Stephenson County, Illinois

Stephenson County is a county located in the U.S. state of Illinois. According to the 2010 United States Census, it had a population of 47,711.[1] Its county seat is Freeport.[2]

Stephenson County
U.S. county
Location within the U.S. state of Illinois
Illinois's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 42°21′N 89°40′W
Country United States
State Illinois
Founded1837
Named forBenjamin Stephenson
SeatFreeport
Largest cityFreeport
Area
 • Total565 sq mi (1,460 km2)
 • Land565 sq mi (1,460 km2)
 • Water0.5 sq mi (1 km2)  0.09%
Population
 (2010)
 • Total47,711
 • Estimate 
(2018)
44,753
 • Density84/sq mi (33/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district17th
Websitewww.co.stephenson.il.us

Stephenson County is included in the Freeport, IL Micropolitan Statistical Area, which is also included in the Rockford-Freeport-Rochelle, IL Combined Statistical Area.

History

The land that became Stephenson County was first settled by William Waddams in 1832, who founded Waddams Grove.[3] By 1837, population was sufficient to form Stephenson County, taking land from Jo Daviess and Winnebago counties. The county was named for Colonel Benjamin Stephenson, an official of the Illinois Territory.[4]

  • Marker marking Waddams' first settlement in Stephenson County
  • Stephenson County at the time of its creation in 1837. Its boundaries have remained unchanged since then.

Geography

According to the US Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 565 square miles (1,460 km2), of which 565 square miles (1,460 km2) is land and 0.5 square miles (1.3 km2) (0.09%) is water.[5]

Climate and weather
Freeport, Illinois
Climate chart (explanation)
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Average max. and min. temperatures in °F
Precipitation totals in inches
Source: The Weather Channel[6]

In recent years the average temperatures in the county seat of Freeport, have ranged from a low of 9 °F (−13 °C) in January to a high of 82 °F (28 °C) in July, although a record low of −29 °F (−34 °C) was recorded in January 2009 and a record high of 101 °F (38 °C) was recorded in July 1988. Average monthly precipitation ranged from 1.33 inches (34 mm) in January to 4.46 inches (113 mm) in June.[6]

Adjacent counties

Major highways

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
18402,800—
185011,666316.6%
186025,112115.3%
187030,60821.9%
188031,9634.4%
189031,338−2.0%
190034,93311.5%
191036,8215.4%
192037,7432.5%
193040,0646.1%
194040,6461.5%
195041,5952.3%
196046,20711.1%
197048,8615.7%
198049,5361.4%
199048,052−3.0%
200048,9791.9%
201047,711−2.6%
2018 (est.)44,753[7]−6.2%
US Decennial Census[8]
1790-1960[9] 1900-1990[10]
1990-2000[11] 2010-2013[1]

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 47,711 people, 19,845 households, and 13,015 families residing in the county.[12] The population density was 84.5 inhabitants per square mile (32.6/km2). There were 22,081 housing units at an average density of 39.1 per square mile (15.1/km2).[5] The racial makeup of the county was 86.5% white, 9.0% black or African American, 0.6% Asian, 0.2% American Indian, 1.2% from other races, and 2.5% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 2.9% of the population.[12] In terms of ancestry, 46.6% were German, 12.5% were Irish, 10.0% were English, and 8.0% were American.[13]

Of the 19,845 households, 28.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.3% were married couples living together, 11.2% had a female householder with no husband present, 34.4% were non-families, and 29.7% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.36 and the average family size was 2.90. The median age was 43.1 years.[12]

The median income for a household in the county was $43,304 and the median income for a family was $54,224. Males had a median income of $41,672 versus $29,510 for females. The per capita income for the county was $22,608. About 12.3% of families and 14.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 24.1% of those under age 18 and 7.3% of those age 65 or over.[14]

Education

There are five public high schools and one private high Schools in the county: (approximate enrollment included)

Public high schools

Private high school

  • Aquin Catholic High 93

Communities
A northerly look across Stephenson County's western edge from an overlook near Kent

City

Town

Villages

Census-designated place

Unincorporated communities

Townships

Politics
Presidential elections results
Presidential elections results[15]
Year Republican Democratic Third parties
2016 54.5% 11,083 38.2% 7,768 7.3% 1,492
2012 49.8% 10,512 48.1% 10,165 2.1% 451
2008 45.8% 9,909 52.4% 11,349 1.8% 399
2004 57.3% 12,212 41.8% 8,913 0.9% 195
2000 55.3% 10,715 41.6% 8,062 3.1% 601
1996 48.9% 8,871 39.4% 7,145 11.6% 2,109
1992 41.6% 9,005 36.5% 7,899 22.0% 4,752
1988 59.9% 11,342 39.4% 7,460 0.8% 143
1984 67.4% 14,237 31.8% 6,723 0.8% 171
1980 52.9% 10,779 30.4% 6,195 16.8% 3,414
1976 61.0% 11,678 37.6% 7,192 1.4% 267
1972 67.9% 13,584 32.0% 6,404 0.2% 31
1968 59.3% 11,821 35.3% 7,040 5.4% 1,067
1964 46.0% 9,252 54.0% 10,854 0.0% 0
1960 63.1% 13,872 36.6% 8,055 0.3% 68
1956 69.1% 14,245 30.8% 6,349 0.1% 20
1952 68.5% 14,446 31.3% 6,605 0.2% 35
1948 58.3% 10,564 40.9% 7,409 0.8% 149
1944 60.3% 11,948 39.1% 7,755 0.6% 118
1940 60.9% 14,040 38.7% 8,911 0.4% 94
1936 46.6% 9,943 49.5% 10,567 3.9% 832
1932 44.4% 8,963 53.1% 10,728 2.5% 507
1928 68.0% 11,992 31.6% 5,579 0.4% 72
1924 53.3% 8,638 15.1% 2,452 31.6% 5,126
1920 74.6% 9,570 21.6% 2,772 3.7% 479
1916 58.4% 8,620 37.0% 5,463 4.6% 681
1912 38.4% 3,476 42.5% 3,850 19.1% 1,734
1908 50.9% 4,605 45.1% 4,076 4.0% 360
1904 56.6% 4,876 38.0% 3,275 5.3% 460
1900 52.5% 4,677 44.7% 3,983 2.8% 250
1896 54.2% 4,728 43.3% 3,776 2.6% 225
1892 46.8% 3,574 48.6% 3,717 4.6% 352

See also

References
  1. "State & County QuickFacts". US Census Bureau. Retrieved July 8, 2014.
  2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. "Historical News". Journal of the Illinois State Historical Society. 27 (3): 347. October 1934.
  4. "Fifteenth Judicial Circuit". State of Illinois. Retrieved February 20, 2016.
  5. "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 12, 2020. Retrieved July 12, 2015.
  6. "Monthly Averages for Freeport IL". The Weather Channel. Retrieved January 27, 2011.
  7. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved November 2, 2019.
  8. "US Decennial Census". US Census Bureau. Retrieved July 8, 2014.
  9. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved July 8, 2014.
  10. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". US Census Bureau. Retrieved July 8, 2014.
  11. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). US Census Bureau. Retrieved July 8, 2014.
  12. "Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved July 12, 2015.
  13. "Selected Social Characteristics in the United States – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved July 12, 2015.
  14. "Selected Economic Characteristics – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved July 12, 2015.
  15. Leip, David. "Atlas of US Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org.

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