Washington Heights, Chicago

The area was named "Washington Heights" in honor of George Washington when a post office was established in 1869.{{sfn|Zangs|p=373|ps=none}} The eponymous heights split off and became Beverly by 1900.{{sfn|NPS|p=33|ps=none}} Brainerd was named for E. L. Brainerd, who built a train station at 89th and Loomis Streets in 1887.{{sfn|NPS|p=33|ps=none}} Washington Heights was also known as Blue Island Ridge, Campbell's Woods, Dummy Junction, and North Blue Island.{{cite journal|title=Illinois Place Names |journal=Occasional Publications |number=55 |date=1989 |publisher=Illinois State Historical Society}}

What is now Washington Heights was primarily inhabited by farmers from the 1830s to the 1860s. The earliest known non-indigenous settlers in the area were DeWitt Lane in 1832, and Norman Rexford and Jefferson Gardner in 1834.{{sfn|NPS|p=32|ps=none}} Gardner established a tavern in 1836, which was acquired by William Wilcox in 1844.{{sfn|Zangs|p=373|ps=none}} Wilcox had well water on his farm, which he served to travellers on the Vincennes Trail to Indiana; his tavern (and many others in the area) was popular, since nearby Beverly prohibited the sale of alcohol.{{sfn|Zangs|pp=373 & 375|ps=none}} John Blackstone purchased the land bordered by modern-day Halsted Street, Western Avenue, 91st and 115th Streets in 1839.{{sfn|NPS|p=32|ps=none}} Potawatami Indians remained in the area until they were expelled by treaty and settled in modern-day Kansas and Oklahoma in 1844.{{sfn|NPS|p=32|ps=none}} That year, Blackstone sold his land to Thomas Morgan of Surrey for $5,450.{{efn|${{Inflation|USD|5,450|1844|2018|fmt=c|r=-3}} {{As of|2018|alt=in 2018}}{{Inflation/fn|US}}}}{{sfn|NPS|p=32|ps=none}}

Irish, Germans, and native-born Americans settled the intersection of modern-day 103rd Street and Vincennes Avenue in 1860.{{sfn|Zangs|p=373|ps=none}} The incorporation of Calumet Township in 1862 accelerated settlement of the area.{{sfn|NPS|p=33|ps=none}} Railroad workers began to settle in 1864 and 1865, beginning the dominance of railroads. In 1866, Willis M. Hitt and Laurin P. Hilliard subdivided land in the vicinity; this was followed three years later by the Blue Island Land and Building Company. Settlers and speculators were attracted to the area, which was at the intersection of the Rock Island Railroad and Panhandle Lines; both had been built in 1852.{{sfn|Zangs|p=370|ps=none}}{{sfn|NPS|pp=32–33|ps=none}} The Blue Island Land and Building Company was led by Frederick Hampden Winston, and among its stockholders was Rock Island Railroad president John F. Tracy.{{cite news|title=Washington Heights|date=April 29, 1869|newspaper=Chicago Tribune|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/40822297/|access-date=November 20, 2019|volume=22|issue=310|page=4|via=Newspapers.com}} A Washington Heights post office was established in 1869, and Washington Heights was incorporated as a village in 1874.{{sfn|Zangs|p=373|ps=none}} The village was annexed by Chicago in 1890.

The modern community area is a conglomeration of early settlements,{{sfn|NPS|p=32|ps=none}} particularly the former Brainerd and Fernwood.{{cite encyclopedia |last=Stockwell |first=Clinton E. |title=Washington Heights |encyclopedia=Encyclopedia of Chicago |publisher=Chicago Historical Society |url=http://www.encyclopedia.chicagohistory.org/pages/1318.html |access-date=October 16, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181031090552/http://www.encyclopedia.chicagohistory.org/pages/1318.html |archive-date=October 31, 2018 |url-status=live }} Fernwood was established in 1883, southeast of Washington Heights. Growth was rapid, and it had over 185 houses by 1885.{{sfn|NPS|p=33|ps=none}} Brainerd was settled in 1880, northwest of Washington Heights;{{sfn|Zangs|p=375|ps=none}} unlike Fernwood, it grew slowly due to a lack of transportation.{{sfn|NPS|p=33|ps=none}} Brainerd was annexed by Chicago at the same time as Washington Heights; Fernwood followed in 1891, and was incorporated into Washington Heights. Brainerd and Fernwood continue as neighborhoods {{As of|2020|alt=to this day}}.{{sfn|Zangs|p=373|ps=none}}

File:Golden_State_(21771931904).jpg running through Washington Heights in 1965|alt=A red electric locomotive approaches the viewer from the left lane in a right-hand-drive context, opposite of the viewer. A telephone pole, stop sign, and railroad crossing can be seen in the distance.]]

The Men's Club of Brainerd was formed in 1902, and was renamed the Brainerd Improvement Club in 1903 to admit women.{{sfn|NPS|p=33|ps=none}} Gas lines were run in 1905, and telephones were installed in 1907.{{sfn|NPS|p=33|ps=none}} Streetcars were extended into the area in 1912.{{sfn|NPS|p=33|ps=none}} Loomis Street was paved in 1913, but the remaining roads north of the Rock Island Railroad tracks remained unpaved until 1925; the roads south of the tracks were paved in 1927.{{sfn|NPS|p=33|ps=none}} Electric streetlights were installed in 1928 and 1929.{{sfn|NPS|p=33|ps=none}} Brick bungalows were built between 1920 and 1950. Growth slowed during the Great Depression, but rebounded in the 1940s.{{sfn|NPS|p=34|ps=none}}

Washington Heights was one of the 75{{efn|O'Hare was formed from annexed territory during the 1950s and Edgewater was separated from Uptown in 1980, bringing the modern total to 77.{{cite encyclopedia |last=Seligman |first=Amanda |title=Community Areas |encyclopedia=Encyclopedia of Chicago |publisher=Chicago Historical Society |url=http://www.encyclopedia.chicagohistory.org/pages/319.html |access-date=October 19, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190630173123/http://www.encyclopedia.chicagohistory.org/pages/319.html |archive-date=June 30, 2019 |url-status=live }}}} community areas defined by the University of Chicago during the 1920s.{{cite web |title=Geospatial Census Information |date=March 26, 2014 |url=https://www.lib.uchicago.edu/e/collections/maps/censusinfo.html |publisher=University of Chicago |access-date=October 19, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191019221522/https://www.lib.uchicago.edu/e/collections/maps/censusinfo.html |archive-date=October 19, 2019 |url-status=live }} The area's residents at this time were predominantly Irish, German and Swedish workers, who had moved from Englewood and Greater Grand Crossing. In 1940, foreign-born whites were 12.5 percent of the population; the top five nationalities were German, Irish, Swedish, Canadian, and English (or Welsh).{{sfn|Wirth|Bernert|p=147|ps=none}}

