Demographics

Great measures will be taken to make sure that services and programs match the need and community profile determined in the market analysis. We will strive to meet the balance of addressing large segments of individuals within the community while realizing that we will never market to all the segments of the community. Rogers Park, Chicago is the first community in Chicago to be targeted.

Rogers Park landmass is approximately

1.8 square miles
Population is

63,484
– Percent of the city’s population

2%
– The Non-Hispanic White population is

20,170
– The Non-Hispanic Black or African American population is

18,767
– The Hispanic Population is

17,639
The median age

29.8
The percentage of population below 25 years of age

39%
The median household income is

$31,602 (Chicago is $38,600)
The proportion of households under $10,000

14.2% (Chicago is 13.8%)
The poverty rate is

21.3%

Through a convenience sample methodology and general interaction with the people of the community, it was determined that criminal activity is present in great enough degrees that people feel unsafe at night and uncomfortable walking alone in the community. There are not enough youth and children’s activities in the community, and the services that are available are not marketed well enough for public awareness of their existence. Job training and ESL were two programs also suggested by those surveyed.

The public educational system in the Rogers Park community is below par, as schools are overcrowded and without adequate supplies. Parental participation is minimal. Social agencies in the community vary in size, and parenting classes are in demand based on conversations with many of these agencies.

The local C.A.P.S committees determined that gang activity and drug dealing were the top two priorities of concern. The lack of youth programs is seen as a weakness, and potential threats include adults who lack skills to effectively parent, leading to incorrigible youth. Inter-cultural coexistence and understanding were seen as strengths. Top concerns for the 24th Police Precinct were drugs, gangs, youth and teen issues, prostitution, traffic, community participation and involvement.