Stephenson County, Illinois

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
County
Stephenson County Courthouse
Stephenson County Courthouse
Map of Illinois highlighting Stephenson County
Location within the U.S. state of Illinois
Map of the United States highlighting Illinois
Illinois's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 42°21′N 89°40′W
Country United States
State Illinois
Founded1837
Named forBenjamin Stephenson
SeatFreeport
Largest cityFreeport
Area
 • Total565 sq mi (1,460 km2)
 • Land565 sq mi (1,460 km2)
 • Water0.5 sq mi (1 km2)  0.09%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total44,630
 • Estimate 
(2021)
44,021
 • Density79/sq mi (30/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional districts16th, 17th
Websitewww.co.stephenson.il.us

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]

  • Marker marking Waddams' first settlement in Stephenson County
    Marker marking Waddams' first settlement in Stephenson County
  • Stephenson County at the time of its creation in 1837. Its boundaries have remained unchanged since then.
    Stephenson County at the time of its creation in 1837. Its boundaries have remained unchanged since then.

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
Freeport, Illinois
Climate chart (explanation)
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
 
 
1.3
 
 
25
9
 
 
1.3
 
 
31
14
 
 
2.1
 
 
43
25
 
 
3.2
 
 
57
36
 
 
4
 
 
69
47
 
 
4.5
 
 
78
57
 
 
3.6
 
 
82
62
 
 
4.1
 
 
80
59
 
 
3.7
 
 
73
50
 
 
2.6
 
 
61
39
 
 
2.7
 
 
44
28
 
 
1.7
 
 
30
16
█ Average max. and min. temperatures in °F
█ Precipitation totals in inches
Source:The Weather Channel[6]
Metric conversion
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
 
 
34
 
 
−4
−13
 
 
34
 
 
−1
−10
 
 
54
 
 
6
−4
 
 
82
 
 
14
2
 
 
101
 
 
21
8
 
 
113
 
 
26
14
 
 
91
 
 
28
17
 
 
104
 
 
27
15
 
 
93
 
 
23
10
 
 
66
 
 
16
4
 
 
68
 
 
7
−2
 
 
44
 
 
−1
−9
█ Average max. and min. temperatures in °C
█ Precipitation totals in mm

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

Town

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. "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. "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 12, 2020. Retrieved July 12, 2015.
  6. "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. "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.

42.35°N 89.67°W / 42.35; -89.67

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