Jefferson County, Illinois
Encyclopedia
Jefferson County is a county located in the southern part of the U.S. state
of Illinois
. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 38,827, which is a decrease of 3.0% from 40,045 in 2000. The county seat
is Mount Vernon
.
Jefferson County is part of the Mount Vernon Micropolitan Statistical Area
.
emerges from the forest of Hamilton County into what is now known as Moore's Prairie. It is interesting that Moore arrived from the Goshen Settlement, near Edwardsville
. His migration was therefore retrograde, from the west toward the interior of the State.
In 1814 Andrew Moore departed with his eight-year old son for Jordan's settlement, a journey from which he never returned. A skull that was believed to have been Moore's was found several years later about two miles from his cabin. Jordan's Settlement, also called Jordan's Fort, was southeast of modern Thompsonville
, Illinois
, about twenty miles south of Moore's cabin. This episode occurred during the War of 1812
when many of the Indian
tribes were allied with the British.
In 1816, Carter Wilkey, Daniel Crenshaw and Robert Cook settled in Moore's Prairie. Daniel Crenshaw moved into Moore's cabin. This settlement is believed to be the first permanent settlement in the County.
Jefferson County was organized in 1819, out of parts of White
, Edwards
and Franklin Counties
. It was named in honor of Thomas Jefferson
, principle draftsman of the Northwest Ordinance
, among other things. The baseline along the northern border of the County crosses the Third Principal Meridian at the northwest corner of the County.
As of the census
of 2010, there were 38,287 people, 15,365 households, and 10,561 families residing in the county. The population density
was 70 people per square mile (27/km²). There were 16,990 housing units at an average density of 30 per square mile (11/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 88.4% White
, 8.4% Black
or African American
, 0.2% Native American
, 0.6% Asian
, 0.01% Pacific Islander
, 0.8% from other races
, and 1.6% from two or more races. 2.1% of the population were Hispanic
or Latino
of any race. 25.0% were of American
, 20.5% German
, 12.8% English
and 9.6% Irish
ancestry according to Census 2000. 97.5% spoke English
and 1.5% Spanish
as their first language.
There were 15,374 households out of which 31.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.3% were married couples
living together, 9.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.30% were non-families. 27.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.44 persons and the average family size was 2.96 persons.
In the county the population was spread out with 24.2% under the age of 18, 8.8% from 18 to 24, 28.4% from 25 to 44, 23.3% from 45 to 64, and 15.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 104.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 104.1 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $33,555 and the median income for a family was $41,141. Males had a median income of $34,089 versus $21,015 for females. The per capita income
for the county was $16,644. About 9.1% of families and 12.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.0% of those under age 18 and 11.8% 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 38,827, which is a decrease of 3.0% from 40,045 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....
is Mount Vernon
Mount Vernon, Illinois
Mount Vernon is a city located near the center of Jefferson County, Illinois, in the United States. In the 2010 census, the city's reported population was 15,277 people....
.
Jefferson County is part of the Mount Vernon Micropolitan Statistical Area
Mount Vernon, Illinois micropolitan area
The Mount Vernon Micropolitan Statistical Area, as defined by the United States Census Bureau, is an area consisting of two counties in southern Illinois, anchored by the city of Mount Vernon....
.
Geography
According to the 2010 census, the county has a total area of 583.78 square miles (1,512 km²), of which 571.17 square miles (1,479.3 km²) (or 97.84%) is land and 12.62 square miles (32.7 km²) (or 2.16%) is water.Major highways
U.S. Highway 51
Adjacent counties
- Marion County - north
- Wayne County - northeast
- Hamilton County - southeast
- Franklin CountyFranklin County, IllinoisFranklin County is a county located in the U.S. state of Illinois. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 39,561, which is an increase of 1.4% from 39,018 in 2000. Its county seat is Benton.-History:...
- south - Perry County - southwest
- Washington CountyWashington County, IllinoisWashington County is a county located in the U.S. state of Illinois. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 14,716, which is a decrease of 2.9% from 15,148 in 2000. Its county seat is Nashville.-Geography:...
- west
History
The first settler in Jefferson County is believed to have been Andrew Moore. In 1810, he settled near the southeast corner of the county, near where the Goshen RoadGoshen Road
The Goshen Road was an early road that ran from Old Shawneetown, Illinois, on the Ohio River, northwest to the Goshen Settlement, near Glen Carbon, Illinois, near the Mississippi River. In the early 19th century, this was the main east/west road in Illinois....
emerges from the forest of Hamilton County into what is now known as Moore's Prairie. It is interesting that Moore arrived from the Goshen Settlement, near Edwardsville
Edwardsville, Illinois
Edwardsville is a city in Madison County, Illinois, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 24,293. It is the county seat of Madison County and is the third oldest city in the State of Illinois. The city was named in honor of Ninian Edwards, then Governor of the Illinois...