African-Americans began moving into the area east of Halsted Street during the 1950s;{{sfn|NPS|p=38|ps=none}} they had been restricted to certain areas of the city, and expanded into others in search of better homes and jobs.{{sfn|NPS|p=38|ps=none}} The African-American proportion of the population increased from 12 to 75 percent between 1960 and 1970, a trend encouraged by blockbusting. Despite fears by many whites of decreasing property values, the economic status of the new residents differed little; Washington Heights remained middle-class. Interstate 57 was built through the area, opening in 1967 and forcing many residents to move.{{sfn|Zangs|p=376|ps=none}} The only highway in the city without a nickname, a portion of it was named for the Tuskegee Airmen in 2012.{{sfn|Zangs|p=376|ps=none}}

Median household income declined somewhat during the 2000s; it was $2,000 less than the citywide median {{As of|2013|alt=in 2013}}, and had been $6,000 above the citywide median in 1989.{{sfn|NPS|p=38|ps=none}}

The site of the Chicago Bridge & Iron Company foundry became a development of single-family homes.{{sfn|Zangs|p=376|ps=none}} Known as the Renaissance at Beverly Ridge,{{cite news |title=Land of broken dream homes |url=https://www.pressreader.com/usa/chicago-sun-times/20100719/281616711645333 |access-date=20 November 2019 |newspaper=Chicago Sun-Times |date=July 19, 2010}} the original development plan for the site failed due to lack of funds during a housing-market crash after about 25 homes were built.{{sfn|Zangs|p=376|ps=none}} An alderman's wife was responsible for selling the development and received money from tax increment financing (leading to suspicions of impropriety), and a new developer stepped to finish the project.{{sfn|Zangs|p=376|ps=none}} This developer, who had close relations to alderman Carrie Austin, also failed to meet expectations, being unable to produce the promised 91 houses by June 2019 and leading to the city cutting off public funds to the project that December. The project continued during the early 2020s without incident, except on a single block that was beleaguered by problems in home construction and delays in contract closing. Attempts by residents on that block to fix the problems were fruitless until Austin's office was contacted. Given that the block {{as of|2021|alt=is}} expected to be renamed in honor of the new developer, a white man, and the neighborhood is majority black was also the source of controversy given the issues.{{cite news |last1=Ramos |first1=Manny |title=Dream homes become nightmare for some new owners on the South Side |url=https://chicago.suntimes.com/2021/6/1/22440426/beverly-ridge-development-washington-heights-homes-complaints-developer-nitchoff-austin |access-date=16 February 2022 |work=Chicago Sun-Times |date=June 1, 2021}}

Washington Heights is community area #73. It is on Chicago's far south side, {{convert|12|mi}} from the Loop. Its northern border is the railroad tracks at 89th Street, and its southern border is West 107th Street.{{sfn|Zangs|pp=373–374|ps=none}} At several points its eastern border is Eggleston and Halsted, and its western border is Beverly Avenue until 103rd Street (when it shifts to Vincennes Avenue).{{sfn|Zangs|pp=373–374|ps=none}} The area contains the neighborhoods of Brainerd, Washington Heights,{{sfn|Zangs|p=373|ps=none}} and Fernwood, and covers an area of {{Convert|2.1425|sqmi}}.{{sfn|Wirth|Bernert|p=147|ps=none}} It is geographically divided by the Metra Rock Island Line tracks and Interstate 57.

Washington Heights, Morgan Park, Beverly, Mount Greenwood, and Blue Island are considered part of the Blue Island Ridge.{{sfn|NPS|p=33|ps=none}} The ridge is a glacial bluff which was named for its color, due to atmospheric conditions or its blue wildflowers.{{cite encyclopedia |last=Tuohy |first=Martin |title=Blue Island, IL |url=http://www.encyclopedia.chicagohistory.org/pages/150.html |access-date=November 14, 2019 |encyclopedia=Encyclopedia of Chicago |publisher=Chicago Historical Society |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190403060152/http://www.encyclopedia.chicagohistory.org/pages/150.html |archive-date=April 3, 2019 |url-status=live }} {{As of|2015|alt=In 2015}} the area had {{convert|795.8|acres}} of single-family housing, {{convert|68.8|acres}} of multifamily housing, {{convert|55.3|acres}} of commercial development, {{convert|36.6|acres}} of industrial development, {{convert|84.5|acres}} of institutional development, and {{convert|9.9|acres}} of mixed-use development.{{sfn|CMAP|p=10|ps=none}} An additional {{convert|676.5|acres}} was defined as transportation and other.{{sfn|CMAP|p=10|ps=none}}

About three-quarters of the housing stock, 74.3 percent, in Washington Heights {{as of|2019|alt=consists}} of single-family detached homes.{{sfn|CMAP|p=7|ps=none}} Most of the houses (57.5 percent) were built between 1940 and 1969.{{sfn|CMAP|p=7|ps=none}} The median number of rooms in an area house is 6.4, compared to 4.8 rooms citywide.{{sfn|CMAP|p=7|ps=none}} 88.6 percent of the housing units were occupied {{as of|2019|alt=between 2015 and 2019}}, compared to a 90.1-percent occupancy rate {{nowrap|between 2006 and 2010}}.{{sfn|CMAP|p=13|ps=none}} Of the total number of units,{{efn|Including those which are vacant, so the sum is not 100 percent.}} 67.7 percent were owner-occupied and 32.3 percent were renter-occupied {{as of|2019|alt=between 2015 and 2019}}, compared to 69.5 percent and 30.5 percent {{nowrap|between 2006 and 2010}}.{{sfn|CMAP|p=13|ps=none}} Between 51 and 100 multifamily buildings in the area were considered affordable {{As of|2016|alt=in 2016}}.{{sfn|Scheu|Garascia|p=275|ps=none}}

