Steger, Illinois

Template:Geobox The village of Steger (35 miles south of Chicago) lies along the dividing line on the south end of Cook County and north end of Will County in the U.S. state of Illinois. The population was 9,682 at the 2000 census, and estimated to be 10,409 as of 2005.

History

In 1893, John Valentine Steger opened a piano factory on 20 acres (81,000 m²) of land alongside the railroad south of Chicago Heights. With 324 residents, the village incorporated in 1896. John Steger agreed to pay $400 toward election costs to ensure that the name of the town be dubbed "Steger" rather than "Columbia Heights." Steger Pianos were made in the village until 1926. By 1920, Steger was considered by some as the “piano capital of the world,” producing more than a hundred pianos a day .

Geography

Steger is located at 41°28′14″N 87°37′52″W (41.470530, -87.630984)Template:GR. According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of 3.5 square miles (9.1 km²), all of it land.

Demographics

As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there were 9,682 people, 3,862 households, and 2,506 families residing in the village. The population density was 2,747.3 people per square mile (1,062.0/km²). There were 4,051 housing units at an average density of 1,149.5/sq mi (444.3/km²). The racial makeup of the village was 87.61% White, 6.30% African American, 0.34% Native American, 0.49% Asian, 0.09% Pacific Islander, 3.08% from other races, and 2.10% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 8.07% of the population.

There were 3,862 households out of which 31.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.6% were married couples living together, 10.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.1% were non-families. 29.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.51 and the average family size was 3.15.

In the village the population was spread out with 25.0% under the age of 18, 9.6% from 18 to 24, 33.1% from 25 to 44, 21.0% from 45 to 64, and 11.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 100.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.8 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $43,275, and the median income for a family was $54,347. Males had a median income of $40,598 versus $26,398 for females. The per capita income for the village was $19,816. About 6.0% of families and 8.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.2% of those under age 18 and 5.9% of those age 65 or over.

Government

Steger is divided between two congressional districts. The area in Cook County is in Illinois' 2nd congressional district, while the area in Will County is in the 11th district.

Sports

Steger Little League has won 2 District 6 Championships Their first was in 1994 for the major division. Their second was in 2007; minor division won with a score of 20-7. The Steger Little League Major division team of 2008 included Elijah Trotier, Adam Pilota, Mack Newson, Liam Fagan, Robbie Toon, Sam Geraci, Nick Weygandt, Brandon Hickey, Danny McGelligott, and Rudy Juarez. Steger also has other sports available such as baseball, basketball, soccer, football, and cheerleading for basketball and football.

External links

• Official Village of Steger Website
• Stormloader - Steger