Edgar County, Illinois
Encyclopedia
Edgar County is a county located in the U.S. state
of Illinois
. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 18,576, which is a decrease of 5.7% from 19,704 in 2000. Its county seat
is Paris
.
, an Irish
-born officer in the Royal Navy
who resigned rather than fight against the Americans in the Revolutionary War
. Edgar moved to Kaskaskia, Illinois
in 1784, becoming a miller and merchant in that town.
:
and the third by the Eastern Illinois Railroad Company.
(PRG), located approximately six miles north of Paris.
of 2000, there were 19,704 people, 7,874 households, and 5,322 families residing in the county. The population density
was 32 people per square mile (12/km²). There were 8,611 housing units at an average density of 14 per square mile (5/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 97.12% White
, 1.84% Black
or African American
, 0.19% Native American
, 0.19% Asian
, 0.01% Pacific Islander
, 0.25% from other races
, and 0.40% from two or more races. 0.78% of the population were Hispanic
or Latino
of any race. 32.2% were of American
, 20.0% German, 12.6% English
and 11.2% Irish
ancestry according to Census 2000. 98.7% spoke English
and 1.1% Spanish
as their first language.
There were 7,874 households out of which 29.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.00% were married couples
living together, 9.60% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.40% were non-families. 28.50% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.70% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.40 and the average family size was 2.93.
In the county the population was spread out with 23.90% under the age of 18, 8.30% from 18 to 24, 27.00% from 25 to 44, 23.20% from 45 to 64, and 17.70% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 95.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.40 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $35,203, and the median income for a family was $41,245. Males had a median income of $30,214 versus $21,097 for females. The per capita income
for the county was $17,857. About 7.60% of families and 10.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.20% of those under age 18 and 9.90% 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 18,576, which is a decrease of 5.7% from 19,704 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 Paris
Paris, Illinois
Paris is a city in Paris Township, Edgar County, Illinois, USA, south of Chicago, and west of Indianapolis. In 1900, 6,105 people lived in Paris, Illinois; in 1910, 7,664; and in 1940, 9,281. The population was 8,837 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Edgar County.-Geography:Paris is...
.
History
Edgar County was formed out of Clark County in 1823 and named for John EdgarJohn Edgar
John Edgar was an Illinois pioneer and politician. He was born in Ireland. In 1776, he was the commander of a British ship in the Great Lakes. He resigned from the British Navy rather than fight against the Americans....
, an Irish
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
-born officer in the Royal Navy
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
who resigned rather than fight against the Americans in the Revolutionary War
American Revolutionary War
The American Revolutionary War , the American War of Independence, or simply the Revolutionary War, began as a war between the Kingdom of Great Britain and thirteen British colonies in North America, and ended in a global war between several European great powers.The war was the result of the...
. Edgar moved to Kaskaskia, Illinois
Kaskaskia, Illinois
Kaskaskia is a village in Randolph County, Illinois, United States. In the 2010 census the population was 14, making it the second-smallest incorporated community in the State of Illinois in terms of population. A major French colonial town of the Illinois Country, its peak population was about...
in 1784, becoming a miller and merchant in that town.
Geography
According to the 2010 census, the county has a total area of 624 square miles (1,616.2 km²), of which 623.37 square miles (1,614.5 km²) (or 99.90%) is land and 0.62 square miles (1.6 km²) (or 0.10%) is water.Adjacent counties
- Vermilion CountyVermilion County, IllinoisVermilion County is a county located in the eastern part of the U.S. state of Illinois, between the Indiana border and Champaign County. It was established in 1826 and was the 45th of Illinois' 102 counties...
(north) - Vermillion County, IndianaVermillion County, IndianaVermillion County lies in western Indiana between the Illinois border and the Wabash River. It was officially established in 1824 and was the 50th Indiana county to be formed. It is included in the Terre Haute, Indiana, Metropolitan Statistical Area. The county seat is Newport.According to the 2010...
