Cass County, Illinois
Encyclopedia
Cass County is a county located in the U.S. state
of Illinois
. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 13,642, which is a decrease of 0.4% from 13,695 in 2000. Its county seat
is Virginia
. It is the home of the Jim Edgar Panther Creek State Fish and Wildlife Area
.
, a general in the War of 1812
, Governor of the Michigan Territory
, and United States Secretary of State
in 1860. Cass was serving as Andrew Jackson's
Secretary of War
just before the County was named.
:
As of the census
of 2000, there were 13,695 people, 5,347 households, and 3,689 families residing in the county. The population density
was 36 people per square mile (14/km²). There were 5,784 housing units at an average density of 15 per square mile (6/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 94.93% White
, 0.45% Black
or African American
, 0.17% Native American
, 0.28% Asian
, 0.03% Pacific Islander
, 3.34% from other races
, and 0.82% from two or more races. 8.48% of the population were Hispanic
or Latino
of any race. 32.2% were of German
, 15.9% American
, 12.5% English
and 8.5% Irish
ancestry according to Census 2000. 91.1% spoke English
and 8.2% Spanish
as their first language.
There were 5,347 households out of which 32.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.80% were married couples
living together, 9.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.00% were non-families. 26.10% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.52 and the average family size was 3.01.
In the county the population was spread out with 25.40% under the age of 18, 8.40% from 18 to 24, 27.80% from 25 to 44, 22.70% from 45 to 64, and 15.70% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 98.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.70 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $35,243, and the median income for a family was $41,653. Males had a median income of $27,493 versus $21,781 for females. The per capita income
for the county was $16,532. About 9.20% of families and 12.00% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.20% of those under age 18 and 6.70% of those age 65 or over.
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of Illinois
Illinois
Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 13,642, which is a decrease of 0.4% from 13,695 in 2000. Its county seat
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
is Virginia
Virginia, Illinois
Virginia is a city in Cass County, Illinois, United States. The population was 1,611 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Cass County.-Geography:Virginia is located at ....
. It is the home of the Jim Edgar Panther Creek State Fish and Wildlife Area
Jim Edgar Panther Creek State Fish and Wildlife Area
The Jim Edgar Panther Creek State Fish and Wildlife Area is a conservation area located within Cass County in the U.S. state of Illinois. It is in size. A mix of plowed upland prairie and Panther Creek woodlands, the site is managed by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. It is...
.
History
Cass County was formed in 1837 out of Morgan County. It was named in honor of Lewis CassLewis Cass
Lewis Cass was an American military officer and politician. During his long political career, Cass served as a governor of the Michigan Territory, an American ambassador, a U.S. Senator representing Michigan, and co-founder as well as first Masonic Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Michigan...
, a general in the War of 1812
War of 1812
The War of 1812 was a military conflict fought between the forces of the United States of America and those of the British Empire. The Americans declared war in 1812 for several reasons, including trade restrictions because of Britain's ongoing war with France, impressment of American merchant...
, Governor of the Michigan Territory
Michigan Territory
The Territory of Michigan was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from June 30, 1805, until January 26, 1837, when the final extent of the territory was admitted to the Union as the State of Michigan...
, and United States Secretary of State
United States Secretary of State
The United States Secretary of State is the head of the United States Department of State, concerned with foreign affairs. The Secretary is a member of the Cabinet and the highest-ranking cabinet secretary both in line of succession and order of precedence...
in 1860. Cass was serving as Andrew Jackson's
Andrew Jackson
Andrew Jackson was the seventh President of the United States . Based in frontier Tennessee, Jackson was a politician and army general who defeated the Creek Indians at the Battle of Horseshoe Bend , and the British at the Battle of New Orleans...
Secretary of War
United States Secretary of War
The Secretary of War was a member of the United States President's Cabinet, beginning with George Washington's administration. A similar position, called either "Secretary at War" or "Secretary of War," was appointed to serve the Congress of the Confederation under the Articles of Confederation...
just before the County was named.
Geography
According to the 2010 census, the county has a total area of 383.76 square miles (993.9 km²), of which 375.82 square miles (973.4 km²) (or 97.93%) is land and 7.95 square miles (20.6 km²) (or 2.07%) is water.Adjacent counties
- Mason County - northeast
- Menard County - east
- Sangamon CountySangamon County, IllinoisSangamon County is a county located in the U.S. state of Illinois. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 197,465, which is an increase of 4.5% from 188,951 in 2000...
- southeast - Morgan County - south
- Brown County - west
- Schuyler County - northwest
Major highways
-
US Route 67 -
Illinois Route 78Illinois Route 78Illinois Route 78 is a major north–south highway in western Illinois. It runs from Illinois Route 104 northwest of Jacksonville north to Highway 78 at the Wisconsin state line north of Warren... -
Illinois Route 100Illinois Route 100Illinois Route 100 is a 157 mile highway in the southwest Illinois. It generally parallels the Illinois River. Starting in downtown Alton, it trends northward to Buckheart Township near Canton. It makes up much of the Illinois River Road, a U.S. National Scenic Byway... -
Illinois Route 125Illinois Route 125Illinois Route 125 is a major highway in the central portion of the U.S. state of Illinois. Illinois 125 runs east from the concurrent U.S...