. His migration was therefore retrograde, from the west toward the interior of the State.
In 1814 Andrew Moore departed with his eight-year old son for Jordan's settlement, a journey from which he never returned. A skull that was believed to have been Moore's was found several years later about two miles from his cabin. Jordan's Settlement, also called Jordan's Fort, was southeast of modern Thompsonville
Thompsonville, Illinois
Thompsonville is a village in Franklin County, Illinois, United States. The population was 571 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Thompsonville is located at ....
, 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,...
, about twenty miles south of Moore's cabin. This episode occurred during 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...
when many of the Indian
Native Americans in the United States
Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples in North America within the boundaries of the present-day continental United States, parts of Alaska, and the island state of Hawaii. They are composed of numerous, distinct tribes, states, and ethnic groups, many of which survive as...
tribes were allied with the British.
In 1816, Carter Wilkey, Daniel Crenshaw and Robert Cook settled in Moore's Prairie. Daniel Crenshaw moved into Moore's cabin. This settlement is believed to be the first permanent settlement in the County.
Jefferson County was organized in 1819, out of parts of White
White County, Illinois
White County is a county located in the U.S. state of Illinois. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 14,665, which is a decrease of 4.6% from 15,371 in 2000...
, Edwards
Edwards County, Illinois
Edwards County is a county located in the U.S. state of Illinois. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 6,721, which is a decrease of 3.6% from 6,971 in 2000...
and Franklin Counties
Franklin County, Illinois
Franklin County is a county located in the U.S. state of Illinois. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 39,561, which is an increase of 1.4% from 39,018 in 2000. Its county seat is Benton.-History:...
. It was named in honor of Thomas Jefferson
Thomas Jefferson
Thomas Jefferson was the principal author of the United States Declaration of Independence and the Statute of Virginia for Religious Freedom , the third President of the United States and founder of the University of Virginia...
, principle draftsman of the Northwest Ordinance
Northwest Ordinance
The Northwest Ordinance was an act of the Congress of the Confederation of the United States, passed July 13, 1787...
, among other things. The baseline along the northern border of the County crosses the Third Principal Meridian at the northwest corner of the County.
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 2010, there were 38,287 people, 15,365 households, and 10,561 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 70 people per square mile (27/km²). There were 16,990 housing units at an average density of 30 per square mile (11/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 88.4% 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...
, 8.4% 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...
, 0.2% 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...
, 0.6% 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...
, 0.8% 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 1.6% from two or more races. 2.1% 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. 25.0% were of American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, 20.5% 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....
, 12.8% 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 9.6% 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. 97.5% 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 1.5% 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 15,374 households out of which 31.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.3% 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, 9.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.30% were non-families. 27.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.44 persons and the average family size was 2.96 persons.
In the county the population was spread out with 24.2% under the age of 18, 8.8% from 18 to 24, 28.4% from 25 to 44, 23.3% from 45 to 64, and 15.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 104.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 104.1 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $33,555 and the median income for a family was $41,141. Males had a median income of $34,089 versus $21,015 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 $16,644. About 9.1% of families and 12.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.0% of those under age 18 and 11.8% of those age 65 or over.
Cities and villages
Cities
- Centralia (part)Centralia, IllinoisCentralia is a town located in Marion, Washington, Clinton, and Jefferson Counties in the U.S. state of Illinois. The population was 13,032 at the 2010 census. The town was founded because it was the point where the two original branches of the Illinois Central Railroad, built in 1853, converged....
- Mount VernonMount Vernon, IllinoisMount Vernon is a city located near the center of Jefferson County, Illinois, in the United States. In the 2010 census, the city's reported population was 15,277 people....
- NasonNason, IllinoisNason is a city in Jefferson County, Illinois, United States. It is a vast barren land and is famous for not being wet. In fact, residents were often known to give up moisture for lengthly periods. The population was 234 people as of the 2000 census...
Villages
- Belle RiveBelle Rive, IllinoisBelle Rive is a village in Jefferson County, Illinois, United States. The population was 371 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Mount Vernon Micropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Belle Rive is located at ....
- BlufordBluford, IllinoisBluford is a village in Jefferson County, Illinois, in the United States. As of the 2000 census, the village population was 785. It is part of the Mount Vernon Micropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...
