Livingston County, Illinois
Encyclopedia
Livingston County is a county located in the U.S. state
of Illinois
. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 38,950, which is a decrease of 1.8% from 39,678 in 2000. Its county seat
is Pontiac
.
The Pontiac Micropolitan Statistical Area includes all of Livingston County.
, a prominent politician who was mayor of New York City
and represented New York in the United States House of Representatives
and Louisiana
in both houses of Congress
. He later served as Andrew Jackson's
Secretary of State
and as Minister to France
. Although he had no connections to Illinois, the General Assembly found him accomplished enough to name a county after him.
of 2000, there were 39,678 people, 14,374 households, and 9,946 families residing in the county. The population density
was 38 people per square mile (15/km²). There were 15,297 housing units at an average density of 15 per square mile (6/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 92.32% White
, 5.17% Black
or African American
, 0.17% Native American
, 0.31% Asian
, 0.01% Pacific Islander
, 1.22% from other races
, and 0.80% from two or more races. 2.66% of the population were Hispanic
or Latino
of any race. 35.6% were of German
, 15.4% American
, 12.4% Irish
and 7.5% English
ancestry according to Census 2000. 96.8% spoke English
and 2.4% Spanish
as their first language.
There were 14,374 households out of which 32.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.80% were married couples
living together, 8.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.80% were non-families. 26.80% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.51 and the average family size was 3.04.
In the county the population was spread out with 25.00% under the age of 18, 8.20% from 18 to 24, 29.60% from 25 to 44, 21.90% from 45 to 64, and 15.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 97.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.50 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $41,342, and the median income for a family was $47,958. Males had a median income of $36,414 versus $23,479 for females. The per capita income
for the county was $18,347. About 5.80% of families and 8.80% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.90% of those under age 18 and 8.50% of those age 65 or over.
Pontiac Correctional Center
is located in Pontiac. Pontiac houses the male death row. Prior to the January 11, 2003 commutation of death row sentences, male death row inmates were housed in Pontiac, Menard
, and Tamms
correctional centers. Dwight Correctional Center
is within Nevada Township in an unincorporated area
in the county. Dwight Correctional Center houses the State of Illinois female death row.
:
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 38,950, which is a decrease of 1.8% from 39,678 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 Pontiac
Pontiac, Illinois
Pontiac is a city in Livingston County, Illinois, United States. The population was 11,931 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Livingston County...
.
The Pontiac Micropolitan Statistical Area includes all of Livingston County.
History
Livingston was established on February 27, 1837. It was formed from parts of McLean, LaSalle, and Iroquois counties, and named after Edward LivingstonEdward Livingston
Edward Livingston was an American jurist and statesman. He was an influential figure in the drafting of the Louisiana Civil Code of 1825, a civil code based largely on the Napoleonic Code. He represented both New York, and later Louisiana in Congress and he served as the U.S...
, a prominent politician who was mayor of New York City
Mayor of New York City
The Mayor of the City of New York is head of the executive branch of New York City's government. The mayor's office administers all city services, public property, police and fire protection, most public agencies, and enforces all city and state laws within New York City.The budget overseen by the...
and represented New York in the United States House of Representatives
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
and Louisiana
Louisiana
Louisiana is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America. Its capital is Baton Rouge and largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. with political subdivisions termed parishes, which are local governments equivalent to counties...
in both houses of Congress
United States Congress
The United States Congress is the bicameral legislature of the federal government of the United States, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Congress meets in the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C....
. He later served as Andrew Jackson's
Andrew Jackson
Andrew Jackson was the seventh President of the United States . Based in frontier Tennessee, Jackson was a politician and army general who defeated the Creek Indians at the Battle of Horseshoe Bend , and the British at the Battle of New Orleans...
