Jersey County, Illinois

Jersey County is a county located in the U.S. state of Illinois. At the 2020 census, it had a population of 21,512.[1] The county seat and largest community is Jerseyville, with a population of 8,337 in 2010.[2] The county's smallest incorporated community is Otterville, with a population of 87.

Jersey County
County
Jersey County Courthouse in Jerseyville
Jersey County Courthouse in Jerseyville
Map of Illinois highlighting Jersey 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°05′N 90°22′W
Country United States
State Illinois
FoundedFebruary 28, 1839
Named forNew Jersey
SeatJerseyville
Largest cityJerseyville
Area
 • Total377 sq mi (980 km2)
 • Land369 sq mi (960 km2)
 • Water7.9 sq mi (20 km2)  2.1%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total21,512
 • Density57/sq mi (22/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district15th
Websitewww.jerseycounty-il.us

Jersey County is included in the St. Louis, MO-IL Metropolitan Statistical Area.

History

Jersey County lies just northeast of where the great Mississippi and Illinois rivers meet. It is the former home of the Kickapoo, Menomini, Potawatomi, and Illiniwek Confederation American Indians. The first European explorers to visit the area, Father Marquette and Louis Jolliet, arrived in 1673,[3] where they encountered the fearsome painting of the Piasa bird. The present day Pere Marquette State Park, located near Grafton, is named in Father Marquette's honor, and a monument to him is located at the park.

Jersey County was founded on February 28, 1839, and was formed out of Greene County. The county was named for the state of New Jersey,[4] from which many of the early settlers emigrated - which was itself named for the Channel Island of Jersey in Great Britain. The area quickly evolved into several small agricultural communities. As the area soon began to flourish, a county government was established and a courthouse was built in Jerseyville, the county seat. The Jersey County Courthouse was designed by architect Henry Elliott who also designed the courthouses in nearby Greene County, Edgar County, Illinois, DeWitt County, Illinois (later demolished in 1987) and Pike County, Illinois. The cornerstone for the courthouse was laid on July 4, 1893. The Romanesque Revival style courthouse is a magnificent architectural structure of limestone quarried from the nearby town of Grafton, Illinois.

  • Jersey County at the time of its creation in 1839
    Jersey County at the time of its creation in 1839

Recent history

Today, while the county maintains its agricultural base, it is also within commuting distance of jobs and industry in St. Louis, Missouri and the surrounding area. A large portion of the population works outside of Jersey County and benefits from being "Near the crowd, but not in it.", the official slogan of the Jersey County Business Association's advertising campaign. The bordering rivers play an important part in Jersey County's economy by supporting agricultural producers and agribusiness, and by creating a strong tourist market. Education, manufacturing, and retail are also among the county's largest industries.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 377 square miles (980 km2), of which 369 square miles (960 km2) is land and 7.9 square miles (20 km2) (2.1%) is water.[5] Jersey County is bordered by three bodies of water: the Mississippi River to the south, the Illinois River to the west, and Macoupin Creek to the northwest.

Climate
Jerseyville, Illinois
Climate chart (explanation)
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
 
 
1.9
 
 
35
17
 
 
2
 
 
41
22
 
 
3.5
 
 
53
32
 
 
4.1
 
 
64
42
 
 
4
 
 
74
52
 
 
3.7
 
 
83
61
 
 
3.5
 
 
88
66
 
 
2.9
 
 
86
63
 
 
3.2
 
 
79
55
 
 
2.9
 
 
68
43
 
 
3.8
 
 
53
34
 
 
2.8
 
 
40
23
█ 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
 
 
49
 
 
2
−8
 
 
51
 
 
5
−6
 
 
89
 
 
12
0
 
 
105
 
 
18
6
 
 
100
 
 
23
11
 
 
93
 
 
28
16
 
 
89
 
 
31
19
 
 
74
 
 
30
17
 
 
82
 
 
26
13
 
 
73
 
 
20
6
 
 
96
 
 
12
1
 
 
72
 
 
4
−5
█ Average max. and min. temperatures in °C
█ Precipitation totals in mm

Typically, the county's climate reflects most Midwest areas, located in the transitional zone between the humid continental climate type and the humid subtropical climate type (Köppen Dfa and Cfa, respectively), with neither large mountains nor large bodies of water to moderate its temperature. Spring is the wettest season and produces severe weather ranging from tornadoes to snow or ice storms. Summers are hot and humid, and the humidity often makes the heat index rise to temperatures feeling well above 100 °F (38 °C). Fall is mild with lower humidity and can produce intermittent bouts of heavy rainfall with the first snow flurries usually forming in late November. Winters can be cold at times with periodic light snow and temperatures below freezing.

