Du Quoin, Illinois
Du Quoin (/duːˈkɔɪn/ doo-KOYN) is a city in Perry County, Illinois. The population was 6,109 at the 2010 census.
Du Quoin | |
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![]() Du Quoin in September 2019 | |
Motto(s): "In the heart of southern Illinois" | |
![]() Location of Du Quoin in Perry County, Illinois. | |
![]() Location of Illinois in the United States | |
Coordinates: 38°0′N 89°14′W | |
Country | United States |
State | Illinois |
County | Perry |
Area | |
• Total | 7.06 sq mi (18.29 km2) |
• Land | 6.98 sq mi (18.08 km2) |
• Water | 0.08 sq mi (0.21 km2) |
Elevation | 465 ft (142 m) |
Highest elevation | 470 ft (140 m) |
Population (2010) | |
• Total | 6,109 |
• Estimate (2019)[2] | 5,670 |
• Density | 812.32/sq mi (313.62/km2) |
Time zone | UTC−6 (CST) |
• Summer (DST) | UTC−5 (CDT) |
ZIP Code(s) | 62832 |
Area code(s) | 618 |
FIPS code | 17-21267 |
GNIS ID | 2394564 |
Wikimedia Commons | Du Quoin, Illinois |
Website | duquoin |
Geography
Du Quoin is located at 38°0′N 89°14′W (38.0068, -89.2349).[3]
The city of Du Quoin is located in the southeastern portion of Perry County, Illinois.
According to the 2010 census, Du Quoin has a total area of 7.061 square miles (18.29 km2), of which 6.98 square miles (18.08 km2) (or 98.85%) is land and 0.081 square miles (0.21 km2) (or 1.15%) is water.[4]
History
The area east of Du Quoin is known as "Old Du Quoin."[5] In the early 19th century, Du Quoin was near the Lusk's Ferry Road, an important early road that connected Kaskaskia with Lusk's Ferry on the Ohio River. The road ran easterly out of Steeleville to a point southwest of DuQuoin. There it turned to the southeast to cross the Big Muddy River and head for Lusk's Ferry.
Du Quoin had its start at its present location in 1853 when the railroad was extended to that point.[6] The city was named after Chief Jean Baptiste Ducoigne of the Kaskaskia, an Illiniwek people, who were defeated by the Shawnee near here in 1802.
Media
Du Quoin is served by a daily newspaper, the Du Quoin Call as well as a weekly newspaper, the Weekly-Press. Du Quoin is also served by radio stations WDQN AM 1580/FM 97.1 and WDQN-FM 95.9 FM.
Rail transportation
Amtrak, the national passenger rail system, provides service to Du Quoin. Amtrak Train 391, the southbound Saluki, is scheduled to depart Du Quoin at 1:49 pm daily with service to Carbondale. Amtrak Train 393, the southbound Illini, is scheduled to depart Du Quoin at 8:39 pm daily serving the same point as the southbound Saluki. Amtrak Train 390, the northbound Saluki, is scheduled to depart Du Quoin at 7:51 am daily with service to Centralia, Effingham, Mattoon, Champaign-Urbana, Rantoul, Gilman, Kankakee, Homewood, and Chicago. Amtrak Train 392, the northbound Illini, is scheduled to depart Du Quoin at 4:26 pm daily serving the same points as the northbound Saluki.
Demographics
Historical population | |||
---|---|---|---|
Census | Pop. | %± | |
1880 | 2,807 | — | |
1890 | 4,052 | 44.4% | |
1900 | 4,353 | 7.4% | |
1910 | 5,454 | 25.3% | |
1920 | 7,285 | 33.6% | |
1930 | 7,593 | 4.2% | |
1940 | 7,515 | −1.0% | |
1950 | 7,147 | −4.9% | |
1960 | 6,558 | −8.2% | |
1970 | 6,691 | 2.0% | |
1980 | 6,594 | −1.4% | |
1990 | 6,697 | 1.6% | |
2000 | 6,448 | −3.7% | |
2010 | 6,109 | −5.3% | |
2019 (est.) | 5,670 | [2] | −7.2% |
U.S. Decennial Census[7] |
As of the census[8] of 2000, there were 6,448 people, 2,716 households, and 1,648 families residing in the city. The population density was 939.3 people per square mile (362.9/km2). There were 2,988 housing units at an average density of 435.3 per square mile (168.2/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 90.23% White, 7.23% African American, 0.36% Native American, 0.34% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 0.36% from other races, and 1.44% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.32% of the population.
There were 2,716 households, out of which 28.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.0% were married couples living together, 12.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.3% were non-families. 35.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 19.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.26 and the average family size was 2.92.
In the city, the population was spread out, with 23.5% under the age of 18, 10.2% from 18 to 24, 24.9% from 25 to 44, 20.7% from 45 to 64, and 20.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 89.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.8 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $29,124, and the median income for a family was $37,688. Males had a median income of $33,576 versus $18,958 for females. The per capita income for the city was $14,883. About 13.3% of families and 18.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.6% of those under age 18 and 12.1% of those age 65 or over.
Horse racing
From 1957 to 1980, Du Quoin was home to the Hambletonian Stakes, one of the most famous events in harness racing, and one of three races comprising the Triple Crown of Harness Racing for Trotters.
Notable people
- Tyler Reddick, NASCAR Cup Series driver; lived in Du Quoin
- Terry Deering, Illinois legislator; born in Du Quoin
- Ralph A. Dunn, businessman and Illinois state legislator
- Frank Hansford, pitcher for the Brooklyn Bridegrooms; born in Du Quoin
- Gerald Hawkins, Illinois legislator; born in Du Quoin
- Billie Hayes, actress (Witchiepoo in H.R. Pufnstuf, Mammy Yoakam in Li'l Abner); born in Du Quoin
- Nick Hill, football quarterback and head coach at Southern Illinois; born in Du Quoin
- Les Hite, musician and bandleader; born in Du Quoin
- Bhavesh Patel, theatre and television actor; lived in Du Quoin
- Don Stanhouse, pitcher with the Texas Rangers, Montreal Expos, Baltimore Orioles, and Los Angeles Dodgers; born in Du Quoin
- Ken Swofford, actor (Thelma & Louise, Ellery Queen); born in Du Quoin
- Rudolf Wanderone, billiards player known as "Minnesota Fats"; lived in Du Quoin
References
- "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 14, 2020.
- "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". United States Census Bureau. May 24, 2020. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
- "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
- "G001 - Geographic Identifiers - 2010 Census Summary File 1". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on 2020-02-13. Retrieved 2015-12-27.
- "A brief history of Du Quoin". City of Du Quoin, IL. Archived from the original on September 5, 2013. Retrieved 4 November 2015.
- Callary, Edward (29 September 2008). Place Names of Illinois. University of Illinois Press. p. 101. ISBN 978-0-252-09070-7.
- "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
- "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.