Moultrie County, Illinois

Moultrie County is a county in the U.S. state of Illinois. According to the 2020 United States Census, its population was 14,526.[2] Its county seat is Sullivan.[3] The name is pronounced as in "mole tree", unlike the pronunciation of its namesake, the South Carolinian Revolutionary War hero William Moultrie.

Moultrie County
County
Moultrie County Courthouse in Sullivan
Moultrie County Courthouse in Sullivan
Flag of Moultrie County
Flag
Map of Illinois highlighting Moultrie 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°38′N 88°37′W
Country United States
State Illinois
FoundedFebruary 16, 1843
Named forWilliam Moultrie
SeatSullivan
Largest citySullivan
Area
 • Total344 sq mi (890 km2)
 • Land336 sq mi (870 km2)
 • Water8.5 sq mi (22 km2)  2.5%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total14,526
 • Estimate 
(2021)[1]
14,510
 • Density42/sq mi (16/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district15th
Websitewww.moultriecountyil.com

History

Moultrie County was formed in 1843 with areas taken from Shelby and Macon counties. It is named for South Carolina General, and later Governor, William Moultrie. General Moultrie defended Sullivan's Island, South Carolina from British attack in 1776. The site was later renamed Fort Moultrie. Nearby Jasper County was named for Sgt. William Jasper, another hero of the defense of Sullivan's Island.

The official flag of the county is the Moultrie Flag, which was flown over the new fortress on Sullivan's Island, when Moultrie defended it, and was designed by Moultrie. It went on to become iconic of liberty in the South.

When Abraham Kellar of Lovington, John Cook of Marrowbone, and John Fleming of Nelson proposed the formation of a new county from Macon, Shelby, and Coles counties, Macon gave up a strip of “worthless swamp” that is now among the most fertile land in the world, but Shelby and Coles voters refused to give up any land. Finally, Shelby County gave up some of its land to make a zig-zag border with Moultrie County.

  • Moultrie County at the time of its creation in 1843
    Moultrie County at the time of its creation in 1843
  • The Moultrie Flag being raised by Sergeant William Jasper
    The Moultrie Flag being raised by Sergeant William Jasper

Geography

According to the US Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 344 square miles (890 km2), of which 336 square miles (870 km2) is land and 8.5 square miles (22 km2) (2.5%) is water.[4]

Climate and weather
Sullivan, Illinois
Climate chart (explanation)
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2
 
 
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1.9
 
 
41
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3.7
 
 
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43
 
 
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3.9
 
 
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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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51
 
 
1
−7
 
 
48
 
 
5
−4
 
 
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6
 
 
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28
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31
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29
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27
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20
7
 
 
98
 
 
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4
−4
█ Average max. and min. temperatures in °C
█ Precipitation totals in mm

In recent years, average temperatures in the county seat of Sullivan have ranged from a low of 19 °F (−7 °C) in January to a high of 87 °F (31 °C) in July, although a record low of −26 °F (−32 °C) was recorded in January 1915 and a record high of 111 °F (44 °C) was recorded in July 1936. Average monthly precipitation ranged from 1.89 inches (48 mm) in February to 4.05 inches (103 mm) in June.[5]

Major highways

Adjacent counties

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18503,234—
18606,38597.4%
187010,38562.6%
188013,69931.9%
189014,4815.7%
190015,2245.1%
191014,630−3.9%
192014,8391.4%
193013,247−10.7%
194013,4771.7%
195013,171−2.3%
196013,6353.5%
197013,263−2.7%
198014,5469.7%
199013,930−4.2%
200014,2872.6%
201014,8463.9%
202014,526−2.2%
2021 (est.)14,510[6]−0.1%
US Decennial Census[7]
1790-1960[8] 1900-1990[9]
1990-2000[10] 2010-2013[11] 2020[2]

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 14,846 people, 5,758 households, and 4,053 families living in the county.[12] The population density was 44.2 inhabitants per square mile (17.1/km2). There were 6,260 housing units at an average density of 18.6 per square mile (7.2/km2).[4] The racial makeup of the county was 98.5% white, 0.3% black or African American, 0.2% Asian, 0.2% American Indian, 0.2% from other races, and 0.6% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 0.9% of the population.[12] In terms of ancestry, 23.8% were German, 12.0% were Irish, 11.4% were American, and 10.9% were English.[13]

