Mokena, Illinois

{{Use American English|date=January 2026}} {{Use mdy dates|date=May 2024}} {{Infobox settlement | name = Village of Mokena | official_name = | native_name = | native_name_lang = | other_name = | settlement_type = Village | image_skyline = McGovney–Yunker Farmstead.jpg | imagesize = | image_alt = | image_caption = The gable bank barn at the historic McGovney–Yunker Farmstead | image_flag = Flag of Mokena, Illinois.png | image_seal = Seal of Mokena, Illinois.png | seal_size = | etymology = | nickname = | motto = Planned Progress, Pleasant Living | anthem = | image_map = File:Will County Illinois Incorporated and Unincorporated areas Mokena Highlighted.svg | mapsize = 260px | map_alt = | map_caption = Location of Mokena in Will County, Illinois. | image_map1 = Illinois in United States (US48).svg | mapsize1 = | map_alt1 = | map_caption1 = Location of Illinois in the United States | pushpin_map = | pushpin_label_position = | pushpin_label = | pushpin_map_alt = | pushpin_mapsize = | pushpin_relief = | pushpin_map_caption = | coordinates = {{coord|41.534414|-87.876873|display=inline,title}} | coor_pinpoint = | coordinates_footnotes = | grid_name = | grid_position = | subdivision_type = Country | subdivision_name = United States | subdivision_type1 = State | subdivision_name1 = Illinois | subdivision_type2 = County | subdivision_name2 = Will | subdivision_type3 = Township | subdivision_name3 = Frankfort, New Lenox | subdivision_type4 = | subdivision_name4 = | established_title = Incorporated | established_date = 1880 | established_title1 = | established_date1 = | established_title2 = | established_date2 = | established_title3 = | established_date3 = | established_title4 = | established_date4 = | established_title5 = | established_date5 = | established_title6 = | established_date6 = | established_title7 = | established_date7 = | extinct_title = | extinct_date = | founder = | named_for = | seat_type = | seat = | seat1_type = | seat1 = | government_footnotes = | government_type = Village | governing_body = | leader_party = | leader_title = Village President | leader_name = | leader_title1 = | leader_name1 = | total_type = | unit_pref = Imperial | area_footnotes = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2020">{{cite web|title=2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2020_Gazetteer/2020_gaz_place_17.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=March 15, 2022}}</ref> | area_total_km2 = 22.47 | area_total_sq_mi = 8.68 | area_land_km2 = 22.47 | area_land_sq_mi = 8.68 | area_water_km2 = 0.00 | area_water_sq_mi = 0.00 | area_water_percent = | area_metro_footnotes = | area_metro_km2 = | area_metro_sq_mi = | area_rank = | elevation_footnotes = | elevation_m = | elevation_ft = | elevation_point = | elevation_max_footnotes = | elevation_max_m = | elevation_max_ft = | elevation_max_point = | elevation_max_rank = | elevation_min_footnotes = | elevation_min_m = | elevation_min_ft = | elevation_min_point = | elevation_min_rank = | population_as_of = 2020 | population_footnotes = | population_total = 19887 | pop_est_as_of = | pop_est_footnotes = | population_est = | population_rank = | population_density_km2 = 885.05 | population_density_sq_mi = 2292.19 | population_metro_footnotes = | population_metro = | population_density_metro_km2 = | population_density_metro_sq_mi = | population_density = | population_density_rank = | population_blank1_title = | population_blank1 = | population_density_blank1_km2 = | population_density_blank1_sq_mi = | population_blank2_title = | population_blank2 = | population_density_blank2_km2 = | population_density_blank2_sq_mi = | population_demonym = | population_note = | demographics_type1 = | demographics1_footnotes = | demographics1_title1 = | demographics1_info1 = | demographics_type2 = | demographics2_footnotes = | demographics2_title1 = | demographics2_info1 = | timezone1 = CST | utc_offset1 = -6 | timezone1_DST = CDT | utc_offset1_DST = -5 | timezone2 = | utc_offset2 = | timezone2_DST = | utc_offset2_DST = |postal_code_type = ZIP code |postal_code = 60448<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.zipdatamaps.com/60448|title=Mokena IL ZIP Code|publisher=zipdatamaps.com|year=2023|access-date=January 26, 2023}}</ref> | area_code_type = | area_codes = 708 | geocode = | iso_code = | blank_name = FIPS code | blank_info = 17-49854 | blank1_name = | blank1_info = | blank2_name = | blank2_info = | blank_name_sec2 = | blank_info_sec2 = | blank1_name_sec2 = | blank1_info_sec2 = | blank2_name_sec2 = Wikimedia Commons | blank2_info_sec2 = | website = http://www.mokena.org/ | footnotes = }}

