North Center, Chicago

{{Short description|Community area in Chicago, Illinois}} {{Use American English|date=January 2025}} {{Use mdy dates|date=October 2019}} {{Infobox settlement |name = North Center |official_name = Community Area 05 - North Center |other_name = |nickname = |settlement_type = {{nowrap|Community area}} |image_skyline =Lane Tech High School clock tower.jpg |imagesize = |image_caption = The clocktower of Lane Technical College Prep High School, located in the western part of the neighborhood. |image_map = US-IL-Chicago-NorthCenter.png |mapsize = 200px |map_caption = Streetmap |image_map1 = US-IL-Chicago-CA05.svg |mapsize1 = |map_caption1 = Location within the city of Chicago |subdivision_type = Country |subdivision_name = United States |subdivision_type1 = State |subdivision_name1 = Illinois |subdivision_type2 = County |subdivision_name2 = Cook |subdivision_type3 = City |subdivision_name3 = Chicago  |parts_type = Neighborhoods |parts_style=list |parts = |p1 = Northcenter |p2 = Roscoe Village |p3 = Horner Park |p4 = St. Ben's |p5 = Lathrop Homes |p6 = Hamlin Park |p7 = |p8 =  |unit_pref = Imperial |area_footnotes = |area_total_km2 = 5.36  |population_as_of = 2023 |population_footnotes = |population_note = |population_total = 35,408 |population_density_km2 = auto |demographics_type1 =Demographics 2023<ref name="cmap">{{cite web|title=Community Data Snapshot North Center|url=http://www.cmap.illinois.gov/documents/10180/126764/North+Center.pdf|access-date=2 August 2021}}</ref> |demographics1_footnotes = |demographics1_title1 =White |demographics1_info1 =73.1% |demographics1_title2 =Black |demographics1_info2 =2.2% |demographics1_title3 =Hispanic |demographics1_info3 =13.3% |demographics1_title4 =Asian |demographics1_info4 =6.2% |demographics1_title5 =Other |demographics1_info5 =5.2% |demographics_type2=Educational Attainment 2023<ref name="cmap" /> |demographis2_footnotes= |demographics2_title1=High School Diploma or Higher |demographics2_info1=97.3% |demographics2_title2=Bachelor's Degree or Higher |demographics2_info2=79.1%

|timezone = CST |utc_offset = −6 |timezone_DST = CDT |utc_offset_DST = −5 |coordinates = {{Coord|41|57|N|87|40.8|W|region:US-IL_type:city|display=inline,title}}  |postal_code_type = ZIP Codes |postal_code = parts of 60613, 60618, 60657 |area_code = |blank_name = Median household income 2019<ref name="cmap" /> |blank_info = $125,033 |website = |footnotes = Source: U.S. Census, Record Information Services }} '''North Center''' is one of the 77 community areas of Chicago in Illinois, United States, located in the city's North Side. North Center is bordered on the north by Montrose Avenue, on the south by Diversey Parkway, on the west by the Chicago River and on the east by Ravenswood Avenue; it includes the neighborhoods of Northcenter, '''Roscoe Village''', St. Ben's, and Hamlin Park. The Brown Line of the Chicago 'L' has stops within the community area at Addison, Irving Park, and Montrose.

== Northcenter == The neighborhood known as Northcenter refers to a neighborhood in the North Side of Chicago, Illinois. The boundaries of Northcenter are Addison on the south, Montrose on the north, the Chicago River on the west and Ravenswood (1800 W) on the east.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.chicagohome.com/NHDetails.cfm?NH_ID=32 |title=Chicago Neighborhood Details:North Center |access-date=13 September 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100904070223/http://chicagohome.com/NHDetails.cfm?NH_ID=32 |archive-date=September 4, 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Northcenter has grown since the 1870s when the area was only accessible by the Chicago River and Little Fort Road (now known as Lincoln Avenue). Northcenter is considered a vibrant neighborhood with an eclectic mix of retailers, restaurants, live music, live theater, and service-oriented businesses. It is also home to some of the best public schools in the City of Chicago. Lane Tech College Prep High School, a top ranked well-rounded and diverse high school in the state; as well as North Park Elementary School, Coonley & Bell Elementary. Northcenter was voted one of Chicago's best neighborhoods by the ''Chicago Magazine'' in 2014.<ref>{{Cite web|title = North Center Is One of Chicago's 12 Best Neighborhoods|url = http://www.chicagomag.com/Chicago-Magazine/April-2014/chicago-neighborhoods/North-Center/|access-date = 2015-10-07}}</ref>

Northcenter's history is deeply rooted in European cultural influences, from German, Polish, Czech, Romanian, Serbian, Greek, Croatian, French making the majority and that history can be seen in the architectural charm of the homes and buildings from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Also during this time, the Selig Polyscope Company produced some of America's earliest motion pictures and was based in Chicago. Along Byron Street near Oakley Ave and Western Ave, historic production buildings of the company are still standing and being used as residences and retail businesses. The neighborhood continues to grow and become more culturally diverse. The neighborhood includes bowling alleys, three city parks - including an indoor ice arena, a nearby library, a nearby movie theater complex, and Northcenter Town Square. The Northcenter Chamber of Commerce hosts many free family and community events throughout the year.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.northcenterchamber.com/ |title=Home |website=northcenterchamber.com}}</ref> Northcenter Town Square is also home to a Farmer's Market on Saturdays from June to October.

