Dolton, Illinois 2025

Dolton is a village in Cook County, Illinois, United States. The population was 23,153 at the 2020 census.

Dolton was founded in 1892 and was named after a Father J.D. Dolton, a clothier in nearby Chicago. It was originally built as a railroad flag stop along the Illinois Central Railroad, which connects Chicago with Champaign. Dolton has grown steadily, with houses, a few businesses, and a grade school.

Dolton is a community of 8.7 square miles, situated in the southern suburbs of Chicago, IL. Dolton is surrounded by Chicago to the north, Riverdale and Harvey to the east, South Holland to the south, Thornton to the southwest, and Calumet City to the northwest.

Dolton is a family-oriented community with a blend of cultures that stem from many African American, American, Asian, European, and Hispanic origins. The Village of Dolton boasts a community center that hosts programs for the youth and senior citizens of the community. Every summer, the Park District sponsors a summer concert in the park, and in the winter, children enjoy the holiday festivities of a tree-lighting ceremony, complete with a visit from Santa Claus.

Dolton has four public school districts: Thornton Township School District 205, Community Consolidated School District 146, Dolton School District 148, and Chicago Public Schools.

The Thornton Township School District serves students from Dolton and Calumet City.

School District 148 operates two public schools: Elizabeth Ide School (grades Pre-K through 6) and Jane Strayer School (grades Pre-K through 6).

Dolton has a Park District that offers a full-service fitness center, fitness studios, babysitting services, an indoor swimming pool, an outer pool, an indoor track, and multiple programs, including a before- and after-school program, a summer camp, dance, fitness classes, and sports leagues for youth and adults.

Dolton is also home to the Dolton Park District's Century Gymnastic Center, a nationally-renowned power tumbling team and gymnastic facility that produces regional, state, and national champions each year. The gymnastics center offers classes for children as young as 18 months and offers birthday parties, gymnastics camps, and open gyms.

The mayor is Ronnie L. Collins. Dolton is divided into four districts: District 1 - Monica F. Smith, District 2 - Nathan L. Toley, District 3 - Jesse White, and District 4 - Donald (Don) M. Jackson.

Dolton residents enjoy an array of cuisines: traditional American, European, and Southern comfort foods.

Some popular places to dine are Steak 'n Shake, a popular fast food restaurant, Pete's Fresh Market, a smaller grocery store with an international food selection, and Homer's Restaurant, a homemade meat-and-potatoes-style restaurant.

Although Dolton is one of the smaller suburbs of Cook County, its charm lies in its family-oriented spirit, civic pride, and urban culture growing in the shadow of the greater Chicago area.

This village is named after a Father J.D. Dolton. Father Dolton was a clothier in Chicago; he died before the village was actually named after him, so he never knew it was named after him. He had a sister, Kate Dolton, who lived in the village, and every year there is a festival named "Dolton's Day" in her honor. There are games, rides, and food for the whole family. It is usually on the second Saturday in August.