Burr Ridge Not Getting Any Younger – And It Shows

BURR RIDGE, IL – Burr Ridge's median age is 57, compared to the state's 40.

Over the last couple of decades, Burr Ridge's schools have seen their enrollment fall. The three locally based districts, which serve elementary and middle school students, draw from areas outside of town, where households are often younger and less prosperous.

Last school year, the three districts enrolled 2,124 students (chart below). That's down more than 400 students since 2006, according to state data.

Three-fourths of that drop was attributed to Burr School District 180. The school system includes southern Burr Ridge neighborhoods with $1 million houses as well as federally subsidized housing such as the Hinsdale Lake Terrace Apartments.

More than three-quarters of District 180 students come from low-income families, up from a third 20 years ago.

These days, more than a quarter of the district's children enroll in private schools, a higher rate than most areas, according to state reports.

Pleasantdale District 107's enrollment has been stable. Last school year, though, the district reported the lowest enrollment over the last couple of decades, at 803 students.

It has the highest median age among the local districts, at 53, according to the U.S. Census. By comparison, the median ages in District 180 and Gower District 62 are 39 and 49, respectively.

The district expects new developments to increase enrollment. They include a 26-unit townhome and rowhouse complex northwest of German Church and Wolf roads.

Also, Lyons Township High School plans to open bids next week for its 70 acres southwest of 79th and Willow Springs Roads. Residential development is a possibility.

Gower saw an enrollment plunge of about 50 students to 877 last school year.

In 2006, Gower's enrollment was 956. Its enrollment fell after the Great Recession in 2008.