File:9227 S. Racine St.jpg

The original Brainerd settlement was bounded by 87th and 91st Streets and Racine and Ashland Avenues.{{sfn|Zangs|p=375|ps=none}} The modern neighborhood is bounded by 89th Street, Princeton Park, 95th Street, and Beverly Boulevard.{{sfn|NPS|p=5|ps=none}} It contains the Brainerd Bungalow Historic District, which was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2016.{{sfn|NPS|p=41|ps=none}} The historic district is roughly bounded by 89th Street, 95th Street, Loomis Street, and May Street.{{sfn|NPS|p=1|ps=none}} It consists of bungalows built between 1915 and 1931, with construction peaking in 1927.{{sfn|NPS|p=4|ps=none}} The district experienced a construction boom during the 1910s and 1920s, and its construction mirrors that of similar contemporary districts across the United States.{{sfn|NPS|p=4|ps=none}} Although 42 architects are known to have designed the district's buildings, several (including William E. Sammons, Braucher, McClellan, Joneke, and Johnson) dominated the construction.{{sfn|NPS|p=6|ps=none}} Almost half of the buildings have no known architect, however, and relied on preexisting building plans.{{sfn|NPS|p=4|ps=none}} In addition to the bungalows which make up most of the district's buildings, several multi-family residential buildings (duplexes and apartment buildings) are stylistically similar.{{sfn|NPS|p=6|ps=none}}

Fernwood is in southeastern Washington Heights.{{cite news |last1=Kouri |first1=Charles |title=Railway hub |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/40822328/ |access-date=19 December 2019 |work=Chicago Tribune |volume=145 |issue=284 |page=25 of Section 8 |date=October 11, 1991 |via=Newspapers.com }} Established in 1883, it was annexed by Chicago in 1891. Parts of Fernwood extend into nearby Roseland,{{sfn|Hirsch|p=192|ps=none}} the location of a 1947 race riot over the placement of black veterans in the Fernwood Park Homes housing project.{{sfn|Hirsch|p=192|ps=none}}{{sfn|Hirsch|p=54|ps=none}} More than 1,000 police officers dispersed over 500 rioters, making 18 arrests in one of the largest dispatches of Chicago police at the time.{{cite news |title=Police disperse 500 gathered at Homes project |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/40822403/ |access-date=20 December 2019 |work=Chicago Tribune |volume=106 |issue=196 |page=7 |date=August 16, 1947 |via=Newspapers.com }}

The community area includes a neighborhood with the same name.{{sfn|Zangs|p=373|ps=none}} The original Washington Heights settlement was centered around 103rd Street and Vincennes Avenue,{{sfn|Zangs|p=373|ps=none}} and was annexed by Chicago in 1890.

{{USCensusPop

|1930=17865

|1940=19370

|1950=24488

|1960=29793

|1970=36540

|1980=36453

|1990=32114

|2000=29843

|2010=26493

|2020=25065

|footnote={{sfn|CMAP|p=3|ps=none}}{{cite web|last=Paral|first=Rob|title=Chicago Community Areas Historical Data|url=http://www.robparal.com/downloads/ACS0509/HistoricalData/Chicago%20Community%20Areas%20Historical%20Data.htm|url-status=dead|access-date=3 September 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150221020427/http://www.robparal.com/downloads/ACS0509/HistoricalData/Chicago%20Community%20Areas%20Historical%20Data.htm|archive-date=February 21, 2015}}

}}

{{As of|2020|alt=In 2020}}, 25,065 people in 9,538 households lived in Washington Heights.{{sfn|CMAP|p=3|ps=none}} This represents an decrease of 5.4 percent from the 2010 Census, which in turn had represented a 11.2 percent decline from the 2000 Census.{{sfn|CMAP|p=3|ps=none}} The area's racial composition {{as of|2019|alt=between 2015 and 2019}} was 1.3 percent white, 96.1 percent African-American, and 1.5 percent other races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race made up 1.1 percent of the population.{{sfn|CMAP|p=3|ps=none}} The age range {{as of|2019|alt=during that time}} was broad, with 23.2 percent under the age of 19, 19.7 percent aged 20 to 34, 17.6 percent aged 35 to 49, 21.3 percent aged 50 to 64, and 18.3 percent aged 65 or older.{{sfn|CMAP|p=3|ps=none}} The median age was 41.9.{{sfn|CMAP|p=3|ps=none}} English was the only language spoken by 97.8 percent of the population aged five and older, compared to a citywide figure of 64 percent.{{sfn|CMAP|p=4|ps=none}}

{{as of|2019|alt=Between 2015 and 2019}}, median household income was $51,800, compared to the citywide median income of $58,247.{{sfn|CMAP|p=5|ps=none}} Regarding income distribution, 29.4 percent of households earned less than $25,000 annually; 19.2 percent earned between $25,000 and $49,999; 18.4 percent earned between $50,000 and $74,999; 12.7 percent earned between $75,000 and $99,999; 13.7 percent earned between $100,000 and $149,999, and 6.6 percent earned more than $150,000.{{sfn|CMAP|p=5|ps=none}} This compares with a citywide distribution of 24.3 percent, 19.9 percent, 15.1 percent, 11.2 percent, 13.8 percent and 15.7 percent, respectively.{{sfn|CMAP|p=5|ps=none}} {{As of|September 2015|df=US}}, most census tracts in the area had a median household income between $36,200 and $57,900 and were above the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)'s low-income limit; two tracts had a median household income between $21,700 and $36,200, below HUD's low-income limit but above its very-low-income limit.{{sfn|Scheu|Garascia|p=274|ps=none}}

Hardship index is a metric, used by Chicago, which takes six indicators of public health to quantify the relative amount of hardship in a community area. The indicators generate a score of one to 100, with a higher score indicating greater hardship.{{cite web |title=Selected socioeconomic indicators in Chicago, 2006 – 2010 |url=https://data.cityofchicago.org/api/assets/A02C1C5F-8D89-466C-8492-B1FED3DA4C87 |publisher=Chicago Department of Public Health |access-date=25 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161201235808/https://data.cityofchicago.org/api/assets/A02C1C5F-8D89-466C-8492-B1FED3DA4C87 |archive-date=December 1, 2016 |url-status=live }} {{As of|2010|alt=With data from 2006 to 2010}}, Washington Heights's hardship index was 48.{{cite web |title=hardship index |url=https://data.cityofchicago.org/Health-Human-Services/hardship-index/792q-4jtu |website=Data Portal |publisher=City of Chicago |access-date=25 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191025002840/https://data.cityofchicago.org/Health-Human-Services/hardship-index/792q-4jtu |archive-date=October 25, 2019 |url-status=live }}

Chicago Bridge & Iron Company was founded at 105th and Throop in 1889, and later relocated to Texas.{{sfn|Zangs|pp=375–376|ps=none}} {{As of|2019|alt=Between 2015 and 2019}}, 55.7 percent of Washington Heights' population was in the labor force;{{sfn|CMAP|p=9|ps=none}} the unemployment rate was 15.7 percent, compared to the citywide rate of 8.1 percent.{{sfn|CMAP|p=9|ps=none}} Of those employed {{as of|2018|alt=in 2018}}, a plurality (35.5 percent) worked outside Chicago; 25 percent worked in the Loop, 7.7 percent on the Near North Side, 5 percent on the Near West Side, and 1.8 percent in Hyde Park.{{sfn|CMAP|p=9|ps=none}} About five percent of those employed in Washington Heights lived there; nearly half lived outside the city of Chicago.{{sfn|CMAP|p=9|ps=none}}

