Edgar County, Illinois

Coordinates: 39°41′N 87°45′W / 39.68°N 87.75°W / 39.68; -87.75
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Edgar County
Edgar County Courthouse
Map of Illinois highlighting Edgar County
Location within the U.S. state of Illinois
Map of the United States highlighting Illinois
Illinois's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 39°41′N 87°45′W / 39.68°N 87.75°W / 39.68; -87.75
Country United States
State Illinois
FoundedJanuary 3, 1823
Named forJohn Edgar
SeatParis
Largest cityParis
Area
 • Total624 sq mi (1,620 km2)
 • Land623 sq mi (1,610 km2)
 • Water0.6 sq mi (2 km2)  0.1%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total16,866
 • Density27/sq mi (10/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district15th
Websitewww.edgarcountyillinois.com

Edgar County is a county located in the U.S. state of Illinois. As of the 2020 United States Census, the population was 16,866.[1] Its county seat is Paris.[2]

History[edit]

Edgar County was formed out of Clark County in 1823. It was named for John Edgar,[3] an Irish-born officer in the Royal Navy who resigned rather than fight against the Americans in the Revolutionary War. Edgar moved to Kaskaskia, Illinois, in 1784, becoming a miller and merchant in that town.

Geography[edit]

According to the US Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 624 square miles (1,620 km2), of which 623 square miles (1,610 km2) is land and 0.6 square miles (1.6 km2) (0.1%) is water.[5]

There is one recreational area in the county, on the north edge of Paris. Twin Lakes Park and Reservoir began in 1895 upon completion of the dam compounding the Twin Lakes Reservoir.[6]

Climate and weather[edit]

Paris, Illinois
Climate chart (explanation)
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
 
 
2.2
 
 
34
16
 
 
2.2
 
 
40
21
 
 
3.3
 
 
51
31
 
 
4
 
 
63
41
 
 
4.3
 
 
74
51
 
 
4.2
 
 
83
61
 
 
4.4
 
 
86
65
 
 
4.4
 
 
84
62
 
 
2.9
 
 
78
55
 
 
2.8
 
 
66
43
 
 
3.7
 
 
51
33
 
 
3.1
 
 
39
22
Average max. and min. temperatures in °F
Precipitation totals in inches
Source: The Weather Channel[7]
Metric conversion
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
 
 
57
 
 
1
−9
 
 
57
 
 
4
−6
 
 
83
 
 
11
−1
 
 
101
 
 
17
5
 
 
109
 
 
23
11
 
 
108
 
 
28
16
 
 
113
 
 
30
18
 
 
112
 
 
29
17
 
 
75
 
 
26
13
 
 
71
 
 
19
6
 
 
93
 
 
11
1
 
 
79
 
 
4
−6
Average max. and min. temperatures in °C
Precipitation totals in mm

In recent years, average temperatures in the county seat of Paris have ranged from a low of 16 °F (−9 °C) in January to a high of 86 °F (30 °C) in July, although a record low of −23 °F (−31 °C) was recorded in January 1930 and a record high of 109 °F (43 °C) was recorded in July 1936. Average monthly precipitation ranged from 2.23 inches (57 mm) in January to 4.43 inches (113 mm) in July.[7]

Adjacent counties[edit]

Transportation[edit]

Major highways[edit]

Rail[edit]

Three railroad lines run through the county. Two are operated by CSX Transportation and the third by the Eastern Illinois Railroad Company.[8]

Transit[edit]

Airport[edit]

The county contains one public-use airport: Edgar County Airport (PRG), six miles (10 km) north of Paris.[9]

Demographics[edit]

Historical population
CensusPop.Note
18304,071
18408,225102.0%
185010,69230.0%
186016,92558.3%
187021,45026.7%
188025,49918.9%
189026,7875.1%
190028,2735.5%
191027,336−3.3%
192025,769−5.7%
193024,966−3.1%
194024,430−2.1%
195023,407−4.2%
196022,550−3.7%
197021,591−4.3%
198021,7250.6%
199019,595−9.8%
200019,7040.6%
201018,576−5.7%
202016,866−9.2%
US Decennial Census[10]
1790-1960[11] 1900-1990[12]
1990-2000[13] 2010-2013[1]
2000 census age pyramid for Edgar County

