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North Center, Chicago, Illinois

Community Area 05 - North Center Location within the city of Chicago
Latitude Longitude	41°57′N, 87°40.8′W
Neighborhoods	Northcenter Revere Park Roscoe Village Saint Ben's
ZIP Code	parts of 60613, 60618, 60657
Area	5.36 km² (2.07 mi²)
Population (2000) Density	31,895 (down 3.38% from 1990) 5,949.1 /km²
Demographics	White Black Hispanic Asian Other	68.8% 4.18% 20.4% 4.15% 2.52%
Median income	$51,758 USD
Source: U.S. Census, Record Information Services

North Center is both a community area and a neighborhood (Northcenter) located on the North Side of Chicago, Illinois.

North Center is bordered on the north by Montrose Avenue, on the south by Diversey Parkway, on the west by the Chicago River and on the east by Ravenswood Avenue. The Chicago L has its Brown Line stops at Addison, Irving Park and Montrose.

North Center was settled in the latter part of the 19th century as well as early in the 20th century largely by Germans who worked in what is known as the industrial corridor along Ravenswood Avenue, and the large industrial plants along the Chicago River to the west. Recently, skyrocketing real estate value and gentrification threatens the industrial and manufacturing contingent along the Chicago River as residents are seeking valuable riverfront property. The gentry of North Center is mainly German, Hispanic, Irish, Polish, Swedish, Russian, Romanian, and Asian.

Northcenter refers to the neighborhood bordered by Addison on the south, Montrose on the north, California on the west and Ashland (from Addison to Irving Park) and Clark (Irving Park to Montrose) on the east. The “heart of Chicago’s north side" has certainly grown since the 1870’s when the area was only accessible by the Chicago River and Little Fort Road (now known as Lincoln Avenue). Northcenter is a vibrant neighborhood with an eclectic mix of retailers, restaurants, live music, live theater, and service-oriented businesses. Northcenter’s history is deeply rooted in European cultural influences that history can be seen in the architectural charm of the homes and buildings from the late 1800’s and early 1900’s. Our neighborhood continues to grow and become more culturally diverse. Families can find entertainment at one of our bowling alleys, three city parks, nearby library, nearby movie theater complex, or our charming Town Square. The Northcenter Chamber of Commerce also hosts free family and community events throughout the year. Many believe Northcenter’s greatest appeal to be its small-town atmosphere, which it preserves while still nested in the middle of a world-class city. This also may explain why so many families have remained in Northcenter for multiple generations. Perhaps this is why Northcenter is frequently referred to as one of “Chicago’s best-kept secrets.”

The neighborhood around the Chicago Park District's Revere Park, from Western Avenue to Kedzie and Addison Street to Montrose Avenue, sometimes takes the park's name.

Roscoe Village refers to a neighborhood in the North Side of Chicago, Illinois. While not part of any official city map, Chicago residents perceive the boundaries of the neighborhood to be Addison Street, Belmont Avenue, Western Avenue, and Ravenswood Avenue. The primary feature of Roscoe Village is Roscoe Street, which bisects the neighborhood's boundaries between Addison Street and Belmont Avenue. Roscoe Street is populated by businesses and residents. Local historian and longtime neighborhood resident Chuck Betzold notes that people have been living in Roscoe Village since the 18th Century, when the area was inhabited by the Fox Indians. Today the area is home to over 6200 residents.

Lincoln Avenue between Cullom and Irving Park in the St. Ben's neighborhood. Photo by Jordan Bettis.

Saint Ben's is a neighborhood in the North side of Chicago. The unofficial boundaries of Saint Ben's is on the north by 4400 N (Montrose Avenue), on the south by 3600 N (Addison Street), on the west by the Chicago River, and on the east by Ravenswood Avenue. Saint Ben's namesake comes from Saint Benedict's Parish, a Catholic school on Leavitt Street.

• Lincoln Square Pottery Studio - learn how to create beautiful pottery in this large 2,000-square-foot learning center. All skill levels are welcome, from beginners to advanced. Children's classes also offered.

• Feed the Beast bar & restaurant - New bar on the strip that's been generating a lot of buzz among the night crowd. Located on the corner of Lincoln and Cullom Avenue. The food is quite good (recommend try the ostrich burger).

• Cy's Steak and Chophouse

• Evil Clown Compact Discs

• Cook County Circuit Court

• Lillstreet Art Center

• Audubon Elementary School
• Bell Elementary School
• Coonley Elementary School
• DeVry Institute of Technology
• Jahn Elementary School
• James Adams Alternative High School
• Lane Technical High School
• North Park Elementary School
• Pilgrim Lutheran School
• Schneider Elementary School
• St. Benedict Elementary School
• St. Benedict High School

• Official City of Chicago North Center Community Map
• Northcenter Chamber of Commerce
• Encyclopedia of Chicago entry on North Center
• Lakeside Community Development Corporation
• Photographs of North Center by Jordan Bettis

• "Roscoe Village Chamber of Commerce Map" (http://www.rvcc.biz/map.asp). Retrieved Oct. 24, 2006
• "Roscoe Village Chamber of Commerce Directory" (http://www.rvcc.biz/directory.asp). Retrieved Oct. 24, 2006
• Hanson, Jennifer L. (1996) "Profile: North Center" (http://www.chicagotribune.com/classified/realestate/communities/chi-profile-69882.story). Retrieved May 29, 2005,
• Hadley, Chuck (2002). "A History of Roscoe Village and RVN" (http://www.roscoevillage.org/index.cfm?section=history). Retrieved Mar. 22, 2005.
• "2000 U.S. Census: Table DP-1. Profile of General Demographics Characteristics: 2000. Geographic area: Roscoe village, Illinois" (http://censtats.census.gov/data/IL/1601765611.pdf) Retrieved Mar. 22, 2005.

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