Politics & Government
Census: Downers Grove Bests State Averages for Home Ownership, Income
Released Thursday, the five-year American Community Survey offers detailed demographic information on communities throughout the U.S.
The U.S. Census Bureau on Thursday released estimates from its American Community Survey, which provides local statistics for the combined years from 2007 to 2011 on everything from housing to employment to marital status in communities throughout the country.
The numbers look promising for the village of Downers Grove, with an estimated median household income ($80,314) that's nearly $24,000 higher than the Illinois average and a homeownership rate of 81.6 percent—topping the state average of 68.7 percent.
According to the survey, Downers Grove's 2011 population was estimated at 48,163—a 0.7-percent increase from 2010.
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The five-year estimates are based on interviews with almost two million housing units nationwide from 2007 through 2011. By pooling several years of survey responses, the American Community Survey generates detailed statistical portraits for small areas. The groupings of five-year estimates are released annually.
“By telling the story of our towns and neighborhoods, the American Community Survey helps planners locate schools and firehouses,” said Thomas Mesenbourg, the Census Bureau’s acting director. “Thanks to the cooperation of the public, the Census Bureau produces reliable, quality statistical information for even small communities in the U.S. That’s why it’s so important for households that are selected to participate in the ACS to respond.”
Find out what's happening in Downers Grovewith free, real-time updates from Patch.
American Community Survey Data can be found on the Census Bureau's QuickFacts site, and browsers can also use “Easy Stats,” a tool that allows users to build their own tables by selecting a desired topic and geography. Early next year, the Census Bureau will release “Dwellr,” a mobile app designed to put Census Bureau statistics directly in the hands of new users in an engaging way.
Here's what the American Community Survey has to say about Downers Grove when it comes to home ownership and income:
Some facts on the demographic makeup of the Downers Grove community:
Downers Grove State White persons, percent, 2010 (a) 88.5% 71.5% Black persons, percent, 2010 (a) 3% 14.5% American Indian and Alaska Native persons, percent, 2010 (a) 0.2% 0.3% Asian persons, percent, 2010 (a) 5.5% 4.6% Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander, percent, 2010 (a) Z* 0.0% Persons reporting two or more races, percent, 2010 1.6% 2.3% Persons of Hispanic or Latino origin, percent, 2010 (b) 5.2% 15.8% White persons not Hispanic, percent, 2010 84.9% 63.7% Living in same house 1 year & over, percent, 2007-2011 91% 86.7% Foreign born persons, percent, 2007-2011 8.5% 13.7% Language other than English spoken at home, percent age 5+, 2007-2011 11.9% 22.0% High school graduates, percent of persons age 25+, 2007-2011 95.5% 86.6% Bachelor's degree or higher, percent of persons age 25+, 2007-2011 51.5% 30.7% Veterans, 2007-2011 3,072 770,388 Mean travel time to work (minutes), workers age 16+, 2007-2011 28.4 28.1*Z: Value greater than zero but less than half unit of measure shown
What else do the statistics show?
That data also shows that out of Downers Grove's estimated 18,534 households, the vast majority—12,783—are families. Of that number, 10,735 are married-couple families, and 4,783 have children under the age of 18.
The average household size is 2.54 people, according to the survey.
Of the 33,228 residents ages 25 and older, statistics for the highest level of education completed are as follows:
- Less than 9th grade: 543
- 9th to 12th grade, no diploma: 950
- High school graduate: 5,847
- Some college, no degree: 6,524
- Associate's degree: 2,253
- Bachelor's degree: 10,332
- Graduate or professional degree: 6,779
Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey
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