Fayette County, Illinois

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Fayette County, Illinois
Map
Map of Illinois highlighting Fayette County
Location in the state of Illinois
Map of the U.S. highlighting Illinois
Illinois's location in the U.S.
Statistics
Founded 1821
Seat Vandalia
Largest city Vandalia
Area
 - Total
 - Land
 - Water

725 sq mi (1,879 km²)
716 sq mi (1,856 km²)
9 sq mi (23 km²), 1.22%
Population
 - (2000)
 - Density

21,802
30/sq mi (12/km²)
Time zone Central: UTC-6/-5

Fayette County is a county located in the U.S. state of Illinois. As of 2000, the population was 21,802. Its county seat is Vandalia, Illinois[1].

Contents

[edit] History

Fayette County was formed in 1821 out of Bond, Clark and Crawford Counties. It was named in honor of the Marquis de LaFayette, French hero of the American Revolutionary War.[2]

[edit] Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 725 square miles (1,879 km²), of which, 716 square miles (1,856 km²) of it is land and 9 square miles (23 km²) of it (1.22%) is water.

[edit] Adjacent counties

[edit] Settlements

[edit] Cities

[edit] Villages

[edit] Unincorporated

[edit] Demographics

2000 census age pyramid for Fayette County, skewed toward the male side by the Vandalia Correctional Center, an Illinois State prison, located in the county.[1]
2000 census age pyramid for Fayette County, skewed toward the male side by the Vandalia Correctional Center, an Illinois State prison, located in the county.[1]
Historical populations
Census Pop.  %±
1900 28,065
1910 28,075 0%
1920 26,187 −6.7%
1930 23,487 −10.3%
1940 29,159 24.1%
1950 24,582 −15.7%
1960 21,946 −10.7%
1970 20,752 −5.4%
1980 22,167 6.8%
1990 20,893 −5.7%
2000 21,802 4.4%
IL Counties 1900-1990

As of the census[3] of 2000, there were 21,802 people, 8,146 households, and 5,653 families residing in the county. The population density was 30 people per square mile (12/km²). There were 9,053 housing units at an average density of 13 per square mile (5/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 94.02% White, 4.88% Black or African American, 0.12% Native American, 0.17% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.25% from other races, and 0.54% from two or more races. 0.80% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 34.7% were of German, 23.5% American, 11.6% English and 9.6% Irish ancestry according to Census 2000. 98.2% spoke English and 1.3% Spanish as their first language.

There were 8,146 households out of which 31.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.60% were married couples living together, 8.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.60% were non-families. 27.20% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was 2.98.

In the county the population was spread out with 23.80% under the age of 18, 9.00% from 18 to 24, 29.30% from 25 to 44, 21.90% from 45 to 64, and 15.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 108.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 111.50 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $31,873, and the median income for a family was $39,044. Males had a median income of $29,478 versus $20,254 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,357. About 8.40% of families and 12.20% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.60% of those under age 18 and 11.90% of those age 65 or over.

[edit] References

  1. ^ Find a County. National Association of Counties. Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
  2. ^ Allan H. Keith, Historical Stories: About Greenville and Bond County, IL. Consulted on August 15, 2007.
  3. ^ American FactFinder. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved on 2008-01-31.

Coordinates: 39°00′N 89°01′W / 39.00, -89.02