Brownstown, Illinois

Brownstown is located east of the center of Fayette County at 38°59′43″N 88°57′12″W (38.995403, -88.953217).[4] U.S. Route 40 passes through the south side of the village, leading east 6 miles (10 km) to St. Elmo and west 8 miles (13 km) to Vandalia, the Fayette County seat. Interstate 70 passes just south of Brownstown, with the closest exit 3 miles (5 km) west at US 40.

According to the 2010 census, Brownstown has a total area of 0.77 square miles (2.0 km²), all land.[5]

As of the census[7] of 2000, there were 705 people, 293 households, and 189 families residing in the village. The population density was 1,123.0 people per square mile (432.1/km²). There were 317 housing units at an average density of 505.0 per square mile (194.3/km²). The racial makeup of the village was 98.01% White, 0.57% African American, 0.43% Native American, 0.14% Asian, 0.43% from other races, and 0.43% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.57% of the population.

There were 293 households, out of which 31.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.2% were married couples living together, 11.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.2% were non-families. 31.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 2.93.

In the village, the population was spread out, with 25.2% under the age of 18, 9.5% from 18 to 24, 27.0% from 25 to 44, 21.8% from 45 to 64, and 16.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 72.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 78.6 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $28,839, and the median income for a family was $33,750. Males had a median income of $28,438 versus $21,250 for females. The per capita income for the village was $15,239. About 9.9% of families and 14.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.3% of those under age 18 and 13.1% of those age 65 or over.

Brownstown is host to the annual Fayette County Fair, held each summer in mid-July. The fair includes livestock shows, fine arts and culinary exhibits, tractor pulls, stock car races, a talent show, and a queen pageant.