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Berwyn, IL

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Berwyn, IL

Berwyn is a suburban city in Cook County, Illinois, United States, coterminous with Berwyn Township, which was formed in 1908 after breaking off from Cicero Township. As of the 2020 census, the city had a total population of 57,250. It is part of the Chicago metropolitan area.

According to the 2021 census gazetteer files, Berwyn has a total area of 3.90 square miles (10.10 km²), all land. Bordering cities include Oak Park to the north, Cicero to the east, Stickney to the south, Lyons, Riverside, North Riverside, and Forest Park to the west. Geologically, Berwyn is predominately composed of Glacial Lake Bottom from the Wisconsin Glacial Episode, the most recent glacial period. A beach ridge of sand and gravel, made during one of the stages of Lake Chicago, is also present in the city. This is most easily identified as Riverside Drive. The elevation change due to the ridge is seen on the 2800 block of Maple Ave. Before the settlement of Berwyn, the land was grassy marshland. The body of water that connected the South Branch of the Chicago River to the Des Plaines River was a shallow waterway or a muddy slough (depending on the season) known as Mud Lake. Mud Lake extended nearly to the southern border of today's Berwyn, and the southern end of Berwyn flooded regularly during heavy rains in its early years.

Before being settled, the land that is now Berwyn was traversed by Native American trails. The most important trails converged near the Chicago portage, and two notable routes crossed what is today Berwyn. A branch of the Trail to Green Bay crossed Berwyn at what is now Riverside Drive, and the Ottawa Trail spanned the southern end of the city.

In 1846, the first land in "Berwyn" was deeded to Theodore Doty, who built the 8-foot-wide (2.4 m) Plank Road from Chicago to Ottawa along the Ottawa Trail. The trail had been used as a French and Indian trade route and more recently as a stagecoach route to Lisle. This thoroughfare became what is now Ogden Avenue in South Berwyn. In 1856, Thomas F. Baldwin purchased 347 acres (1.40 km²) of land, bordered by what is now Ogden Avenue, Ridgeland Avenue, 31st Street, and Harlem Avenue, in hopes of developing a rich and aristocratic community called "LaVergne".However, few people were interested in grassy marshland. Mud Lake extended nearly to the southern border of today's Berwyn, and the land regularly flooded during heavy rains. The only mode of transportation to LaVergne was horse and buggy on the Plank Road.

To encourage people to move to LaVergne, Baldwin sold an 80-foot-wide (24 m) strip of property to the Burlington and Quincy Railroad in 1862. The rail line opened in 1864, but the train did not stop regularly in the area. The railroad refused to build a station, so the residents of the area constructed LaVergne Station on Ridgeland Avenue in 1874

Health and wellness are integral aspects of life in Berwyn. The city is home to several healthcare facilities, including the MacNeal Hospital, which offers a range of medical services to residents. Lifetime Fitness centers are known for their large, resort-style facilities that include extensive gym equipment, indoor and outdoor pools, tennis courts, and a variety of fitness classes. Chicago Athletic Clubs (CAC) offer several locations throughout the city, each providing a unique blend of modern fitness equipment, group exercise classes, personal training, and wellness programs. Equinox is a high-end fitness club known for its luxurious facilities and personalized services. The club offers a wide range of fitness classes, state-of-the-art gym equipment, personal training, and wellness programs. Planet Fitness is a popular fitness chain known for its affordable memberships and judgment-free environment. The gyms are equipped with a variety of cardio and strength training machines, and members can take advantage of amenities such as massage chairs and tanning. CorePower Yoga offers a range of yoga classes, including hot yoga, yoga sculpt, and power yoga, designed to improve strength, flexibility, and mindfulness.

Top sites in Berwyn, IL are Oak Park Conservatory, Berwyn Recreation Department, Freedom Park, and FitzGerald's.

Population: 55,152 (2024). ZIP code: 60402. Area codes: 708, 464. Elevation: 617 ft (188 m). Area: 3.90 sq mi (10.11 km²).

FAQs

What is the race population in Berwyn, IL?

With 56,556 people, Berwyn is the 23rd most populated city in the state of Illinois out of 1,450 cities. But watch out, Berwyn, because Mount Prospect with 56,191 people, and Tinley Park with 55,571 people are right behind you. The largest Berwyn racial/ethnic groups are Hispanic (61.0%) followed by White (26.2%) and Black (8.2%).

Is Berwyn, IL a good place to live?

Berwyn is a suburb of Chicago with a population of 56,556. Berwyn is in Cook County. Living in Berwyn offers residents a dense suburban feel and most residents own their homes. In Berwyn, there are a lot of bars, restaurants, coffee shops, and parks.

What is Berwyn, IL famous for?

Today, Berwyn has the most significant collection of Chicago-style bungalows in the nation. Traditionally, Berwyn Bungalows are one-story buildings with a basement and attic, two to three bedrooms, and a living and dining room. Decorative details included oak woodwork and stained glass windows.

Sources

City of Berwyn

Wikipedia

Niche

Illinois Demographics

MacNeal Hospital

Lifetime Fitness

Chicago Athletic Clubs (CAC)

Equinox

Planet Fitness

CorePower Yoga

Oak Park Conservatory 

Berwyn Recreation Department 

Freedom Park 

FitzGerald's

The content herein is provided for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Medical information changes constantly, and therefore the content on this website should not be assumed to be current, complete or exhaustive. Always seek the advice of your doctor before starting or changing treatment. If you think you may have a medical emergency, please call your doctor or 9-1-1 (in the United States) immediately.