Secretary of State
United States Secretary of State
The United States Secretary of State is the head of the United States Department of State, concerned with foreign affairs. The Secretary is a member of the Cabinet and the highest-ranking cabinet secretary both in line of succession and order of precedence...
and as Minister to France
United States Ambassador to France
This article is about the United States Ambassador to France. There has been a United States Ambassador to France since the American Revolution. The United States sent its first envoys to France in 1776, towards the end of the four-centuries-old Bourbon dynasty...
. Although he had no connections to Illinois, the General Assembly found him accomplished enough to name a county after him.
Geography
According to the 2010 census, the county has a total area of 1045.93 square miles (2,708.9 km²), of which 1044.28 square miles (2,704.7 km²) (or 99.84%) is land and 1.64 square miles (4.2 km²) (or 0.16%) is water.Major highways
U.S. Highway 24
Adjacent counties
- Grundy County - north
- Kankakee CountyKankakee County, IllinoisKankakee County is a county located in the U.S. state of Illinois. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 113,449, which is an increase of 9.3% from 103,833 in 2000. Its county seat is Kankakee....
- northeast - Ford County - southeast
- McLean CountyMcLean County, IllinoisMcLean County is a county in the U.S. state of Illinois. McLean County is included in the Bloomington–Normal, Illinois Metropolitan Statistical Area. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 169,572, which is an increase of 12.7% from 150,433 in 2000. Its county seat is...
- southwest - Woodford County - west
- LaSalle County - northwest
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 39,678 people, 14,374 households, and 9,946 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 38 people per square mile (15/km²). There were 15,297 housing units at an average density of 15 per square mile (6/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 92.32% 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...
, 5.17% 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...
, 0.17% 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...
, 0.31% 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...
, 1.22% 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 0.80% from two or more races. 2.66% 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. 35.6% were of German
Germans
The Germans are a Germanic ethnic group native to Central Europe. The English term Germans has referred to the German-speaking population of the Holy Roman Empire since the Late Middle Ages....
, 15.4% American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, 12.4% 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 7.5% 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...
ancestry according to Census 2000. 96.8% 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 2.4% 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 14,374 households out of which 32.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.80% 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, 8.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.80% were non-families. 26.80% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.51 and the average family size was 3.04.
In the county the population was spread out with 25.00% under the age of 18, 8.20% from 18 to 24, 29.60% from 25 to 44, 21.90% from 45 to 64, and 15.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 97.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.50 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $41,342, and the median income for a family was $47,958. Males had a median income of $36,414 versus $23,479 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 $18,347. About 5.80% of families and 8.80% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.90% of those under age 18 and 8.50% of those age 65 or over.
Government and infrastructure
The Illinois Department of Corrections operates two prisons in the county.Pontiac Correctional Center
Pontiac Correctional Center
Pontiac Correctional Center, established in June 1871, is a Illinois Department of Corrections maximum security prison for adult males in Pontiac, Illinois. The prison also has a medium security unit that houses medium to minimum security inmates and is classified as Level 3...
is located in Pontiac. Pontiac houses the male death row. Prior to the January 11, 2003 commutation of death row sentences, male death row inmates were housed in Pontiac, Menard
Menard Correctional Center
Menard Correctional Center, known prior to 1970 as Southern Illinois Penitentiary, is located in the town of Chester in Randolph County, Illinois. It is a state prison housing maximum-security and high medium-security adult males.The average daily population as of 2007 is 3,410. Menard Correctional...
, and Tamms
Tamms Correctional Center
The Tamms Correctional Center is a Illinois Department of Corrections prison located in Tamms, Illinois. The prison has two sections, a 200-bed minimum security facility opened in 1995, and a 500-bed maximum security facility known as the Closed Maximum Security Unit opened in 1998...
correctional centers. Dwight Correctional Center
Dwight Correctional Center
Dwight Correctional Center is an Illinois Department of Corrections maximum security prison for adult females. It is located at 23813 E. 3200 North Road in Nevada Township, unincorporated Livingston County, Illinois, near Dwight...
is within Nevada Township in an unincorporated area
Unincorporated area
In law, an unincorporated area is a region of land that is not a part of any municipality.To "incorporate" in this context means to form a municipal corporation, a city, town, or village with its own government. An unincorporated community is usually not subject to or taxed by a municipal government...
in the county. Dwight Correctional Center houses the State of Illinois female death row.
