Franklin County, Illinois

Franklin County is a county in Southern Illinois. At the 2020 census, it had a population of 37,804.[1] The largest city is West Frankfort and the county seat is Benton.[2] This area of Southern Illinois is known locally as "Little Egypt".

Franklin County
County
Franklin County Courthouse in Benton
Franklin County Courthouse in Benton
Flag of Franklin County
Flag
Map of Illinois highlighting Franklin County
Location within the U.S. state of Illinois
Map of the United States highlighting Illinois
Illinois's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 37°59′N 88°55′W
Country United States
State Illinois
FoundedJanuary 2, 1818
Named forBenjamin Franklin
SeatBenton
Largest cityWest Frankfort
Area
 • Total431 sq mi (1,120 km2)
 • Land409 sq mi (1,060 km2)
 • Water23 sq mi (60 km2)  5.2%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total37,804 Decrease
 • Density88/sq mi (34/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district12th
Websitewww.franklincountyil.gov

History

Franklin County was established on January 2, 1818, and formed from parts of Gallatin and White counties. It was named for Benjamin Franklin.[3]

  • Franklin County at the time of its formation in 1818
    Franklin County at the time of its formation in 1818
  • The creation of Williamson County in 1839 reduced Franklin to its current borders.
    The creation of Williamson County in 1839 reduced Franklin to its current borders.

Coal mining

Coal was mined in Franklin County as early as 1889, at the King Coal Mine, located at Township 5 South, Range 3 East.[4]

The high levels of gas found in Franklin County's coal deposits have resulted in mining disasters and explosions over the years.[5] Between 1905 and 1968, there were eleven mine disasters.[6] In 1905, the Zeigler No. 1 mine, located in Zeigler, had an explosion that killed about fifty people.[7] In 1917, an explosion in Old Ben Mine No. 11, located in Christopher, killed 17.[8] The worst explosion occurred in 1951, in the Orient No. 2 Mine in West Frankfort, in which 119 people died.[9]

The West Frankfort quadrangle of Franklin County is home to 17 coal mines, according to a 2004 report.[5]

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 431 square miles (1,120 km2), of which 409 square miles (1,060 km2) is land and 23 square miles (60 km2) (5.2%) is water.[10] Wayne Fitzgerrell State Recreation Area is located in this county.

Climate and weather
Benton, Illinois
Climate chart (explanation)
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
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2.9
 
 
39
21
 
 
2.9
 
 
45
26
 
 
4.2
 
 
56
36
 
 
4.5
 
 
67
45
 
 
4.6
 
 
76
54
 
 
4.1
 
 
85
63
 
 
3.2
 
 
90
68
 
 
3
 
 
88
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2.9
 
 
81
58
 
 
2.9
 
 
69
45
 
 
4.5
 
 
56
37
 
 
3.6
 
 
43
26
█ Average max. and min. temperatures in °F
█ Precipitation totals in inches
Source:The Weather Channel[11]
Metric conversion
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
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O
N
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74
 
 
4
−6
 
 
73
 
 
7
−3
 
 
106
 
 
13
2
 
 
114
 
 
19
7
 
 
117
 
 
24
12
 
 
103
 
 
29
17
 
 
81
 
 
32
20
 
 
77
 
 
31
18
 
 
73
 
 
27
14
 
 
75
 
 
21
7
 
 
114
 
 
13
3
 
 
90
 
 
6
−3
█ Average max. and min. temperatures in °C
█ Precipitation totals in mm

In recent years, average temperatures in the county seat of Benton have ranged from a low of 21 °F (−6 °C) in January to a high of 90 °F (32 °C) in July, although a record low of −22 °F (−30 °C) was recorded in January 1977 and a record high of 104 °F (40 °C) was recorded in August 2007. Average monthly precipitation ranged from 2.87 inches (73 mm) in February to 4.59 inches (117 mm) in May.[11]

On April 21, 1912, a tornado destroyed facilities at the Possum Ridge Mine.[5][12]

On March 18, 1925, Franklin County was among five southern Illinois counties effected by the infamous Tri-State Tornado. The storm cut across the southern edge of the county, hitting West Frankfort and destroying most of the northern side of town, causing significant damage to the town's mining facilities. Farther to the east, the village of Parrish was also struck, and was never rebuilt. The storm killed 192 people in Franklin County, injuring hundreds more and leaving scores of people homeless.

Adjacent counties

Transit

Major highways

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18201,763—
18304,083131.6%
18403,682−9.8%
18505,68154.3%
18609,39365.3%
187012,65234.7%
188016,12927.5%
189017,1386.3%
190019,67514.8%
191025,94331.9%
192057,293120.8%
193059,4423.8%
194053,137−10.6%
195048,685−8.4%
196039,281−19.3%
197038,329−2.4%
198043,20112.7%
199040,319−6.7%
200039,018−3.2%
201039,5611.4%
202037,804−4.4%
U.S. Decennial Census[13]
1790-1960[14] 1900-1990[15]
1990-2000[16] 2010-2013[1]
2000 census age pyramid for Franklin County

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 39,561 people, 16,617 households, and 10,912 families residing in the county.[17] The population density was 96.8 inhabitants per square mile (37.4/km2). There were 18,525 housing units at an average density of 45.3 per square mile (17.5/km2).[10] The racial makeup of the county was 97.7% white, 0.3% Asian, 0.3% American Indian, 0.3% black or African American, 0.3% from other races, and 1.1% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 1.2% of the population.[17] In terms of ancestry, 21.8% were German, 18.7% were Irish, 15.9% were English, 9.4% were American, and 5.7% were Italian.[18]

Of the 16,617 households, 30.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.8% were married couples living together, 11.6% had a female householder with no husband present, 34.3% were non-families, and 30.0% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.35 and the average family size was 2.88. The median age was 41.8 years.[17]

The median income for a household in the county was $34,381 and the median income for a family was $43,170. Males had a median income of $39,122 versus $28,950 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,504. About 14.5% of families and 19.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 30.5% of those under age 18 and 9.9% of those age 65 or over.[19]

Communities

Cities

Villages
Map of Franklin County, Illinois

Census-designated place

Townships

Franklin County is divided into twelve townships:

Unincorporated communities

Education

Regional
  • Franklin, Johnson, Massac, and Williamson County Regional Office of Education #21 [20]

Primary and secondary

Higher education

Specialized
  • Franklin & Jefferson County Special Education Cooperative [28]

Politics

Franklin County voted mostly for Democratic US presidential candidates until 2000. Since then it has voted for Republican presidential nominees.