== Roscoe Village == {{Redirect|Roscoe Village|the village in Ohio|Roscoe Village (Coshocton, Ohio)}} [[File:New "Welcome to Roscoe Village" Painted Sign on Roscoe at the Train Tracks.jpg|thumb|left|"Welcome to Roscoe Village" sign on Roscoe at Metra overpass]] '''Roscoe Village''' refers to a neighborhood in the North Side of Chicago, Illinois. While not part of any official city map, Chicago residents perceive the boundaries of the neighborhood to be Addison Street to the north, Belmont Avenue to the south, Ravenswood Avenue to the east and the Chicago River to the west.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Roscoe Village Neighbors website |url=http://www.roscoevillage.org |publisher=Roscoe Village Neighbors |access-date=2009-02-17}}</ref> The primary feature of Roscoe Village is Roscoe Street, an east-west street which bisects the neighborhood's northern and southern halves. Roscoe Street is populated by businesses and residences. In 2023 the area was estimated to have 10,843 residents.<ref>{{cite web |title=QuickFacts Roscoe village, Illinois |url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/roscoevillageillinois |publisher=United States Census Bureau |date=July 1, 2023}}</ref>

From 1904 to 1967, Roscoe Village was home to the "largest amusement park in the world", Riverview Park, a {{Convert|76|acre|ha|adj=on}} amusement park<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kogan |first=Rick |title=Remembering Riverview Park, 50 years later |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/ct-riverview-kogan-sidewalks-ae-0625-20170624-column.html |work=Chicago Tribune |date=June 25, 2017 |access-date=2019-08-26}}</ref> stretching from Belmont Avenue to Lane Tech High School, and from Western Ave. to the Chicago River. Today, the Area 3 Police Headquarters, DePaul College Prep, and Riverview Plaza Center now stand on the space.<ref>{{Cite web |title=RIVERVIEW |url=https://interactive.wttw.com/timemachine/riverview |date=2013-11-30 |publisher=WTTW Chicago |language=en |access-date=2019-08-26}}</ref>

== St. Ben's ==  St. Ben's is an unofficial neighborhood with boundaries at Irving Park Road on the north, Addison Street on the south, Damen Avenue on the east, and Western Ave. on the west. It is named for Saint Benedict's Parish, with its Roman Catholic school, on Leavitt Street.<ref>[http://www.chicago.com/neighborhoods/North_Center/ North Center] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101021001150/http://chicago.com/neighborhoods/North_Center/ |date=October 21, 2010 }} chicago.com</ref> Since 2021, St. Ben's has the first Chicago outpost of Dave's Hot Chicken.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Waxman |first1=Naomi |title=LA’s Celebrity-Backed Dave’s Hot Chicken Opens First Chicago Restaurant |url=https://chicago.eater.com/2021/10/25/22744954/daves-hot-chicken-nashville-style-chicago-north-center-los-angeles-roscoe-villabe |work=Eater |date=October 25, 2021}}</ref><ref> [https://chicago.eater.com/2021/7/26/22594466/daves-hot-chicken-chicago-opening-naperville-north-center-expansion LA-Based Dave’s Hot Chicken to Open First Chicago-Area Location This Week] Eater, Ashok Selvam, July 26, 2021 </ref>

==Hamlin Park== The Hamlin Park neighborhood is bounded by Belmont Avenue on the north, Ravenswood Avenue on the east, the Diversey Parkway on the south and the North Branch of the Chicago River on the west. It has its namesake park in the center of the neighborhood. This neighborhood also has the northern half of the Julia C. Lathrop Homes, a CHA housing project.

{{US Census population |1930=47651 |1940=48759 |1950=47787 |1960=43877 |1970=39378 |1980=35161 |1990=33010 |2000=31895 |2010=31867 |2020=35114 |footnote=<ref>{{cite web|last=Paral|first=Rob|title=Chicago Community Areas Historical Data|url=http://www.robparal.com/downloads/ACS0509/HistoricalData/Chicago%20Community%20Areas%20Historical%20Data.htm|access-date=30 August 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130318055428/http://www.robparal.com/downloads/ACS0509/HistoricalData/Chicago%20Community%20Areas%20Historical%20Data.htm|archive-date=March 18, 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> }}

==Politics== North Center has reliably supported the Democratic Party, and Harris Walz signs were visible in the neighborhood during the 2024 United States presidential election.

