Iroquois County, Illinois
Encyclopedia
Iroquois County is a county located in the northeast part of the U.S. state
of Illinois
along the border with Indiana
. It is the third largest county in the state in terms of area, covering over 1100 square miles (2,849 km²). According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 29,718, which is a decrease of 5.2% from 31,334 in 2000. The county seat
of Watseka
is located near the center of the county, which is the only county in the United States to be named Iroquois
, after the American Indian people.
. It was named for the Iroquois River
, which was itself named for the Iroquois people. The first county seat was established at the town of Iroquois in 1837, though no official buildings were constructed there and offices were rented. Several other sites for the county seat were examined, and in 1839 it was moved to Middleport; a court house and jail were built there. There was a long battle between Middleport and Watseka (also known as South Middleport) as to which should be the county seat; in 1865, it was finally moved to Watseka. The town of Middleport no longer exists, but there is a township of that name. A courthouse was built in Watseka in 1866 at a cost of $28,000 and included a jail in the basement; this building was expanded in 1881, and a new jail was built in 1893 just east of the courthouse.
Notable people from Iroquois County include:
. The county is bordered on the east by the state of Indiana and its counties of Benton
and Newton
. To the north lies Kankakee County
. Vermilion County
, out of which Iroquois County was originally formed, lies to the south. To the west is Ford County.
The Iroquois River enters the county from Indiana and flows westward along the south side of the village of Iroquois, then along the north side of the city of Watseka, whereupon it veers to the north and joins the larger Kankakee River
near the city of Kankakee in the county of the same name; the Kankakee River then flows into the Illinois River
further to the northwest in Will County
. Sugar Creek, further to the south, also flows from the east to the west, entering from Indiana east of Stockland; it passes through the south edge of Milford, is joined by Mud Creek coming up from the south, and winds to the north past the village of Woodland and meets the Iroquois River near Watseka.
The Iroquois County State Wildlife Area, a 2400 acres (971.2 ha) state park, is located in the northeast corner of the county. There are also three nature preserves: Bonnie's Prairie, Hooper Branch Savanna, and Loda Cemetery Prairie.
According to the 2010 census, the county has a total area of 1118.93 square miles (2,898 km²), of which 1117.32 square miles (2,893.8 km²) (or 99.86%) is land and 1.61 square miles (4.2 km²) (or 0.14%) is water.
Over the next several decades, more townships were created from the existing ones, for a final total of twenty-six. The newer townships are listed below in order of creation.
of 2000, there were 31,334 people, 12,220 households, and 8,712 families residing in the county. The population density
was 28 people per square mile (11/km²). There were 13,362 housing units at an average density of 12 per square mile (5/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 95.93% White
, 0.71% Black
or African American
, 0.17% Native American
, 0.30% Asian
, 0.02% Pacific Islander
, 2.07% from other races
, and 0.79% from two or more races. 3.88% of the population were Hispanic
or Latino
of any race. 36.4% were of German
, 12.0% American
, 8.7% English
, 8.1% Irish
and 7.0% French
ancestry according to Census 2000. 95.3% spoke English
, 3.0% Spanish
and 1.1% German
as their first language.
There were 12,220 households out of which 31.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.20% were married couples
living together, 8.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.70% were non-families. 25.20% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.51 and the average family size was 2.99.
In the county the population was spread out with 25.40% under the age of 18, 7.10% from 18 to 24, 25.70% from 25 to 44, 23.60% from 45 to 64, and 18.10% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 96.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.80 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $38,071, and the median income for a family was $45,417. Males had a median income of $31,799 versus $20,936 for females. The per capita income
for the county was $18,435. About 6.80% of families and 8.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.80% 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,...
along the border with Indiana
Indiana
Indiana is a US state, admitted to the United States as the 19th on December 11, 1816. It is located in the Midwestern United States and Great Lakes Region. With 6,483,802 residents, the state is ranked 15th in population and 16th in population density. Indiana is ranked 38th in land area and is...
. It is the third largest county in the state in terms of area, covering over 1100 square miles (2,849 km²). According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 29,718, which is a decrease of 5.2% from 31,334 in 2000. The 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....
of Watseka
Watseka, Illinois
Watseka is a city in and the county seat of Iroquois County, Illinois, United States. It is located approximately west of the Illinois-Indiana state line on U.S...
is located near the center of the county, which is the only county in the United States to be named Iroquois
Iroquois
The Iroquois , also known as the Haudenosaunee or the "People of the Longhouse", are an association of several tribes of indigenous people of North America...
