Colonel William A. Phillips

Stephenson County is a county located in the U.S. state of Illinois. According to the 2020 United States Census, it had a population of 44,630.[1] Its county seat is Freeport.[2]

Stephenson County is included in the Freeport, IL Micropolitan Statistical Area, which is also included in the Rockford-Freeport-Rochelle, IL Combined Statistical Area.

History

The land that became Stephenson County was first settled by William Waddams in 1832, who founded Waddams Grove.[3] By 1837, population was sufficient to form Stephenson County, taking land from Jo Daviess and Winnebago counties. The county was named for Colonel Benjamin Stephenson, an official of the Illinois Territory.[4]

Geography

According to the US Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 565 square miles (1,460 km2), of which 565 square miles (1,460 km2) is land and 0.5 square miles (1.3 km2) (0.09%) is water.[5]

Climate and weather

In recent years the average temperatures in the county seat of Freeport, have ranged from a low of 9 °F (−13 °C) in January to a high of 82 °F (28 °C) in July, although a record low of −29 °F (−34 °C) was recorded in January 2009 and a record high of 101 °F (38 °C) was recorded in July 1988. Average monthly precipitation ranged from 1.33 inches (34 mm) in January to 4.46 inches (113 mm) in June.[6]

Adjacent counties

Major highways

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note
18402,800
185011,666316.6%
186025,112115.3%
187030,60821.9%
188031,9634.4%
189031,338−2.0%
190034,93311.5%
191036,8215.4%
192037,7432.5%
193040,0646.1%
194040,6461.5%
195041,5952.3%
196046,20711.1%
197048,8615.7%
198049,5361.4%
199048,052−3.0%
200048,9791.9%
201047,711−2.6%
202044,630−6.5%
2021 (est.)44,021[1]−1.4%
US Decennial Census[7]
1790–1960[8] 1900–1990[9]
1990–2000[10] 2010–2013[1]

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 47,711 people, 19,845 households, and 13,015 families residing in the county.[11] The population density was 84.5 inhabitants per square mile (32.6/km2). There were 22,081 housing units at an average density of 39.1 per square mile (15.1/km2).[5] The racial makeup of the county was 86.5% white, 9.0% black or African American, 0.6% Asian, 0.2% American Indian, 1.2% from other races, and 2.5% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 2.9% of the population.[11] In terms of ancestry, 46.6% were German, 12.5% were Irish, 10.0% were English, and 8.0% were American.[12]

Of the 19,845 households, 28.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.3% were married couples living together, 11.2% had a female householder with no husband present, 34.4% were non-families, and 29.7% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.36 and the average family size was 2.90. The median age was 43.1 years.[11]

The median income for a household in the county was $43,304 and the median income for a family was $54,224. Males had a median income of $41,672 versus $29,510 for females. The per capita income for the county was $22,608. About 12.3% of families and 14.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 24.1% of those under age 18 and 7.3% of those age 65 or over.[13]

Education

There are five public high schools and one private high Schools in the county: (approximate enrollment included)

Public high schools

Private high school

Communities

A northerly look across Stephenson County's western edge from an overlook near Kent

City

Villages

Census-designated places

Unincorporated communities

Townships

Historic Sites

Politics

United States presidential election results for Stephenson County, Illinois[14]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2020 12,521 56.63% 9,055 40.95% 535 2.42%
2016 11,083 54.48% 7,768 38.19% 1,492 7.33%
2012 10,512 49.75% 10,165 48.11% 451 2.13%
2008 9,909 45.75% 11,349 52.40% 399 1.84%
2004 12,212 57.28% 8,913 41.81% 195 0.91%
2000 10,715 55.29% 8,062 41.60% 601 3.10%
1996 8,871 48.94% 7,145 39.42% 2,109 11.64%
1992 9,005 41.58% 7,899 36.47% 4,752 21.94%
1988 11,342 59.87% 7,460 39.38% 143 0.75%
1984 14,237 67.37% 6,723 31.82% 171 0.81%
1980 10,779 52.87% 6,195 30.39% 3,414 16.75%
1976 11,678 61.02% 7,192 37.58% 267 1.40%
1972 13,584 67.86% 6,404 31.99% 31 0.15%
1968 11,821 59.32% 7,040 35.33% 1,067 5.35%
1964 9,252 46.02% 10,854 53.98% 0 0.00%
1960 13,872 63.07% 8,055 36.62% 68 0.31%
1956 14,245 69.10% 6,349 30.80% 20 0.10%
1952 14,446 68.51% 6,605 31.32% 35 0.17%
1948 10,564 58.29% 7,409 40.88% 149 0.82%
1944 11,948 60.28% 7,755 39.13% 118 0.60%
1940 14,040 60.92% 8,911 38.67% 94 0.41%
1936 9,943 46.59% 10,567 49.51% 832 3.90%
1932 8,963 44.38% 10,728 53.11% 507 2.51%
1928 11,992 67.97% 5,579 31.62% 72 0.41%
1924 8,638 53.27% 2,452 15.12% 5,126 31.61%
1920 9,570 74.64% 2,772 21.62% 479 3.74%
1916 8,620 58.39% 5,463 37.00% 681 4.61%
1912 3,476 38.37% 3,850 42.49% 1,734 19.14%
1908 4,605 50.93% 4,076 45.08% 360 3.98%
1904 4,876 56.63% 3,275 38.03% 460 5.34%
1900 4,677 52.49% 3,983 44.70% 250 2.81%
1896 4,728 54.16% 3,776 43.26% 225 2.58%
1892 3,574 46.76% 3,717 48.63% 352 4.61%

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c "QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 23, 2021.
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ^ "Historical News". Journal of the Illinois State Historical Society. 27 (3): 347. October 1934.
  4. ^ "Fifteenth Judicial Circuit". State of Illinois. Retrieved February 20, 2016.
  5. ^ a b "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 12, 2020. Retrieved July 12, 2015.
  6. ^ a b "Monthly Averages for Freeport IL". The Weather Channel. Retrieved January 27, 2011.
  7. ^ "US Decennial Census". US Census Bureau. Retrieved July 8, 2014.
  8. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved July 8, 2014.
  9. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". US Census Bureau. Retrieved July 8, 2014.
  10. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). US Census Bureau. Retrieved July 8, 2014.
  11. ^ 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 12, 2015.
  12. ^ "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 12, 2015.
  13. ^ "Selected Economic Characteristics – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved July 12, 2015.
  14. ^ Leip, David. "Atlas of US Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org.

External links

42°21′N 89°40′W / 42.35°N 89.67°W / 42.35; -89.67