==Places of interest== * Cook County Circuit Court * WGN-TV Studios * Chicago Fire Soccer Center * Clark Park Boat House * Kerry Wood Cubs Field * Chicago rat hole

=== Schools === * [http://audubonelementary.org/ Audubon Elementary School] * Bell Elementary School * [http://www.coonley.org/ Coonley Elementary School] * Chamberlain College of Nursing * DeVry Institute of Technology * DePaul College Prep (formerly known as Gordon Tech High School) * Jahn Elementary School * James Adams Alternative High School * Lane Technical High School * North Park Elementary School * Pilgrim Lutheran School * St. Benedict Elementary School * St. Benedict High School * Hamilton Elementary School

===Former places of interest=== * Riverview Park, now the site of DePaul College Prep High School (see above) * American Theater Company, which shuttered in 2018.<ref>https://www.chicagotribune.com/2018/03/16/american-theater-company-is-shutting-down-the-company-behind-disgraced-and-original-grease/</ref>

== Notable people ==  * Robert E. Gerstung (1915–1979), soldier and recipient of the Medal of Honor for heroic actions during World War II. In 1951, he resided at 3042 North Oakley Avenue.<ref>{{cite news|title=SLATE 4 HOUR NIGHT PAGEANT FOR M'ARTHUR: Hero Will Be Center of Spectacle|newspaper=Chicago Tribune|date=April 25, 1951}}</ref> * Joseph F. Fanta (1914–1988), member of the Illinois House of Representatives during the 74th Illinois General Assembly. He resided at 2156 West Waveland Avenue during his time in the legislature.<ref>{{cite book|title=Illinois Blue Book 1965-1966|page=220|url=http://www.idaillinois.org/digital/collection/bb/id/15813|access-date=January 5, 2024}}</ref> * John J. Hoellen Jr. (1914–1999), member of the Chicago City Council from 1947 until 1975. Hollen resided at 1842 W. Larchmont Ave. for most of his life.<ref>{{cite news|last=Joravsky|first=Ben|title=The Grand Old Party's Last Stand|date=June 25, 1999|newspaper=Chicago Reader|access-date=March 23, 2021|url=https://www.chicagoreader.com/chicago/lincoln-square-north-center-ravenswood-politics/Content?oid=1486962}}</ref> * Steve Wilkos (b. 1964), television personality. He was a childhood resident of Roscoe Village.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.timeout.com/chicago/things-to-do/steve-wilkos-interview|title=Steve Wilkos Interview|last=Malooley|first=Jake|work=Time Out Chicago|date=September 1, 2012|access-date=August 15, 2018}}</ref>

== Citations == {{reflist}}

== General and cited references == * "Roscoe Village Chamber of Commerce Map" (http://www.rvcc.biz/map.asp). Retrieved Oct. 24, 2006 * "Roscoe Village Chamber of Commerce Directory" (http://www.rvcc.biz/directory.asp). Retrieved Oct. 24, 2006 * Hadley, Chuck (2002). "A History of Roscoe Village and RVN" (http://www.roscoevillage.org/Default.aspx?pageId=46910). Retrieved Sept. 10, 2008. * "2000 U.S. Census: Table DP-1. Profile of General Demographics Characteristics: 2000. Geographic area: Roscoe village, Illinois" (http://censtats.census.gov/data/IL/1601765611.pdf {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721033909/http://censtats.census.gov/data/IL/1601765611.pdf |date=July 21, 2011 }}) Retrieved Mar. 22, 2005.

==External links== * [https://data.cityofchicago.org/Facilities-Geographic-Boundaries/Chicago-Zip-Code-and-Neighborhood-Map/mapn-ahfc Chicago Zip Code and Neighborhood Map] City of Chicago * [http://www.northcenterneighborhood.org/ Northcenter Neighborhood Association] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171230092135/http://www.northcenterneighborhood.org/ |date=December 30, 2017 }} * [http://www.northcenterchamber.com/ Northcenter Chamber of Commerce] * [http://www.roscoevillage.org/ Roscoe Village Neighbors] * [http://www.encyclopedia.chicagohistory.org/pages/899.html Encyclopedia of Chicago entry on North Center] * [https://web.archive.org/web/20070217194701/http://lakesidecdc.org/ Lakeside Community Development Corporation] * [http://neighborhoods.chicago.il.us/a/North_Center/ Photographs of North Center by Jordan Bettis] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050507025407/http://neighborhoods.chicago.il.us/a/North_Center/ |date=May 7, 2005 }}

{{Geographic Location | Center = North Center, Chicago | North = Lincoln Square, Chicago | Northeast = Uptown, Chicago | East = Lakeview, Chicago | Southeast = Lincoln Park, Chicago | South = Logan Square, Chicago | Southwest = Avondale, Chicago | West = Irving Park, Chicago | Northwest = Albany Park, Chicago }} {{Community areas of Chicago}} {{Neighborhoods in Chicago}} {{Chicago}}

Category:Community areas of Chicago Category:North Side, Chicago