Of the 5,758 households, 31.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.6% were married couples living together, 8.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 29.6% were non-families, and 25.5% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.51 and the average family size was 3.01. The median age was 40.3 years.[12]

The median income for a household in the county was $46,364 and the median income for a family was $54,494. Males had a median income of $42,581 versus $26,799 for females. The per capita income for the county was $22,954. About 6.2% of families and 11.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.2% of those under age 18 and 6.7% of those age 65 or over.[14]

Communities
Map of Moultrie County, Illinois

City

Villages

Unincorporated Communities

Townships

Education

Moultrie County is served by three school districts.

Politics

Moultrie County voters have voted for the Republican Party candidate in eight of the last ten national election campaigns.

United States presidential election results for Moultrie County, Illinois[15]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No. %No. %No. %
2020 4,964 73.48% 1,662 24.60% 130 1.92%
2016 4,455 70.91% 1,481 23.57% 347 5.52%
2012 3,784 62.29% 2,144 35.29% 147 2.42%
2008 3,471 55.33% 2,668 42.53% 134 2.14%
2004 4,028 62.30% 2,388 36.93% 50 0.77%
2000 3,058 53.41% 2,529 44.17% 138 2.41%
1996 2,199 40.34% 2,629 48.23% 623 11.43%
1992 2,065 31.94% 3,056 47.27% 1,344 20.79%
1988 3,167 50.98% 3,013 48.50% 32 0.52%
1984 3,593 59.17% 2,458 40.48% 21 0.35%
1980 3,495 56.73% 2,332 37.85% 334 5.42%
1976 2,803 45.44% 3,332 54.01% 34 0.55%
1972 3,143 57.07% 2,350 42.67% 14 0.25%
1968 3,094 50.50% 2,447 39.94% 586 9.56%
1964 2,493 40.04% 3,733 59.96% 0 0.00%
1960 3,752 54.93% 3,079 45.07% 0 0.00%
1956 3,756 57.65% 2,751 42.23% 8 0.12%
1952 3,880 59.12% 2,675 40.76% 8 0.12%
1948 3,043 49.39% 3,037 49.29% 81 1.31%
1944 3,180 52.31% 2,853 46.93% 46 0.76%
1940 3,636 49.32% 3,696 50.13% 41 0.56%
1936 3,074 42.41% 4,110 56.70% 65 0.90%
1932 2,353 35.40% 4,219 63.48% 74 1.11%
1928 3,310 60.31% 2,168 39.50% 10 0.18%
1924 3,001 53.10% 2,403 42.52% 248 4.39%
1920 3,279 55.76% 2,513 42.73% 89 1.51%
1916 2,933 44.95% 3,370 51.65% 222 3.40%
1912 853 26.69% 1,501 46.96% 842 26.35%
1908 1,704 48.44% 1,695 48.18% 119 3.38%
1904 1,719 50.60% 1,470 43.27% 208 6.12%
1900 1,728 45.86% 1,975 52.42% 65 1.73%
1896 1,711 44.79% 2,077 54.37% 32 0.84%
1892 1,287 39.17% 1,670 50.82% 329 10.01%

See also

References
  1. "QuickFacts: Moultrie County, Illinois". Census.gov. Retrieved May 24, 2022.
  2. 2020 Population and Housing State Data | Illinois
  3. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  4. "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 12, 2020. Retrieved July 12, 2015.
  5. "Monthly Averages for Sullivan IL". The Weather Channel. Retrieved January 27, 2011.
  6. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved May 24, 2021.
  7. "US Decennial Census". US Census Bureau. Retrieved July 7, 2014.
  8. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved July 7, 2014.
  9. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". US Census Bureau. Retrieved July 7, 2014.
  10. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). US Census Bureau. Retrieved July 7, 2014.
  11. "State & County QuickFacts". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 7, 2011. Retrieved July 7, 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 12, 2015.
  13. "Selected Social Characteristics in the US – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved July 12, 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 12, 2015.
  15. Leip, David. "Atlas of US Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 31, 2018.

39.64°N 88.62°W / 39.64; -88.62

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