Union County, Illinois

Union County is a county located in the U.S. state of Illinois. According to the 2020 United States Census, it had a population of 17,244.[1] Its county seat is Jonesboro.[2] It is located in the southern portion of Illinois known locally as "Little Egypt".

Union County
County
Union County Courthouse in Jonesboro
Union County Courthouse in Jonesboro
Map of Illinois highlighting Union 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°28′N 89°16′W
Country United States
State Illinois
Founded2 January 1818
SeatJonesboro
Largest cityAnna
Area
 • Total422 sq mi (1,090 km2)
 • Land413 sq mi (1,070 km2)
 • Water8.7 sq mi (23 km2)  2.1%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total17,244
 • Density41/sq mi (16/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district12th
Websitewww.unioncountyil.gov

History

Union County was formed out of Johnson County, nearly a year before the Illinois Territory gained statehood.[3] It was named for a joint revival meeting of the Baptists and Dunkards, called a "union meeting". The county seal depicts the leaders of these two groups shaking hands.[4]

  • For its first year of existence, Union County included an area of unorganized territory temporarily attached to it.
    For its first year of existence, Union County included an area of unorganized territory temporarily attached to it.[5]
  • In 1819, the additional territory became Alexander County, reducing Union to its current borders.
    In 1819, the additional territory became Alexander County, reducing Union to its current borders.

Geography

According to the US Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 422 square miles (1,090 km2), of which 413 square miles (1,070 km2) is land and 8.7 square miles (23 km2) (2.1%) is water.[6]

Climate and weather
Jonesboro, Illinois
Climate chart (explanation)
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
 
 
3.6
 
 
42
22
 
 
3.4
 
 
49
27
 
 
4.7
 
 
60
35
 
 
4.7
 
 
70
44
 
 
5.2
 
 
78
53
 
 
4.2
 
 
86
62
 
 
3.3
 
 
90
66
 
 
3.6
 
 
89
64
 
 
3.1
 
 
82
56
 
 
3.4
 
 
72
45
 
 
4.8
 
 
58
36
 
 
4.3
 
 
46
27
█ Average max. and min. temperatures in °F
█ Precipitation totals in inches
Source:The Weather Channel[7]
Metric conversion
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
 
 
91
 
 
6
−6
 
 
87
 
 
9
−3
 
 
120
 
 
16
2
 
 
119
 
 
21
7
 
 
133
 
 
26
12
 
 
107
 
 
30
17
 
 
83
 
 
32
19
 
 
91
 
 
32
18
 
 
80
 
 
28
13
 
 
86
 
 
22
7
 
 
121
 
 
14
2
 
 
109
 
 
8
−3
█ Average max. and min. temperatures in °C
█ Precipitation totals in mm

In recent years, average temperatures in the county seat of Jonesboro have ranged from a low of 22 °F (−6 °C) in January to a high of 90 °F (32 °C) in July, although a record low of −20 °F (−29 °C) was recorded in January 1918 and a record high of 112 °F (44 °C) was recorded in July 1901. Average monthly precipitation ranged from 3.13 inches (80 mm) in September to 5.22 inches (133 mm) in May.[7]

Major highways

Adjacent counties

Protected areas

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18202,362—
18303,23937.1%
18405,52470.5%
18507,61537.9%
186011,18146.8%
187016,51847.7%
188018,1029.6%
189021,54919.0%
190022,6104.9%
191021,856−3.3%
192020,249−7.4%
193019,883−1.8%
194021,5288.3%
195020,500−4.8%
196017,645−13.9%
197016,071−8.9%
198017,76510.5%
199017,619−0.8%
200018,2933.8%
201017,808−2.7%
202017,244−3.2%
US Decennial Census[11]
1790-1960[12] 1900-1990[13]
1990-2000[14] 2010-2013[1] 2020[15]

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 17,808 people, 7,167 households, and 4,837 families residing in the county.[16] The population density was 43.1 inhabitants per square mile (16.6/km2). There were 7,924 housing units at an average density of 19.2 per square mile (7.4/km2).[6] The racial makeup of the county was 94.8% white, 0.9% black or African American, 0.5% American Indian, 0.3% Asian, 2.0% from other races, and 1.5% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 4.8% of the population.[16] In terms of ancestry, 23.0% were German, 12.6% were Irish, 9.4% were English, and 8.1% were American.[17]

Of the 7,167 households, 29.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.6% were married couples living together, 10.6% had a female householder with no husband present, 32.5% were non-families, and 28.4% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.41 and the average family size was 2.92. The median age was 42.9 years.[16]

The median income for a household in the county was $39,760 and the median income for a family was $48,465. Males had a median income of $36,831 versus $31,272 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,512. About 12.7% of families and 21.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.5% of those under age 18 and 16.7% of those age 65 or over.[18]

Communities

Cities

Villages

Unincorporated communities


Politics

Like much of Southern Illinois, Union County has shifted toward the Republican Party over the past couple decades,[19] with the Republican candidate for president winning the county since 2000.

