Stephenson County, Illinois
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Stephenson County is a county located in the U.S. state of Illinois. As of 2000, the population was 48,979. Its county seat is Freeport, Illinois6.
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[edit] Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,463 km² (565 mi²). 1,461 km² (564 mi²) of it is land and 1 km² (1 mi²) of it (0.10%) is water.
[edit] Adjacent Counties
- Green County, Wisconsin (north)
- Winnebago County (east)
- Ogle County (southeast)
- Carroll County (southwest)
- Jo Daviess County (west)
- Lafayette County, Wisconsin (northwest)
[edit] History
Stephenson County was formed in 1837 out of Jo Daviess and Winnebago Counties. The County was named for Colonel Benjamin Stephenson, an official of the Illinois Territory.
[edit] Demographics
As of the census² of 2000, there were 48,979 people, 19,785 households, and 13,473 families residing in the county. The population density was 34/km² (87/mi²). There were 21,713 housing units at an average density of 15/km² (38/mi²). The racial makeup of the county was 89.29% White, 7.68% Black or African American, 0.15% Native American, 0.68% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.63% from other races, and 1.53% from two or more races. 1.53% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 19,785 households out of which 30.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.40% were married couples living together, 9.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.90% were non-families. 27.60% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.43 and the average family size was 2.97.
In the county the population was spread out with 25.20% under the age of 18, 7.60% from 18 to 24, 27.50% from 25 to 44, 23.30% from 45 to 64, and 16.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 93.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.30 males.
The chairman of the Stephenson County Board is John Blum. Although the county operates under what the Illinois Statutes refer to as a "township form of county government" meaning the individual county board members have equal powers. Chairman Blum, with his monstrous ego, has got the rest of the county board convinced that he is the "chief executive of Stephenson County." Thus, residents of Stephenson County often call Mr. Blum, a United Airlines Pilot, "King John" or "Mein Furor Blum." Which Mr. Blum seems to like.
The median income for a household in the county was $40,366, and the median income for a family was $48,510. Males had a median income of $36,300 versus $24,238 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,794. About 6.50% of families and 9.00% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.60% of those under age 18 and 8.50% of those age 65 or over.
[edit] Cities and towns
- Cedarville
- Dakota
- Davis
- Freeport
- German Valley
- Lake Summerset
- Lena
- Orangeville
- Pearl City
- Ridott
- Rock City
- Winslow
