Franklin County, Illinois
Encyclopedia
Franklin County is a county located in the U.S. state
of Illinois
. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 39,561, which is an increase of 1.4% from 39,018 in 2000. Its county seat
is Benton
.
and White
Counties. It was named for Benjamin Franklin
.
The first settlers arrived in Franklin County in 1804. This group included six brothers named Jordan. They settled in the southeastern corner of the county, near today's Thompsonville
. For shelter, they first built a pole shed, covered with brush, chinked with mud, thatched with a grass roof, and open to the south. A fire was kept burning outside the south face. This was replaced by a log cabin before winter arrived. This was known as the Jordan settlement.
In the winter of 1809, during Tecumseh's War
, the threat of attacks by hostile Indians
became real. Governor Edwards
urged the building forts for defense. Frank Jordan built two forts. The one at the settlement was called "Jordan's Fort", while the second was several miles to the west and was known as "Frank's Fort". This eventually became the town of West Frankfort
.
is located in this county.
:
As of the U.S. Census
of 2000, there were 39,018 people, 16,408 households, and 10,976 families residing in the county. The population density
was 95 people per square mile (37/km²). There were 18,105 housing units at an average density of 44 per square mile (17/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 98.63% White
, 0.15% Black
or African American
, 0.22% Native American
, 0.18% Asian
, 0.01% Pacific Islander
, 0.14% from other races
, and 0.66% from two or more races. 0.64% of the population were Hispanic
or Latino
of any race. 23.6% were of American
, 16.2% German, 14.9% English
, 11.4% Irish
and 6.6% Italian
ancestry according to Census 2000. 98.2% spoke English
and 1.0% Spanish
as their first language.
There were 16,408 households out of which 28.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.00% were married couples
living together, 10.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.10% were non-families. 29.80% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.80% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.34 and the average family size was 2.89.
In the county the population was spread out with 23.00% under the age of 18, 7.90% from 18 to 24, 26.20% from 25 to 44, 24.30% from 45 to 64, and 18.70% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 91.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.00 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $28,411, and the median income for a family was $36,294. Males had a median income of $31,429 versus $19,664 for females. The per capita income
for the county was $15,407. About 12.60% of families and 16.20% of the population were below the poverty line, including 24.10% of those under age 18 and 9.60% of those age 65 or over.
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of Illinois
Illinois
Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 39,561, which is an increase of 1.4% from 39,018 in 2000. Its county seat
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
is Benton
Benton, Illinois
Benton is a city in Franklin County, Illinois, United States. The population was 7,087 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Franklin County. The city is part of the Metro Lakeland area.- History :...
.
History
Franklin County was established on January 2, 1818 and formed from parts of GallatinGallatin County, Illinois
Gallatin County is a county located in the U.S. state of Illinois. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 5,589, which is a decrease of 13.3% from 6,445 in 2000...
and White
White County, Illinois
White County is a county located in the U.S. state of Illinois. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 14,665, which is a decrease of 4.6% from 15,371 in 2000...
Counties. It was named for Benjamin Franklin
Benjamin Franklin
Dr. Benjamin Franklin was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. A noted polymath, Franklin was a leading author, printer, political theorist, politician, postmaster, scientist, musician, inventor, satirist, civic activist, statesman, and diplomat...
.
The first settlers arrived in Franklin County in 1804. This group included six brothers named Jordan. They settled in the southeastern corner of the county, near today's Thompsonville
Thompsonville, Illinois
Thompsonville is a village in Franklin County, Illinois, United States. The population was 571 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Thompsonville is located at ....
. For shelter, they first built a pole shed, covered with brush, chinked with mud, thatched with a grass roof, and open to the south. A fire was kept burning outside the south face. This was replaced by a log cabin before winter arrived. This was known as the Jordan settlement.
In the winter of 1809, during Tecumseh's War
Tecumseh's War
Tecumseh's War or Tecumseh's Rebellion are terms sometimes used to describe a conflict in the Old Northwest between the United States and an American Indian confederacy led by the Shawnee leader Tecumseh...