Villages
- ArenzvilleArenzville, IllinoisArenzville is a village in Cass County, Illinois, United States. The population was 409 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Arenzville is located at ....
- AshlandAshland, IllinoisAshland is a village in Cass County, Illinois, United States. The population was 1,333 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Ashland is located at ....
- Bluff SpringsBluff Springs, IllinoisBluff Springs is an unincorporated community in Cass County, Illinois, United States. Bluff Springs is located on Illinois Route 125 east of Beardstown....
- ChandlervilleChandlerville, IllinoisChandlerville is a village in Cass County, Illinois, USA. The population was 553 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Chandlerville is located at ....
- NewmansvilleNewmansville, IllinoisNewmansville is an unincorporated community in Cass County, Illinois, United States. Newmansville is north of Ashland....
- PhiladelphiaPhiladelphia, IllinoisPhiladelphia is an unincorporated community in Cass County, Illinois, United States. Philadelphia is located on Illinois Route 125 southeast of Virginia. Vernon Huber, the 36th Governor of American Samoa, was born in Philadelphia....
Townships
Cass County is divided into these eleven townshipsCivil township
A civil township is a widely used unit of local government in the United States, subordinate to, and geographic divisions of, a county. Specific responsibilities and the degree of autonomy vary based on each state. Civil townships are distinct from survey townships, but in states that have both,...
:
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Newmansville Township, Cass County, Illinois Newmansville Township is one of eleven townships in Cass County, Illinois, USA. As of the 2000 census, its population was 61.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, Newmansville Township covers an area of .-Unincorporated towns:... Panther Creek Township, Cass County, Illinois Panther Creek Township is one of eleven townships in Cass County, Illinois, USA. As of the 2000 census, its population was 365.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, Panther Creek Township covers an area of ; of this, or 0.21 percent is water.-Unincorporated towns:* Anderson*... Philadelphia Township, Cass County, Illinois Philadelphia Township is one of eleven townships in Cass County, Illinois, USA. As of the 2000 census, its population was 235.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, Philadelphia Township covers an area of .-Unincorporated towns:... Sangamon Valley Township, Cass County, Illinois Sangamon Valley Township is one of eleven townships in Cass County, Illinois, USA. As of the 2000 census, its population was 328.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, Sangamon Valley Township covers an area of ; of this, or 0.13 percent is water.-Cities, towns, villages:*... Virginia Township, Cass County, Illinois Virginia Township is one of eleven townships in Cass County, Illinois, USA. As of the 2000 census, its population was 1,931.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, Virginia Township covers an area of ; of this, or 0.05 percent is water.... |
School districts
- A C Central Community Unit School District 262
- Beardstown Community Unit School District 15
- Meredosia-Chambersburg Community Unit School District 11
- Porta Community Unit School District 202
- Triopia Community Unit School District 27
- Virginia Community Unit School District 64
Political districts
- Illinois' 18th congressional districtIllinois' 18th congressional districtThe 18th Congressional District of Illinois covers central and western Illinois, including the cities of Jacksonville, Peoria, and Springfield. It is represented by Aaron Schock.-Voting:-2008:...
- State House District 93
- State Senate District 47
Demographics
As of the census
Census
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 13,695 people, 5,347 households, and 3,689 families residing in the county. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 36 people per square mile (14/km²). There were 5,784 housing units at an average density of 15 per square mile (6/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 94.93% White
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.45% Black
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
or African American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.17% Native American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.28% Asian
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.03% Pacific Islander
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 3.34% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 0.82% from two or more races. 8.48% of the population were Hispanic
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
or Latino
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
of any race. 32.2% were of German
Germans
The Germans are a Germanic ethnic group native to Central Europe. The English term Germans has referred to the German-speaking population of the Holy Roman Empire since the Late Middle Ages....
, 15.9% American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, 12.5% English
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
and 8.5% Irish
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
ancestry according to Census 2000. 91.1% spoke English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
and 8.2% Spanish
Spanish language
Spanish , also known as Castilian , is a Romance language in the Ibero-Romance group that evolved from several languages and dialects in central-northern Iberia around the 9th century and gradually spread with the expansion of the Kingdom of Castile into central and southern Iberia during the...
as their first language.
There were 5,347 households out of which 32.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.80% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 9.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.00% were non-families. 26.10% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.52 and the average family size was 3.01.
In the county the population was spread out with 25.40% under the age of 18, 8.40% from 18 to 24, 27.80% from 25 to 44, 22.70% from 45 to 64, and 15.70% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 98.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.70 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $35,243, and the median income for a family was $41,653. Males had a median income of $27,493 versus $21,781 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the county was $16,532. About 9.20% of families and 12.00% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.20% of those under age 18 and 6.70% of those age 65 or over.
Climate and weather
In recent years, average temperatures in the county seat of Virginia have ranged from a low of 15 °F (-9.4 °C) in January to a high of 87 °F (30.6 °C) in July, although a record low of -28 °F was recorded in February 1934 and a record high of 114 °F (45.6 °C) was recorded in July 1954. Average monthly precipitation ranged from 1.35 inches (3.4 cm) in January to 4.86 inches (12.3 cm) in May.See also
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Cass County, Illinois