Hamilton County, Illinois

Hamilton County is a county located in the U.S. state of Illinois. At the 2020 census, its population was 7,993.[1] Its county seat is McLeansboro.[2] It is located in the southern portion of the state known locally as "Little Egypt".

Not to be confused with Hamilton, Illinois.

Hamilton County
County
Hamilton County Courthouse in McLeansboro
Hamilton County Courthouse in McLeansboro
Official seal of Hamilton County
Seal
Map of Illinois highlighting Hamilton County
Location within the U.S. state of Illinois
Map of the United States highlighting Illinois
Illinois's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 38°05′N 88°32′W
Country United States
State Illinois
Founded1821
Named forAlexander Hamilton
SeatMcLeansboro
Largest cityMcLeansboro
Area
 • Total436 sq mi (1,130 km2)
 • Land435 sq mi (1,130 km2)
 • Water1.2 sq mi (3 km2)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total7,993
 • Density18/sq mi (7.1/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district12th
Websitewww.hamiltoncountyillinois.com

History

Hamilton County was formed out of White County in 1821. It is named for Alexander Hamilton, Revolutionary War hero and the first United States Secretary of the Treasury.[3]

  • Hamilton County at the time of its creation in 1821
    Hamilton County at the time of its creation in 1821

On March 18, 1925, the infamous Tri-State Tornado tore across the county, destroying dozens of homes and farms in Flannigan, Twigg, Mayberry and Crook townships, and killing 37 people.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 436 square miles (1,130 km2), of which 435 square miles (1,130 km2) is land and 1.2 square miles (3.1 km2) (0.3%) is water.[4]

Climate and weather
McLeansboro, Illinois
Climate chart (explanation)
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█ Average max. and min. temperatures in °F
█ Precipitation totals in inches
Source:The Weather Channel[5]
Metric conversion
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80
 
 
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21
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115
 
 
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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 McLeansboro have ranged from a low of 20 °F (−7 °C) in January to a high of 89 °F (32 °C) in July, although a record low of −23 °F (−31 °C) was recorded in January 1930 and a record high of 113 °F (45 °C) was recorded in July 1936. Average monthly precipitation ranged from 2.76 inches (70 mm) in February to 4.67 inches (119 mm) in May.[5]

Transit

Major highways

Adjacent counties

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18302,616—
18403,94550.8%
18506,36261.3%
18609,91555.8%
187013,01431.3%
188016,71228.4%
189017,8006.5%
190020,19713.5%
191018,227−9.8%
192015,920−12.7%
193012,995−18.4%
194013,4543.5%
195012,256−8.9%
196010,010−18.3%
19708,665−13.4%
19809,1725.9%
19908,499−7.3%
20008,6211.4%
20108,457−1.9%
20207,993−5.5%
U.S. Decennial Census[6]
1790-1960[7] 1900-1990[8]
1990-2000[9] 2010-2013[1]
2000 census age pyramid for Hamilton County

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 8,457 people, 3,489 households, and 2,376 families residing in the county.[10] The population density was 19.5 inhabitants per square mile (7.5/km2). There were 4,104 housing units at an average density of 9.4 per square mile (3.6/km2).[4] The racial makeup of the county was 98.2% white, 0.4% black or African American, 0.2% Asian, 0.2% American Indian, 0.3% from other races, and 0.7% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 1.2% of the population.[10] In terms of ancestry, 33.1% were German, 20.7% were Irish, 11.4% were English, and 10.3% were American.[11]

Of the 3,489 households, 29.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.9% were married couples living together, 9.2% had a female householder with no husband present, 31.9% were non-families, and 28.1% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 2.91. The median age was 43.1 years.[10]

The median income for a household in the county was $35,032 and the median income for a family was $50,878. Males had a median income of $45,245 versus $23,491 for females. The per capita income for the county was $21,602. About 8.2% of families and 14.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.5% of those under age 18 and 8.5% of those age 65 or over.[12]

Communities

City

Incorporated town

Villages

Unincorporated communities

Townships

Hamilton County is divided into twelve townships:

Politics

Like most of Southern-leaning Southern Illinois, Hamilton County was heavily Democratic before the Civil War, and unlike such counties as Johnson, Pope and Massac, it did not turn Republican after the war. Not until 1920, when isolationist sentiments turned many voters against the party of Woodrow Wilson, did Hamilton County vote Republican, and Herbert Hoover was to carry the county in 1928 due to anti-Catholic sentiment against Al Smith.

