Watseka, Illinois

Watseka is a city in and the county seat of Iroquois County, Illinois, United States.[3] It is located approximately 15 miles (24 km) west of the Illinois-Indiana state line on U.S. Route 24.

Watseka
Location of Watseka in Iroquois County, Illinois.
Watseka
Watseka's location in Iroquois County
Coordinates: 40°46′34″N 87°44′11″W
Country United States
State Illinois
CountyIroquois
TownshipBelmont, Middleport
Government
  TypeCity Council

Ward 1 - Mark Garfield

Ward 1 - Brandon Barragree

Ward 2 - Dennis Cahoe

Ward 2 - Donald Miller

Ward 3 - David Mayotte

Ward 3 - Benny Marcier

Ward 4 - Monna Ulfers

Ward 4 - Darrin Rushbrook
  MayorJohn Allhands
Area
  Total2.94 sq mi (7.63 km2)
  Land2.94 sq mi (7.63 km2)
  Water0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation
633 ft (193 m)
Population
 (2010)
  Total5,255
  Estimate 
(2019)[2]
4,767
  Density1,619.23/sq mi (625.12/km2)
ZIP Code
60970
Area code(s)815; exchanges: 432
FIPS code17-79228
Websitewww.watsekacity.org

The population of Watseka was 5,255 according to the 2010 census, which was a 7.3 percent decrease from the 2000 census.

History

Incorporated in 1865, the name "Watseka" derives from the Potawatomi name "Watch-e-kee", "Daughter of the Evening Star", the wife of early eastern Illinois settler Gurdon Saltonstall Hubbard.[4]

The Old Iroquois County Courthouse was constructed in 1866, with two additions built in 1881 and 1927. In the early 1960s, an Iroquois County resident, Mrs. Katherine Clifton, bequeathed to the county in her will a large sum of money and a site upon which to build a new courthouse. It is the only courthouse in the United States built entirely with private funds.

The old courthouse was advertised for sale and fell into disuse. In 1967, during the Centennial Celebration of Watseka, the Iroquois County Historical Society was organized, and circulated petitions throughout the county not to sell the Old Courthouse. The petitions were approved by the County Board of Supervisors, and the Old Courthouse re-opened as a museum that same year.[5] In 1975, the Old Courthouse was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.[6]

Geography

Map of Watseka

Watseka is located near the center of Iroquois County, at the intersection of U.S. Route 24 and Illinois Route 1. The Iroquois River winds along the north side of the town and is joined by Sugar Creek on the west side of town. The south half of the town is in Belmont Township; the north half is in Middleport Township. According to the 2010 census, Watseka has a total area of 3.05 square miles (7.90 km2), all land.[7]

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.
18701,551
18801,507−2.8%
18902,01733.8%
19002,50524.2%
19102,476−1.2%
19202,81713.8%
19303,14411.6%
19403,74419.1%
19504,23513.1%
19605,21923.2%
19705,2941.4%
19805,5434.7%
19905,424−2.1%
20005,6704.5%
20105,255−7.3%
2019 (est.)4,767[2]−9.3%
U.S. Decennial Census[8]

As of the census[9] of 2000, there were 5,670 people, 2,314 households, and 1,483 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,165.4 people per square mile (835.6/km2). There were 2,463 housing units at an average density of 940.6 per square mile (363.0/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 96.75% White, 0.62% African American, 0.26% Native American, 0.48% Asian, 0.86% from other races, and 1.02% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.61% of the population.

There were 2,314 households, out of which 28.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.3% were married couples living together, 11.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.9% were non-families. Of all households 31.2% were made up of individuals, and 15.8% 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 2.93.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 23.7% under the age of 18, 8.1% from 18 to 24, 25.1% from 25 to 44, 21.6% from 45 to 64, and 21.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 89.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.7 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $30,440, and the median income for a family was $40,000. Males had a median income of $30,516 versus $19,680 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,638. About 12.7% of families and 15.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.1% of those under age 18 and 8.6% of those age 65 or over.

Notable people

See also

References

  1. "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 14, 2020.
  2. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". United States Census Bureau. May 24, 2020. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
  3. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
  4. "The People of the Prairie", Charles Warwick, The Illinois Steward, vol. 16, no. 2, 2007
  5. "The Old Courthouse Museum". The Iroquois County Links. 2010. Retrieved 20 May 2010.
  6. "Illinois - Iroquois County". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. 2010. Retrieved 20 May 2010.
  7. "G001 - Geographic Identifiers - 2010 Census Summary File 1". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on 2020-02-13. Retrieved 2015-12-27.
  8. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  9. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
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