United States presidential election results for Union County, Illinois[20]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No. %No. %No. %
2020 6,161 69.19% 2,579 28.96% 164 1.84%
2016 5,790 67.20% 2,402 27.88% 424 4.92%
2012 4,957 59.59% 3,137 37.71% 224 2.69%
2008 5,003 54.65% 3,918 42.80% 233 2.55%
2004 5,333 58.48% 3,735 40.96% 51 0.56%
2000 4,397 50.77% 3,982 45.98% 281 3.24%
1996 3,147 38.00% 4,252 51.34% 883 10.66%
1992 3,003 33.06% 4,681 51.54% 1,399 15.40%
1988 4,244 50.05% 4,197 49.50% 38 0.45%
1984 4,721 55.13% 3,815 44.55% 28 0.33%
1980 4,289 50.81% 3,781 44.79% 371 4.40%
1976 3,531 41.16% 5,003 58.32% 44 0.51%
1972 5,034 59.36% 3,428 40.42% 18 0.21%
1968 3,889 46.45% 3,603 43.04% 880 10.51%
1964 3,142 37.63% 5,208 62.37% 0 0.00%
1960 4,432 50.58% 4,321 49.31% 10 0.11%
1956 4,204 49.06% 4,359 50.87% 6 0.07%
1952 4,658 51.97% 4,296 47.93% 9 0.10%
1948 3,864 46.01% 4,479 53.33% 55 0.65%
1944 4,114 48.25% 4,367 51.21% 46 0.54%
1940 4,915 45.51% 5,804 53.74% 81 0.75%
1936 4,165 39.81% 6,260 59.84% 36 0.34%
1932 2,859 31.47% 6,157 67.77% 69 0.76%
1928 3,352 44.52% 4,149 55.10% 29 0.39%
1924 2,579 39.16% 3,783 57.44% 224 3.40%
1920 3,119 45.55% 3,660 53.45% 68 0.99%
1916 3,135 37.11% 5,171 61.22% 141 1.67%
1912 458 10.44% 2,648 60.36% 1,281 29.20%
1908 1,695 37.43% 2,690 59.40% 144 3.18%
1904 1,537 39.54% 1,967 50.60% 383 9.85%
1900 1,695 36.49% 2,900 62.43% 50 1.08%
1896 1,842 37.65% 2,998 61.28% 52 1.06%
1892 1,427 33.96% 2,663 63.37% 112 2.67%

Education

School districts include:[21]

K-12:

  • Cobden School Unit District 17
  • Dongola School Unit District 66
  • Goreville Community Unit School District 1
  • Shawnee Community Unit School District 84

Secondary:

Elementary:

See also

References
  1. "State & County QuickFacts". US Census Bureau.
  2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 3, 2015. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. Perrin 1883, p. 285.
  4. Callary, Edward (2009). Place Names of Illinois. Urbana and Chicago, Illinois: University of Illinois Press. p. 354.
  5. White, Jesse. Origin and Evolution of Illinois Counties. State of Illinois, March 2010. "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on October 12, 2012. Retrieved September 26, 2012.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  6. "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved July 12, 2015.
  7. "Monthly Averages for Jonesboro IL". The Weather Channel. Archived from the original on October 23, 2012. Retrieved January 27, 2011.
  8. Brown Barrens Nature Preserve, Union County IL Google Maps (accessed 29 December 2018)
  9. Lincoln Memorial Picnic Grounds, Union County IL Google Maps (accessed 29 December 2018)
  10. McClure Shale Glade Nature Preserve, Union County IL Google Maps (accessed 29 December 2018)
  11. "US Decennial Census". US Census Bureau. Retrieved July 9, 2014.
  12. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Archived from the original on August 11, 2012. Retrieved July 9, 2014.
  13. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on April 24, 2014. Retrieved July 9, 2014.
  14. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). US Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on December 18, 2014. Retrieved July 9, 2014.
  15. "Explore Census Data".
  16. "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.
  17. "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.
  18. "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.
  19. Service, CHUCK RAASCH Herald & Review News. "Political scale tips toward GOP in southern Illinois, northeast Missouri". Herald-Review.com. Retrieved January 19, 2021.
  20. Leip, David. "Atlas of US Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Archived from the original on March 23, 2018. Retrieved May 1, 2018.
  21. "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Union County, IL" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved July 22, 2022. - Text list

Bibliography

37°28′16″N 89°15′18″W

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