Leyden is a village located in Cook County, Illinois, United States. As of the 2020 census, the village had a population of 2,384 residents.
Population
According to the Wikipedia page for Leyden, the village has seen its population decline over the past few decades. After peaking at 3,535 residents in 1970, the population fell to 2,589 in 2000 and then dropped again to 2,384 by 2020. This represents a 33% population loss over the past 50 years.
Some possible reasons for this population decline include the lack of new housing construction and development, the aging of the existing housing stock, and shifts in the regional economy. Additionally, Leyden faces competition from newer suburban communities that have attracted residents away.
Economy and Major Employers
Historically, Leyden was home to many manufacturing and industrial facilities. However, in recent decades the village has lost most of these employers. Today, the largest employers in Leyden are:
- Oak Ridge National Laboratory – Research and scientific facility
- Argonne National Laboratory – Science and engineering research lab
- Leyden High School District – Public school district
- UPS – Package delivery hub
- Food 4 Less – Grocery store
While no longer home to large factories, Leyden still has a diversified economic base focused on research, education, and service industries. However, the well-paying manufacturing jobs have been replaced by lower wage retail and school district employment.
Points of Interest
Despite its small size, Leyden has a few attractions that draw visitors:
Bison’s Bluff Nature Preserve
Bison’s Bluff Nature Preserve offers hiking trails through prairie, wetland, and forest environments. The 135 acre preserve provides opportunities for bird watching, wildflower viewing, and seeing other wildlife.
Leyden Township Community Center
The Leyden Township Community Center offers fitness classes, sports leagues, art programs, summer camps, and other activities for residents. The center has a full gym, indoor track, weight room, and other amenities.
American Legion Leyden Post
This local American Legion post provides a gathering place for veterans as well as hosting community events. They sponsor local youth sports teams and support scouting.
Triton College
The main campus of Triton College is located in Leyden. Triton offers associate’s degrees, occupational certificates, adult education classes, and other programs.
Leyden Bears
Leyden is home to the Leyden Bears sports teams. The Bears compete in the West Suburban Conference in a variety of boys and girls sports at the freshman, junior varsity, and varsity levels.