Healthcare was Washington Heights' leading employer, employing 18.7 percent of the area's residents and making up 28 percent of its employees.{{sfn|CMAP|p=8|ps=none}} The next four industries in employment of Washington Heights residents were administration (10.8 percent), education (10.7 percent), retail (9.6 percent), and public administration (9.3 percent).{{sfn|CMAP|p=9|ps=none}} The next four industries in area employment were retail (21.8 percent), education (21.5 percent), accommodation and food service (9.9 percent), and other service (5.6 percent).{{sfn|CMAP|p=9|ps=none}}

{{As of|2019|alt=In 2019}}, Ashland Avenue and most of Vincennes Avenue were zoned for commerce, and 95th, 103rd and Halsted Streets and a portion of Vincennes Avenue were zoned for business.{{cite web |title=Zoning and Land Use Map |url=https://gisapps.chicago.gov/ZoningMapWeb/?liab=1&config=zoning |publisher=Chicago Department of Planning and Development |access-date=14 January 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191113100131/https://gisapps.chicago.gov/ZoningMapWeb/?liab=1&config=zoning |archive-date=November 13, 2019 |url-status=live }} Halsted Street south of 103rd Street and 103rd Street east of Halsted Street made up a retail hub, and other retail establishments were scattered along 95th Street, Ashland Avenue, Vincennes Avenue, and elsewhere on Halsted.

In the Chicago City Council, Washington Heights {{As of|2020|alt=is}} divided among the 21st Ward on the north (represented by Howard Brookins, who lives in the area),{{cite news|last=Hutson|first=Wendell|title=Doris Brooks to Challenge Howard Brookins for 21st Ward Seat|date=March 28, 2014|newspaper=DNAinfo|access-date=December 4, 2017|url=https://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/20140328/washington-heights/ald-howard-brookins-challenged-by-his-neighbor-re-election-bid|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171205194556/https://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/20140328/washington-heights/ald-howard-brookins-challenged-by-his-neighbor-re-election-bid|archive-date=December 5, 2017|url-status=dead}} the 34th Ward on the south (represented by Carrie Austin), and the 9th Ward in its southeastern corner (represented by Anthony Beale).{{cite web |title=Chicago Alderman |url=https://www.illinoispolicy.org/maps/chicago-alderman/ |website=Illinois Policy |date=April 20, 2016 |access-date=24 October 2019 }}

In the Cook County Board of Commissioners, {{As of|2020|alt=it is}} split between the 5th District (represented by Democrat Deborah Sims) on the south and the 4th District (represented by Democrat Stanley Moore, who lives in the area){{cite news|title=Commissioner Stanley Moore|newspaper=Chicago Defender|date=February 22, 2017|access-date=December 4, 2017|page=11|url=https://issuu.com/chidefender/docs/chicago_defender_02.22.17/35}} on the north.{{cite web |title=Cook County Commissioner District Map |url=https://datacatalog.cookcountyil.gov/Finance-Administration/Historical-Cook-County-Commissioner-District-Map/ihae-id2m/data |website=Cook County Open Data |publisher=Cook County, Illinois |access-date=February 12, 2022}}

In the Illinois House of Representatives, most of Washington Heights {{As of|2022|alt=is}} in District 27 (represented by Democrat Justin Slaughter); the western part of Brainerd is in District 35, represented by Democrat Frances Ann Hurley.{{cite web |title=Illinois House |url=https://www.illinoispolicy.org/maps/illinois-house/ |website=Illinois Policy |date=April 20, 2016 |access-date=February 12, 2022}} Slaughter lives in the area,{{cite web|title=Representative Justin Slaughter (D) 27th District|publisher=Illinois General Assembly|date=January 9, 2017|access-date=December 4, 2017|url=http://www.ilga.gov/house/Rep.asp?MemberID=2487|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171205042145/http://www.ilga.gov/house/Rep.asp?MemberID=2487|archive-date=December 5, 2017|url-status=live}} and Hurley lives in Mount Greenwood.{{cite web|title=Representative Frances Ann Hurley (D) 35th District|publisher=Illinois General Assembly|date=January 9, 2017|access-date=October 20, 2019|url=http://www.ilga.gov/house/Rep.asp?GA=100&MemberID=2424|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190623150445/http://www.ilga.gov/house/Rep.asp?GA=100&MemberID=2424|archive-date=June 23, 2019|url-status=live}} In the Illinois Senate, most of the area {{As of|2020|alt=is}} in District 14, represented by Democrat Emil Jones III; western Brainerd is in District 18, represented by Democrat William Cunningham.{{cite web |title=Illinois Senate |url=https://www.illinoispolicy.org/maps/illinois-senate/ |website=Illinois Policy |date=April 20, 2016 |access-date=February 12, 2022}}

Most of Washington Heights {{As of|2022|alt=is}} in Illinois's 1st congressional district, represented in the United States House of Representatives by Democrat Bobby Rush.{{cite web |title=Illinois – Congressional District 1 |url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/cong_dist/cd108_named/ind_pdf/IL_CD01n.pdf |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=February 12, 2022}} The southeast is part of Illinois's 2nd congressional district, represented by Democrat Robin Kelly. A small area north of 97th Street and west of Beverly Boulevard is part of Illinois's 3rd congressional district, represented by Democrat Marie Newman. {{As of|2017|alt=In 2017}}, the Cook Partisan Voting Index of the three districts was D+27, D+29 and D+6, respectively.{{cite report |title=Partisan Voting Index Districts of the 115th Congress – Arranged by State/District |url=https://cookpolitical.com/introducing-2017-cook-political-report-partisan-voter-index |publisher=The Cook Political Report |date=2017 |access-date=25 October 2019 |page=3 |via=DocDroid |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191031123049/https://cookpolitical.com/introducing-2017-cook-political-report-partisan-voter-index |archive-date=October 31, 2019 |url-status=live }}