, after the American Indian people.
History
Iroquois County was created on February 26, 1833 out of a portion of Vermilion CountyVermilion County, Illinois
Vermilion 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...
. It was named for the Iroquois River
Iroquois River
The Iroquois River is a tributary of the Kankakee River in northwestern Indiana and northeastern Illinois in the United States. Via the Kankakee and Illinois rivers, it is part of the watershed of the Mississippi River.-Course:...
, which was itself named for the Iroquois people. The first county seat was established at the town of Iroquois in 1837, though no official buildings were constructed there and offices were rented. Several other sites for the county seat were examined, and in 1839 it was moved to Middleport; a court house and jail were built there. There was a long battle between Middleport and Watseka (also known as South Middleport) as to which should be the county seat; in 1865, it was finally moved to Watseka. The town of Middleport no longer exists, but there is a township of that name. A courthouse was built in Watseka in 1866 at a cost of $28,000 and included a jail in the basement; this building was expanded in 1881, and a new jail was built in 1893 just east of the courthouse.
Notable people from Iroquois County include:
- John S. DarroughJohn S. DarroughJohn Samuel Darrough was a Union Army soldier in the American Civil War and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor, for his actions during a skirmish near Eastport, Mississippi. Born in Kentucky, Darrough moved to Illinois as a child and enlisted in the...
, American Civil WarAmerican Civil WarThe American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
soldier and recipient of the Medal of HonorMedal of HonorThe Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
, lived in the county from age 14 - Henry BaconHenry BaconHenry Bacon was an American Beaux-Arts architect who is best remembered for the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. , which was his final project.- Education and early career :...
, architect of the Lincoln MemorialLincoln MemorialThe Lincoln Memorial is an American memorial built to honor the 16th President of the United States, Abraham Lincoln. It is located on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. The architect was Henry Bacon, the sculptor of the main statue was Daniel Chester French, and the painter of the interior...
in Washington, DC and other notable public buildings, born in Watseka in 1866 - Fern AndraFern AndraFern Andra was an American actress, film director, script writer and producer. Next to Henny Porten and Asta Nielsen she was one of the most popular and best-known actresses in German silent films of the 1910s...
, movie actress and director from 1913 to 1930, born in Watseka in 1893 - Rex EverhartRex EverhartRex Everhart was an American film and musical theatre actor.Everhart appeared in such films as 1978's Superman...
, Broadway actor who voiced the role of Maurice in the Disney Film "Beauty & The Beast," born in Watseka in 1920
Geography
The northern border of the county is about 60 miles (96.6 km) south of the city of ChicagoChicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
. The county is bordered on the east by the state of Indiana and its counties of Benton
Benton County, Indiana
Benton County is located along in the northwest part of the U.S. state of Indiana, along the border with Illinois. As of 2010, the county's population was 8,854. It contains six incorporated towns as well as several small unincorporated settlements; it is also divided into 11 townships which...
and Newton
Newton County, Indiana
Newton County is a county located in the U.S. state of Indiana. As of 2010, the population was 14,244. The county seat is Kentland.- History :...
. To the north lies Kankakee County
Kankakee County, Illinois
Kankakee County is a county located in the U.S. state of Illinois. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 113,449, which is an increase of 9.3% from 103,833 in 2000. Its county seat is Kankakee....
. Vermilion County
Vermilion County, Illinois
Vermilion 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...
, out of which Iroquois County was originally formed, lies to the south. To the west is Ford County.
The Iroquois River enters the county from Indiana and flows westward along the south side of the village of Iroquois, then along the north side of the city of Watseka, whereupon it veers to the north and joins the larger Kankakee River
Kankakee River
The Kankakee River is a tributary of the Illinois River, approximately long, in northwestern Indiana and northeastern Illinois in the United States. At one time the river drained one of the largest wetlands in North America and furnished a significant portage between the Great Lakes and the...
near the city of Kankakee in the county of the same name; the Kankakee River then flows into the Illinois River
Illinois River
The Illinois River is a principal tributary of the Mississippi River, approximately long, in the State of Illinois. The river drains a large section of central Illinois, with a drainage basin of . This river was important among Native Americans and early French traders as the principal water route...
further to the northwest in Will County
Will County, Illinois
As of the census of 2000, there were 502,266 people, 167,542 households, and 131,017 families residing in the county. The population density was 600 people per square mile . There were 175,524 housing units at an average density of 210 per square mile...