'''Mokena''' ({{IPAc-en|m|oʊ|'|k|i|n|ə|}} {{respell|moh|KEE|nuh}}) is a village in Will County, Illinois, United States. It is a southwest suburb of Chicago. The population was 19,887 at the 2020 census. The Census Bureau's 2019 estimate found that the population had increased to 20,159.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.census.gov/2010census/popmap/ipmtext.php?fl=17 |title=2010 Census Interactive Population Search |access-date=December 6, 2017 |archive-date=June 15, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160615024027/http://www.census.gov/2010census/popmap/ipmtext.php?fl=17 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==Etymology==

Mokena is a name apparently derived from a Native American language meaning "mud turtle".<ref>{{cite book|last=Gannett|first=Henry|title=The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States|url=https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_9V1IAAAAMAAJ|year=1905|publisher=U.S. Government Printing Office|page=[https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_9V1IAAAAMAAJ/page/n210 211]}}</ref> While the particular language from which the name originates is not documented, likely candidates are Anishinaabemowin, whose word for "snapping turtle" is ''mikinaak'',<ref>{{cite web|title=The Ojibwe People's Dictionary|url=https://ojibwe.lib.umn.edu/main-entry/mikinaak-na|access-date=January 7, 2021|website=ojibwe.lib.umn.edu}}</ref> and its close sister language Potawatomi, in which the same animal is called ''mkenak''.<ref>{{cite web|title=Potawatomi Language Dictionary - View Word|url=https://potawatomidictionary.com/Dictionary/Word/4203|access-date=January 7, 2021|website=potawatomidictionary.com}}</ref> Both languages were once spoken in the area now occupied by the town.

Mokena is located at {{Coord|41|32|4|N|87|52|37|W|type:city}}.<ref name="GR1">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/geographies/reference-files/time-series/geo/gazetteer-files.html|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=April 23, 2011|date=February 12, 2011|title=US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990}}</ref> According to the 2010 census, Mokena has an area of {{convert|8.893|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, of which {{convert|8.89|sqmi|sqkm|2}} (or 99.97%) is land and {{convert|0.003|sqmi|sqkm|2}} (or 0.03%) is water.<ref name="census-g001">{{cite web |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/G001/1600000US1749854 |title=G001 - Geographic Identifiers - 2010 Census Summary File 1 |access-date=December 19, 2015 |publisher=United States Census Bureau |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213041655/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/G001/1600000US1749854 |archive-date=February 13, 2020 |url-status=dead }}</ref> It is bordered by Tinley Park to the northeast, Orland Park to the north, Homer Glen to the northwest, Frankfort to the south, and New Lenox to the west.

==Education==

Elementary school services are provided by one of four school districts: Mokena School District 159, New Lenox School District 122, Frankfort School District 157C, and Summit Hill School District 161. Schools within District 159 include MES (Mokena Elementary School), MIS (Mokena Intermediate School), and MJHS (Mokena Junior High School). Mokena is served by Lincoln-Way Community High School District 210; students living in districts 159 or 122 attend Lincoln-Way Central High School, and students living in districts 157C or 161 attend Lincoln-Way East High School. Higher education is provided at Joliet Junior College, the nation's first public community college, and at Rasmussen College.

==Demographics== {{US Census population |1880= 522 |1890= 364 |1900= 281 |1910= 359 |1920= 475 |1930= 562 |1940= 657 |1950= 903 |1960= 1332 |1970= 1643 |1980= 4578 |1990= 6128 |2000= 14583 |2010= 18740 |2020= 19887 |footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|access-date=June 4, 2015}}</ref> | align = right | align-fn = center }}