In recent years, average temperatures in Jerseyville have ranged from a low of 17 °F (−8 °C) in January to a high of 88 °F (31 °C) in July. The record low temperature of −25 °F (−32 °C) was recorded in January 1977 and the record high temperature of 112 °F (44 °C) was recorded in July 1954. Average monthly precipitation ranges from 1.92 inches (49 mm) in January to 4.14 inches (105 mm) in April.[6]

Major highways

Adjacent counties

State protected areas

National protected areas

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18404,535—
18507,35462.2%
186012,05163.9%
187015,05424.9%
188015,5423.2%
189014,810−4.7%
190014,612−1.3%
191013,954−4.5%
192012,682−9.1%
193012,556−1.0%
194013,6368.6%
195015,26411.9%
196017,02311.5%
197018,4928.6%
198020,53811.1%
199020,5390.0%
200021,6685.5%
201022,9856.1%
202021,512−6.4%
U.S. Decennial Census[7]
1790-1960[8] 1900-1990[9]
1990-2000[10] 2010-2013[1]
2000 census age pyramid for Jersey County

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 22,985 people, 8,828 households, and 6,228 families residing in the county.[11] The population density was 62.2 inhabitants per square mile (24.0/km2). There were 9,848 housing units at an average density of 26.7 per square mile (10.3/km2).[5] The racial makeup of the county was 97.6% white, 0.4% black or African American, 0.3% Asian, 0.3% American Indian, 0.2% from other races, and 1.2% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 1.0% of the population.[11] In terms of ancestry, 42.8% were German, 14.7% were Irish, 10.6% were English, and 8.6% were American.[12]

Of the 8,828 households, 31.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.4% were married couples living together, 9.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 29.5% were non-families, and 25.0% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.51 and the average family size was 2.98. The median age was 40.5 years.[11]

The median income for a household in the county was $53,470 and the median income for a family was $64,773. Males had a median income of $48,750 versus $31,789 for females. The per capita income for the county was $24,368. About 5.6% of families and 8.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.4% of those under age 18 and 7.1% of those age 65 or over.[13]

Communities
Incorporated communities in Jersey County

Cities

Villages

Town

Unincorporated communities

Townships

Jersey County is divided into eleven townships:

Population ranking

The population ranking of the following table is based on the 2020 census of Jersey County.

† county seat

Rank Place Municipal type Population (2020 Census)
1 † Jerseyville City 8,336
2 Brighton (partially in Macoupin County) Village 2,221
3 Grafton City 626
4 Elsah Village 519
5 Fieldon Village 176
6 Fidelity Village 96
7 Otterville Town 87

Education

Unified school districts

High schools

Colleges and universities

Government

Local
Jersey County, Illinois
Position Person Party
County Board Chairman Gary Krueger Republican
County Board Majority 11-1 Republican
Circuit Clerk Daniel Schetter Republican
County Clerk Pam Warford Republican
Coroner Kevin Ayres Republican
Sheriff Nicholas Manns Independent
State's Attorney Benjamin L. Goetten Democratic
Regional Superintendent Michelle Mueller Democratic
Treasurer Katie Steckel-Abbey Republican

The Republican Party holds five of eight countywide elected positions as of 2022 as well as an eleven to one majority on the county board.[14]

Jersey County is part of Regional Office of Education #40 which includes neighboring Macoupin, Calhoun and Greene counties. The office operates a facility in Jerseyville.

State

Jersey County is divided into two legislative districts in the Illinois House of Representatives:

  • District 100 - Currently represented by C. D. Davidsmeyer (R-Jacksonville) and consists of the majority of the county and includes the cities of Jerseyville and Grafton.
  • District 111 - Currently represented by Amy Elik (R-Fosterburg) and consists of the southern portion of the county and includes the village of Elsah.

The county is also divided into two legislative districts in the Illinois Senate:

  • District 50 - Currently represented by Steve McClure (R-Springfield) and consists of the majority of the county and includes the cities of Jerseyville and Grafton.
  • District 56 - Currently represented by Kristopher Tharp (D-Wood River) and consists of the southern portion of the county and includes the village of Elsah.

