Hamilton County, Illinois

Hamilton County is a county located in the U.S. state of Illinois. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 8,457.[1] Its county seat is McLeansboro.[2] It is located in the southern portion of the state known locally as "Little Egypt".

Not to be confused with Hamilton, Illinois.

Hamilton County
U.S. county
Seal
Location within the U.S. state of Illinois
Illinois's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 38°05′N 88°32′W
Country United States
State Illinois
Founded1821
Named forAlexander Hamilton
SeatMcLeansboro
Largest cityMcLeansboro
Area
 • Total436 sq mi (1,130 km2)
 • Land435 sq mi (1,130 km2)
 • Water1.2 sq mi (3 km2)  0.3%
Population
 (2010)
 • Total8,457
 • Estimate 
(2018)
8,163
 • Density19/sq mi (7.5/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district15th
Websitewww.hamiltoncountyillinois.com

History

Hamilton County was formed out of White County in 1821. It is named for Alexander Hamilton, Revolutionary War hero and the first United States Secretary of the Treasury.[3]

  • Hamilton County at the time of its creation in 1821

On March 18, 1925, the infamous Tri-State Tornado tore across the county, destroying dozens of homes and farms in Flannigan, Twigg, Mayberry and Crook townships, and killing 37 people.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 436 square miles (1,130 km2), of which 435 square miles (1,130 km2) is land and 1.2 square miles (3.1 km2) (0.3%) is water.[4]

Climate and weather
McLeansboro, Illinois
Climate chart (explanation)
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
 
 
3.2
 
 
39
20
 
 
2.8
 
 
45
24
 
 
4.5
 
 
55
34
 
 
4.6
 
 
66
43
 
 
4.7
 
 
76
53
 
 
3.9
 
 
85
62
 
 
3.5
 
 
89
66
 
 
3
 
 
88
63
 
 
2.9
 
 
81
55
 
 
3
 
 
70
43
 
 
4.5
 
 
56
35
 
 
3.6
 
 
44
25
Average max. and min. temperatures in °F
Precipitation totals in inches
Source: The Weather Channel[5]

In recent years, average temperatures in the county seat of McLeansboro have ranged from a low of 20 °F (−7 °C) in January to a high of 89 °F (32 °C) in July, although a record low of −23 °F (−31 °C) was recorded in January 1930 and a record high of 113 °F (45 °C) was recorded in July 1936. Average monthly precipitation ranged from 2.76 inches (70 mm) in February to 4.67 inches (119 mm) in May.[5]

Major highways

Adjacent counties

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
18302,616—
18403,94550.8%
18506,36261.3%
18609,91555.8%
187013,01431.3%
188016,71228.4%
189017,8006.5%
190020,19713.5%
191018,227−9.8%
192015,920−12.7%
193012,995−18.4%
194013,4543.5%
195012,256−8.9%
196010,010−18.3%
19708,665−13.4%
19809,1725.9%
19908,499−7.3%
20008,6211.4%
20108,457−1.9%
2018 (est.)8,163[6]−3.5%
U.S. Decennial Census[7]
1790-1960[8] 1900-1990[9]
1990-2000[10] 2010-2013[1]
2000 census age pyramid for Hamilton County

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 8,457 people, 3,489 households, and 2,376 families residing in the county.[11] The population density was 19.5 inhabitants per square mile (7.5/km2). There were 4,104 housing units at an average density of 9.4 per square mile (3.6/km2).[4] The racial makeup of the county was 98.2% white, 0.4% black or African American, 0.2% Asian, 0.2% American Indian, 0.3% from other races, and 0.7% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 1.2% of the population.[11] In terms of ancestry, 33.1% were German, 20.7% were Irish, 11.4% were English, and 10.3% were American.[12]

Of the 3,489 households, 29.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.9% were married couples living together, 9.2% had a female householder with no husband present, 31.9% were non-families, and 28.1% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 2.91. The median age was 43.1 years.[11]

The median income for a household in the county was $35,032 and the median income for a family was $50,878. Males had a median income of $45,245 versus $23,491 for females. The per capita income for the county was $21,602. About 8.2% of families and 14.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.5% of those under age 18 and 8.5% of those age 65 or over.[13]

Communities

City

Town

Villages

Unincorporated communities

Townships

Hamilton County is divided into twelve townships:

Politics

Like most of Southern-leaning Southern Illinois, Hamilton County was heavily Democratic before the Civil War, and unlike such counties as Johnson, Pope and Massac, it did not turn Republican after the war. Not until 1920, when isolationist sentiments turned many voters against the party of Woodrow Wilson, did Hamilton County vote Republican, and Herbert Hoover was to carry the county in 1928 due to anti-Catholic sentiment against Al Smith.

