Cass County, Illinois

Cass County is a county located in the U.S. state of Illinois. As of the 2020 United States Census, the population was 13,042.[1] Its county seat is Virginia.[2] It is the home of the Jim Edgar Panther Creek State Fish and Wildlife Area.

Cass County
County
Cass County Courthouse
Cass County Courthouse
Map of Illinois highlighting Cass County
Location within the U.S. state of Illinois
Map of the United States highlighting Illinois
Illinois's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 39°59′N 90°15′W
Country United States
State Illinois
Founded1837
Named forLewis Cass
SeatVirginia
Largest cityBeardstown
Area
 • Total384 sq mi (990 km2)
 • Land376 sq mi (970 km2)
 • Water7.9 sq mi (20 km2)  2.1%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total13,042
 • Density34/sq mi (13/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district15th
Websiteco.cass.il.us

History

Cass County was formed in 1837 out of Morgan County. It was named for Lewis Cass,[3] a general in the War of 1812, Governor of the Michigan Territory, and United States Secretary of State in 1860. Cass was serving as Andrew Jackson's Secretary of War just before the County was named.

  • Cass County at the time of its creation.
    Cass County at the time of its creation.
  • In 1845, the county's border was adjusted southward, enlarging it to its current size.
    In 1845, the county's border was adjusted southward, enlarging it to its current size.

Geography

According to the US Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 384 square miles (990 km2), of which 376 square miles (970 km2) is land and 7.9 square miles (20 km2) (2.1%) is water.[4]

Adjacent counties

National protected area

Rivers

Major highways

Climate and weather
Virginia, Illinois
Climate chart (explanation)
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3.8
 
 
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4.9
 
 
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█ Average max. and min. temperatures in °F
█ Precipitation totals in inches
Source:The Weather Channel[6]
Metric conversion
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20
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█ Average max. and min. temperatures in °C
█ Precipitation totals in mm

In recent years, average temperatures in the county seat of Virginia have ranged from a low of 15 °F (−9 °C) in January to a high of 87 °F (31 °C) in July, although a record low of −28 °F (−33 °C) was recorded in February 1934 and a record high of 114 °F (46 °C) was recorded in July 1954. Average monthly precipitation ranged from 1.35 inches (34 mm) in January to 4.86 inches (123 mm) in May.[6]

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18402,981—
18507,253143.3%
186011,32556.1%
187011,5802.3%
188014,49325.2%
189015,96310.1%
190017,2227.9%
191017,3720.9%
192017,8963.0%
193016,537−7.6%
194016,425−0.7%
195015,097−8.1%
196014,539−3.7%
197014,219−2.2%
198015,0846.1%
199013,437−10.9%
200013,6951.9%
201013,642−0.4%
202013,042−4.4%
US Decennial Census[7]
1790-1960[8] 1900-1990[9]
1990-2000[10] 2010[11]
2000 census age pyramid for Cass County

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 13,642 people, 5,270 households, and 3,561 families residing in the county.[12] The population density was 36.3 inhabitants per square mile (14.0/km2). There were 5,836 housing units at an average density of 15.5 per square mile (6.0/km2).[4] The racial makeup of the county was 86.3% white, 3.1% black or African American, 0.3% Asian, 0.3% American Indian, 8.7% from other races, and 1.4% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 16.8% of the population.[12] In terms of ancestry, 22.6% were German, 21.0% were American, 10.6% were Irish, and 9.5% were English.[13]

Of the 5,270 households, 33.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.1% were married couples living together, 10.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 32.4% were non-families, and 26.5% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.55 and the average family size was 3.06. The median age was 38.7 years.[12]

The median income for a household in the county was $41,544 and the median income for a family was $51,624. Males had a median income of $37,267 versus $26,634 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,825. About 10.1% of families and 12.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.2% of those under age 18 and 9.2% of those age 65 or over.[14]

Politics

Typically for German-settled western Central Illinois, Cass County opposed the Civil War and became solidly Democratic for the next six decades. Only hatred of Woodrow Wilson’s policies towards Germany following World War I drove the county into Republican hands in the 1920 landslide. Between 1924 and 2008, the county was something of a bellwether, missing the national winner only in the very close 1960 election and the heavily drought- and farm crisis-influenced election of 1988. In the 2010s, the county has become reliably Republican in US presidential elections. Cass County is located in Illinois's 18th Congressional District and is currently represented by Republican Darin LaHood. For the Illinois House of Representatives, the county is located in the 93rd district and is currently represented by Republican Norine Hammond. The county is located in the 47th district of the Illinois Senate, and is currently represented by Republican Jil Tracy.

