Montgomery, Illinois
Encyclopedia
Montgomery is a village in Kane
and Kendall County, Illinois
. The population was 5,471 at the 2000 census
, and was 14,407 in a 2006 special census. The 2010 census
lists Montgomery's population at 18,438, which is a 237 percent increase from 2000.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the village has a total area of 6.6 square miles (17.1 km²), of which, 6.4 square miles (16.6 km²) of it is land and 0.2 square mile (0.517997622 km²) of it (3.03%) is water. However, this information is based on 2000 census data. Several annexations of surrounding land since 2000 have brought the current area to approximately 9.3 square miles (24.1 km²).
in November 1832. In the fall of 1835, Daniel S. Gray, from Montgomery County, New York
, visited the area where his brother Nicholas Gray had located in the previous spring, on a farm now within the limits of Kendall County
. He made immediate preparations to settle there, and in the fall of 1836, after his family moved New York, he built the first wooden house in the area. It was located in the southern part of what is now Montgomery, near the west bank of the Fox River
.
Daniel Gray is considered the founder of Montgomery, and bought land grants from the federal government, and had ownership of large tracts of land.
The settlement was called "Graystown" for several years, but eventually Gray convinced
other settlers to call the small village "Montgomery" after the New York County that he and several other settlers had origins.
Daniel Gray founded many companies in Montgomery, including a warehouse, foundry, combine and fabrication shop , and one of the best stone grain mills in the county (Gray–Watkins Mill
). Gray was
doing preparations for more business operations, including the establishment of a stationary engine factory when he died in October 1855. Upon his death, he still owned the majority of the lots in the village. His heirs continued to sell these lots and the village continued to grow.
In 1858, the town of Montgomery was incorporated.
For much of the twentieth century, the village grew slowly and steadily. Lyon Steel was founded in Montgomery, and participated in the war effort of World War II. The Aurora Caterpillar manufacturing plant has been producing wheel-loaders
since 1959.
In the beginning of the twenty-first century, Montgomery experienced rapid growth, along with many other communities in Kendall County
.
of 2000, there were 5,471 people, 2,164 households, and 1,465 families residing in the village. The population density
was 852.9 people per square mile (329.5/km²). There were 2,222 housing units at an average density of 346.4 per square mile (133.8/km²). The racial makeup of the village was 89.33% White, 3.02% African American, 0.42% Native American, 0.80% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 4.88% from other races
, and 1.52% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 13.54% of the population.
There were 2,164 households out of which 30.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.5% were married couples
living together, 9.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.3% were non-families. 27.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.52 and the average family size was 3.10.
In the village the population was spread out with 24.4% under the age of 18, 8.3% from 18 to 24, 30.1% from 25 to 44, 22.6% from 45 to 64, and 14.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 94.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.8 males.
The median income for a household in the village was $51,028, and the median income for a family was $61,319. Males had a median income of $50,167 versus $26,875 for females. The per capita income
for the village was $23,395. About 3.7% of families and 3.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.4% of those under age 18 and none of those age 65 or over.
Kane County, Illinois
Kane County is a county located in the U.S. state of Illinois. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 515,269, which is an increase of 27.5% from 404,119 in 2000. Its county seat is Geneva, and its largest city is Aurora.- Geography :...
and Kendall County, Illinois
Kendall County, Illinois
Kendall County is a county located in the U.S. state of Illinois, about 40 miles southwest of Chicago. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 114,736, which is an increase of 110% from 54,544 in 2000. It was the fastest-growing county in the United States between the years 2000 and...
. The population was 5,471 at the 2000 census
United States Census, 2000
The Twenty-second United States Census, known as Census 2000 and conducted by the Census Bureau, determined the resident population of the United States on April 1, 2000, to be 281,421,906, an increase of 13.2% over the 248,709,873 persons enumerated during the 1990 Census...
, and was 14,407 in a 2006 special census. The 2010 census
United States Census, 2010
The Twenty-third United States Census, known as Census 2010 or the 2010 Census, is the current national census of the United States. National Census Day was April 1, 2010 and is the reference date used in enumerating individuals...
lists Montgomery's population at 18,438, which is a 237 percent increase from 2000.
Geography
Montgomery is located at 41°43′40"N 88°19′45"W (41.727879, -88.329033).According to the United States Census Bureau
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...
