Homewood is a village in Cook County, Illinois, United States. The population was 19,463 at the 2020 census.
The village sits just a few miles south of Chicago proper. It is bordered by Chicago Heights and Flossmoor to the south, Hazel Crest to the west, East Hazel Crest and Harvey to the north, Glenwood to the east, and South Holland to the northeast.
Geography
According to the 2021 census gazetteer files, Homewood has a total area of , of which (or 99.11%) is land and (or 0.89%) is water. A south suburban village, Homewood is due south of The Loop/downtown Chicago at 800 west and 18300 south on the Chicago grid system.
Homewood lies on the Calumet Shoreline. The ancient shoreline can be seen clearly as the sand ridge along Ridge Road.
Economy
Its historic downtown centered at the intersections of Dixie Highway and Ridge road has a number of small businesses including coffee shops and restaurants, salons, a music shop, bookstore, boutique hotel, and the Homewood Science Center. Homewood's other main commercial corridor is located along Halsted street between 183rd and 175th street and is home to a number of large national chain retailers.
Large employers
- American headquarters for Canadian National Railways. Homewood's CN campus has hosted over 15,000 CN employees and has a training facility.
- Global headquarters for Tempo Global Resources (formerly Hunter Douglas Metals).
- Corporate offices for Carl Buddig & Company.
- Headquarters for Homewood Disposal residential, commercial, and industrial waste service.
Parks and greenspaces
H-F Parks
Homewood's "H-F Park District" spans over 365 acres with 32 parks and recreation spaces. Homewood's unique parks include Lion's Club Park and Pool, H-F Ice Arena, Irons Oaks Environmental Learning Center, H-F Racquet Club, Rover's Run Dog Park, Extreme Scene Skate park, Millennium Park Splash Pad, Patriots Park Frisbee Golf Course, and Dolphin Lake Park and Clubhouse.
Media
Newspapers
The HF Chronicle is a local newspaper serving the Homewood and Flossmoor communities that started in June 2014.
Radio
WHFH (88.5FM) - Viking Radio is Homewood-Flossmoor High School's radio station based on campus.
Government
Homewood Village Board
Source:
Village President - Richard Hofeld
Village Clerk - Nakina Flores
Trustee Vivian Harris-Jones
Trustee Jay Heiferman
Trustee Phil Mason
Trustee Lauren Roman
Trustee Julie Willis
Trustee Patrick Siemsen
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Village Manager, Napoleon Haney
State legislature
Illinois State Senate
- State Senator Napoleon Harris D-Flossmoor, Illinois, 15th Legislative District
Illinois State House of Representatives
- State Representative Will Davis D-East Hazel Crest, 30th Representative District
Federal
United States House of Representatives
- Congresswoman Robin Kelly D-Chicago, Illinois's 2nd congressional district
United States Senate
- Senator Dick Durbin D-Illinois (elected 1997)
- Senator Tammy Duckworth D-Illinois (elected 2017)
Education
Children in grades K-8 attend schools under the jurisdiction of Homewood public school district 153, although some may attend Flossmoor School District 161 if they live west of Western Avenue and south of 183rd street. School District 153 has three schools: Winston Churchill Elementary, Willow Elementary, and James Hart Junior High School. Children in grades K-2 attend Willow, then move on to Churchill for grades 3–5, then move on to finish grades 6–8 at James Hart.
The majority of students in the area then go on to attend the local public high school, Homewood-Flossmoor High School. Homewood-Flossmoor High School is its own school district, school district 233. H-F is a three-time winner of the U.S. Department of Education's Blue Ribbon Award for excellence. HF also owns WHFH 88.5, the highest powered high school radio station with 1,500 watts.
The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago operated a Catholic school, St. Joseph School. St Joseph School closed in 2017 with a final enrollment of 64 students. Despite its closure, the St. Joseph's Athletic Association still provides athletic programs for elementary and middle school students. These sports are: Girls Volleyball, Boys Basketball, & Girls Cheer.
Religion
Places of worship in Homewood include:
- Salem Lutheran Church (LCMS)
- New Zion Ministries (Non-Denominational)
- Faith Lutheran Church (ELCA)
- Abundant Grace United Church of Christ
- St. John Neumann Catholic Parish
- South Suburban Church of God
- Woodlands Community Church (Non-Denominational)
- Shir Tikvah (Judaism)
The United Methodist Church operated a church, St. Andrew United Methodist Church. St Andrew closed in 2024 with a final average worship attendance of 32. Since its closure, New Zion Ministries of Alsip has since moved into the building.