Federal
United States presidential election results for Jersey County, Illinois[15]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No. %No. %No. %
2020 8,712 72.84% 2,961 24.76% 287 2.40%
2016 7,748 70.49% 2,679 24.37% 564 5.13%
2012 6,039 60.38% 3,667 36.67% 295 2.95%
2008 5,329 50.20% 5,042 47.50% 244 2.30%
2004 5,435 53.62% 4,597 45.35% 105 1.04%
2000 4,699 49.92% 4,355 46.27% 359 3.81%
1996 3,211 36.63% 4,275 48.77% 1,280 14.60%
1992 2,933 29.06% 4,749 47.05% 2,411 23.89%
1988 4,343 49.62% 4,376 50.00% 33 0.38%
1984 5,146 57.60% 3,762 42.11% 26 0.29%
1980 5,266 58.61% 3,324 36.99% 395 4.40%
1976 4,273 47.57% 4,625 51.49% 85 0.95%
1972 5,164 60.70% 3,317 38.99% 26 0.31%
1968 3,806 46.81% 3,350 41.21% 974 11.98%
1964 3,041 43.59% 3,936 56.41% 0 0.00%
1960 4,247 50.90% 4,087 48.99% 9 0.11%
1956 4,220 55.24% 3,415 44.70% 5 0.07%
1952 4,031 54.03% 3,424 45.89% 6 0.08%
1948 3,021 49.21% 3,092 50.37% 26 0.42%
1944 3,546 54.67% 2,910 44.87% 30 0.46%
1940 3,958 51.44% 3,692 47.99% 44 0.57%
1936 3,023 42.81% 3,955 56.01% 83 1.18%
1932 2,157 35.54% 3,807 62.73% 105 1.73%
1928 2,993 54.62% 2,473 45.13% 14 0.26%
1924 2,460 44.44% 2,723 49.19% 353 6.38%
1920 2,873 57.90% 1,999 40.29% 90 1.81%
1916 2,644 45.34% 3,052 52.34% 135 2.32%
1912 838 29.33% 1,573 55.06% 446 15.61%
1908 1,460 43.17% 1,818 53.76% 104 3.08%
1904 1,531 45.30% 1,713 50.68% 136 4.02%
1900 1,496 40.08% 2,145 57.46% 92 2.46%
1896 1,641 40.22% 2,377 58.26% 62 1.52%
1892 1,314 37.37% 2,011 57.20% 191 5.43%

Jersey County's federal political history is fairly typical of “anti-Yankee” Southern Illinois counties. It voted solidly Democratic until Warren G. Harding carried the county in his record 1920 landslide. It voted Republican again in Herbert Hoover's landslide of 1928, but otherwise was firmly Democratic until World War II, when opposition to US involvement turned the county to Wendell Willkie and then Thomas E. Dewey. Between 1948 and 2004, Jersey County became something of a bellwether county, voting for every winning Presidential candidate except in the Catholicism-influenced 1960 election, and that of 1988 which was heavily influenced by a major Midwestern drought. Disagreement with the Democratic Party’s liberal views on social issues since the 1990s has caused a powerful swing back to the Republicans in the past quarter-century.[16] As is typical of the Upland South, Hillary Clinton in 2016 did far worse than any previous Democrat, while Joe Biden performed marginally better in the 2020 election.

Jersey County is located in Illinois's 15th congressional district and is currently represented by Mary Miller (R-Oakland) in the U.S. House of Representatives.[17]

See also

References
  1. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 6, 2011. Retrieved July 6, 2014.
  2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 9, 2015. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. Jersey County description & history Archived November 5, 2012, at the Wayback Machine, retrieved August 24, 2007
  4. Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. Govt. Print. Off. pp. 169.
  5. "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 12, 2020. Retrieved July 12, 2015.
  6. "Monthly Averages for Jerseyville, Illinois". The Weather Channel. Retrieved January 27, 2011.
  7. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 6, 2014.
  8. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved July 6, 2014.
  9. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 6, 2014.
  10. "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 6, 2014.
  11. "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 12, 2015.
  12. "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 12, 2015.
  13. "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 12, 2015.
  14. SEARCH FOR LOCAL OFFICIALS - JERSEY COUNTY CLERK https://www.jerseycountyclerk-il.gov/search/
  15. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 7, 2018.
  16. Cohn, Nate; ‘Demographic Shift: Southern Whites’ Loyalty to G.O.P. Nearing That of Blacks to Democrats’, New York Times, April 24, 2014
  17. Edmondson, Catie (June 28, 2022). "In Illinois, MAGA Congresswoman Rallies to Oust Her G.O.P. Colleague". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved November 7, 2022.

39.09°N 90.36°W / 39.09; -90.36

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