(northeast) - Vigo County, IndianaVigo County, IndianaVigo County is a county located along the western border of the U.S. state of Indiana. Vigo County is included in the Terre Haute, Indiana, Metropolitan Statistical Area. The county seat is Terre Haute....
(southeast) - Clark County (south)
- Coles CountyColes County, IllinoisColes County is a county located in the U.S. state of Illinois. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 53,873, which is an increase of 1.3% from 53,196 in 2000. Its county seat is Charleston, which is also the home of Eastern Illinois University....
(southwest) - Douglas County (northwest)
- Champaign CountyChampaign County, IllinoisChampaign County is a county located in the U.S. state of Illinois. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 201,081, which is an increase of 11.9% from 179,669 in 2000.. It is the 10th most populous county in Illinois...
(northwest) (at a single point)
Political subdivisions
Villages
- BroctonBrocton, IllinoisBrocton is a village in Embarrass Township, Edgar County, Illinois, United States. The population was 322 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Brocton is located at ....
- HumeHume, IllinoisHume is a village in Shiloh and Young America townships, Edgar County, Illinois, United States. As of the 2010 census, the village population was 380.-History:...
- KansasKansas, IllinoisKansas is a village in Kansas Township, Edgar County, Illinois, United States. The population was 787 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Kansas is located at ....
- MetcalfMetcalf, IllinoisMetcalf is a village in Young America Township, Edgar County, Illinois, United States. The population was 189 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Metcalf is located at ....
- RedmonRedmon, IllinoisRedmon is a village in Buck Township, Edgar County, Illinois, United States. The population was 173 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Redmon is located at ....
- VermilionVermilion, IllinoisVermilion is a village in Stratton and Elbridge Township townships, Edgar County, Illinois, United States. The population was 225 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Vermilion is located at , about 3 miles west of the border with Indiana...
Townships
Edgar County is divided into fifteen 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,...
:
|
Grandview Township, Edgar County, Illinois Grandview Township is one of fifteen townships in Edgar County, Illinois, USA. As of the 2000 census, its population was 574.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, Grandview Township covers an area of ; of this, or 0.13 percent is water.... Hunter Township, Edgar County, Illinois Hunter Township is one of fifteen townships in Edgar County, Illinois, USA. As of the 2000 census, its population was 263. Hunter Township was formed from portions of Stratton Township and Brouilletts Creek Township on an unknown date.-Geography:... Kansas Township, Edgar County, Illinois Kansas Township is one of fifteen townships in Edgar County, Illinois, USA. As of the 2000 census, its population was 1,101.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, Kansas Township covers an area of ; of this, or 0.03 percent is water.... Paris Township, Edgar County, Illinois Paris Township is one of fifteen townships in Edgar County, Illinois, USA. As of the 2000 census, its population was 10,692.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, Paris Township covers an area of ; of this, or 0.88 percent is water.... Prairie Township, Edgar County, Illinois Prairie Township is one of fifteen townships in Edgar County, Illinois, USA. As of the 2000 census, its population was 370.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, Prairie Township covers an area of ; of this, or 0.02 percent is water.... |
Ross Township, Edgar County, Illinois Ross Township is one of fifteen townships in Edgar County, Illinois, USA. As of the 2000 census, its population was 1,563.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, Ross Township covers an area of .-Major highways:* US Route 36... Shiloh Township, Edgar County, Illinois Shiloh Township is one of fifteen townships in Edgar County, Illinois, USA. As of the 2000 census, its population was 193. Shiloh Township was formed from Young America and Edgar townships.-Geography:... Stratton Township, Edgar County, Illinois Stratton Township is one of fifteen townships in Edgar County, Illinois, USA. As of the 2000 census, its population was 531. The name of the township was Wayne Township until May 9, 1857.-Geography:... Symmes Township, Edgar County, Illinois Symmes Township is one of fifteen townships in Edgar County, Illinois, USA. As of the 2000 census, its population was 1,077. The township was called Marion Township until May 9, 1857.-Geography:... Young America Township, Edgar County, Illinois Young America Township is one of fifteen townships in Edgar County, Illinois, USA. As of the 2000 census, its population was 769.-History:In the early 19th century, the current Young America township and the current Shiloh Township comprised a single township, known as Bull Head... |
Major highways
-
US Route 36 -
US Route 150 -
