Berwyn is a suburban city located in Cook County, Illinois, in the United States. It shares its boundaries with Berwyn Township, which was established in 1908 when it separated from Cicero Township.
The area now known as Berwyn was once crisscrossed by Native American pathways. The Chicago portage served as a hub for several significant trails, two of which passed through present-day Berwyn. The Trail to Green Bay had a branch that ran along what is now Riverside Drive, while the Ottawa Trail traversed the southern portion of the city.
According to the 2020 Census, the city had a population of 57,250 individuals households, including 12,348 families.
Based on the 2021 census data, Berwyn covers a land area of 3.90 square miles (10.10 km2) with no water. It is surrounded by Oak Park in the north, Cicero in the east, Stickney in the south, and Lyons, Riverside, North Riverside, and Forest Park in the west.
The municipal government of Berwyn operates under a strong mayor system, where citizens elect a mayor, clerk, treasurer, and one alderman from each of the city’s eight wards. These officials serve four-year terms. The mayor holds significant administrative power, including the ability to appoint and remove municipal officers, except those under civil service. The City Council, comprising the mayor and eight aldermen, serves as the legislative body of the city.
The hub of administrative power resides at City Hall, situated on 26th Street, number 6700.
Berwyn has two K-8 school districts. One of them is Berwyn North School District 98, which has four schools: Havlicek Elementary, Prairie Oak Elementary, Jefferson Elementary, and Lincoln Middle School.
Berwyn South School District 100 encompasses a total of 8 educational institutions, including Emerson Elementary, Hiawatha Elementary, Irving Elementary, Komensky Elementary, Pershing Elementary, Piper Elementary, Freedom Middle School, and Heritage Middle School.
High school students in the J. Sterling Morton High School District 201 attend either Morton West in Berwyn or Morton East in Cicero, depending on their residence. The district boundary is primarily defined by Ridgeland Avenue, with most areas west of it zoned for Morton West and those east of it zoned for Morton East.
The Cermak Plaza Shopping Center, inaugurated in 1956, occupies the intersection of Harlem Avenue and Cermak Road. Prominent original occupants included J. C. Penney, Walgreens, F.W. Woolworth, Kinney Shoes, Jewel Foods, and Fannie May Candies. Prior to the opening of North Riverside Park Mall in 1975, located a half mile west on Cermak Road, Cermak Plaza functioned as the primary shopping destination for the surrounding area. Currently, Cermak Road features a diverse selection of retail stores and dining establishments.
Berwyn is connected by the BNSF Line, and Metra manages three stations in the city: Harlem Avenue station, Berwyn Station on Oak Park Ave, and La Vergne station on Ridgeland Ave.
In Berwyn, Pace Bus offers transportation services, connecting the suburb to surrounding areas. Moreover, the CTA Route 21 runs along Cermak Road, providing another option for residents to travel within the community.
Berwyn’s residents have the opportunity to live a sustainable lifestyle with minimal carbon emissions, as outlined in The Five Ton Life. This is made possible by the pedestrian-friendly communities featuring small bungalows and convenient proximity to grocery stores.
Berwyn’s arts scene is flourishing, featuring a professional equity theater, an Arts Council, and various music and entertainment spaces.16th Street Theater, which began hosting live events in 2007, was recognized as the “Best Emerging Theater Company” by Chicago magazine in 2013.
Berwyn has been hosting an Oktoberfest and Brew Fest every year since 2000, typically in mid to late-September. The festivities take place at two different locations: the Berwyn Station tracks and Proska Park.
Starting in 2019, the city partnered with a non-profit organization called the Berwyn Public Art individual artists to make public art in various locations within the city.
Berwyn has gained popularity as a filming location for various television shows, including Chicago P.D. and Chicago Fire. Most recently, The Chi, a popular drama series, filmed an episode at J Sterling Morton West High School, further solidifying Berwyn’s reputation as a go-to destination for TV productions.
Berwyn boasts a plethora of parks and community centers, all of which are meticulously maintained by two park districts and a recreation department. These facilities cater to the diverse needs of the city’s residents, offering a range of leagues and programming for youth, adults, and seniors alike.
Berwyn boasts a unique mix of housing options, ranging from spacious homes on the south side to cozy bungalows and duplexes in the northern region near Roosevelt and Cermak Roads. The town’s residential landscape is characterized by a high concentration of smaller dwellings, which contributes to its eco-friendly profile. According to data from the Center for Neighborhood Technology, Berwyn has the lowest per capita carbon emissions from homes and private vehicles in the Chicago area, making it a standout community in terms of sustainability.