United States presidential election results for Franklin County, Illinois[29]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No. %No. %No. %
2020 13,622 72.97% 4,760 25.50% 287 1.54%
2016 13,116 70.10% 4,727 25.26% 868 4.64%
2012 10,267 57.31% 7,254 40.49% 393 2.19%
2008 9,404 50.25% 8,880 47.45% 430 2.30%
2004 10,388 53.68% 8,816 45.56% 148 0.76%
2000 8,490 44.19% 10,201 53.10% 521 2.71%
1996 5,354 30.84% 9,814 56.54% 2,190 12.62%
1992 5,504 25.62% 12,744 59.33% 3,233 15.05%
1988 7,677 40.87% 11,023 58.69% 83 0.44%
1984 9,656 47.39% 10,667 52.35% 54 0.27%
1980 9,731 49.01% 9,425 47.47% 700 3.53%
1976 7,420 36.51% 12,818 63.07% 86 0.42%
1972 10,121 54.04% 8,545 45.62% 63 0.34%
1968 9,036 42.88% 10,095 47.90% 1,943 9.22%
1964 7,620 35.94% 13,581 64.06% 0 0.00%
1960 11,861 50.98% 11,368 48.86% 37 0.16%
1956 11,761 50.98% 11,308 49.02% 0 0.00%
1952 11,723 49.33% 11,981 50.41% 62 0.26%
1948 9,407 43.87% 11,750 54.79% 287 1.34%
1944 11,377 49.01% 11,663 50.24% 173 0.75%
1940 12,936 45.14% 15,523 54.16% 201 0.70%
1936 10,708 40.22% 15,254 57.29% 663 2.49%
1932 7,560 32.46% 14,754 63.35% 976 4.19%
1928 9,900 45.79% 11,369 52.58% 353 1.63%
1924 6,779 39.59% 5,791 33.82% 4,551 26.58%
1920 7,608 51.11% 4,894 32.88% 2,384 16.02%
1916 6,371 46.42% 6,419 46.77% 934 6.81%
1912 2,098 36.12% 2,435 41.92% 1,276 21.97%
1908 2,539 48.52% 2,401 45.88% 293 5.60%
1904 2,077 50.04% 1,801 43.39% 273 6.58%
1900 2,117 47.99% 2,226 50.46% 68 1.54%
1896 2,038 47.43% 2,233 51.97% 26 0.61%
1892 1,631 44.25% 1,782 48.35% 273 7.41%

See also

References
  1. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 6, 2011. Retrieved July 5, 2014.
  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. pp. 131.
  4. Hinton, Wayne. "Illinois Coal & Coal Mining, History & Genealogy - Coal Mines of Franklin County, Illinois". Wayne's World of History & Genealogy. Retrieved June 24, 2018.
  5. Chenowith, Cheri; Myers, Alan R (2014). "Directory of Coal Mines in Illinois, 7.5 Minute Quadrangle Series, West Frankfort Quadrangle, Franklin County" (PDF). Illinois State Geological Survey. Archived (PDF) from the original on December 29, 2015.
  6. United States Mine Rescue Association. "Mine Disasters in the United States - By County - Franklin County, IL". Mine Disasters in the United States. Retrieved June 25, 2018.
  7. United States Mine Rescue Association. "Ziegler Mine Explosion". Mine Disasters in the United States. Retrieved June 24, 2018.
  8. United States Mine Rescue Association. "Old Ben No. 11 Mine Explosion". Mine Disasters in the United States. Retrieved June 24, 2018.
  9. United States Mine Rescue Association. "Orient No. 2 Mine Explosion - West Frankfort, Illinois". Mine Disasters in the United States. Retrieved June 24, 2018.
  10. "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 12, 2020. Retrieved July 11, 2015.
  11. "Monthly Averages for Benton, Illinois". The Weather Channel. Retrieved January 27, 2011.
  12. Hubbs, Barbara Barr. "Possum Ridge Mine History". Williamson County Illinois Historical Society. Retrieved June 24, 2018.
  13. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 5, 2014.
  14. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved July 5, 2014.
  15. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 5, 2014.
  16. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 27, 2010. Retrieved July 5, 2014.
  17. "DP-1 Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved July 11, 2015.
  18. "DP02 SELECTED SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS IN THE UNITED STATES – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved July 11, 2015.
  19. "DP03 SELECTED ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved July 11, 2015.
  20. Franklin, Johnson, Massac, and Williamson County Regional Office of Education #21
  21. Christopher Unit School District #99
  22. Sesser Unit School District #196
  23. Benton School District #47
  24. Frankfort Community Unit School District #168
  25. Zeigler-Royalton Community Unit School District #188
  26. Thompsonville Community Unit School District #174
  27. Ewing-Northern Community Unit School District #115
  28. Franklin & Jefferson County Special Education Cooperative
  29. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved November 2, 2018.

37.99°N 88.92°W / 37.99; -88.92

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