Illinois Route 1Illinois Route 1Illinois Route 1 is a state highway in the U.S. state of Illinois. Running parallel to the Indiana border, it is also the longest state road, starting on the south side of Chicago as Halsted Street at the intersection with 95th Street, south to a free ferry crossing to Kentucky at Cave-In-Rock on... -
Illinois Route 16Illinois Route 16Illinois Route 16 is an arterial east–west highway in central Illinois. Its western terminus is at the Joe Page Bridge over the Illinois River in Hardin, while its eastern terminus is at Paris at Illinois Route 1 and U.S. Route 150, with Illinois Route 133. This is a distance of .- Route... -
Illinois Route 49Illinois Route 49Illinois Route 49 is a north–south state highway in east-central Illinois. It runs from Willow Hill at Illinois Route 33 north to the beginning of the U.S. Route 45/52 concurrency near Ashkum. This is a distance of .- Route description :... -
Illinois Route 133Illinois Route 133Illinois Route 133 is an east–west state road in east-central Illinois. It runs from Illinois Route 32 in Lovington to U.S. Route 150 and Illinois Route 1 in Paris. Illinois Route 16 terminates with Illinois 133 at this point. This is a distance of...
Rail
Three railroad lines run through the county. Two are operated by CSX TransportationCSX Transportation
CSX Transportation operates a Class I railroad in the United States known as the CSX Railroad. It is the main subsidiary of the CSX Corporation. The company is headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida, and owns approximately 21,000 route miles...
and the third by the Eastern Illinois Railroad Company.
Airport
The county contains one public-use airport: Edgar County AirportEdgar County Airport
Edgar County Airport is a public-use airport in Edgar County, Illinois, United States. It is located five nautical miles north of the central business district of Paris, Illinois. The airport is included in the FAA's National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems for 2011–2015, which categorized it...
(PRG), located approximately six miles north of Paris.
Political districts
- Illinois' 15th congressional districtIllinois' 15th congressional districtThe 15th Congressional District of Illinois is located in eastern Illinois. It includes the cities of Charleston, Urbana, Danville, and Champaign, and all or parts of Livingston, Iroquois, Ford, McLean, DeWitt, Champaign, Vermillion, Macon, Piatt, Douglas, Edgar, Moultrie, Coles, Cumberland,...
- State House District 109
- State House District 110
- State Senate District 55
Demographics
As of the U.S. CensusUnited States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
of 2000, there were 19,704 people, 7,874 households, and 5,322 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 32 people per square mile (12/km²). There were 8,611 housing units at an average density of 14 per square mile (5/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 97.12% 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...
, 1.84% 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...
, 0.19% 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...
, 0.19% 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...
, 0.01% 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...
, 0.25% 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 0.40% from two or more races. 0.78% 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 American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, 20.0% German, 12.6% 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 11.2% 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. 98.7% 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 1.1% 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 7,874 households out of which 29.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.00% 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, 9.60% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.40% were non-families. 28.50% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.70% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.40 and the average family size was 2.93.
In the county the population was spread out with 23.90% under the age of 18, 8.30% from 18 to 24, 27.00% from 25 to 44, 23.20% from 45 to 64, and 17.70% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 95.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.40 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $35,203, and the median income for a family was $41,245. Males had a median income of $30,214 versus $21,097 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 $17,857. About 7.60% of families and 10.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.20% of those under age 18 and 9.90% of those age 65 or over.
Climate and weather
In recent years, average temperatures in the county seat of Paris have ranged from a low of 16 °F (-8.9 °C) in January to a high of 86 °F (30 °C) in July, although a record low of -23 °F was recorded in January 1930 and a record high of 109 °F (42.8 °C) was recorded in July 1936. Average monthly precipitation ranged from 2.23 inches (5.7 cm) in January to 4.43 inches (11.3 cm) in July.See also
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Edgar County, Illinois