Joliet is a city located in both Will and Kendall County, Illinois and is a suburb southwest of Chicago. It is the county seat of Will County. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 106,221; a 2003 special census revealed the city's population to be 120,782. A 2005 census shows the population at 129,519.
Joliet is located at 41°31'59" North, 88°6'32" West (41.533030, -88.108933). According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 99.3 km2 (38.3 mi2). 98.6 km2 (38.1 mi2) of it is land and 0.8 km2 (0.3 mi2) of it is water. The total area is 0.76% water.
As of the census of 2000, there are 106,221 people, 36,182 households, and 25,399 families residing in the city. The population density is 1,077.6/km2 (2,790.9/mi2). There are 38,176 housing units at an average density of 387.3/km2 (1,003.1/mi2). The racial makeup of the city is 69.32% White, 18.16% African American, 0.28% Native American, 1.14% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 8.97% from other races, and 2.09% from two or more races. 18.41% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 36,182 households out of which 38.8% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.9% are married couples living together, 13.3% have a female householder with no husband present, and 29.8% are non-families. 24.7% of all households are made up of individuals and 10.0% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.81 and the average family size is 3.39.
In the city the population is spread out with 29.5% under the age of 18, 10.1% from 18 to 24, 33.1% from 25 to 44, 16.3% from 45 to 64, and 11.0% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 31 years. For every 100 females there are 98.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 95.3 males.
The median income for a household in the city is $47,761, and the median income for a family is $55,870. Males have a median income of $41,909 versus $29,100 for females. The per capita income for the city is $19,390. 10.8% of the population and 7.7% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 13.5% of those under the age of 18 and 8.2% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
Joliet was first settled as a town in 1834 and originally bore the name Juliet . Some historians believe the town was named Juliet in honor of settler James B. Campbell's daughter. Other possible sources of the name include the Shakespearean character (the nearby village of Romeoville was named as a companion; see Romeo and Juliet) or a corruption of the name of French Canadian explorer Louis Jolliet, who visited the area in 1673. The name was eventually changed to Joliet in his memory in 1845, and the city was incoporated in 1852.
Maps from Joliet's exploration of the area placed a large hill or mound on what is now the south west corner of the city. That hill was named Mound Jolliet, and was made up entirely of clay. The spot was mined by early settlers and is now a depression. That depression was settled soon after and became known as the town of Rockdale.
Like several midwestern cities with economies focused on manufacturing, Joliet has experienced economic troubles, with the unemployment rate reaching as high as 25% in the early 1980's. Joliet's proximity to the Chicago metropolitan area has provided some relief; the city is increasingly evolving from its status as a steel-town to an exurb. Still, most new migrants to the area are moving to Joliet to live, choosing to work in bordering Cook and DuPage counties, and the downtown area is largely empty and downtrodden, while perceptions about Joliet as a depressed city with a low quality of living linger.
Source:
JolietIllinois.com
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