Union County, Illinois

Union County is a county located in the U.S. state of Illinois. According to the 2010 United States Census, it had a population of 17,808.[1] Its county seat is Jonesboro.[2] It is located in the southern portion of Illinois known locally as "Little Egypt".

Union County
U.S. county
Location within the U.S. state of Illinois
Illinois's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 37°28′N 89°16′W
Country United States
State Illinois
Founded2 January 1818
SeatJonesboro
Largest cityAnna
Area
 • Total422 sq mi (1,090 km2)
 • Land413 sq mi (1,070 km2)
 • Water8.7 sq mi (23 km2)  2.1%
Population
 (2010)
 • Total17,808
 • Estimate 
(2018)
16,841
 • Density42/sq mi (16/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district12th
Websitewww.unioncountyil.gov

History

Union County was formed out of Johnson County, nearly a year before the Illinois Territory gained statehood.[3] It was named for a joint revival meeting of the Baptists and Dunkards, called a "union meeting". The county seal depicts the leaders of these two groups shaking hands.[4]

  • For its first year of existence, Union County included an area of unorganized territory temporarily attached to it.[5]
  • In 1819, the additional territory became Alexander County, reducing Union to its current borders.

Geography

According to the US Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 422 square miles (1,090 km2), of which 413 square miles (1,070 km2) is land and 8.7 square miles (23 km2) (2.1%) is water.[6]

Climate and weather
Jonesboro, Illinois
Climate chart (explanation)
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
 
 
3.6
 
 
42
22
 
 
3.4
 
 
49
27
 
 
4.7
 
 
60
35
 
 
4.7
 
 
70
44
 
 
5.2
 
 
78
53
 
 
4.2
 
 
86
62
 
 
3.3
 
 
90
66
 
 
3.6
 
 
89
64
 
 
3.1
 
 
82
56
 
 
3.4
 
 
72
45
 
 
4.8
 
 
58
36
 
 
4.3
 
 
46
27
Average max. and min. temperatures in °F
Precipitation totals in inches
Source: The Weather Channel[7]

In recent years, average temperatures in the county seat of Jonesboro have ranged from a low of 22 °F (−6 °C) in January to a high of 90 °F (32 °C) in July, although a record low of −20 °F (−29 °C) was recorded in January 1918 and a record high of 112 °F (44 °C) was recorded in July 1901. Average monthly precipitation ranged from 3.13 inches (80 mm) in September to 5.22 inches (133 mm) in May.[7]

Major highways

Adjacent counties

Protected areas

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
18202,362—
18303,23937.1%
18405,52470.5%
18507,61537.9%
186011,18146.8%
187016,51847.7%
188018,1029.6%
189021,54919.0%
190022,6104.9%
191021,856−3.3%
192020,249−7.4%
193019,883−1.8%
194021,5288.3%
195020,500−4.8%
196017,645−13.9%
197016,071−8.9%
198017,76510.5%
199017,619−0.8%
200018,2933.8%
201017,808−2.7%
2018 (est.)16,841[11]−5.4%
US Decennial Census[12]
1790-1960[13] 1900-1990[14]
1990-2000[15] 2010-2013[1]

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 17,808 people, 7,167 households, and 4,837 families residing in the county.[16] The population density was 43.1 inhabitants per square mile (16.6/km2). There were 7,924 housing units at an average density of 19.2 per square mile (7.4/km2).[6] The racial makeup of the county was 94.8% white, 0.9% black or African American, 0.5% American Indian, 0.3% Asian, 2.0% from other races, and 1.5% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 4.8% of the population.[16] In terms of ancestry, 23.0% were German, 12.6% were Irish, 9.4% were English, and 8.1% were American.[17]

Of the 7,167 households, 29.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.6% were married couples living together, 10.6% had a female householder with no husband present, 32.5% were non-families, and 28.4% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.41 and the average family size was 2.92. The median age was 42.9 years.[16]

The median income for a household in the county was $39,760 and the median income for a family was $48,465. Males had a median income of $36,831 versus $31,272 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,512. About 12.7% of families and 21.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.5% of those under age 18 and 16.7% of those age 65 or over.[18]

Communities

Cities

Villages

Unincorporated communities

Politics

Like much of Southern Illinois, Union County has shifted toward the Republican Party over the past couple decades,[21] with the Republican candidate for president winning the county each of the past six elections, since 2000. In 2020, Donald Trump won the largest share of the vote ever for any candidate in Union County with 69.3% support.