In the 2016 presidential election, Washington Heights cast 13,709 votes for Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton and 229 votes for Republican candidate Donald Trump.{{cite news|last=Ali|first=Tanveer|title=How Every Chicago Neighborhood Voted In The 2016 Presidential Election|url=https://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/numbers/president-vice-president-every-neighborhood-map-election-results-voting-general-primary-illinois|date=November 9, 2016|newspaper=DNAinfo|access-date=March 16, 2017|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170317144802/https://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/numbers/president-vice-president-every-neighborhood-map-election-results-voting-general-primary-illinois|archive-date=March 17, 2017}} In the 2012 presidential election, the area cast 16,129 votes for Democratic candidate Barack Obama and 111 votes for Republican candidate Mitt Romney.{{cite news|last=Ali|first=Tanveer|title=How Every Chicago Neighborhood Voted In The 2012 Presidential Election|url=https://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/numbers/obama-romney-president-vice-president-every-neighborhood-map-2012-election-results-voting-general-primary-illinois|date=November 7, 2012|newspaper=DNAinfo|access-date=March 16, 2017|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170317233235/https://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/numbers/obama-romney-president-vice-president-every-neighborhood-map-2012-election-results-voting-general-primary-illinois|archive-date=March 17, 2017}}

Washington Heights is in the second subcircuit of the Circuit Court of Cook County.{{cite web |title=Judicial Subcircuit District 2 |url=https://www.cookcountyclerkil.gov/sites/default/files/pdfs/Judicial%20Subcircuit%20District%202%20Map%20-%202022.pdf |publisher=Cook County Clerk |date=January 2022 |access-date=September 14, 2022}} With the rest of Chicago, it is part of the Circuit Court's first municipal district.{{cite web |title=Organization Chart |url=http://www.cookcountycourt.org/ABOUTTHECOURT/OrganizationoftheCircuitCourt.aspx |publisher=Circuit Court of Cook County |access-date=19 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200104201432/http://www.cookcountycourt.org/ABOUTTHECOURT/OrganizationoftheCircuitCourt.aspx |archive-date=January 4, 2020 |url-status=live }}

With the rest of Cook County, it is in the first judicial district of the Supreme Court of Illinois and the state's appellate courts.{{cite web |title=Supreme and Appellate Court District Map |url=http://www.illinoiscourts.gov/AppellateCourt/DistrictMap.asp |website=Illinois Courts |publisher=Supreme Court of Illinois |access-date=19 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191112071730/http://www.illinoiscourts.gov/AppellateCourt/DistrictMap.asp |archive-date=November 12, 2019 |url-status=live }} Washington Heights is in Calumet Township in Cook County. Townships in Chicago were abolished for governmental purposes in 1902,{{cite web |title=Cook County Township Government FAQ Part 1 |url=https://www.civicfed.org/civic-federation/blog/cook-county-township-government-faq-part-1 |date=April 14, 2010 |website=The Civic Federation |access-date=October 20, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191020025410/https://www.civicfed.org/civic-federation/blog/cook-county-township-government-faq-part-1 |archive-date=October 20, 2019 |url-status=live }} but are still used for property assessment.{{cite web |title=What Cook County Township Am I In? |url=https://www.kensington-research.com/cook-county-chicago-property-tax-appeal-service/determine-cook-county-township/ |website=Kensington Research |access-date=October 20, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191020025358/https://www.kensington-research.com/cook-county-chicago-property-tax-appeal-service/determine-cook-county-township/ |archive-date=October 20, 2019 |url-status=live }}

Washington Heights is in the Chicago Police Department's 22nd District, whose headquarters is in nearby Morgan Park.{{cite web |title=Community Map |url=https://home.chicagopolice.org/community/community-map/ |publisher=Chicago Police Department |access-date=14 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191216160152/https://home.chicagopolice.org/community/community-map/ |archive-date=December 16, 2019 |url-status=live }} {{As of|November 2019|alt=Between November 2018 and November 2019}} 3,165 crimes were committed in Washington Heights, ranking it 32nd in crime;{{cite web |title=Crime Summary |url=http://gis.chicagopolice.org/website/clearMap_crime_sums/viewer.htm?SUMTYPE=COMM&SUMCATA=ALL_&SUMTIME=365 |website=CLEAR |publisher=Chicago Police Department |access-date=30 November 2019}} 291 of the crimes were violent, ranking the community 29th in violent crime. Fire Truck 24 is located at 104th Street and Vincennes Avenue. It is notable as the only Chicago fire house to not house a fire engine.{{cite web |title=Fire Stations – Map |url=https://data.cityofchicago.org/Public-Safety/Fire-Stations-Map/hp65-bcxv |publisher=City of Chicago |access-date=1 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190418034913/https://data.cityofchicago.org/Public-Safety/Fire-Stations-Map/hp65-bcxv |archive-date=April 18, 2019 |url-status=live }}

Washington Heights' ZIP Codes are 60620, 60628, and 60643.{{cite web |title=Chicago Community Areas and ZIP Codes |url=http://data.cmap.illinois.gov/opendata/uploads/CKAN/NONCENSUS/ADMINISTRATIVE_POLITICAL_BOUNDARIES/CCAzip.pdf |website=CMAP.gov |publisher=Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning |access-date=23 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170416232050/http://data.cmap.illinois.gov/opendata/uploads/CKAN/NONCENSUS/ADMINISTRATIVE_POLITICAL_BOUNDARIES/CCAzip.pdf |archive-date=April 16, 2017 |url-status=live }} Washington Heights {{as of|2019|alt=does not have}} any post offices, but some are located in nearby Auburn Gresham, Roseland, and Morgan Park.{{cite web |title=PO Locator |url=https://tools.usps.com/find-location.htm |publisher=United States Postal Service |access-date=20 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191118225717/https://tools.usps.com/find-location.htm |archive-date=November 18, 2019 |url-status=live }}

File:103rd Street (Washington Heights) Metra Station.jpg

The area's history has been described as "all about transit", because of its location at the intersection of two rail lines and the construction of Interstate 57.{{cite web |title=Washington Heights |url=https://interactive.wttw.com/southside/far-southwest/washington-heights |website=WTTW Chicago |publisher=Public Broadcasting System |access-date=20 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160530030017/http://interactive.wttw.com/southside/far-southwest/washington-heights |archive-date=May 30, 2016 |url-status=live }} The Panhandle and Rock Island Lines were built in 1852,{{sfn|Zangs|p=370|ps=none}} and Interstate 57 opened in 1967.{{sfn|Zangs|p=376|ps=none}}

{{As of|2019|alt=Metra operates}} three stations{{sfn|NPS|p=38|ps=none}} on the Rock Island District line, providing daily inbound commuter-rail service to LaSalle Street Station in Chicago and outbound service to the Joliet Transportation Center.{{cite web |title=Line Map |url=https://metrarail.com/maps-schedules/train-lines/RI/map |publisher=Metra |access-date=20 November 2019}} The line splits into two branches just north of Washington Heights; one branch is at the area's northern border, and the other cuts through it. The 91st Street station is on the Beverly side of the Washington Heights-Beverly border in the north, and the Brainerd station is on 89th Street between Loomis Boulevard and Bishop Street. The branch which cuts through the area has two stations. The rush-hour-only station, 95th Street–Longwood, is at South Vincennes Avenue and 95th Street; the other is the 103rd Street–Washington Heights station. All stations are in Zone C for fare-collection purposes.

