males had a median income of $66,147 versus $36,179 for females. The per capita income
for the village was $33,968. About 1.9% of families and 2.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.6% of those under age 18 and 3.3% of those age 65 or over. According to Money Magazine's "Best Places to Live 2011"; Frankfort is estimated to have a population of 17,594, a median family income of $116,611, and a median home price of $296,250.
Frankfort is home to Lincoln-Way East High School and Lincoln-Way North High School. Lincoln-Way East High School has won state championships in Football (2005), Girls Softball (2002), Boys Gymnastics (2006, 2011), Summer League Baseball, and Marching Band (2007, 2008). Lincoln-Way North has a state championship in Boys Gymnastics (2011) and Summer League Baseball (2011).
, while the small portion in Cook County is in the 2nd district.
Will County, Illinois
As of the census of 2000, there were 502,266 people, 167,542 households, and 131,017 families residing in the county. The population density was 600 people per square mile . There were 175,524 housing units at an average density of 210 per square mile...
and Cook Counties
Cook County, Illinois
Cook County is a county in the U.S. state of Illinois, with its county seat in Chicago. It is the second most populous county in the United States after Los Angeles County. The county has 5,194,675 residents, which is 40.5 percent of all Illinois residents. Cook County's population is larger than...
, Illinois
Illinois
Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The population was 17,782 at the 2010 census. According to Forbes.com, in 2007 the village ranked as the 36th fastest growing suburb in the United States. http://www.forbes.com/forbeslife/2007/07/16/suburbs-growth-housing-forbeslife-cx_mw_0716realestate_2.html?partner=msnre
Previous spelling
The name Frankfort was taken from the Frankfort Township name as designated by the governing board of Will County. It was commonly known as "Frankfort Station" after the opening of the Joliet & Northern Indiana Railroad through the township in 1855. In fact the official plat of the community dated March 1855 shows the name as Frankfort. Property deed abstracts and railroad documents also show that the name was always Frankfort. Local residents incorporated Frankfort as a village, with the village form of local government in 1879.History
First inhabited by Native Americans, including the PotawatomiPotawatomi
The Potawatomi are a Native American people of the upper Mississippi River region. They traditionally speak the Potawatomi language, a member of the Algonquian family. In the Potawatomi language, they generally call themselves Bodéwadmi, a name that means "keepers of the fire" and that was applied...
and Sac and Fox tribes, Frankfort was used as a conduit between the Des Plaines and St. Joseph Rivers. Originally, the area was part of the Virginia Territory before the French signed a treaty with Manitoqua, the Potawatomi Chief, for land in the Prestwick area. The first pioneers came to Frankfort in the early 1830s by means of the Des Plaines River from the southwest and by wagon from the east along the Sauk Trail, a roadway that still exists today.
William Rice, the first non-native settler, made a permanent settlement in Frankfort in 1831. While the first pioneers, coming mainly from the New England Colonies, were mostly of English and Scottish descent, German settlers made the Village of Frankfort a reality. Later in the 1840s German Settlers migrated from the Pennsylvania area to Frankfort.
They had fled harsh conditions in their homeland by coming to America and proved to be very industrious and experienced farmers as they soon bought most of the fertile farm land from the “Yankees”, who were more inclined to provide services for local needs. Establishing both ownership and pride in the area, the German settlers implemented the first system of resident concern for local lands, which has been maintained ever since.
What is now known as Frankfort Township was originally part of the Hickory Creek Precinct. Will County was originally divided into ten precincts. The county, in 1850, was changed to the township form of government. Frankfort Township was named by Frederick Cappel after his native city, Frankfurt-Am-Main, Germany. In 1855 the Joliet and Northern Indiana Railroad, built a line through an area linking Joliet with Lake Station, Indiana. The J&NI Railroad was leased to the Michigan Central Railroad and service was implemented in July 1855. Nelson D. Elwood, an officer of the rail line, and Sherman Bowen, a Joliet attorney and real estate man jointly platted a village of around 23 acrea in March 1855 and named it Frankfort after the townships name. It was commonly referred to as Frankfort Station because of the railroad depot located there.
John McDonald became the first railroad agent in 1857.
In 1879, the Village of Frankfort was incorporated, and elected John McDonald as the first Village President. Along with the establishment of the government, among the first undertakings of the newly formed administration was the institution of land use policies. Early plats that were recorded indicated a traditional grid pattern with residential uses surrounding the business district and railroad line and additional land provided for schools and public open spaces.
Geography
Frankfort is located at 41°29′53"N 87°50′58"W (41.498133, -87.849549).According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the village has a total area of 10.9 square miles (28.2 km²), all of it land.
An unincorporated area north of the village of Frankfort (in Frankfort Township
Frankfort Township, Will County, Illinois
Frankfort Township is located in Will County, Illinois. The population was 41,292 at the 2000 census.- External links :****...
) is a census-designated place known as Frankfort Square.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 10,391 people, 3,418 households, and 2,942 families residing in the village. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 952.7 people per square mile (367.7/km²). There were 3,580 housing units at an average density of 328.2 per square mile (126.7/km²). The racial makeup of the village was 93.86% White, 2.48% African American, 0.17% Native American, 2.13% Asian, 0.62% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 0.74% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.31% of the population.
There were 3,418 households out of which 42.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 77.6% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 6.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 13.9% were non-families. 12.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 4.8% had someone living alone who were 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.98 and the average family size was 3.26.
In the village the population was spread out with 28.7% under the age of 18, 5.9% from 18 to 24, 24.9% from 25 to 44, 30.3% from 45 to 64, and 10.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 94.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.0 males.
The median income for a household in the village was $83,055, and the median income for a family was $89,645. Males had a median income of $66,147 versus $36,179 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the village was $33,968. About 1.9% of families and 2.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.6% of those under age 18 and 3.3% of those age 65 or over. According to Money Magazine's "Best Places to Live 2011"; Frankfort is estimated to have a population of 17,594, a median family income of $116,611, and a median home price of $296,250.
Frankfort is home to Lincoln-Way East High School and Lincoln-Way North High School. Lincoln-Way East High School has won state championships in Football (2005), Girls Softball (2002), Boys Gymnastics (2006, 2011), Summer League Baseball, and Marching Band (2007, 2008). Lincoln-Way North has a state championship in Boys Gymnastics (2011) and Summer League Baseball (2011).
Government
Frankfort is divided between two congressional districts. Most of the village is in Illinois' 11th congressional districtIllinois' 11th congressional district
The 11th Congressional District of Illinois includes the towns of Joliet, Bloomington, Normal, Kankakee, LaSalle, Ottawa and Streator, and all or parts of Will, Kankakee, Grundy, LaSalle, Bureau, Woodford and McLean counties...
, while the small portion in Cook County is in the 2nd district.