, the threat of attacks by hostile Indians
Native Americans in the United States
Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples in North America within the boundaries of the present-day continental United States, parts of Alaska, and the island state of Hawaii. They are composed of numerous, distinct tribes, states, and ethnic groups, many of which survive as...
became real. Governor Edwards
Ninian Edwards
Ninian Edwards was a founding political figure of the state of Illinois. He served as the first and only governor of the Illinois Territory from 1809 to 1818, as one of the first two United States Senators from Illinois from 1818 to 1824, and as the third Governor of Illinois from 1826 to 1830...
urged the building forts for defense. Frank Jordan built two forts. The one at the settlement was called "Jordan's Fort", while the second was several miles to the west and was known as "Frank's Fort". This eventually became the town of West Frankfort
West Frankfort, Illinois
West Frankfort is a city in Franklin County, Illinois, USA. The population was 8,182 at the 2010 census. The city is part of the Metro Lakeland area.-History:...
.
Geography
According to the 2010 census, the county has a total area of 431.44 square miles (1,117.4 km²), of which 408.89 square miles (1,059 km²) (or 94.77%) is land and 22.56 square miles (58.4 km²) (or 5.23%) is water. Wayne Fitzgerrell State Recreation AreaWayne Fitzgerrell State Recreation Area
The Wayne Fitzgerell State Recreation Area is a 3,300-acre state park bordering Rend Lake near Benton, Illinois. The state park is managed by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources to concentrate on shoreline recreation, including boating, fishing, and picnicking.After Rend Lake was...
is located in this county.
Adjacent counties
- Jefferson CountyJefferson County, IllinoisJefferson County is a county located in the southern part of the U.S. state of Illinois. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 38,827, which is a decrease of 3.0% from 40,045 in 2000...
(north) - Hamilton County (east)
- Saline CountySaline County, IllinoisSaline County is a county located in the U.S. state of Illinois. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 24,913, which is a decrease of 6.8% from 26,733 in 2000. Its county seat is Harrisburg. Saline County is home to the smallest post office and the largest KFC in the United States....
(southeast) - Williamson CountyWilliamson County, Illinois-2010:Whereas according to the 2010 U.S. Census Bureau:*92.7% White*3.8% Black*0.4% Native American*0.8% Asian*0.0% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander*1.7% Two or more races*0.4% Other races*2.0% Hispanic or Latino -2000:...
(south) - Jackson CountyJackson County, IllinoisJackson County, incorporated January 10, 1816, is a county located in the U.S. state of Illinois. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 60,218, which is an increase of 1.0% from 59,612 in 2000...
(southwest) - Perry County (west)
Major highways
-
Interstate 57Interstate 57Interstate 57 is an Interstate Highway in Missouri and Illinois that parallels the old Illinois Central rail line for much of its route. It goes from Miner, Missouri, at Interstate 55 to Chicago, Illinois, at Interstate 94. I-57 essentially serves as a shortcut route for travelers headed between... -
Illinois Route 14Illinois Route 14Illinois Route 14 is a major east–west highway in southern Illinois. It runs from U.S. Route 51 south of Du Quoin to the New Harmony Toll Bridge over the Wabash River to State Road 66 at the Indiana state line... -
Illinois Route 34Illinois Route 34Illinois Route 34 is a north–south state road in southern Illinois. It runs from a former ferry crossing to Kentucky Route 297 across the Ohio River in Rosiclare to Illinois Routes 14/37 in Benton. This is a distance of .- Route description :... -
Illinois Route 148Illinois Route 148Illinois Route 148 is a north–south state road in southern Illinois. It runs from Illinois Route 37 at Pulleys Mill north to the western terminus of Illinois Route 142 and Illinois 37 south of downtown Mount Vernon... -
Illinois Route 149Illinois Route 149Illinois Route 149 is an east–west state road in southern Illinois. It runs from Illinois Route 3 near Grimsby east to Illinois Route 37 in Thompsonville. This is a distance of .- Route description :... -
Illinois Route 154Illinois Route 154Illinois Route 154 is an east–west state road in southern Illinois. It runs from Illinois Route 3 in Red Bud to Illinois Route 37 in Whittington. This is a distance of .- Route description :... -
Illinois Route 184Illinois Route 184Illinois Route 184 is a state road in the southern portion of the U.S. state of Illinois located entirely within Franklin County. It runs from Illinois Route 149 in Royalton north to Illinois Route 14 in Mulkeytown...
