# Winthrop Harbor, Illinois

Winthrop Harbor is a village in Lake County, Illinois, United States. Winthrop Harbor is considered the corner stone of Illinois. Per the 2020 census, the population was 6,705. It is located along the northern border of Illinois and is part of the Chicago metropolitan area. Winthrop Harbor is known for its North Point Marina, and is a warning demarcation point for the National Weather Service's marine warnings for Lake Michigan. With moorage over 1,500 boats, it is the largest marina on the Great Lakes. Nearly one million visitors take advantage of the marina, its associated beaches and other recreational facilities every summer.

## History

J. H. Van Vlissingen originally intended on developing the area in 1883, however nothing came of it. In 1899 the Winthrop Harbor and Dock Company purchased over 2,000 acres just south of the state line of Wisconsin.
In 1871 a post office was built on Sheridan Road named Spring Bluff. Not only did this spur an increase in population in the area, but it would inspire the name of the Spring Bluff Forest Preserve. Of which the state began purchasing land for in 1963.
Winthrop Harbor was incorporated as a village in 1901.
Despite the intention of the settlement to be an industrial district, the village remained mainly residential until 1989 when the North Point Marina was constructed. Until the modern day the marina is considered the pride and soul of village.

## Geography

According to the 2010 census, Winthrop Harbor has a total area of 4.761 square miles (12.33 km$^2$), of which 4.67 square miles (12.10 km$^2$) (or 98.09%) is land and 0.091 square miles (0.24 km$^2$) (or 1.91%) is water.

## Demographics
### 2020 census

Winthrop Harbor 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 2010 | Pop 2020 | % 2010 | % 2020 |
| White alone (NH) | 5,813 | 4,824 | 86.22% | 71.95% |
| Black or African American alone (NH) | 96 | 349 | 1.42% | 5.21% |
| Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) | 21 | 19 | 0.31% | 0.28% |
| Asian alone (NH) | 150 | 155 | 2.22% | 2.31% |
| Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander alone (NH) | 1 | 2 | 0.01% | 0.03% |
| Other race alone (NH) | 5 | 43 | 0.07% | 0.64% |
| Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) | 141 | 340 | 2.09% | 5.07% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 515 | 973 | 7.64% | 14.51% |
| Total | 6,742 | 6,705 | 100.00% | 100.00% |

### 2010 Census

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 6,742 people living in the village. The racial makeup of the village was 90.94% White, 1.44% Black or African American, 2.31% Asian, 0.39% Native American, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 2.03% of some other race and 2.88% of two or more races. 7.64% were Hispanic or Latino (of any race).
As of the census of 2000, there were 6,670 people, 2,370 households, and 1,884 families living in the village. The population density was 1,548.0 inhabitants per square mile (597.7/km$^2$). There were 2,435 housing units at an average density of 565.1 per square mile (218.2/km$^2$). The racial makeup of the village was 93.79% White, 0.57% African American, 0.49% Native American, 1.90% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 1.51% from other races, and 1.71% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.54% of the population.
There were 2,370 households, out of which 40.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 66.8% were married couples living together, 8.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 20.5% were non-families. 17.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 5.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.81 and the average family size was 3.17.
In the village, the population was spread out, with 27.4% under the age of 18, 8.1% from 18 to 24, 31.2% from 25 to 44, 25.2% from 45 to 64, and 8.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 100.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.8 males.
The median income for a household in the village was $72,795, and the median income for a family was $79,442. Males had a median income of $44,795 versus $32,392 for females. The per capita income for the village was $24,256. About 1.9% of families and 3.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.1% of those under age 18 and 4.2% of those age 65 or over.

## Transportation
### Major streets

* Sheridan Road
* 9th Street
* Lewis Avenue
* Russell Road
* Kenosha Road
* 7th Street

### Rail

Winthrop Harbor is served by Metra's Union Pacific North Line, at Winthrop Harbor station.

## Public services

The village of Winthrop Harbor has a full-time police department and a part-time fire department.

### Police department

The Winthrop Harbor Police Department's full-time officers are supplemented by part-time officers in both Patrol and Specialist positions. The department offers the following bureaus: Patrol, Detectives, Sex Crimes, Communications, CyberCrime, Records, and Evidence/Property. The current Chief is Anthony Velardi.

### Fire department

The Winthrop Harbor Fire Department, founded in 1949, has grown from a small volunteer force to a 24-hour-a-day operation. Currently, part-time employees work overlapping shifts providing a crew 24-hours a day, 7 days a week. These 'on-duty' crews are supplemented with off-duty personnel who respond from home. They work with two engines, a 75-foot ladder truck, two advanced life support ambulances, one brush unit, a rescue boat and a staff and command car. Through automatic aid agreements with the surrounding area, the Village receives optimal emergency service. The current Fire Chief is Rocco Campanella.

## Education

Most of Winthrop Harbor is in Winthrop Harbor School District 1 while a portion is in Beach Park Community Consolidated School District 3. All of Winthrop Harbor is in the Zion-Benton Township High School District 126.

## Pollution concerns

* In a study released on July 30, 2009, by Forbes.com, Winthrop Harbor's North Point Marina was reported as the seventh most polluted beach in the United States based on samples taken in 2008. North Point Marina has been on this list since 2005, exceeding acceptable contamination levels in 61 percent of tests.
* In 2006, a test taken at the local beach stated that this is one of the most polluted beaches on the Great Lakes. It has 89% unhealthy water. (89/100 tests)