Dolton
cityDolton is a village located in Cook County, Illinois, just south of Chicago. The village had a population of 21,426 at the 2020 census. Recent estimates place the population around 20,825. Dolton is a diverse community with a predominantly African American population. Dolton's economy includes sectors such as healthcare, transportation, and retail. Historically, the village was an agricultural center and later developed industries like steel mills and manufacturing plants. Today, it's considered a residential and suburban area with commercial activity. Dolton's history dates back to the 1830s, with incorporation as a village in 1893. It was named after an early family of settlers. The village offers various parks and recreational facilities for its residents.
Dolton, Illinois
- Classification
- Village
- FIPS Code
- 17-20292
- Country
- United States
- County
- Cook County
- Region
- Greater Chicago
- Total Area
- 4.69 sq mi
- Land Area
- 4.57 sq mi
- Water Area
- 0.12 sq mi
- Latitude
- 41.6275
- Longitude
- -87.59861
- Notable Features
- Little Calumet River
- Neighboring Areas
- Chicago · Riverdale · Harvey · South Holland · Calumet City
- Population (2020)
- 21,426
- Est. Population (2024)
- 20,825
- Median Age
- 40.3
- Median Income
- $57,887
- Poverty Rate
- 21.7%
- Family Households
- 63.2%
- Owner-Occupied
- 72.6%
- Racial & Ethnic Composition
- The racial makeup of the village is 90.69% African American, 3.25% White, 0.17% Native American, 0.21% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 2.62% from other races, and 3.04% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race were 4.37% of the population.
- Government Type
- Mayor-Council
- Governing Body
- Village Board
- Body Size
- 6 members
- School District
- Dolton School District 149
- Municipal Services
- Police · Fire · Public Works · Library
- Unemployment Rate
- 7.4%
- Economic Profile
- Residential/suburban · Commercial
- Employment Sectors
- Health Care & Social Assistance · Transportation & Warehousing · Retail Trade
- Schools
- 9
- Students
- 2,318
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 22:1
- School Districts
- Dolton School District 149 · South Suburban Community College District 510
- Colleges & Universities
- South Suburban College
- Transportation
- Pace Bus Service · Metra (planned SouthEast Service) · Interstates 57, 94, and 294
- Utilities
- Municipal water
- Major Facilities
- None
- Outdoor Access
- Yes
- Major Recreation Areas
- Dolton Park District Parks
- Parks & Trails
- Parks · Recreational Center
- Founded
- 1835
- Incorporated
- 1893
- Named After
- Dolton family of early settlers
- Historical Significance
- Dolton played a role in the agricultural and industrial development of the Chicago metropolitan area.
- Key Events
- Post office established in 1854 · Incorporated as a village in 1893 · Early agricultural center · Railroad expansion in the 1850s