Stephenson County, Illinois
Stephenson County is a county located in the U.S. state of Illinois. According to the 2010 United States Census, it had a population of 47,711.[1] Its county seat is Freeport.[2]
Stephenson County | |
---|---|
Location within the U.S. state of Illinois | |
Illinois's location within the U.S. | |
Coordinates: 42°21′N 89°40′W | |
Country | |
State | |
Founded | 1837 |
Named for | Benjamin Stephenson |
Seat | Freeport |
Largest city | Freeport |
Area | |
• Total | 565 sq mi (1,460 km2) |
• Land | 565 sq mi (1,460 km2) |
• Water | 0.5 sq mi (1 km2) 0.09% |
Population (2010) | |
• Total | 47,711 |
• Estimate (2018) | 44,753 |
• Density | 84/sq mi (33/km2) |
Time zone | UTC−6 (Central) |
• Summer (DST) | UTC−5 (CDT) |
Congressional district | 17th |
Website | www |
Stephenson County is included in the Freeport, IL Micropolitan Statistical Area, which is also included in the Rockford-Freeport-Rochelle, IL Combined Statistical Area.
History
The land that became Stephenson County was first settled by William Waddams in 1832, who founded Waddams Grove.[3] By 1837, population was sufficient to form Stephenson County, taking land from Jo Daviess and Winnebago counties. The county was named for Colonel Benjamin Stephenson, an official of the Illinois Territory.[4]
- Marker marking Waddams' first settlement in Stephenson County
- Stephenson County at the time of its creation in 1837. Its boundaries have remained unchanged since then.
Geography
According to the US Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 565 square miles (1,460 km2), of which 565 square miles (1,460 km2) is land and 0.5 square miles (1.3 km2) (0.09%) is water.[5]
Climate and weather
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In recent years the average temperatures in the county seat of Freeport, have ranged from a low of 9 °F (−13 °C) in January to a high of 82 °F (28 °C) in July, although a record low of −29 °F (−34 °C) was recorded in January 2009 and a record high of 101 °F (38 °C) was recorded in July 1988. Average monthly precipitation ranged from 1.33 inches (34 mm) in January to 4.46 inches (113 mm) in June.[6]
Adjacent counties
- Green County, Wisconsin (north)
- Winnebago County (east)
- Ogle County (southeast)
- Carroll County (southwest)
- Jo Daviess County (west)
- Lafayette County, Wisconsin (northwest)
Major highways
US Highway 20 Illinois Route 26 Illinois Route 73 Illinois Route 75
Demographics
Historical population | |||
---|---|---|---|
Census | Pop. | %± | |
1840 | 2,800 | — | |
1850 | 11,666 | 316.6% | |
1860 | 25,112 | 115.3% | |
1870 | 30,608 | 21.9% | |
1880 | 31,963 | 4.4% | |
1890 | 31,338 | −2.0% | |
1900 | 34,933 | 11.5% | |
1910 | 36,821 | 5.4% | |
1920 | 37,743 | 2.5% | |
1930 | 40,064 | 6.1% | |
1940 | 40,646 | 1.5% | |
1950 | 41,595 | 2.3% | |
1960 | 46,207 | 11.1% | |
1970 | 48,861 | 5.7% | |
1980 | 49,536 | 1.4% | |
1990 | 48,052 | −3.0% | |
2000 | 48,979 | 1.9% | |
2010 | 47,711 | −2.6% | |
Est. 2018 | 44,753 | [7] | −6.2% |
US Decennial Census[8] 1790-1960[9] 1900-1990[10] 1990-2000[11] 2010-2013[1] |
As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 47,711 people, 19,845 households, and 13,015 families residing in the county.[12] The population density was 84.5 inhabitants per square mile (32.6/km2). There were 22,081 housing units at an average density of 39.1 per square mile (15.1/km2).[5] The racial makeup of the county was 86.5% white, 9.0% black or African American, 0.6% Asian, 0.2% American Indian, 1.2% from other races, and 2.5% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 2.9% of the population.[12] In terms of ancestry, 46.6% were German, 12.5% were Irish, 10.0% were English, and 8.0% were American.[13]
Of the 19,845 households, 28.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.3% were married couples living together, 11.2% had a female householder with no husband present, 34.4% were non-families, and 29.7% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.36 and the average family size was 2.90. The median age was 43.1 years.[12]
