# East Hazel Crest, Illinois

East Hazel Crest is a village in Cook County, Illinois, United States. It is a south suburb of Chicago. As of the 2020 census, the village population was 1,297.

## History

East Hazel Crest was a part of Hazel Crest when it incorporated in 1911 until the Illinois Central Railroad elevated their commuter and mainline tracks above grade, isolating the rural community from the rest of Hazel Crest. The community voted for incorporation into their own village in 1918. The village later annexed a small commercial area and residential subdivision, Bremerton Woods, that lies west of the Illinois Central Railroad where the village administration and Metra station now stand.

## Geography

East Hazel Crest is located at 41°34′35″N 87°39′8″W﻿ / ﻿41.57639°N 87.65222°W﻿ / 41.57639; -87.65222 (41.576384, -87.652171).
According to the 2021 census gazetteer files, East Hazel Crest has a total area of 0.78 square miles (2.02 km$^2$), all land.

### Surrounding areas

    Harvey
    Hazel Crest South Holland
    Hazel Crest Thornton
    Homewood Homewood
    Homewood

## Demographics

As of the 2020 census there were 1,297 people, 575 households, and 356 families residing in the village. The population density was 1,654.34 inhabitants per square mile (638.74/km$^2$). There were 630 housing units at an average density of 803.57 per square mile (310.26/km$^2$). The racial makeup of the village was 57.98% African American, 25.60% White, 0.23% Native American, 0.31% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 7.09% from other races, and 8.79% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 16.11% of the population.
There were 575 households, out of which 23.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 34.78% were married couples living together, 21.57% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.09% were non-families. 36.00% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.61% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.54 and the average family size was 2.62.
The village's age distribution consisted of 15.9% under the age of 18, 14.2% from 18 to 24, 18% from 25 to 44, 30.6% from 45 to 64, and 21.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 46.3 years. For every 100 females, there were 79.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 74.1 males.
The median income for a household in the village was $50,583, and the median income for a family was $68,594. Males had a median income of $38,929 versus $31,902 for females. The per capita income for the village was $29,269. About 9.0% of families and 9.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.6% of those under age 18 and 11.4% of those age 65 or over.
East Hazel Crest village, Illinois – Racial and ethnic composition Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race. :
| Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic) | Pop 2000 | Pop 2010 | Pop 2020 | % 2000 | % 2010 | % 2020 |
| White alone (NH) | 842 | 485 | 291 | 52.40% | 31.43% | 22.44% |
| Black or African American alone (NH) | 597 | 822 | 748 | 37.15% | 53.27% | 57.67% |
| Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) | 0 | 7 | 0 | 0.00% | 0.45% | 0.00% |
| Asian alone (NH) | 10 | 8 | 4 | 0.62% | 0.52% | 0.31% |
| Pacific Islander alone (NH) | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0.00% | 0.06% | 0.00% |
| Other race alone (NH) | 1 | 0 | 6 | 0.06% | 0.00% | 0.46% |
| Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) | 41 | 13 | 39 | 2.55% | 0.84% | 3.01% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 116 | 207 | 209 | 7.22% | 13.42% | 16.11% |
| Total | 1,607 | 1,543 | 1,297 | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% |

## Government

East Hazel Crest is in Illinois's 2nd congressional district.

## Transportation

The Calumet station provides Metra commuter rail service along the Metra Electric District. Trains travel north to Millennium station in Chicago, and south to University Park station. Pace provides bus service on Route 356 connecting East Hazel Crest to destinations across the Southland.