Downs, Illinois

Downs
Village
Country United States
State Illinois
County McLean
Townships Downs, Oldtown
Elevation 807 ft (246 m)
Coordinates 40°23′50″N 88°52′47″W / 40.39722°N 88.87972°WCoordinates: 40°23′50″N 88°52′47″W / 40.39722°N 88.87972°W
Area 2.61 sq mi (7 km2)
 - land 2.61 sq mi (7 km2)
 - water 0.00 sq mi (0 km2)
Population 1,005 (2010)
Density 286.8 / sq mi (111 / km2)
Mayor Michael James
Timezone CST (UTC-6)
 - summer (DST) CDT (UTC-5)
Postal code 61736
Area code 309
FIPS code 17-20643
GNIS ID 2398746
Location of Downs within Illinois
Wikimedia Commons: Downs, Illinois

Downs is a village in McLean County, Illinois, United States. The population was 1,005 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Bloomington–Normal Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Geography

Downs is located at 40°23′50″N 88°52′47″W / 40.39722°N 88.87972°W (40.397171, -88.879818).[1]

According to the 2010 census, the village has a total area of 2.61 square miles (6.8 km2), all land.[2]

History

Downs was established in 1870 around a railroad depot. Previously the general area had been known as Princeville.[3] Downs is named for Lawson Downs, a pioneer settler.[4]

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop. %±
1920295—
19302950.0%
19403012.0%
1950299−0.7%
196049766.2%
197065131.0%
1980561−13.8%
199062010.5%
200077625.2%
20101,00529.5%
Decennial US Census
The water tower in Downs.

As of the census[5] of 2000, there were 776 people, 284 households, and 220 families residing in the village. The population density was 286.8 people per square mile (110.6/km²). There were 301 housing units at an average density of 111.3 per square mile (42.9/km²). The racial makeup of the village was 97.81% White, 0.90% African American, 0.13% Asian, 0.52% from other races, and 0.64% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.90% of the population.

Church of Saint Mary in Downs.

There were 284 households out of which 43.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 65.8% were married couples living together, 9.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.5% were non-families. 17.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.73 and the average family size was 3.13.

In the village the population was spread out with 30.3% under the age of 18, 7.5% from 18 to 24, 35.4% from 25 to 44, 19.3% from 45 to 64, and 7.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years.

The median income for a household in the village was $53,750, and the median income for a family was $56,932. Males had a median income of $37,188 versus $27,308 for females. The per capita income for the village was $22,468. About 5.0% of families and 4.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.0% of those under age 18 and none of those age 65 or over

As of 2010 the population was 1005. The racial and ethnic make-up of the population is 94.6% Non-Hispanic white, 1.7% African American, 0.2% Native American, 0.7% Asian, 2.2% two or more races and 0.9% Hispanic or Latino.[6]

School

Most children in Downs attend the Tri-Valley schools which are part of District #3, offices located on Washington Street. The Tri-Valley schools are small, and the elementary, middle and high school are all located next to one another. At one time all classes were held in one building, which now is rundown. It is also home of Kat Kurtenbach, who won the state golf title in 1999. Austin Sproles also won the state golf title in 2011. Derek Wegman won the state high jump title in 2014.

References

  1. ↑ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
  2. ↑ "Places: Illinois". 2010 Census Gazetteer Files. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2012-10-13.
  3. ↑ The History of McLean County, Illinois, Chicago: W. LeBaron Jr. & Co., 1879.
  4. ↑ Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. Govt. Print. Off. p. 108.
  5. ↑ "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  6. ↑ 2010 Census report