Located in Cook County, Illinois, Dolton is a village situated just west of Interstate 94 and south of Chicago’s city limits. The village’s most commonly used ZIP code is 60419.

Dolton is situated in the Chicago metropolitan area and is surrounded by several neighboring communities, including Chicago to the north, Riverdale and Harvey to the west, South Holland to the south, and Calumet City to the east.

Dolton and the neighboring village of Riverdale were essentially considered as one community until they both became separate entities through incorporation in 1892.

In 2021, Dolton had a total area of approximately 4.69 square miles, comprising of 4.57 square miles of land and 0.12 square miles of water, with the land accounting for around 97.50% of the total area and water making up the remaining 2.50%.

Dolton is mainly supported by Dolton School District 148 and Dolton School District 149, with a minor part of the village falling under South Holland School District 151. High school students attend Thornridge High School in Dolton, which is part of Thornton Township High School District Number 205.

District 510 encompasses the whole village within South Suburban Community College.

According to the 2020 census, Dolton has a population of 21,426 individuals, 7,985 households, and 5,361 families. The village falls under Illinois’s 2nd congressional district and the 15th State Senate District. The majority of Dolton, about 3/4, is situated within the 29th Representative District of the Illinois Legislature, while the remaining portion lies within the 30th district. Additionally, the village is divided equally between the Cook County Judicial Circuit’s 1st and 2nd Subcircuits.

Dolton and surrounding areas are connected to various destinations in the Southland through multiple bus routes operated by Pace.

Renowned individuals
Dolton has been home to a number of celebrated personalities, including former NFL star Donovan McNabb, film critic and co-host of At the Movies with Ebert & Roeper Richard Roeper, actress Jane Lynch, and news anchor Susan Carlson.

Illinois state legislator William Shaw made history as Dolton’s initial African-American mayor. He was succeeded by Ronnie Lewis, the first African-American to hold an official position in the Dolton administration. Nelsan Ellis, known for his role as Lafayette Reynolds in True Blood, was raised in the same area. R. Bruce Waddell, a businessman and Illinois state representative, was also born in Dolton. Additionally, businessman and future 2024 Republican Party presidential candidate Perry Johnson hails from Dolton as well.