===Racial and ethnic composition=== {| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center;" |+'''Mokena village, Illinois – Racial and ethnic composition''' {{nobold|''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<ref name=2000CensusP004>{{Cite web|title=P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Mokena village, Illinois|url=https://data.census.gov/table?g=160XX00US1749607&tid=DECENNIALSF12000.P004|website=United States Census Bureau |access-date= }}</ref> !Pop 2010<ref name=2010CensusP2>{{Cite web|title=P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Mokena village, Illinois|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=p2&g=160XX00US1749607&tid=DECENNIALPL2010.P2|website=United States Census Bureau |access-date= }}</ref> !style="background-color: #ffffb3;" |Pop 2020<ref name=2020CensusP2>{{Cite web|title=P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Mokena village, Illinois|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=p2&g=160XX00US1749607&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2|website=United States Census Bureau |access-date= }}</ref> !% 2000 !% 2010 !style="background-color: #ffffb3;" |% 2020 |- |White alone (NH) |13,812 |17,046 |style='background: #ffffe6; |17,317 |94.71% |90.96% |style='background: #ffffe6; |87.08% |- |Black or African American alone (NH) |71 |238 |style='background: #ffffe6; |347 |0.49% |1.27% |style='background: #ffffe6; |1.74% |- |Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) |8 |21 |style='background: #ffffe6; |14 |0.05% |0.11% |style='background: #ffffe6; |0.07% |- |Asian alone (NH) |183 |381 |style='background: #ffffe6; |398 |1.25% |2.03% |style='background: #ffffe6; |2.00% |- |Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander alone (NH) |5 |5 |style='background: #ffffe6; |2 |0.03% |0.03% |style='background: #ffffe6; |0.01% |- |Other race alone (NH) |5 |4 |style='background: #ffffe6; |25 |0.03% |0.02% |style='background: #ffffe6; |0.13% |- |Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) |78 |142 |style='background: #ffffe6; |470 |0.53% |0.76% |style='background: #ffffe6; |2.36% |- |Hispanic or Latino (any race) |421 |903 |style='background: #ffffe6; |1,314 |2.89% |4.82% |style='background: #ffffe6; |6.61% |- |'''Total''' |'''14,583''' |'''18,740''' |style='background: #ffffe6; |'''19,887 ''' |'''100.00%''' |'''100.00%''' |style='background: #ffffe6; |'''100.00%''' |}

===2020 census=== As of the 2020 census, Mokena had a population of 19,887. The median age was 42.7 years. 22.5% of residents were under the age of 18 and 17.3% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females, there were 97.1 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.8 males age 18 and over.<ref name="Census2020DP">{{cite web|title=2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)|url=https://api.census.gov/data/2020/dec/dp?get=NAME%2CDP1_0021P%2CDP1_0024P%2CDP1_0025C%2CDP1_0049C%2CDP1_0045C%2CDP1_0069C%2CDP1_0073C%2CDP1_0125P%2CDP1_0126P%2CDP1_0129P%2CDP1_0133P%2CDP1_0137P%2CDP1_0138P%2CDP1_0139P%2CDP1_0141P%2CDP1_0142P%2CDP1_0143P%2CDP1_0145P%2CDP1_0146P%2CDP1_0147C%2CDP1_0148C%2CDP1_0149C%2CDP1_0156C%2CDP1_0157C%2CDP1_0158C%2CDP1_0159P%2CDP1_0160P&for=place%3A49854&in=state%3A17|website=United States Census Bureau|year=2021|access-date=April 26, 2026|df=mdy}}</ref><ref name="Census2020PL">{{cite web|title=2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)|url=https://api.census.gov/data/2020/dec/pl?get=NAME%2CP1_001N%2CP1_003N%2CP1_004N%2CP1_005N%2CP1_006N%2CP1_007N%2CP1_008N%2CP1_009N%2CP2_001N%2CP2_002N%2CH1_001N%2CH1_002N&for=place%3A49854&in=state%3A17|website=United States Census Bureau|year=2021|access-date=April 26, 2026|df=mdy}}</ref>

100.0% of residents lived in urban areas, while 0.0% lived in rural areas.<ref name="Census2020DHC">{{cite web|title=2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)|url=https://api.census.gov/data/2020/dec/dhc?get=NAME%2CP2_002N%2CP2_003N&for=place%3A49854&in=state%3A17|website=United States Census Bureau|year=2023|access-date=April 26, 2026|df=mdy}}</ref>

There were 7,198 households in Mokena, of which 32.5% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 64.8% were married-couple households, 11.8% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 19.4% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 19.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.<ref name="Census2020DP"/>

There were 7,394 housing units, of which 2.7% were vacant. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.0% and the rental vacancy rate was 5.7%.<ref name="Census2020DP"/>

===2010 census=== As of the census<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=January 31, 2008|title=U.S. Census website}}</ref> of 2010, there were 18,740 people, 6,358 households, and 5,120 families residing in the village. The population density was {{convert|2,432.4|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 4,848 housing units at an average density of {{convert|808.6|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the village was 94.5% White, 1.3% African American, 0.01% Native American, 2.0% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.9% from other races, and 0.63% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.8% of the population.

===2000 census=== As of the census of 2000, there were 4,703 households, out of which 48.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 73.7% were married couples living together, 7.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 16.8% were non-families. 14.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 3.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.10 and the average family size was 3.46.