. Sugar Creek, further to the south, also flows from the east to the west, entering from Indiana east of Stockland; it passes through the south edge of Milford, is joined by Mud Creek coming up from the south, and winds to the north past the village of Woodland and meets the Iroquois River near Watseka.
The Iroquois County State Wildlife Area, a 2400 acres (971.2 ha) state park, is located in the northeast corner of the county. There are also three nature preserves: Bonnie's Prairie, Hooper Branch Savanna, and Loda Cemetery Prairie.
According to the 2010 census, the county has a total area of 1118.93 square miles (2,898 km²), of which 1117.32 square miles (2,893.8 km²) (or 99.86%) is land and 1.61 square miles (4.2 km²) (or 0.14%) is water.
Villages
|
Clifton, Illinois Clifton is a village in Chebanse Township, Iroquois County, Illinois, USA. The population was 1,317 at the 2000 census, and 1,226 in 2009.-Geography:Clifton is located at .... Crescent City, Illinois Crescent City is a village in Iroquois and Crescent townships, Iroquois County, Illinois, United States. The population was 631 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Crescent City is located at .... Danforth, Illinois Danforth is a village in Danforth Township, Iroquois County, Illinois, United States. The population was 587 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Danforth is located at .... Donovan, Illinois Donovan is a village in Beaver Township, Iroquois County, Illinois, United States. The population was 351 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Donovan is located at .... Iroquois, Illinois Iroquois is a village in Concord Township, Iroquois County, Illinois, United States, along the Iroquois River. In the 2000 census, the village had a population of 207.-Geography:Iroquois is at 40°49'40" North, 87°35'1" West .... |
Loda, Illinois Loda is a village in Loda Township, Iroquois County, Illinois, USA. As of the 2000 census, its population was 419.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of , of which, of it is land and 0.68% is water.... Martinton, Illinois Martinton is a village in Martinton Township, Iroquois County, Illinois, United States. The population was 375 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Martinton is located at .... Milford, Illinois Milford is a village in Milford Township, Iroquois County, Illinois, United States. The population was 1,369 at the 2000 census, and 1,257 in 2009... Onarga, Illinois Onarga is a village in Onarga Township, Iroquois County, Illinois, United States. The population was 1,438 at the 2000 census, and 1,350 in 2009.-Geography:... Papineau, Illinois Papineau is a village in Papineau Township, Iroquois County, Illinois, United States. The population was 196 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Papineau is located at .... |
Sheldon, Illinois Sheldon is a village in Sheldon Township, Iroquois County, Illinois, United States. The population was 1,232 at the 2000 census, and 1,130 in 2009.-Geography:Sheldon is located at .... Stockland, Illinois Stockland is an unincorporated community in Stockland Township, Iroquois County, Illinois.... Thawville, Illinois Thawville is a village in Ridgeland Township, Iroquois County, Illinois, United States. The population was 258 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Thawville is located at .... Wellington, Illinois Wellington is a village in Lovejoy Township, Iroquois County, Illinois, United States. The population was 264 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Wellington is located at .... Woodland, Illinois Woodland is a village in Belmont Township, Iroquois County, Illinois, United States. The population was 319 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Woodland is located at .... |
Townships
In 1855, a popular vote resulted in the adoption of township government, which was implemented in 1856. At that time, eleven townships were created; they are listed below.- Ash GroveAsh Grove Township, Iroquois County, Illinois-External links:* *...
- BeaverBeaver Township, Iroquois County, IllinoisBeaver Township is one of twenty-six townships in Iroquois County, Illinois, USA. As of the 2000 census, its population was 584.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, Beaver Township covers an area of ; of this, is land and is water.-Unincorporated towns:* Hooper at Beaver...
- BelmontBelmont Township, Iroquois County, IllinoisBelmont Township is one of twenty-six townships in Iroquois County, Illinois, USA. As of the 2000 census, its population was 2,600.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, Belmont Township covers an area of .-Cities, towns, villages:...