Notable residents
- Moira HarrisMoira HarrisMoira Harris is an American actress.Harris was born in Pontiac, Illinois and is Roman Catholic. She graduated from Illinois State University in Normal, Illinois. During her college years, she met her husband Gary Sinise, and they have been married since 1981...
- actress and wife of Gary SiniseGary SiniseGary Alan Sinise is an American actor, film director and musician. During his career, Sinise has won various awards including an Emmy and a Golden Globe Award and was nominated for an Academy Award. In 1992, Sinise directed, and played the role of George Milton in the successful film adaptation of...
. - Irene HuntIrene HuntIrene Hunt was born to Franklin P. and Sarah Land Hunt on May 18, 1907 in Pontiac, Illinois. The family soon moved to Newton, Illinois, but Franklin died when Hunt was only seven, and the family moved again to be close to Hunt's grandparents...
- Newbery MedalNewbery MedalThe John Newbery Medal is a literary award given by the Association for Library Service to Children, a division of the American Library Association . The award is given to the author of the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children. The award has been given since 1922. ...
-winning author. - Donald AttigDonald AttigDonald Attig is an inventor, boat designer, entrepreneur, yachtsman and adventurer.-Biography:...
- businessman and adventurer. - Elwood Blues and 'Joliet' Jake Blues - fictional musicians and career criminals, portrayed by Dan AykroydDan AykroydDaniel Edward "Dan" Aykroyd, CM is a Canadian comedian, actor, screenwriter, musician, winemaker and ufologist. He was an original cast member of Saturday Night Live, an originator of The Blues Brothers and Ghostbusters and has had a long career as a film actor and screenwriter.-Early...
and John BelushiJohn BelushiJohn Adam Belushi was an American comedian, actor, and musician, best known as one of the original cast members of the NBC sketch comedy show Saturday Night Live, The Star of the Films National Lampoon's Animal House and the The Blues Brothers and for fronting the American blues and soul...
respectively. The main characters of The Blues BrothersThe Blues BrothersThe Blues Brothers are an American blues and soul revivalist band founded in 1978 by comedy actors Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi as part of a musical sketch on Saturday Night Live...
movie were born in DwightDwight, IllinoisDwight is a village in located mainly in Livingston County, Illinois, with a small portion in Grundy County, Illinois. The population was 4,260 at the 2010 census. Dwight contains an original stretch of the famous U.S. Route 66, and uses a railroad station designed in 1891 by Henry Ives Cobb. It is...
, Livingston County, Illinois - Michael MyersMichael MyersMichael Myers may refer to:*Michael Myers , sixth Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of New Zealand*Michael Myers , New York politician...
- The serial killer from the Halloween movie series.
Cities and towns
|
Flanagan, Illinois Flanagan is a village in Livingston County, Illinois, United States. The population was 1,083 at the 2000 census. The local high school and grade school are both located within the village limits.-Geography:Flanagan is located at .... Forrest, Illinois Forrest is a village in Livingston County, Illinois, United States. The population was 1,225 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Forrest is located at .... Long Point, Illinois Long Point is a village in Livingston County, Illinois, United States. The population was 247 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Long Point is located at .... Odell, Illinois Odell is a village in Livingston County, Illinois, United States. The population was 1,014 at the 2000 census.-Media:In October 2006, Odell was featured on the USA Food Network's "Riding Old Route 66", which visited the Standard Oil station-Geography:... Pontiac, Illinois Pontiac is a city in Livingston County, Illinois, United States. The population was 11,931 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Livingston County... Saunemin, Illinois Saunemin is a village in Livingston County, Illinois, United States. The population was 456 at the 2000 census. It was named after a Kickapoo chief.-Geography:Saunemin is located at .... Strawn, Illinois Strawn is a village in Livingston County, Illinois, United States. The population was 104 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Strawn is located at .... |
Townships
Livingston County is divided into thirty 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,...