The 95th/Dan Ryan station on the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA)'s Red Line, the 14th busiest rapid-transit station on the Chicago "L" {{As of|June 2019|alt=in June 2019}},{{cite web |title=CTA – Ridership |url=https://data.cityofchicago.org/Transportation/CTA-Ridership-L-Station-Entries-Monthly-Day-Type-A/t2rn-p8d7/data |publisher=City of Chicago |access-date=14 January 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200114032759/https://data.cityofchicago.org/Transportation/CTA-Ridership-L-Station-Entries-Monthly-Day-Type-A/t2rn-p8d7/data |archive-date=January 14, 2020 |url-status=live }} is in adjacent Roseland.{{sfn|NPS|p=38|ps=none}} {{as of|2019|alt=Local buses include}} the CTA 95, 103, and 112 routes with full-time service, and part-time service on the 108 CTA route and the 352 and 381 Pace routes.{{cite web |title=CTA Bus and Rail map |url=https://www.transitchicago.com/assets/1/6/ctamap_SystemMap.pdf |website=TransitChicago.com |publisher=Chicago Transit Authority |access-date=20 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190423100713/https://www.transitchicago.com/assets/1/6/ctamap_SystemMap.pdf |archive-date=April 23, 2019 |url-status=live }}

{{As of|2019|alt=Between 2015 and 2019}}, a plurality of occupied housing units (45.2 percent) had one vehicle available, compared to the citywide figure of 44.2 percent; 25.3 percent of units had two vehicles available, compared to the citywide figure of 21.8 percent.{{sfn|CMAP|p=8|ps=none}} Three or more vehicles are available in 11.3 percent of housing units; 18.1 percent of units have none, compared to respective citywide figures of {{nowrap|7.0 and 26.9 percent}}.{{sfn|CMAP|p=8|ps=none}} Most workers (62.1 percent) drove alone to work, compared to 48.8 percent citywide.{{sfn|CMAP|p=8|ps=none}} The rest used other means of transportation; 22.8 percent took transit (compared to 28.2 percent citywide), 7.7 percent carpool, 1.0 percent walk or bicycle, and 3.0 percent use other modes. This compares with respective citywide figures of 7.7, 8.2, and 1.9 percent.{{sfn|CMAP|p=8|ps=none}} In addition to the commuters, 3.5 percent worked from home compared to 5.2 percent citywide.{{sfn|CMAP|p=8|ps=none}} Highly-walkable areas account for approximately 91 percent of people and jobs;{{sfn|CMAP|p=15|ps=none}} the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning defines such areas by population density, city-block length, tree-canopy cover, fatalities (or serious injuries) to pedestrians and bicyclists, density at intersections, and nearby amenities.{{cite web |title=Population and Jobs in Highly Walkable Areas |url=https://www.cmap.illinois.gov/2050/indicators/walkable-areas |publisher=Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning |access-date=14 January 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200114024958/https://www.cmap.illinois.gov/2050/indicators/walkable-areas |archive-date=January 14, 2020 |url-status=live }}

{{Update section|date=January 2022}}

The area's first public school opened in 1874.{{sfn|Zangs|p=375|ps=none}} J. A. Wadhams, who taught in a small, wood-frame building for the previous two years, was the first principal of the new school.{{sfn|Zangs|p=375|ps=none}} Fort Dearborn School opened in 1928 in southeastern Brainerd, replacing an earlier school on 89th Street which had become overcrowded.{{sfn|NPS|p=36|ps=none}} The school was designed by Board of Education architect John C. Christensen, who had designed several other schools in nearby neighborhoods.{{sfn|NPS|pp=36–37|ps=none}} Gilbert Wilkinson was its first principal, remaining there until 1933.{{sfn|NPS|p=36|ps=none}} The school became overcrowded again during the early 1970s due demographic changes, and an addition was built at that time.{{sfn|NPS|p=37|ps=none}} The school is a contributing property to the Bungalow Historic District.{{sfn|NPS|p=15|ps=none}} The Academy of Our Lady, known colloquially (and later officially) as "Longwood Academy", operated in the area from 1874 to 1999.{{cite news |last1=Carroll |first1=Margaret |title=They'll always be Longwood ladies |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/40822420/ |access-date=19 December 2019 |work=Chicago Tribune |volume=152 |issue=73 |page=6 of Section 2|date=March 14, 1999 |via=Newspapers.com}}

In the Chicago Public Schools system, Washington Heights contains Julian High School, Fort Dearborn School and the Kipling, Evers, Fernwood, Green, Wacker, Garvey and Mount Vernon Elementary Schools.{{cite web |title=CPS School Locator |url=https://schoolinfo.cps.edu/schoollocator/index.html |publisher=Chicago Public Schools |access-date=20 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191219174446/https://schoolinfo.cps.edu/schoollocator/index.html |archive-date=December 19, 2019 |url-status=live }} The Chicago International Charter School, a charter school with locations throughout the city, has its Loomis elementary-school and Longwood high-school campuses in the area. {{As of|2017|alt=In 2017}} 13.6 percent of the population aged 25 and older held a bachelor's degree, and 8.1 percent held a graduate or professional degree.{{sfn|CMAP|p=4|ps=none}} A plurality of residents (30.7 percent) had some college education without a degree, and 29.2 percent were high-school graduates; 10.2 percent had not finished high school, and 8 percent had an associate's degree.{{sfn|CMAP|p=4|ps=none}} Respective citywide figures were 22.3, 15.1, 17.7, 22.9, 16.2, and 5.7 percent.{{sfn|CMAP|p=4|ps=none}}

Washington Heights is home to the Carter G. Woodson Regional Library, a branch of the Chicago Public Library which opened in 1975. Named for African-American historian Carter G. Woodson, the library contains the Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature (the largest collection of African-American history in the midwestern United States){{sfn|NPS|p=38|ps=none}} and the sculpture Jacob's Ladder by South Side native Richard Hunt.{{sfn|Zangs|p=377|ps=none}} After a 14-month renovation, it reopened in February 2018.{{cite news |last1=Bowean |first1=Lolly |title=Refurbished Woodson library houses black research collection that is 'the pride of Chicago' |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-met-woodson-library-open-20180214-story.html |url-access=limited |newspaper=Chicago Tribune |date=February 15, 2018 |access-date=26 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191026004602/https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-met-woodson-library-open-20180214-story.html |archive-date=October 26, 2019 |url-status=live }}