In the village, the population was spread out, with 32.4% under the age of 18, 7.1% from 18 to 24, 32.7% from 25 to 44, 21.5% from 45 to 64, and 6.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 101.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.3 males.

===Income and poverty=== The median family income is $82,596 and the median income for a household is $91,817. Males had a median income of $58,226 versus $31,522 for females. The per capita income for the village was $31,944. As of 2008, the median house value was $350,130, up from $211,300 in 2000.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.city-data.com/city/Mokena-Illinois.html|title=Mokena, Illinois (IL 60448) profile: population, maps, real estate, averages, homes, statistics, relocation, travel, jobs, hospitals, schools, crime, moving, houses, news, sex offenders|website=www.city-data.com}}</ref>

About 0.7% of families and 1.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 0.6% of those under age 18 and 4.6% of those age 65 or over. ==Transportation==

The Village of Mokena is serviced by the Metra rail service Rock Island District. Mokena has two commuter rail stations, Hickory Creek and Front Street, providing service to downtown Chicago's LaSalle Street Station, connecting with components of the Chicago Transit Authority. Mokena is also served by I-80, which runs along its northern border. Through I-80 commuters have convenient access to I-355 (Veteran's Memorial Tollway) and I-57. The main north–south thoroughfares are US Route 45 (LaGrange Rd) and Wolf Rd. The main east–west thoroughfares are 191st St, LaPorte Rd., and US Route 30 (Lincoln Highway). Rail freight traffic travels along both the Metra RI District Railway (Metra RI) and the Canadian National Railway (CN). The CN tracks run east/west along Mokena's southern boundary, while the Metra Rock Island District (Metra) tracks approximately bisect the town in a northeastern/southwestern direction.

==Notable people==

* Dean Anna, MLB player; born in Mokena * James Augustine, former University of Illinois and NBA player * Terry Boers, sports radio host and Chicago Sun-Times columnist <ref>{{cite web|url=https://chicago.cbslocal.com/2014/12/23/boers-the-memories-of-leaving-home/|title=Boers: Leaving Home Produces Rush Of Vivid Memories|date=December 23, 2014|language=en-US|access-date=January 4, 2020}}</ref> * Exene Cervenka, singer and writer; grew up in Mokena * Karla DeVito, actress, voice actress, and singer; born in Mokena * Clay Guida, mixed martial artist, Jason's brother<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Jason-Guida-8185|title=Jason Guida MMA Stats, Pictures, News, Videos, Biography - Sherdog.com|last=Sherdog.com|website=Sherdog|access-date=January 4, 2020}}</ref> * Jason Guida, mixed martial artist, Clay's brother * Don C. Hall, state actor and Wisconsin state legislator; lived in Mokena<ref>'Don C. Hall, 87, Veteran Show Trouper, Dies,' '''Stevens Point Daily Journal,''' October 29, 1953, pg. 15</ref> * Ron Kittle, former MLB player, lives in Mokena<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://chicagolymag.com/web/2016/06/ron-kittle-renaissance-man/ |title=Ron Kittle: Renaissance Man | Chicagoly Magazine |access-date=June 22, 2019 |archive-date=June 22, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190622172531/https://chicagolymag.com/web/2016/06/ron-kittle-renaissance-man/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> * Denise Richards, model and actress, lived in Mokena<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dailyherald.com/article/20110830/news/708309985/|title=Denise Richards: Suburban upbringing kept me grounded|first=Jamie|last=Sotonoff|date=August 30, 2011|website=Daily Herald}}</ref> * Bob Strait, racing driver; born in Mokena

==References== <references />

==External links== *[http://www.mokena.org/ Mokena official website] *[http://www.mokena159.com Mokena School District 159] *[http://www.fsd157c.org Frankfort School District 157C] *[http://www.summithill.org Summit Hill School District 161] *[http://www.wikimapia.org/#lat=41.5179125&lon=-87.8886509&z=16&l=0&m=a&v=2&show=/6597065/Wolf-Rd-Bridge-over-Hickory-Creek-Scene-of-1991-Beaver-Tragedy Wikimapia Contributions]

{{Will County, Illinois}} {{Chicagoland}} {{Illinois}} {{Geographic location| |Center=Mokena |West=New Lenox |Northwest=Lemont |North=Orland Park |Northeast=Tinley Park |Southwest=Manhattan |South=Frankfort |Southeast=Richton Park |East=Matteson }} {{authority control}}

Category:Villages in Will County, Illinois Category:Populated places in the United States established in 1880 Category:1880 establishments in Illinois Category:Villages in Illinois