- BonnieBonnie, IllinoisBonnie is a village located in the southern part of Jefferson County, Illinois. As of the 2000 census, the village population was 424 people. It is part of the Mount Vernon Micropolitan Statistical Area.- History :...
- DixDix, IllinoisDix is a village in Jefferson County, Illinois, United States. The population was 494 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Mount Vernon Micropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Dix is located at ....
- InaIna, IllinoisIna is the southern-most village in Jefferson County, Illinois, United States. The population was 2,455 as of the 2000 census. It is part of the Mount Vernon Micropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Ina is located at ....
- WaltonvilleWaltonville, IllinoisWaltonville is a village in Jefferson County, Illinois, United States. The population was 422 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Mount Vernon Micropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Waltonville is located at ....
- WoodlawnWoodlawn, Jefferson County, IllinoisWoodlawn is a village in Jefferson County, Illinois, United States. The population was 698 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Mount Vernon Micropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...
Unincorporated places
- Bakerville
- Boyd
- Camp Ground
- Divide
- Drivers
- Idlewood
- Marcoe
- Marlow
- Miller Lake
- OpdykeOpdyke, IllinoisOpdyke is a census-designated place in the southeastern part of Jefferson County, Illinois, United States. As of the 2010 census, its population was 254. Opdyke was laid out in 1871, following construction of the St. Louis & Southeastern Railroad...
- Roaches
- Summersville
- TexicoTexico, IllinoisTexico is an unincorporated community in Jefferson County, Illinois, United States. The population was 943 at the 2000 census....
Townships
Jefferson County is divided into sixteen 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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Elk Prairie Township, Jefferson County, Illinois Elk Prairie Township is one of sixteen townships in Jefferson County, Illinois, USA. As of the 2000 census, its population was 721.-Geography:... Farrington Township, Jefferson County, Illinois Farrington Township is one of sixteen townships in Jefferson County, Illinois, USA. As of the 2000 census, its population was 552.-Geography:... Field Township, Jefferson County, Illinois Field Township is one of sixteen townships in Jefferson County, Illinois, USA. As of the 2000 census, its population was 1,460.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, Field Township covers an area of ; of this, is land and is water.-Unincorporated towns:* Divide at * Texico at... Grand Prairie Township, Jefferson County, Illinois Grand Prairie Township is one of sixteen townships in Jefferson County, Illinois, USA. As of the 2000 census, its population was 1,032.-Geography:... |
McClellan Township, Jefferson County, Illinois McClellan Township is one of sixteen townships in Jefferson County, Illinois, USA. As of the 2000 census, its population was 1,239.-Geography:... Mt. Vernon Township, Jefferson County, Illinois Mount Vernon Township is one of sixteen townships in Jefferson County, Illinois, USA. As of the 2000 census, its population was 14,443.-Geography:... Pendleton Township, Jefferson County, Illinois Pendleton Township is one of sixteen townships in Jefferson County, Illinois, USA. As of the 2000 census, its population was 1,083.-Geography:... |
Rome Township, Jefferson County, Illinois Rome Township is one of sixteen townships in Jefferson County, Illinois, USA. As of the 2000 census, its population was 1,831.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, Rome Township covers an area of ; of this, is land and is water.-Unincorporated towns:* Boyd at Rome Township... Shiloh Township, Jefferson County, Illinois Shiloh Township is one of sixteen townships in Jefferson County, Illinois, USA. As of the 2000 census, its population was 6,345.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, Shiloh Township covers an area of ; of this, is land and is water.-Cities, towns, villages:* Mount Vernon *... Spring Garden Township, Jefferson County, Illinois Spring Garden Township is one of sixteen townships in Jefferson County, Illinois, USA. As of the 2000 census, its population was 3,454.-Geography:... Webber Township, Jefferson County, Illinois Webber Township is one of sixteen townships in Jefferson County, Illinois, USA. As of the 2000 census, its population was 2,344.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, Webber Township covers an area of ; of this, is land and is water.-Unincorporated towns:* Markham City at *... |
Climate and weather
In recent years, average temperatures in the county seat of Mount Vernon have ranged from a low of 19 °F (-7.2 °C) in January to a high of 88 °F (31.1 °C) in July, although a record low of -21 °F was recorded in January 1994 and a record high of 114 °F (45.6 °C) was recorded in July 1936. Average monthly precipitation ranged from 2.45 inches (6.2 cm) in January to 4.58 inches (11.6 cm) in May.See also
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Jefferson County, Illinois