- ChebanseChebanse Township, Iroquois County, IllinoisChebanse Township is one of twenty-six townships in Iroquois County, Illinois, USA. As of the 2000 census, its population was 3,061.-Geography:...
- ConcordConcord Township, Iroquois County, IllinoisConcord Township is one of twenty-six townships in Iroquois County, Illinois, USA. As of the 2000 census, its population was 551.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, Concord Township covers an area of .-Cemeteries:...
- LodaLoda Township, Iroquois County, IllinoisLoda Township is one of twenty-six townships in Iroquois County, Illinois, USA. As of the 2000 census, its population was 1,392.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, Loda Township covers an area of ; of this, is land and is water.-Major highways:* Interstate 57* U.S...
- MiddleportMiddleport Township, Iroquois County, IllinoisMiddleport Township is one of twenty-six townships in Iroquois County, Illinois, USA. As of the 2000 census, its population was 4,784. Middleport Township changed its name to Watseka Township in September 1863, but then changed back to Middleport Township on an unknown date.-Geography:According...
- MilfordMilford Township, Iroquois County, IllinoisMilford Township is one of twenty-six townships in Iroquois County, Illinois, USA. As of the 2000 census, its population was 1,800.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, Milford Township covers an area of .-Unincorporated towns:...
- OnargaOnarga Township, Iroquois County, IllinoisOnarga Township is one of twenty-six townships in Iroquois County, Illinois, USA. As of the 2000 census, its population was 1,844.-Geography:...
- PapineauPapineau Township, Iroquois County, IllinoisPapineau Township is one of twenty-six townships in Iroquois County, Illinois, USA. As of the 2000 census, its population was 647.-Geography:...
(originally named Wygant) - StocklandStockland Township, Iroquois County, IllinoisStockland Township is one of twenty-six townships in Iroquois County, Illinois, USA. As of the 2000 census, its population was 343. Stockland Township formed as Crab Apple Township in September 1864, but changed its name to Stockland Township on an unknown date.-Geography:According to the United...
(originally named Crab Apple)
Over the next several decades, more townships were created from the existing ones, for a final total of twenty-six. The newer townships are listed below in order of creation.
- MartintonMartinton Township, Iroquois County, IllinoisMartinton Township is one of twenty-six townships in Iroquois County, Illinois, USA. As of the 2000 census, its population was 1,063. Buchanan Township formed from a portion of Papineau Township, then known as Wygant Township, in September 1857; its name was changed to Martinton Township on an...
(1857) - IroquoisIroquois Township, Iroquois County, IllinoisIroquois Township is one of twenty-six townships in Iroquois County, Illinois, USA. As of the 2000 census, its population was 652. Iroquois Township was formed from a portion of Middleport Township as Westfield Township in May 1858; The name was changed to Iroquois Township on an unknown...
(1858) - Prairie GreenPrairie Green Township, Iroquois County, IllinoisPrairie Green Township is one of twenty-six townships in Iroquois County, Illinois, USA. As of the 2000 census, its population was 233. Prairie Green Township was originally named Prairie Township, and was formed from Stockland Township, originally known as Crab Apple Township, in March 1857...
(1858) - AshkumAshkum Township, Iroquois County, IllinoisAshkum Township is one of twenty-six townships in Iroquois County, Illinois, USA. As of the 2000 census, its population was 1,535. Ashkum Township formed from portions of Chebanse Township and Onarga Township in March, 1857.-Geography:...
(1861) - DouglasDouglas Township, Iroquois County, IllinoisDouglas Township is one of twenty-six townships in Iroquois County, Illinois, USA. As of the 2000 census, its population was 2,098. Douglas Township was formed from a portion of Onarga Township in May 1858.-Geography:...
(1861) - ArtesiaArtesia Township, Iroquois County, IllinoisArtesia Township is one of twenty-six townships in Iroquois County, Illinois, USA. As of the 2000 census, its population was 957. Artesia Township formed from portions of Ash Grove and Loda townships sometime prior to 1921.-Geography:...
(1864) - Fountain CreekFountain Creek Township, Iroquois County, IllinoisFountain Creek Township is one of twenty-six townships in Iroquois County, Illinois, USA. As of the 2000 census, its population was 440. Fountain Creek Township formed from a portion of Ashe Grove Township on September 15, 1868.-Geography:...