Presidential elections results
Presidential elections results[22]
Year Republican Democratic Third parties
2020 69.3% 6,161 29.0% 2,579 1.6% 146
2016 67.2% 5,790 27.9% 2,402 4.9% 424
2012 59.6% 4,957 37.7% 3,137 2.7% 224
2008 54.7% 5,003 42.8% 3,918 2.6% 233
2004 58.5% 5,333 41.0% 3,735 0.6% 51
2000 50.8% 4,397 46.0% 3,982 3.2% 281
1996 38.0% 3,147 51.3% 4,252 10.7% 883
1992 33.1% 3,003 51.5% 4,681 15.4% 1,399
1988 50.1% 4,244 49.5% 4,197 0.5% 38
1984 55.1% 4,721 44.6% 3,815 0.3% 28
1980 50.8% 4,289 44.8% 3,781 4.4% 371
1976 41.2% 3,531 58.3% 5,003 0.5% 44
1972 59.4% 5,034 40.4% 3,428 0.2% 18
1968 46.5% 3,889 43.0% 3,603 10.5% 880
1964 37.6% 3,142 62.4% 5,208 0.0% 0
1960 50.6% 4,432 49.3% 4,321 0.1% 10
1956 49.1% 4,204 50.9% 4,359 0.1% 6
1952 52.0% 4,658 47.9% 4,296 0.1% 9
1948 46.0% 3,864 53.3% 4,479 0.7% 55
1944 48.3% 4,114 51.2% 4,367 0.5% 46
1940 45.5% 4,915 53.7% 5,804 0.8% 81
1936 39.8% 4,165 59.8% 6,260 0.3% 36
1932 31.5% 2,859 67.8% 6,157 0.8% 69
1928 44.5% 3,352 55.1% 4,149 0.4% 29
1924 39.2% 2,579 57.4% 3,783 3.4% 224
1920 45.6% 3,119 53.5% 3,660 1.0% 68
1916 37.1% 3,135 61.2% 5,171 1.7% 141
1912 10.4% 458 60.4% 2,648 29.2% 1,281
1908 37.4% 1,695 59.4% 2,690 3.2% 144
1904 39.5% 1,537 50.6% 1,967 9.9% 383
1900 36.5% 1,695 62.4% 2,900 1.1% 50
1896 37.7% 1,842 61.3% 2,998 1.1% 52
1892 34.0% 1,427 63.4% 2,663 2.7% 112

See also

References
  1. "State & County QuickFacts". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 7, 2011. Retrieved July 9, 2014.
  2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 3, 2015. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. Perrin 1883, p. 285.
  4. Callary, Edward (2009). Place Names of Illinois. Urbana and Chicago, Illinois: University of Illinois Press. p. 354.
  5. White, Jesse. Origin and Evolution of Illinois Counties. State of Illinois, March 2010. "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on October 12, 2012. Retrieved September 26, 2012.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  6. "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved July 12, 2015.
  7. "Monthly Averages for Jonesboro IL". The Weather Channel. Archived from the original on October 23, 2012. Retrieved January 27, 2011.
  8. Brown Barrens Nature Preserve, Union County IL Google Maps (accessed 29 December 2018)
  9. Lincoln Memorial Picnic Grounds, Union County IL Google Maps (accessed 29 December 2018)
  10. McClure Shale Glade Nature Preserve, Union County IL Google Maps (accessed 29 December 2018)
  11. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Archived from the original on May 29, 2017. Retrieved November 2, 2019.
  12. "US Decennial Census". US Census Bureau. Retrieved July 9, 2014.
  13. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Archived from the original on August 11, 2012. Retrieved July 9, 2014.
  14. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on April 24, 2014. Retrieved July 9, 2014.
  15. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). US Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on December 18, 2014. Retrieved July 9, 2014.
  16. "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.
  17. "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.
  18. "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.
  19. Aldridge, Union County IL Google Maps (accessed 29 December 2018)
  20. Lick Creek, Union County IL Google Maps (accessed 29 December 2018)
  21. Service, CHUCK RAASCH Herald & Review News. "Political scale tips toward GOP in southern Illinois, northeast Missouri". Herald-Review.com. Retrieved January 19, 2021.
  22. Leip, David. "Atlas of US Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Archived from the original on March 23, 2018. Retrieved May 1, 2018.

Bibliography

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