United States presidential election results for Cass County, Illinois[15]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No. %No. %No. %
2020 3,625 68.06% 1,615 30.32% 86 1.61%
2016 3,216 62.76% 1,621 31.64% 287 5.60%
2012 2,707 55.49% 2,053 42.09% 118 2.42%
2008 2,617 48.18% 2,690 49.52% 125 2.30%
2004 3,163 55.49% 2,492 43.72% 45 0.79%
2000 2,968 50.31% 2,789 47.28% 142 2.41%
1996 2,214 39.07% 2,834 50.01% 619 10.92%
1992 2,162 33.53% 3,200 49.64% 1,085 16.83%
1988 2,916 46.53% 3,316 52.91% 35 0.56%
1984 3,435 53.68% 2,937 45.90% 27 0.42%
1980 3,965 58.57% 2,543 37.56% 262 3.87%
1976 3,524 49.33% 3,589 50.24% 31 0.43%
1972 4,414 61.14% 2,803 38.83% 2 0.03%
1968 3,411 47.78% 3,302 46.25% 426 5.97%
1964 2,836 39.06% 4,424 60.94% 0 0.00%
1960 4,015 52.04% 3,692 47.85% 8 0.10%
1956 4,125 54.97% 3,368 44.88% 11 0.15%
1952 4,152 54.88% 3,405 45.01% 8 0.11%
1948 3,391 46.99% 3,776 52.32% 50 0.69%
1944 3,641 48.00% 3,909 51.54% 35 0.46%
1940 4,490 47.68% 4,854 51.55% 72 0.76%
1936 3,209 35.30% 5,786 63.65% 95 1.05%
1932 2,745 32.27% 5,669 66.64% 93 1.09%
1928 4,009 53.50% 3,461 46.18% 24 0.32%
1924 3,139 41.23% 2,909 38.21% 1,565 20.56%
1920 3,956 54.06% 2,861 39.10% 501 6.85%
1916 3,193 39.51% 4,485 55.49% 404 5.00%
1912 719 17.14% 2,223 52.99% 1,253 29.87%
1908 1,878 42.46% 2,434 55.03% 111 2.51%
1904 1,827 46.80% 1,906 48.82% 171 4.38%
1900 1,846 40.72% 2,626 57.93% 61 1.35%
1896 1,946 43.59% 2,470 55.33% 48 1.08%
1892 1,533 38.95% 2,203 55.97% 200 5.08%

Education
  • A C Central Community Unit School District 262
  • Beardstown Community Unit School District 15
  • Virginia Community Unit School District 64

Communities

Cities

Villages

Unincorporated communities

Former communities
  • Gurney
  • Oak Grove (now part of Beardstown; not to be confused with community in Rock Island County)
  • Sylvan

Townships

See also

References
  1. "Cass County, Illinois". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 8, 2023.
  2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. Govt. Print. Off. p. 71.
  4. "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 12, 2020. Retrieved July 11, 2015.
  5. Little Sangamon River, Cass County IL Google Maps (accessed 28 December 2018)
  6. "Monthly Averages for Virginia IL". The Weather Channel. Retrieved January 27, 2011.
  7. "US Decennial Census". US Census Bureau. Retrieved July 4, 2014.
  8. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved July 4, 2014.
  9. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". US Census Bureau. Retrieved July 4, 2014.
  10. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). US Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 27, 2010. Retrieved July 4, 2014.
  11. "State & County QuickFacts". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 6, 2011. Retrieved July 4, 2014.
  12. "Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved July 11, 2015.
  13. "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 11, 2015.
  14. "Selected Economic Characteristics – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved July 11, 2015.
  15. Leip, David. "Atlas of US Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved October 30, 2018.

39.98°N 90.25°W / 39.98; -90.25

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