(1868) - LovejoyLovejoy Township, Iroquois County, IllinoisLovejoy Township is one of twenty-six townships in Iroquois County, Illinois, USA. As of the 2000 census, its population was 462. Lovejoy Township was formed from a portion of Milford Township on February 19, 1868.-Geography:...
(1868) - SheldonSheldon Township, Iroquois County, IllinoisSheldon Township is one of twenty-six townships in Iroquois County, Illinois, USA. As of the 2000 census, its population was 1,531. Sheldon Township was formed from Concord Township on February 19, 1868.-Geography:...
(1868) - Milks GroveMilks Grove Township, Iroquois County, IllinoisMilks Grove Township is one of twenty-six townships in Iroquois County, Illinois, USA. As of the 2000 census, its population was 177. Milks Grove Township formed from a portion of Chebanse Township on an unknown date, but before 1921...
(1872) - Pigeon GrovePigeon Grove Township, Iroquois County, IllinoisPigeon Grove Township is one of twenty-six townships in Iroquois County, Illinois, USA. As of the 2000 census, its population was 1,160. Pigeon Grove Township was formed from portions of Loda Township and Fountain Creek in September 1875.-Geography:...
(1876) - CrescentCrescent Township, Iroquois County, IllinoisCrescent Township is one of twenty-six townships in Iroquois County, Illinois, USA. As of the 2000 census, its population was 644. Crescent Township was originally named Logan Township when it formed from Belmont Township on September 17, 1868...
(1877) - DanforthDanforth Township, Iroquois County, IllinoisDanforth Township is one of twenty-six townships in Iroquois County, Illinois, USA. As of the 2000 census, its population was 951. Danforth Township formed from Douglas Township and Ashkum Township sometime before 1921.-Geography:...
(1877) - RidgelandRidgeland Township, Iroquois County, IllinoisRidgeland Township is one of twenty-six townships in Iroquois County, Illinois, USA. As of the 2000 census, its population was 403.-Geography:...
(1878) - BeavervilleBeaverville Township, Iroquois County, IllinoisBeaverville Township is one of twenty-six townships in Iroquois County, Illinois, USA. As of the 2000 census, its population was 656. Beaverville Township formed from portions of Papineau Township and Beaver Township in September, 1921.-Geography:...
(1916)
Major highways
U.S. Highway 24
U.S. Highway 52
U.S. Highway 45
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
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 31,334 people, 12,220 households, and 8,712 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 28 people per square mile (11/km²). There were 13,362 housing units at an average density of 12 per square mile (5/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 95.93% 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...
, 0.71% 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...
, 0.30% 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...
, 0.02% 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...
, 2.07% 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 0.79% from two or more races. 3.88% 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. 36.4% 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....
, 12.0% American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, 8.7% 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...
, 8.1% 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...
and 7.0% French
French people
The French are a nation that share a common French culture and speak the French language as a mother tongue. Historically, the French population are descended from peoples of Celtic, Latin and Germanic origin, and are today a mixture of several ethnic groups...
ancestry according to Census 2000. 95.3% 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...
, 3.0% 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...
and 1.1% German
German language
German is a West Germanic language, related to and classified alongside English and Dutch. With an estimated 90 – 98 million native speakers, German is one of the world's major languages and is the most widely-spoken first language in the European Union....
as their first language.
There were 12,220 households out of which 31.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.20% 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, 8.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.70% were non-families. 25.20% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.51 and the average family size was 2.99.
In the county the population was spread out with 25.40% under the age of 18, 7.10% from 18 to 24, 25.70% from 25 to 44, 23.60% from 45 to 64, and 18.10% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 96.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.80 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $38,071, and the median income for a family was $45,417. Males had a median income of $31,799 versus $20,936 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 $18,435. About 6.80% of families and 8.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.80% 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 Watseka have ranged from a low of 14 °F (-10 °C) in January to a high of 84 °F (28.9 °C) in July, although a record low of -28 °F was recorded in January 1999 and a record high of 105 °F (40.6 °C) was recorded in August 1988. Average monthly precipitation ranged from 1.61 inches (4.1 cm) in January to 4.62 inches (11.7 cm) in June.See also
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Iroquois County, Illinois