Cities and towns
- BentonBenton, IllinoisBenton is a city in Franklin County, Illinois, United States. The population was 7,087 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Franklin County. The city is part of the Metro Lakeland area.- History :...
- ChristopherChristopher, IllinoisChristopher is a city in Franklin County, Illinois, United States. The population was 2,382 at the 2010 census. It was the site of an early-morning railroad freight train derailment on Monday, December 4, 2006, involving two locomotives and 21 cars of an 83-car Union Pacific train; an unknown...
- OrientOrient, IllinoisOrient is a city in Franklin County, Illinois, United States. According to the 2000 census, the city population was 296.-Geography:Orient is located at ....
- SesserSesser, IllinoisSesser is a city in Franklin County, Illinois, United States. The population was 2,128 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Sesser is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all of it land....
- West FrankfortWest Frankfort, IllinoisWest Frankfort is a city in Franklin County, Illinois, USA. The population was 8,182 at the 2010 census. The city is part of the Metro Lakeland area.-History:...
- ZeiglerZeigler, IllinoisZeigler is a city in Franklin County, Illinois, United States. The population was 1801 at the 2010 census. The current mayor is Dennis Mitchell.-Geography:Zeigler is located at ....
Villages
- BucknerBuckner, IllinoisBuckner is a village in Franklin County, Illinois, United States. The population was 479 at the 2000 census. The current Mayor of the city is John Coder.-Geography:Buckner is located at ....
- EwingEwing, IllinoisEwing is a village in Franklin County, Illinois, United States. The population was 310 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Ewing is located at ....
- Freeman SpurFreeman Spur, IllinoisFreeman Spur is a village in Franklin and Williamson counties in the U.S. state of Illinois. The population was 273 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of , all of it land.-Demographics:...
(north half) - HanafordHanaford, IllinoisHanaford is a village in Franklin County, Illinois, United States. The population was 55 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Hanaford is located at ....
- MacedoniaMacedonia, IllinoisMacedonia is a village in Hamilton and Franklin counties in the U.S. state of Illinois. The population was 51 at the 2000 census.The Hamilton County portion of Macedonia is part of the Mount Vernon Micropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...
(west half) - MulkeytownMulkeytown, IllinoisMulkeytown is an unincorporated census-designated place in Franklin County, Illinois, United States. Mulkeytown is located on Illinois Route 184 west of Christopher. Mulkeytown has a post office with ZIP code 62865. As of the 2010 census, its population was 175....
- North CityNorth City, IllinoisNorth City is a village in Franklin County, Illinois, in the United States. The Census 2000's population estimate was 630.-Geography:North City is located at ....
- RoyaltonRoyalton, IllinoisRoyalton is a village in Franklin County, Illinois, United States. The population was 1,130 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Royalton is located at ....
- ThompsonvilleThompsonville, IllinoisThompsonville is a village in Franklin County, Illinois, United States. The population was 571 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Thompsonville is located at ....
- ValierValier, IllinoisValier is a village in Franklin County, Illinois, United States. The population was 662 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Valier is located at ....
- West CityWest City, IllinoisWest City is a village in Franklin County, Illinois, adjacent to the county seat of Benton, Illinois. The population was 661 at the 2010 census.- History :In the late 19th century, West City was a small settlement adjoining Benton on the west...