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 18,576 people, 7,839 households, and 5,148 families residing in the county.[14] The population density was 29.8 inhabitants per square mile (11.5/km2). There were 8,803 housing units at an average density of 14.1 per square mile (5.4/km2).[5] The racial makeup of the county was 98.3% white, 0.3% black or African American, 0.2% Asian, 0.1% American Indian, 0.3% from other races, and 0.7% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 1.0% of the population.[14] In terms of ancestry, 23.6% were German, 15.3% were Irish, 13.0% were English, and 12.3% were American.[15]

Of the 7,839 households, 28.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.3% were married couples living together, 10.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 34.3% were non-families, and 29.5% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.33 and the average family size was 2.84. The median age was 43.2 years.[14]

The median income for a household in the county was $39,904 and the median income for a family was $51,588. Males had a median income of $38,945 versus $29,951 for females. The per capita income for the county was $22,175. About 9.7% of families and 13.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.2% of those under age 18 and 7.9% of those age 65 or over.[16]

Communities[edit]

Map of Edgar County
Map of Edgar County

Cities[edit]

Villages[edit]

Unincorporated communities[edit]

Former communities[edit]

Townships[edit]

Notable people[edit]

Politics[edit]

A swing county in the first eight decades after the Civil War, Edgar County has since become powerfully Republican. It has been carried by only two Democrats since 1940 – Lyndon Johnson in 1964 by just 139 votes, and Bill Clinton in 1992 by a 41.1 percent plurality. Hillary Clinton’s 22.7 percent vote share in 2016 was by 9.3 percent the worst ever by a Democrat in the county.

United States presidential election results for Edgar County, Illinois[42]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2020 6,193 75.41% 1,887 22.98% 132 1.61%
2016 5,645 71.46% 1,793 22.70% 461 5.84%
2012 5,132 65.50% 2,565 32.74% 138 1.76%
2008 4,398 53.09% 3,743 45.18% 143 1.73%
2004 5,258 62.38% 3,093 36.69% 78 0.93%
2000 4,833 58.71% 3,216 39.07% 183 2.22%
1996 3,746 45.12% 3,552 42.78% 1,004 12.09%
1992 3,790 38.77% 4,014 41.06% 1,972 20.17%
1988 5,538 58.55% 3,880 41.02% 41 0.43%
1984 6,821 67.54% 3,241 32.09% 37 0.37%
1980 6,639 63.14% 3,394 32.28% 482 4.58%
1976 5,842 53.01% 5,058 45.89% 121 1.10%
1972 7,195 64.73% 3,889 34.99% 32 0.29%
1968 6,281 56.33% 3,565 31.97% 1,305 11.70%
1964 5,827 49.41% 5,966 50.59% 0 0.00%
1960 7,348 59.37% 5,024 40.59% 4 0.03%
1956 7,942 64.52% 4,362 35.44% 5 0.04%
1952 8,323 64.56% 4,558 35.36% 10 0.08%
1948 6,282 54.77% 5,121 44.65% 67 0.58%
1944 6,961 57.68% 5,054 41.88% 54 0.45%
1940 7,985 54.03% 6,713 45.42% 82 0.55%
1936 6,929 46.51% 7,822 52.50% 147 0.99%
1932 5,953 43.03% 7,745 55.98% 138 1.00%
1928 7,509 58.27% 5,325 41.32% 52 0.40%
1924 6,297 52.31% 5,222 43.38% 518 4.30%
1920 6,750 53.29% 5,694 44.95% 223 1.76%
1916 6,099 46.37% 6,710 51.01% 345 2.62%
1912 2,430 32.84% 3,479 47.02% 1,490 20.14%
1908 3,757 50.46% 3,433 46.11% 255 3.43%
1904 3,753 50.33% 3,443 46.17% 261 3.50%
1900 3,766 48.90% 3,783 49.12% 153 1.99%
1896 3,822 49.80% 3,729 48.59% 123 1.60%
1892 3,197 47.64% 3,164 47.15% 350 5.22%

