Colonel William A. Phillips

Union County is a county located in the U.S. state of Illinois. According to the 2020 United States Census, it had a population of 17,244.[1] Its county seat is Jonesboro.[2] It is located in the southern portion of Illinois known locally as "Little Egypt".

History

Union County was formed out of Johnson County, nearly a year before the Illinois Territory gained statehood.[3] It was named for a joint revival meeting of the Baptists and Dunkards, called a "union meeting". The county seal depicts the leaders of these two groups shaking hands.[4]

Geography

According to the US Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 422 square miles (1,090 km2), of which 413 square miles (1,070 km2) is land and 8.7 square miles (23 km2) (2.1%) is water.[6]

Climate and weather

In recent years, average temperatures in the county seat of Jonesboro have ranged from a low of 22 °F (−6 °C) in January to a high of 90 °F (32 °C) in July, although a record low of −20 °F (−29 °C) was recorded in January 1918 and a record high of 112 °F (44 °C) was recorded in July 1901. Average monthly precipitation ranged from 3.13 inches (80 mm) in September to 5.22 inches (133 mm) in May.[7]

Major highways

Adjacent counties

Protected areas

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note
18202,362
18303,23937.1%
18405,52470.5%
18507,61537.9%
186011,18146.8%
187016,51847.7%
188018,1029.6%
189021,54919.0%
190022,6104.9%
191021,856−3.3%
192020,249−7.4%
193019,883−1.8%
194021,5288.3%
195020,500−4.8%
196017,645−13.9%
197016,071−8.9%
198017,76510.5%
199017,619−0.8%
200018,2933.8%
201017,808−2.7%
202017,244−3.2%
US Decennial Census[11]
1790-1960[12] 1900-1990[13]
1990-2000[14] 2010-2013[1] 2020[15]

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 17,808 people, 7,167 households, and 4,837 families residing in the county.[16] The population density was 43.1 inhabitants per square mile (16.6/km2). There were 7,924 housing units at an average density of 19.2 per square mile (7.4/km2).[6] The racial makeup of the county was 94.8% white, 0.9% black or African American, 0.5% American Indian, 0.3% Asian, 2.0% from other races, and 1.5% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 4.8% of the population.[16] In terms of ancestry, 23.0% were German, 12.6% were Irish, 9.4% were English, and 8.1% were American.[17]

Of the 7,167 households, 29.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.6% were married couples living together, 10.6% had a female householder with no husband present, 32.5% were non-families, and 28.4% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.41 and the average family size was 2.92. The median age was 42.9 years.[16]

The median income for a household in the county was $39,760 and the median income for a family was $48,465. Males had a median income of $36,831 versus $31,272 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,512. About 12.7% of families and 21.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.5% of those under age 18 and 16.7% of those age 65 or over.[18]

Communities

Cities

Villages

Unincorporated communities


Politics

Like much of Southern Illinois, Union County has shifted toward the Republican Party over the past couple decades,[19] with the Republican candidate for president winning the county since 2000.

United States presidential election results for Union County, Illinois[20]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2020 6,161 69.19% 2,579 28.96% 164 1.84%
2016 5,790 67.20% 2,402 27.88% 424 4.92%
2012 4,957 59.59% 3,137 37.71% 224 2.69%
2008 5,003 54.65% 3,918 42.80% 233 2.55%
2004 5,333 58.48% 3,735 40.96% 51 0.56%
2000 4,397 50.77% 3,982 45.98% 281 3.24%
1996 3,147 38.00% 4,252 51.34% 883 10.66%
1992 3,003 33.06% 4,681 51.54% 1,399 15.40%
1988 4,244 50.05% 4,197 49.50% 38 0.45%
1984 4,721 55.13% 3,815 44.55% 28 0.33%
1980 4,289 50.81% 3,781 44.79% 371 4.40%
1976 3,531 41.16% 5,003 58.32% 44 0.51%
1972 5,034 59.36% 3,428 40.42% 18 0.21%
1968 3,889 46.45% 3,603 43.04% 880 10.51%
1964 3,142 37.63% 5,208 62.37% 0 0.00%
1960 4,432 50.58% 4,321 49.31% 10 0.11%
1956 4,204 49.06% 4,359 50.87% 6 0.07%
1952 4,658 51.97% 4,296 47.93% 9 0.10%
1948 3,864 46.01% 4,479 53.33% 55 0.65%
1944 4,114 48.25% 4,367 51.21% 46 0.54%
1940 4,915 45.51% 5,804 53.74% 81 0.75%
1936 4,165 39.81% 6,260 59.84% 36 0.34%
1932 2,859 31.47% 6,157 67.77% 69 0.76%
1928 3,352 44.52% 4,149 55.10% 29 0.39%
1924 2,579 39.16% 3,783 57.44% 224 3.40%
1920 3,119 45.55% 3,660 53.45% 68 0.99%
1916 3,135 37.11% 5,171 61.22% 141 1.67%
1912 458 10.44% 2,648 60.36% 1,281 29.20%
1908 1,695 37.43% 2,690 59.40% 144 3.18%
1904 1,537 39.54% 1,967 50.60% 383 9.85%
1900 1,695 36.49% 2,900 62.43% 50 1.08%
1896 1,842 37.65% 2,998 61.28% 52 1.06%
1892 1,427 33.96% 2,663 63.37% 112 2.67%

Education

School districts include:[21]

K-12:

Secondary:

Elementary:

See also

References

  1. ^ a b "State & County QuickFacts". US Census Bureau.
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 3, 2015. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ^ Perrin 1883, p. 285.
  4. ^ Callary, Edward (2009). Place Names of Illinois. Urbana and Chicago, Illinois: University of Illinois Press. p. 354.
  5. ^ White, Jesse (March 2010). "Origin and Evolution of Illinois Counties" (PDF). State of Illinois. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 12, 2012. Retrieved September 26, 2012.
  6. ^ a b "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved July 12, 2015.
  7. ^ a b "Monthly Averages for Jonesboro IL". The Weather Channel. Archived from the original on October 23, 2012. Retrieved January 27, 2011.
  8. ^ Brown Barrens Nature Preserve, Union County IL Google Maps (accessed 29 December 2018)
  9. ^ Lincoln Memorial Picnic Grounds, Union County IL Google Maps (accessed 29 December 2018)
  10. ^ McClure Shale Glade Nature Preserve, Union County IL Google Maps (accessed 29 December 2018)
  11. ^ "US Decennial Census". US Census Bureau. Retrieved July 9, 2014.
  12. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Archived from the original on August 11, 2012. Retrieved July 9, 2014.
  13. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on April 24, 2014. Retrieved July 9, 2014.
  14. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). US Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on December 18, 2014. Retrieved July 9, 2014.
  15. ^ "Explore Census Data".
  16. ^ 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.
  17. ^ "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.
  18. ^ "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.
  19. ^ Service, CHUCK RAASCH Herald & Review News. "Political scale tips toward GOP in southern Illinois, northeast Missouri". Herald-Review.com. Retrieved January 19, 2021.
  20. ^ Leip, David. "Atlas of US Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Archived from the original on March 23, 2018. Retrieved May 1, 2018.
  21. ^ "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Union County, IL" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved July 22, 2022. - Text list

Bibliography

External links

37°28′16″N 89°15′18″W / 37.47111°N 89.25500°W / 37.47111; -89.25500