Cullom, Illinois

Cullom had its start in 1878 when the railroad was extended to that point.[4] The village was named for Shelby Moore Cullom, 17th governor of Illinois.[5] A post office has been in operation at Cullom since 1878.[6]

Cullom is located in eastern Livingston County at 40°52′42″N 88°16′8″W (40.878205, -88.268981).[7] It is the only incorporated community in Sullivan Township.

Illinois Route 116 passes through the village, leading west 20 miles (32 km) to Pontiac, the county seat, and east 16 miles (26 km) to Ashkum. Route 116 connects to Interstate 55 on the west side of Pontiac and to Interstate 57 on the west side of Ashkum.

According to the 2010 census, Cullom has a total area of 0.33 square miles (0.85 km²), all land.[8]

As of the census[10] of 2000, there were 563 people, 248 households, and 155 families residing in the village. The population density was 1,827.0 people per square mile (701.2/km²). There were 269 housing units at an average density of 873.0/sq mi (335.0/km²). The racial makeup of the village was 98.93% White, 0.18% African American, 0.18% Native American, 0.18% Pacific Islander, and 0.53% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.36% of the population.

There were 248 households, out of which 29.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.8% were married couples living together, 6.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.5% were non-families. 34.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.27 and the average family size was 2.97.

In the village, the population was spread out, with 26.1% under the age of 18, 6.6% from 18 to 24, 25.8% from 25 to 44, 20.6% from 45 to 64, and 21.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 87.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.1 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $31,042, and the median income for a family was $46,406. Males had a median income of $40,221 versus $25,500 for females. The per capita income for the village was $17,207. About 1.9% of families and 5.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including none of those under age 18 and 9.9% of those age 65 or over.

In 2002 American Legion Skinner-Trost Post 122 dedicated a monument to all the local area veterans, living and dead, at the West Lawn Cemetery located on W. Jackson Street. The monument includes etched emblems of all branches of military service, US Air Force, US Army, US Marine Corps, United States Navy, Coast Guard, National Guard and Reserves. Names are updated as members of the community join the military and are discharged.

Tri Point High School serves grade 9-12 students from Cullom, as well as Cabery, Kempton, Piper City, and Stelle.[11]

Arnold Orville Beckman (April 10, 1900 – May 18, 2004) was a chemist, inventor, investor, and philanthropist born in Cullom. He and his wife Mabel are buried in West Lawn Cemetery, Cullom.[12]