From 1940 onwards, when Wendell Willkie carried the county due to opposition to involvement in World War II, Hamilton has become increasingly Republican. Although Lyndon Johnson, Jimmy Carter in 1976 and Bill Clinton in 1992 all gained absolute majorities for the Democratic Party, since 1992, as with all traditionally Democratic parts of the Upland South, a rapid swing to the Republicans has taken place.[13]

United States presidential election results for Hamilton County, Illinois[14]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No. %No. %No. %
2020 3,432 79.39% 824 19.06% 67 1.55%
2016 3,206 77.14% 802 19.30% 148 3.56%
2012 2,566 65.11% 1,269 32.20% 106 2.69%
2008 2,353 54.93% 1,796 41.92% 135 3.15%
2004 2,653 58.77% 1,814 40.19% 47 1.04%
2000 2,519 54.92% 1,943 42.36% 125 2.73%
1996 1,677 37.19% 2,242 49.72% 590 13.08%
1992 1,521 30.58% 2,582 51.91% 871 17.51%
1988 2,622 49.89% 2,618 49.81% 16 0.30%
1984 3,074 57.50% 2,251 42.11% 21 0.39%
1980 3,254 59.64% 1,990 36.47% 212 3.89%
1976 2,433 44.25% 3,036 55.22% 29 0.53%
1972 3,282 61.94% 2,006 37.86% 11 0.21%
1968 2,912 52.82% 1,951 35.39% 650 11.79%
1964 2,561 44.98% 3,133 55.02% 0 0.00%
1960 3,804 58.94% 2,639 40.89% 11 0.17%
1956 3,675 57.75% 2,685 42.19% 4 0.06%
1952 4,047 60.25% 2,662 39.63% 8 0.12%
1948 2,887 50.93% 2,750 48.51% 32 0.56%
1944 3,582 54.68% 2,914 44.48% 55 0.84%
1940 4,005 51.69% 3,691 47.64% 52 0.67%
1936 3,321 44.07% 4,152 55.10% 62 0.82%
1932 2,513 37.98% 4,059 61.34% 45 0.68%
1928 3,275 51.08% 3,037 47.36% 100 1.56%
1924 2,659 44.02% 3,168 52.44% 214 3.54%
1920 3,220 54.71% 2,591 44.02% 75 1.27%
1916 3,239 46.26% 3,644 52.05% 118 1.69%
1912 1,242 31.33% 1,920 48.44% 802 20.23%
1908 1,809 44.26% 2,128 52.07% 150 3.67%
1904 1,894 45.65% 2,049 49.39% 206 4.97%
1900 1,911 42.95% 2,467 55.45% 71 1.60%
1896 1,767 41.92% 2,408 57.13% 40 0.95%
1892 1,505 39.80% 2,061 54.51% 215 5.69%

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. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. Govt. Print. Off. pp. 147.
  4. "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 12, 2020. Retrieved July 11, 2015.
  5. "Monthly Averages for McLeansboro, Illinois". The Weather Channel. Retrieved January 27, 2011.
  6. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 5, 2014.
  7. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved July 5, 2014.
  8. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 5, 2014.
  9. "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.
  10. "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.
  11. "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.
  12. "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.
  13. Cohn, Nate; ‘Demographic Shift: Southern Whites’ Loyalty to G.O.P. Nearing That of Blacks to Democrats’, New York Times, April 24, 2014
  14. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved November 4, 2018.

38.08°N 88.54°W / 38.08; -88.54

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