Pocahontas, Illinois

Pocahontas was originally known as Hickory Grove and then Amity. In 1850, the name was changed to Pocohontas (with an "o"). In 1855, the current spelling with an "a" came into place. Pocahontas was incorporated as a village in 1847.[4] The town was named after Pocahontas Coal.

Pocahontas is located at 38°49′30″N 89°32′27″W (38.825014, -89.540812).[5]

According to the 2010 census, Pocahontas has a total area of 0.771 square miles (2.00 km²), of which 0.75 square miles (1.94 km²) (or 97.28%) is land and 0.021 square miles (0.05 km²) (or 2.72%) is water.[6]

As of the census[8] of 2000, there were 727 people, 309 households, and 194 families residing in the village. The population density was 968.3 people per square mile (374.3/km²). There were 330 housing units at an average density of 439.5 per square mile (169.9/km²). The racial makeup of the village was 98.62% White, 0.14% African American, 0.28% Native American, 0.28% Asian, and 0.69% from two or more races.

There were 309 households, out of which 31.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.2% were married couples living together, 10.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.9% were non-families. 30.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.35 and the average family size was 2.95.

In the village, the population was spread out, with 23.9% under the age of 18, 10.5% from 18 to 24, 28.5% from 25 to 44, 21.9% from 45 to 64, and 15.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.4 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $28,750, and the median income for a family was $37,000. Males had a median income of $27,361 versus $16,944 for females. The per capita income for the village was $14,562. About 12.5% of families and 13.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.8% of those under age 18 and 17.5% of those age 65 or over.

• Michael Slape, member of the Illinois House of Representatives from the 110th district from 1979-1985. He resided in Pocahontas during his political career.[9]
• Gretchen Wilson, Grammy Award-winning country singer; born and raised in Pocahontas; she references the town in the song "Pocahontas Proud".

• Greenville, Illinois
• Vandalia, Illinois