, the village has a total area of 6.6 square miles (17.1 km²), of which, 6.4 square miles (16.6 km²) of it is land and 0.2 square mile (0.517997622 km²) of it (3.03%) is water. However, this information is based on 2000 census data. Several annexations of surrounding land since 2000 have brought the current area to approximately 9.3 square miles (24.1 km²).
History
The first european settler arriving in the area was Jacob Carpenter, who came to the Chicago area from Logan County, OhioLogan County, Ohio
Logan County is a county in the state of Ohio, United States. As of the 2010 census, the population was 45,858. The county seat is Bellefontaine. The county is named for Benjamin Logan, who fought Native Americans in the area....
in November 1832. In the fall of 1835, Daniel S. Gray, from Montgomery County, New York
Montgomery County, New York
As of the census of 2000, there were 49,708 people, 20,038 households, and 13,104 families residing in the county. The population density was 123 people per square mile . There were 22,522 housing units at an average density of 56 per square mile...
, visited the area where his brother Nicholas Gray had located in the previous spring, on a farm now within the limits of Kendall County
Kendall County, Illinois
Kendall County is a county located in the U.S. state of Illinois, about 40 miles southwest of Chicago. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 114,736, which is an increase of 110% from 54,544 in 2000. It was the fastest-growing county in the United States between the years 2000 and...
. He made immediate preparations to settle there, and in the fall of 1836, after his family moved New York, he built the first wooden house in the area. It was located in the southern part of what is now Montgomery, near the west bank of the Fox River
Fox River (Illinois River tributary)
The Fox River is a tributary of the Illinois River in the states of Wisconsin and Illinois in the United States. There are two other "Fox Rivers" in southern Illinois: the Fox River and a smaller "Fox River" that joins the Wabash River near New Harmony, Indiana.-Wisconsin:The Fox River rises near...
.
Daniel Gray is considered the founder of Montgomery, and bought land grants from the federal government, and had ownership of large tracts of land.
The settlement was called "Graystown" for several years, but eventually Gray convinced
other settlers to call the small village "Montgomery" after the New York County that he and several other settlers had origins.
Daniel Gray founded many companies in Montgomery, including a warehouse, foundry, combine and fabrication shop , and one of the best stone grain mills in the county (Gray–Watkins Mill
Gray–Watkins Mill
The Gray–Watkins Mill or Gray's Mill is a historic structure in Montgomery, Illinois. The building was an early turbine mill on the Fox River, and was later used as an automobile parts manufacturer. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979.-History:The Gray–Watkins Mill is...
). Gray was
doing preparations for more business operations, including the establishment of a stationary engine factory when he died in October 1855. Upon his death, he still owned the majority of the lots in the village. His heirs continued to sell these lots and the village continued to grow.
In 1858, the town of Montgomery was incorporated.
For much of the twentieth century, the village grew slowly and steadily. Lyon Steel was founded in Montgomery, and participated in the war effort of World War II. The Aurora Caterpillar manufacturing plant has been producing wheel-loaders
Loader (equipment)
A loader is a heavy equipment machine often used in construction, primarily used to load material into or onto another type of machinery .-Heavy equipment front loaders:A loader A loader is a heavy equipment machine often used in construction, primarily used to load material (such as asphalt,...
since 1959.
In the beginning of the twenty-first century, Montgomery experienced rapid growth, along with many other communities in Kendall County
Kendall County, Illinois
Kendall County is a county located in the U.S. state of Illinois, about 40 miles southwest of Chicago. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 114,736, which is an increase of 110% from 54,544 in 2000. It was the fastest-growing county in the United States between the years 2000 and...
.
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 5,471 people, 2,164 households, and 1,465 families residing in the village. 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 852.9 people per square mile (329.5/km²). There were 2,222 housing units at an average density of 346.4 per square mile (133.8/km²). The racial makeup of the village was 89.33% White, 3.02% African American, 0.42% Native American, 0.80% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 4.88% 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 1.52% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 13.54% of the population.
There were 2,164 households out of which 30.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.5% 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, 9.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.3% were non-families. 27.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.52 and the average family size was 3.10.
In the village the population was spread out with 24.4% under the age of 18, 8.3% from 18 to 24, 30.1% from 25 to 44, 22.6% from 45 to 64, and 14.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 94.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.8 males.
The median income for a household in the village was $51,028, and the median income for a family was $61,319. Males had a median income of $50,167 versus $26,875 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 village was $23,395. About 3.7% of families and 3.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.4% of those under age 18 and none of those age 65 or over.