File:Mayor Taylor Trail Chicago.jpg

Portions of Washington Heights were part of the Ridge Park District before the 1934 amalgamation of 22 park districts into the Chicago Park District;{{sfn|NPS|p=37|ps=none}} other portions were part of the Fernwood Park District.{{cite web |title=Euclid Park |url=https://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/parks-facilities/euclid-park |publisher=Chicago Park District |access-date=30 November 2019}} {{As of|2015|alt=It contains}} 2.16 accessible park acres (0.87 ha) per 1,000 residents, compared to a citywide figure of {{convert|2.42|acres}}.{{sfn|CMAP|p=10|ps=none}} The area includes Brainerd, Jackie Robinson,{{sfn|Zangs|p=374|ps=none}} Euclid, Oakdale,{{cite web |title=Oakdale Park |url=https://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/parks-facilities/oakdale-park |publisher=Chicago Park District |access-date=4 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191205002004/https://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/parks-facilities/oakdale-park |archive-date=December 5, 2019 |url-status=live }} and Joseph Robichaux Parks.{{cite web |title=Robichaux (Joseph) Park |url=https://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/parks-facilities/robichaux-joseph-park |publisher=Chicago Park District |access-date=4 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191205002014/https://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/parks-facilities/robichaux-joseph-park |archive-date=December 5, 2019 |url-status=live }}

Brainerd Park is bounded by 91st and 92nd Streets, Racine Avenue and Throop Street.{{sfn|NPS|p=37|ps=none}} Although the Ridge Park District tried to purchase the open space for Brainerd Park from the Chicago Board of Education in 1932, the district had only made a down payment on the land by the time the park district was consolidated.{{sfn|NPS|p=37|ps=none}} The Chicago Park District completed the purchase in 1938, and quickly added athletic facilities and a fieldhouse.{{sfn|NPS|p=37|ps=none}} The original fieldhouse was demolished during the 1970s, and a new one was built to handle increasing youth needs.{{sfn|NPS|p=37|ps=none}} Brainerd Park is not a contributing property to the Bungalow Historic District due to its late completion, although it has been noted as always intended for community use.{{sfn|NPS|p=37|ps=none}} The park contains a water sprayer, tennis courts, a playground, a basketball court, a football and soccer field, a baseball and softball field, meeting rooms and assembly halls, and the fieldhouse.{{cite web |title=Brainerd Park |url=https://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/parks-facilities/brainerd-park |publisher=Chicago Park District |access-date=10 January 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190605091805/https://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/parks-facilities/Brainerd-Park/ |archive-date=June 5, 2019 |url-status=live }} Jackie Robinson Park is on 107th Street.{{sfn|Zangs|p=374|ps=none}} The Chicago Park District purchased land and established the park in 1957, while the Board of Education established Mount Vernon School.{{cite web |title=Robinson (Jackie) Park |url=https://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/parks-facilities/robinson-jackie-park |publisher=Chicago Park District |access-date=20 November 2019}} Originally named Mount Vernon Park, it was renamed in honor of Jackie Robinson in 1999. The park contains a basketball court, playgrounds, and a fieldhouse.

Euclid Park was acquired by the Fernwood Park District during the late 1920s; originally known as Fernwood Commons, it was renamed Euclid Park after a nearby subdivision named for the mathematician. It contains tennis courts, a baseball field, a basketball court, a spray pool, a playground, a football and soccer field, a clubroom, and a fieldhouse. Oakdale Park is named for a nearby neighborhood named for a grove of oak trees in the vicinity; the site was purchased by the Chicago Park District in 1947, and was developed during the 1950s. It contains a picnic grove, a baseball field, a basketball court, a spray pool, a playground, a football and soccer field, a swimming pool, a clubroom, and a fieldhouse. Joseph Robichaux Park was created in the late 1960s from land adjacent to Chicago and Western Indiana Railroad tracks, and its development began in 1970. The park was named for Joseph J. Robichaux, a local alderman and county commissioner. It contains a tennis court, a playground, a water sprayer, a gymnasium, a basketball court, a baseball field, a clubroom, a fieldhouse, and Dusty Folwarczny's sculpture, Give.{{cite web |title=Give |url=https://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/parks-facilities/give |publisher=Chicago Park District |access-date=10 January 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191205020633/https://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/parks-facilities/give |archive-date=December 5, 2019 |url-status=live }}

The Forest Preserve District of Cook County's Dan Ryan Woods are in Beverly, adjacent to the northwest corner of Washington Heights, and contains the Calumet Division Maintenance Headquarters.{{cite web |title=South Zone |url=https://fpdcc.com/downloads/maps/zones/english/FPCC-South-Zone-Map-10-15.pdf |website=Forest Preserves of Cook County |publisher=Forest Preserve District of Cook County |access-date=11 January 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160421032821/http://fpdcc.com/downloads/maps/zones/english/FPCC-South-Zone-Map-10-15.pdf |archive-date=April 21, 2016 |url-status=live }} An abandoned stretch of railroad (formerly operated by Conrail){{cite news |title=City Council committee advances bike-trail plan |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/40822463/ |access-date=13 December 2019 |work=Chicago Tribune |issue=Section 2 |page=3 |date=February 1, 2006 |via=Newspapers.com}} was converted into the {{convert|6|mi|adj=on}} Major Taylor Trail during the late 1990s, with the Chicago Park District leasing the trail from the city's Department of Transportation in 2006.{{cite web |title=Park No. 548 – Major Taylor Bike Trail |url=https://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/parks-facilities/park-no-548-major-taylor-bike-trail |publisher=Chicago Park District |access-date=14 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191220032234/https://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/parks-facilities/park-no-548-major-taylor-bike-trail |archive-date=December 20, 2019 |url-status=live }} The bikeway runs between the Dan Ryan Woods and the Whistler Woods in Riverdale, crossing Interstate 57 and the Calumet River.{{sfn|NPS|p=38|ps=none}} Part of the Southland Century Bike Network, it was reportedly underutilized {{As of|2016|05|09|alt=in 2016}}.{{cite news |last1=Wisniewski |first1=Mary |title=South Side trail is path less traveled |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/40822484/ |access-date=8 December 2019 |work=Chicago Tribune |date=May 9, 2016 |pages=1 & 7 |via=Newspapers.com}} In 2018 a mural of Taylor and a quote of his was painted on a wall adjacent to the trail by Chicago artist Bernard Williams.{{cite news |last1=Henderson |first1=Audrey F. |title=New Mural Brings Spotlight to Chicago Bike Trail |url=https://nextcity.org/daily/entry/new-mural-chicago-bike-trail-major-taylor-trail |access-date=4 May 2020 |work=Next City |date=September 5, 2018}}