:
|
Forrest Township, Livingston County, Illinois Forrest Township is located in Livingston County, Illinois. The population was 1,597 at the 2000 census. Forrest Township formed from a portion of Chatsworth Township as Forrestville Township in 1861, but then changed its name to just Forrest in 1865.... Germanville Township, Livingston County, Illinois Germanville Township is located in Livingston County, Illinois. The population was 900 at the 2010 census. Germanville Township formed as Germantown Township from a portion of Chatsworth Township in September, 1868, but changed its name again on July 22, 1879 to Germanville.- External links :***... Indian Grove Township, Livingston County, Illinois Indian Grove Township is located in Livingston County, Illinois. The population was 4,315 at the 2000 census. Indian Grove Township changed its name from Worth Township on May 11, 1858.- External links :***... Long Point Township, Livingston County, Illinois Long Point Township is located in Livingston County, Illinois. The population was 542 at the 2000 census.- External links :***... Nebraska Township, Livingston County, Illinois Nebraska Township is located in Livingston County, Illinois. The population was 1,494 at the 2000 census.- External links :***... Nevada Township, Livingston County, Illinois Nevada Township is located in Livingston County, Illinois. The population was 212 at the 2000 census.The Illinois Department of Corrections Dwight Correctional Center is within the township. Dwight Correctional Center houses the State of Illinois female death row.- External links :***... Newtown Township, Livingston County, Illinois Newtown Township is located in Livingston County, Illinois. The population was 723 at the 2000 census.- External links :***... Odell Township, Livingston County, Illinois Odell Township is located in Livingston County, Illinois. The population was 1,208 at the 2000 census.-External links:* * *... Owego Township, Livingston County, Illinois Owego Township is located in Livingston County, Illinois. The population was 336 at the 2000 census.- External links :***... Pike Township, Livingston County, Illinois Pike Township is located in Livingston County, Illinois. The population was 303 at the 2000 census.- External links :***... |
Pleasant Ridge Township, Livingston County, Illinois Pleasant Ridge Township is located in Livingston County, Illinois. The population was 302 at the 2000 census. Pleasant Ridge Township formed from Saunemin Township in April, 1859.- External links :***... Pontiac Township, Livingston County, Illinois Pontiac Township is located in Livingston County, Illinois. The population was 13,148 at the 2000 census.- External links :***... Reading Township, Livingston County, Illinois Reading Township is located in Livingston County, Illinois. The population was 2,247 at the 2000 census.- External links :***... Rooks Creek Township, Livingston County, Illinois Rooks Creek Township is located in Livingston County, Illinois. The population was 568 at the 2000 census.- External links :***... Round Grove Township, Livingston County, Illinois Round Grove Township is located in Livingston County, Illinois. The population was 411 at the 2000 census.- External links :***... Saunemin Township, Livingston County, Illinois Saunemin Township is located in Livingston County, Illinois, USA. The population was 690 at the 2000 census. It is named after, and contains Saunemin, Illinois.- External links :***... Sullivan Township, Livingston County, Illinois Sullivan Township is located in Livingston County, Illinois. The population was 738 at the 2000 census. Sullivan Township formed from Saunemin Township in 1863.- External links :***... Sunbury Township, Livingston County, Illinois Sunbury Township is located in Livingston County, Illinois. The population was 235 at the 2000 census.- External links :***... Union Township, Livingston County, Illinois Union Township is located in Livingston County, Illinois. The population was 253 at the 2000 census. Union Township formed from Odell Township in 1864.- External links :***... Waldo Township, Livingston County, Illinois Waldo Township is located in Livingston County, Illinois. The population was 259 at the 2000 census.- External links :***... |