The median income for a household in the county was $43,304 and the median income for a family was $54,224. Males had a median income of $41,672 versus $29,510 for females. The per capita income for the county was $22,608. About 12.3% of families and 14.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 24.1% of those under age 18 and 7.3% of those age 65 or over.[14]
Education
There are five public high schools and one private high Schools in the county: (approximate enrollment included)
Public high schools
- Freeport High 1,254
- Lena-Winslow High 299
- Dakota High 254
- Pearl City High 150
- Orangeville High 142
Private high school
- Aquin Catholic High 93
Communities
City
Town
Census-designated place
Unincorporated communities
Politics
Year | Republican | Democratic | Third parties |
---|---|---|---|
2016 | 54.5% 11,083 | 38.2% 7,768 | 7.3% 1,492 |
2012 | 49.8% 10,512 | 48.1% 10,165 | 2.1% 451 |
2008 | 45.8% 9,909 | 52.4% 11,349 | 1.8% 399 |
2004 | 57.3% 12,212 | 41.8% 8,913 | 0.9% 195 |
2000 | 55.3% 10,715 | 41.6% 8,062 | 3.1% 601 |
1996 | 48.9% 8,871 | 39.4% 7,145 | 11.6% 2,109 |
1992 | 41.6% 9,005 | 36.5% 7,899 | 22.0% 4,752 |
1988 | 59.9% 11,342 | 39.4% 7,460 | 0.8% 143 |
1984 | 67.4% 14,237 | 31.8% 6,723 | 0.8% 171 |
1980 | 52.9% 10,779 | 30.4% 6,195 | 16.8% 3,414 |
1976 | 61.0% 11,678 | 37.6% 7,192 | 1.4% 267 |
1972 | 67.9% 13,584 | 32.0% 6,404 | 0.2% 31 |
1968 | 59.3% 11,821 | 35.3% 7,040 | 5.4% 1,067 |
1964 | 46.0% 9,252 | 54.0% 10,854 | 0.0% 0 |
1960 | 63.1% 13,872 | 36.6% 8,055 | 0.3% 68 |
1956 | 69.1% 14,245 | 30.8% 6,349 | 0.1% 20 |
1952 | 68.5% 14,446 | 31.3% 6,605 | 0.2% 35 |
1948 | 58.3% 10,564 | 40.9% 7,409 | 0.8% 149 |
1944 | 60.3% 11,948 | 39.1% 7,755 | 0.6% 118 |
1940 | 60.9% 14,040 | 38.7% 8,911 | 0.4% 94 |
1936 | 46.6% 9,943 | 49.5% 10,567 | 3.9% 832 |
1932 | 44.4% 8,963 | 53.1% 10,728 | 2.5% 507 |
1928 | 68.0% 11,992 | 31.6% 5,579 | 0.4% 72 |
1924 | 53.3% 8,638 | 15.1% 2,452 | 31.6% 5,126 |
1920 | 74.6% 9,570 | 21.6% 2,772 | 3.7% 479 |
1916 | 58.4% 8,620 | 37.0% 5,463 | 4.6% 681 |
1912 | 38.4% 3,476 | 42.5% 3,850 | 19.1% 1,734 |
1908 | 50.9% 4,605 | 45.1% 4,076 | 4.0% 360 |
1904 | 56.6% 4,876 | 38.0% 3,275 | 5.3% 460 |
1900 | 52.5% 4,677 | 44.7% 3,983 | 2.8% 250 |
1896 | 54.2% 4,728 | 43.3% 3,776 | 2.6% 225 |
1892 | 46.8% 3,574 | 48.6% 3,717 | 4.6% 352 |
See also
- List of counties in Illinois
- List of Illinois county name etymologies
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Stephenson County, Illinois
References
- "State & County QuickFacts". US Census Bureau. Retrieved July 8, 2014.
- "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
- "Historical News". Journal of the Illinois State Historical Society. 27 (3): 347. October 1934.
- "Fifteenth Judicial Circuit". State of Illinois. Retrieved February 20, 2016.
- "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 12, 2020. Retrieved July 12, 2015.
- "Monthly Averages for Freeport IL". The Weather Channel. Retrieved January 27, 2011.
- "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved November 2, 2019.
- "US Decennial Census". US Census Bureau. Retrieved July 8, 2014.
- "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved July 8, 2014.
- "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". US Census Bureau. Retrieved July 8, 2014.
- "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). US Census Bureau. Retrieved July 8, 2014.
- "Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved July 12, 2015.
- "Selected Social Characteristics in the United States – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved July 12, 2015.
- "Selected Economic Characteristics – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved July 12, 2015.
- Leip, David. "Atlas of US Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org.
External links
- Stephenson County
- Benjamin Stephenson House Restoration Project
- Stephenson County Historical Society & Museum
- Freeport/Stephenson County Convention and Visitors Bureau
- Illinois Ancestors Stephenson Tombstone Project
- Genealogy Trails for Stephenson County
- Illinois High School Association – School Enrollments