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b "State & County QuickFacts". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 6, 2011. Retrieved July 4, 2014.
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on July 4, 2012. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ^ Adams, James N. (compiler) (1989), Keller, William E. (ed.), Illinois Place Names, Springfield: Illinois State Historical Society, p. 580, ISBN 0-912226-24-2
  4. ^ White, Jesse. Origin and Evolution of Illinois Counties. State of Illinois, March 2010. [1]
  5. ^ a b "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 12, 2020. Retrieved July 11, 2015.
  6. ^ Parks - City of Paris IL (accessed 30 December 2018)
  7. ^ a b "Monthly Averages for Paris IL". The Weather Channel. Retrieved January 27, 2011.
  8. ^ Illinois Railroad Map (PDF), archived from the original (PDF) on August 22, 2007, retrieved October 11, 2007
  9. ^ Public and Private Airports, Edgar County IL
  10. ^ "US Decennial Census". US Census Bureau. Retrieved July 4, 2014.
  11. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved July 4, 2014.
  12. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". US Census Bureau. Retrieved July 4, 2014.
  13. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). US Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 27, 2010. Retrieved July 4, 2014.
  14. ^ a b c "Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved July 11, 2015.
  15. ^ "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 11, 2015.
  16. ^ "Selected Economic Characteristics – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved July 11, 2015.
  17. ^ Bell Ridge, Edgar County IL Google Maps (accessed 30 December 2018)
  18. ^ Bloomfield, Edgar County IL Google Maps (accessed 30 December 2018)
  19. ^ Cherry Point, Edgar County IL Google Maps (accessed 30 December 2018)
  20. ^ Clays Prairie, Edgar County IL Google Maps (accessed 30 December 2018)
  21. ^ Conlogue, Edgar County IL Google Maps (accessed 30 December 2018)
  22. ^ Dudley, Edgar County IL Google Maps (accessed 30 December 2018)
  23. ^ Ferrel, Edgar County IL Google Maps (accessed 30 December 2018)
  24. ^ Garland, Edgar County IL Google Maps (accessed 30 December 2018)
  25. ^ Harris, Edgar County IL Google Maps (accessed 30 December 2018)
  26. ^ Hildreth, Edgar County IL Google Maps (accessed 30 December 2018)
  27. ^ Horace, Edgar County IL Google Maps (accessed 30 December 2018)
  28. ^ Huffmanville, Edgar County IL Google Maps (accessed 30 December 2018)
  29. ^ Hughes, Edgar County IL Google Maps (accessed 30 December 2018)
  30. ^ Kentucky, Edgar County IL Google Maps (accessed 30 December 2018)
  31. ^ Kidley, Edgar County IL Google Maps (accessed 30 December 2018)
  32. ^ Logan, Edgar County IL Google Maps (accessed 30 December 2018)
  33. ^ Mabel, Edgar County IL Google Maps (accessed 30 December 2018)
  34. ^ Marley, Edgar County IL Google Maps (accessed 30 December 2018)
  35. ^ Mays, Edgar County IL Google Maps (accessed 30 December 2018)
  36. ^ McCown, Edgar County IL Google Maps (accessed 30 December 2018)
  37. ^ Melwood, Edgar County IL Google Maps (accessed 30 December 2018)
  38. ^ Mortimer, Edgar County IL Google Maps (accessed 30 December 2018)
  39. ^ Palermo, Edgar County IL Google Maps (accessed 30 December 2018)
  40. ^ Scotts, Edgar County IL Google Maps (accessed 30 December 2018
  41. ^ Warrington, Edgar County IL Google Maps (accessed 30 December 2018)
  42. ^ Leip, David. "Atlas of US Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved November 1, 2018.

External links[edit]

39°41′N 87°45′W / 39.68°N 87.75°W / 39.68; -87.75