St. Clair County, Illinois
| St. Clair County, Illinois | |
 Location in the state of Illinois |
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 Illinois's location in the U.S. |
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| Founded | 1790 |
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| Named for | Arthur St. Clair |
| Seat | Belleville |
| Area - Total - Land - Water |
674 sq mi (1,746 km²) 664 sq mi (1,719 km²) 10 sq mi (26 km²), 1.51% |
| PopulationEst. - (2006) - Density |
260,919 393.0/sq mi (152/km²) |
| Time zone | Central: UTC-6/-5 |
| Website | www.co.st-clair.il.us |
St. Clair County is a county located in the U.S. state of Illinois, and determined by the U.S. Census Bureau to include the mean center of U.S. population in 1970. As of 2006, the population was 260,919. Its county seat is Belleville.
It is a part of the St. Louis Metropolitan Area.
Contents |
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 674 square miles (1,746 km²), of which 664 square miles (1,719 km²) is land and 10 square miles (26 km²) (1.51%) is water.
The county forms part of the semi-rural, sparsely-populated eastern portion of the St. Louis metropolitan area (nicknamed "Metro East") along with neighboring Madison County. Unlike the suburbs on the Missouri side of the metro area, those in Metro East are typically separated by large swaths of corn and soybean fields or otherwise undeveloped land. Thus, low-income neighborhoods in East St. Louis, Washington Park, and other cities in St. Clair County often border agricultural or vacant lands. In some places, truck stops, strip clubs, and other semi-rural businesses abut these neighborhoods as well.
Major highways
Interstate 55
Interstate 64
Interstate 70
Interstate 255
U.S. Highway 40
U.S. Highway 50
Illinois Route 3
Illinois Route 4
Illinois Route 13
Illinois Route 15
Illinois Route 111
Illinois Route 156
Illinois Route 157
Illinois Route 158
Illinois Route 159
Illinois Route 161
Illinois Route 163
Illinois Route 177
Illinois Route 203
History
St. Clair County was the first established what is today Illinois, and the county in fact predates Illinois' existence as a separate entity. It was established in 1790 by proclamation of Arthur St. Clair, first governor of the Northwest Territory, who named it after himself. In its original boundaries, the county covered a large area between the Mackinaw and Ohio Rivers. In 1801 Governor William Henry Harrison re-established St. Clair County as part of the Indiana Territory, extending its northern border to Lake Superior and the international border with Rupert's Land.[1]
In 1809, when the Illinois Territory was created, Territorial Secretary Nathaniel Pope, in his capacity as acting governor, issued a proclamation re-establishing Randoloph as one of the Illinois' two original counties.
 St. Clair County as it was re-established in 1809. This diagonal border line had been drawn by the Indiana Territorial government in 1803.[2] |
 St. Clair County between 1812 and 1813 |
 St. Clair County between 1813 and 1816 |
 St. Clair County between 1816 and 1818 |
 St. Clair County between 1818 and 1825 |
 St. Clair County between 1825 and 1827, when an an adjustment to its border brought it to its present size |
Townships
Belleville, Cahokia, Canteen, Caseyville, Centreville, Dupo, East St. Louis, Englemann, Freeburg, Lebanon, Lenzburg, Marissa, Mascoutah, Millstadt, New Athens, O'Fallon, Prairie Du Long, Shiloh Valley, Smithton, Saint Claire, Stites, Stookey, Sugar Loaf, Swansea
Adjacent counties
- Madison County (north)
- Clinton County (northeast)
- Washington County (east)
- Randolph County (south)
- Monroe County (southwest)
- St. Louis, Missouri (west)1
- St. Louis County, Missouri (west)
1This is not a county, but an independent city which is not part of a county.
Demographics
| Historical populations | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1900 | 86,685 |
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| 1910 | 119,870 | 38.3% | |
| 1920 | 136,520 | 13.9% | |
| 1930 | 157,775 | 15.6% | |
| 1940 | 166,899 | 5.8% | |
| 1950 | 205,995 | 23.4% | |
| 1960 | 262,509 | 27.4% | |
| 1970 | 285,176 | 8.6% | |
| 1980 | 267,531 | −6.2% | |
| 1990 | 262,852 | −1.7% | |
| 2000 | 256,082 | −2.6% | |
| Est. 2006 | 260,919 | 1.9% | |
| IL Counties 1900-1990 | |||
As of the census[3] of 2000, there were 256,082 people, 96,810 households, and 67,282 families residing in the county. The population density was 386 people per square mile (149/km²). There were 104,446 housing units at an average density of 157 per square mile (61/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 67.94% White, 28.77% Black or African American, 0.26% Native American, 0.91% Asian American, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 0.80% from other races, and 1.29% from two or more races. 2.19% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 26.9% were of German, 7.3% Irish, 7.0% American and 6.1% English ancestry according to Census 2000.
There were 96,810 households out of which 34.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.10% were married couples living together, 17.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.50% were non-families. 25.90% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.59 and the average family size was 3.13.
In the county the population was spread out with 27.70% under the age of 18, 8.90% from 18 to 24, 29.20% from 25 to 44, 21.10% from 45 to 64, and 13.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 91.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.20 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $39,148, and the median income for a family was $47,409. Males had a median income of $36,569 versus $25,773 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,932. About 11.80% of families and 14.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.60% of those under age 18 and 9.80% of those age 65 or over.
Cities and towns
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Lebanon historic district
Lebanon Mermaid House Hotel
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Townships
St. Clair County is divided into these townships:
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Government and infrastructure
The Southwestern Illinois Correctional Center, operated by the Illinois Department of Corrections, is near East St. Louis in St. Clair County.[4]
References
- ↑ White, Jesse. Origin and Evolution of Illinois Counties. State of Illinois, March 2010. [1]
- ↑ White, Jesse. Origin and Evolution of Illinois Counties. State of Illinois, March 2010. [2]
- ↑ "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. http://factfinder.census.gov. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
- ↑ "Southwestern Illinois Correctional Center." Illinois Department of Corrections. Retrieved on July 10, 2010.
External links
- A Brief History of St. Clair County, Illinois from rootsweb.com
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Madison County | Clinton County | |
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| City of St. Louis, Missouri and St. Louis County, Missouri |  |
Washington County | ||
 St. Clair County, Illinois  |
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| Monroe County | Randolph County |
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