From 1940 onwards, when Wendell Willkie carried the county due to opposition to involvement in World War II, Hamilton has become increasingly Republican. Although Lyndon Johnson, Jimmy Carter in 1976 and Bill Clinton in 1992 all gained absolute majorities for the Democratic Party, since 1992, as with all traditionally Democratic parts of the Upland South, a very rapid swing to the Republicans has taken place due to overwhelming local opposition to the Democratic Party's liberal views on social issues.[14]

Presidential elections results
Presidential elections results[15]
Year Republican Democratic Third parties
2020 79.5% 3,432 19.1% 824 1.4% 59
2016 77.1% 3,206 19.3% 802 3.6% 148
2012 65.1% 2,566 32.2% 1,269 2.7% 106
2008 54.9% 2,353 41.9% 1,796 3.2% 135
2004 58.8% 2,653 40.2% 1,814 1.0% 47
2000 54.9% 2,519 42.4% 1,943 2.7% 125
1996 37.2% 1,677 49.7% 2,242 13.1% 590
1992 30.6% 1,521 51.9% 2,582 17.5% 871
1988 49.9% 2,622 49.8% 2,618 0.3% 16
1984 57.5% 3,074 42.1% 2,251 0.4% 21
1980 59.6% 3,254 36.5% 1,990 3.9% 212
1976 44.3% 2,433 55.2% 3,036 0.5% 29
1972 61.9% 3,282 37.9% 2,006 0.2% 11
1968 52.8% 2,912 35.4% 1,951 11.8% 650
1964 45.0% 2,561 55.0% 3,133
1960 58.9% 3,804 40.9% 2,639 0.2% 11
1956 57.8% 3,675 42.2% 2,685 0.1% 4
1952 60.3% 4,047 39.6% 2,662 0.1% 8
1948 50.9% 2,887 48.5% 2,750 0.6% 32
1944 54.7% 3,582 44.5% 2,914 0.8% 55
1940 51.7% 4,005 47.6% 3,691 0.7% 52
1936 44.1% 3,321 55.1% 4,152 0.8% 62
1932 38.0% 2,513 61.3% 4,059 0.7% 45
1928 51.1% 3,275 47.4% 3,037 1.6% 100
1924 44.0% 2,659 52.4% 3,168 3.5% 214
1920 54.7% 3,220 44.0% 2,591 1.3% 75
1916 46.3% 3,239 52.1% 3,644 1.7% 118
1912 31.3% 1,242 48.4% 1,920 20.2% 802
1908 44.3% 1,809 52.1% 2,128 3.7% 150
1904 45.7% 1,894 49.4% 2,049 5.0% 206
1900 43.0% 1,911 55.5% 2,467 1.6% 71
1896 41.9% 1,767 57.1% 2,408 1.0% 40
1892 39.8% 1,505 54.5% 2,061 5.7% 215

See also

References
  1. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 6, 2011. Retrieved July 5, 2014.
  2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. Govt. Print. Off. pp. 147.
  4. "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 12, 2020. Retrieved July 11, 2015.
  5. "Monthly Averages for McLeansboro, Illinois". The Weather Channel. Retrieved January 27, 2011.
  6. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved November 6, 2019.
  7. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 5, 2014.
  8. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved July 5, 2014.
  9. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 5, 2014.
  10. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 5, 2014.
  11. "DP-1 Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved July 11, 2015.
  12. "DP02 SELECTED SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS IN THE UNITED STATES – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved July 11, 2015.
  13. "DP03 SELECTED ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved July 11, 2015.
  14. Cohn, Nate; ‘Demographic Shift: Southern Whites’ Loyalty to G.O.P. Nearing That of Blacks to Democrats’, New York Times, April 24, 2014
  15. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved November 4, 2018.

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