• Kam Buckner (born 1985), member of the Illinois House of Representatives since 2019. He was raised in Washington Heights.{{cite news|last=Evans|first=Maxwell|title=Kam Buckner, A South Side State Rep, Is Running For Mayor|date=May 12, 2022|newspaper=Block Club Chicago|access-date=January 15, 2023|url=https://blockclubchicago.org/2022/05/12/kam-buckner-a-south-side-state-rep-is-running-for-mayor/}}
• Richard Driehaus (1942–2021) was raised in the Brainerd Historic Bungalow District, and was a vocal supporter and financier of preserved bungalow architecture in Chicago.{{sfn|NPS|p=38|ps=none}}
• Terrance W. Gainer (born 1947), law enforcement official and 38th Sergeant at Arms of the United States Senate (2007–2014). Gainer was raised in the Longwood Manor neighborhood.{{cite news|last=Skiba|first=Katherine|title=Chicago native Terry Gainer is the Senate sergeant at arms and doorkeeper|date=March 20, 2012|newspaper=Chicago Tribune|access-date=November 16, 2021|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-2012-03-20-ct-met-terry-gainer-profile-20120320-story.html}}
• Byron Irvin (born 1966), professional basketball player who played for a number of teams (notably as a shooting guard for the Washington Bullets){{cite news|last1=Breen|first1=Justin|title=Ex-NBA Player Byron Irvin, Now a Sports Agent, Enters Julian's Hall of Fame|date=September 2, 2015|newspaper=DNAInfo|access-date=December 5, 2017|url=https://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/20150902/morgan-park/ex-nba-player-byron-irvin-now-sports-agent-enters-julians-hall-of-fame|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171206135825/https://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/20150902/morgan-park/ex-nba-player-byron-irvin-now-sports-agent-enters-julians-hall-of-fame|archive-date=December 6, 2017|url-status=dead}}
• Eddie T. Johnson (born 1960), 62nd Superintendent of the Chicago Police Department (2016–2019). His family moved to Washington Heights from the Cabrini–Green Homes when he was nine years old.{{cite news|last1=Main|first1=Frank|last2=Spielman|first2=Fran|title=Top cop Eddie Johnson's dad inspired him to serve and protect|newspaper=Chicago Sun-Times|date=April 1, 2016|access-date=March 10, 2018|url=https://chicago.suntimes.com/chicago-news/top-cop-eddie-johnson-interview/|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180624011013/https://chicago.suntimes.com/chicago-news/top-cop-eddie-johnson-interview/|archive-date=June 24, 2018}}
• Justin Slaughter, member of the Illinois House of Representatives. He was born in Washington Heights and currently resides in the community area.{{cite news|last=Ludwig|first=Howard|title=Justin Slaughter Replaces Retired State Rep. Monique Davis|date=January 6, 2017|access-date=November 10, 2020|newspaper=DNAinfo|url=https://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/20170106/washington-heights/justin-slaughter-replaces-retired-state-rep-monique-davis/|archive-date=December 27, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181227004408/https://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/20170106/washington-heights/justin-slaughter-replaces-retired-state-rep-monique-davis/|url-status=dead}}

{{Notelist}}

{{Reflist}}

Bibliography

• {{cite web|title=Community Data Snapshot – Washington Heights|url=http://www.cmap.illinois.gov/documents/10180/126764/Washington+Heights.pdf|website=cmap.illinois.gov|publisher=Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning|date=August 2021 |access-date=January 31, 2022|ref={{harvid|CMAP}}}}
• {{cite book|last=Hirsch|first=Arnold R.|author-link=Arnold R. Hirsch|title=Making the Second Ghetto: Race and Housing in Chicago, 1940–1960|publisher=Cambridge University Press|location=Cambridge, England|date=1983|isbn=0-521-24569-9|ref={{harvid|Hirsch}}|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/makingsecondghet00arno}}
• {{cite web|title=NPS Form 10 900 OMB No. 1024 0018 |url=http://gis.hpa.state.il.us/pdfs/803094.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191116050241/http://gis.hpa.state.il.us/pdfs/803094.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 16, 2019|publisher=National Park Service|access-date=November 16, 2019 |ref={{harvid|NPS}}}}
• {{cite journal|last1=Scheu|first1=Rachel|last2=Garascia|first2=Margaret|title=Chicago Multifamily Market Characterization: Developing a Comprehensive Picture of the Multifamily Housing Landscape|journal=Cityscape: A Journal of Policy Development and Research|volume=18|issue=3|url=https://www.huduser.gov/portal/periodicals/cityscpe/vol18num3/ch16.pdf|publisher=Office of Policy Development and Research, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development|date=2016|access-date=November 20, 2019|pages=265–276|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170630023824/https://www.huduser.gov/portal/periodicals/cityscpe/vol18num3/ch16.pdf|archive-date=June 30, 2017|ref={{harvid|Scheu|Garascia}}}}
• {{cite book|title=Local Community Fact Book of Chicago|last1=Wirth|first1=Louis|last2=Bernert|first2=Eleanor H.|date=1949|publisher=University of Chicago Press|location=Chicago, Illinois|ref={{harvid|Wirth|Bernert}}}}
• {{cite book|last=Zangs|first=Mary|date=2014|title=The Chicago 77: A Community Area Handbook|location=Charleston, South Carolina|publisher=The History Press|isbn=978-1-62619-612-4|ref={{harvid|Zangs}}}}

{{Commons category}}

{{Portal|Chicago}}

• [http://www.cityofchicago.org/content/dam/city/depts/doit/general/GIS/Chicago_Maps/Community_Areas/CA_WASHINGTON_HEIGHTS.pdf Official City of Chicago Washington Heights Community Map]
• [http://ridgehistoricalsociety.org Ridge Historical Society] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200812071055/http://ridgehistoricalsociety.org/ |date=August 12, 2020 }}

{{Chicago}}

{{Community areas of Chicago}}

{{Neighborhoods in Chicago}}

{{Geographic Location 2

| Center = Washington Heights, Chicago

| Northwest = Ashburn, Chicago

| North = Auburn Gresham, Chicago

| Northeast = Chatham, Chicago

| ESE = Roseland, Chicago

| Southwest = Morgan Park, Chicago

| West = Beverly, Chicago

}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:Community areas of Chicago

Category:South Side, Chicago