Community Served

The Near West Side is home to approximately 92,147 people; in the Pilsen community, 81% of families are Hispanic or of Hispanic descent.  Of these families, the majority are from Mexico.  Approximately 21,584 are children enrolled in area schools, almost a fourth of the population.  Pilsen is a ‘low-to-moderate income’ area with 24.7% of families below poverty level and 41% living at or below median income.  In addition, 63% of the employed population works in service, construction or production occupations.  The majority of residents (56%) have less than a high school diploma and 17% speak only Spanish.  Sixty-seven percent of homes were built before 1939.  There are over 400 shops around Pilsen and over 200 companies in the Industrial Corridor, where 70% of the employees are Pilsen residents.  Empty storefronts usually do not stay vacant for long, indicating a strong entrepreneurial spirit in the neighborhood.