Townships
Franklin County is divided into twelve townshipsCivil township
A civil township is a widely used unit of local government in the United States, subordinate to, and geographic divisions of, a county. Specific responsibilities and the degree of autonomy vary based on each state. Civil townships are distinct from survey townships, but in states that have both,...
:
|
Ewing Township, Franklin County, Illinois Ewing Township is one of twelve townships in Franklin County, Illinois, USA. As of the 2000 census, its population was 1,391.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, Ewing Township covers an area of ; of this, or 4.57 percent is water... Frankfort Township, Franklin County, Illinois Frankfort Township is one of twelve townships in Franklin County, Illinois, USA. At the 2000 census, its population was 7,153.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, Frankfort Township covers an area of ; of this, or 0.69 percent is water.... Goode Township, Franklin County, Illinois Goode Township is one of twelve townships in Franklin County, Illinois, USA. As of the 2000 census, its population was 2,855.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, Goode Township covers an area of ; of this, or 0.4 percent is water.... Northern Township, Franklin County, Illinois Northern Township is one of twelve townships in Franklin County, Illinois, USA. As of the 2000 census, its population was 458.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, Northern Township covers an area of .-Unincorporated towns:* Diana... Six Mile Township, Franklin County, Illinois Six Mile Township is one of twelve townships in Franklin County, Illinois, USA. As of the 2000 census, its population was 3,713.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, Six Mile Township covers an area of ; of this, or 0.91 percent is water.... Tyrone Township, Franklin County, Illinois Tyrone Township is one of twelve townships in Franklin County, Illinois, USA. As of the 2000 census, its population was 5,011.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, Tyrone Township covers an area of ; of this, or 0.61 percent is water.... |
Demographics
As of the U.S. Census
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
of 2000, there were 39,018 people, 16,408 households, and 10,976 families residing in the county. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 95 people per square mile (37/km²). There were 18,105 housing units at an average density of 44 per square mile (17/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 98.63% White
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.15% Black
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
or African American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.22% Native American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.18% Asian
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.01% Pacific Islander
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.14% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 0.66% from two or more races. 0.64% of the population were Hispanic
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
or Latino
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
of any race. 23.6% were of American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, 16.2% German, 14.9% English
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
, 11.4% Irish
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
and 6.6% Italian
Italian people
The Italian people are an ethnic group that share a common Italian culture, ancestry and speak the Italian language as a mother tongue. Within Italy, Italians are defined by citizenship, regardless of ancestry or country of residence , and are distinguished from people...
ancestry according to Census 2000. 98.2% spoke English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
and 1.0% Spanish
Spanish language
Spanish , also known as Castilian , is a Romance language in the Ibero-Romance group that evolved from several languages and dialects in central-northern Iberia around the 9th century and gradually spread with the expansion of the Kingdom of Castile into central and southern Iberia during the...
as their first language.
There were 16,408 households out of which 28.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.00% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 10.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.10% were non-families. 29.80% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.80% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.34 and the average family size was 2.89.
In the county the population was spread out with 23.00% under the age of 18, 7.90% from 18 to 24, 26.20% from 25 to 44, 24.30% from 45 to 64, and 18.70% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 91.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.00 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $28,411, and the median income for a family was $36,294. Males had a median income of $31,429 versus $19,664 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the county was $15,407. About 12.60% of families and 16.20% of the population were below the poverty line, including 24.10% of those under age 18 and 9.60% of those age 65 or over.
Climate and weather
In recent years, average temperatures in the county seat of Benton have ranged from a low of 21 °F (-6.1 °C) in January to a high of 90 °F (32.2 °C) in July, although a record low of -22 °F was recorded in January 1977 and a record high of 104 °F (40 °C) was recorded in August 2007. Average monthly precipitation ranged from 2.87 inches (7.3 cm) in February to 4.59 inches (11.7 cm) in May.See also
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Franklin County, Illinois