Morgan County, Illinois
Encyclopedia
Morgan County is a county located in the U.S. state
of Illinois
. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 35,547, which is a decrease of 2.9% from 36,616 in 2000. Its county seat
is Jacksonville
.
Morgan County is part of the Jacksonville Micropolitan Statistical Area
.
. It was named in honor of General Daniel Morgan
, who defeated the British at the Battle of Cowpens
in the Revolutionary War. General Morgan was serving under General Nathanael Greene
at Cowpens.
As of the census
of 2000, there were 36,616 people, 14,039 households, and 9,251 families residing in the county. The population density
was 64 people per square mile (25/km²). There were 15,291 housing units at an average density of 27 per square mile (10/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 92.34% White
, 5.36% Black
or African American
, 0.18% Native American
, 0.46% Asian
, 0.01% Pacific Islander
, 0.70% from other races
, and 0.95% from two or more races. 1.35% of the population were Hispanic
or Latino
of any race. 25.3% were of German
, 17.3% American
, 16.5% English
and 10.3% Irish
ancestry according to Census 2000.
There were 14,039 households out of which 30.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.70% were married couples
living together, 10.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.10% were non-families. 29.30% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.37 and the average family size was 2.92.
In the county the population was spread out with 22.80% under the age of 18, 11.10% from 18 to 24, 27.20% from 25 to 44, 23.30% from 45 to 64, and 15.60% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 98.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.00 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $36,933, and the median income for a family was $46,040. Males had a median income of $31,218 versus $23,174 for females. The per capita income
for the county was $18,205. About 6.00% of families and 9.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.60% of those under age 18 and 8.30% 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 35,547, which is a decrease of 2.9% from 36,616 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 Jacksonville
Jacksonville, Illinois
Jacksonville is a city in Morgan County, Illinois, United States. The population was 18,940 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Morgan County....
.
Morgan County is part of the Jacksonville Micropolitan Statistical Area
Jacksonville, Illinois micropolitan area
The Jacksonville Micropolitan Statistical Area, as defined by the United States Census Bureau, is an area consisting of two counties in west central Illinois, anchored by the city of Jacksonville....
.
Geography
According to the 2010 census, the county has a total area of 572.3 square miles (1,482.3 km²), of which 568.79 square miles (1,473.2 km²) (or 99.39%) is land and 3.51 square miles (9.1 km²) (or 0.61%) is water.Major highways
U.S. Highway 36
U.S. Highway 67
Adjacent counties
- Cass County - north
- Sangamon CountySangamon County, IllinoisSangamon County is a county located in the U.S. state of Illinois. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 197,465, which is an increase of 4.5% from 188,951 in 2000...
- east - Macoupin CountyMacoupin County, IllinoisMacoupin County is a county located in the southwestern portion of the U.S. state of Illinois. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 47,765, which is a decrease of 2.6% from 49,019 in 2000. The county seat is Carlinville. Macoupin County is an outlying county of the Metro-East region...
- southeast - Greene County - south
- Pike CountyPike County, IllinoisPike County is a county located in the U.S. state of Illinois. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 16,430, which is a decrease of 5.5% from 17,384 in 2000...
- west - Scott County - west
- Brown County - northwest
History
Morgan County was formed in 1823 out of Greene and Sangamon CountiesSangamon County, Illinois
Sangamon County is a county located in the U.S. state of Illinois. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 197,465, which is an increase of 4.5% from 188,951 in 2000...
. It was named in honor of General Daniel Morgan
Daniel Morgan
Daniel Morgan was an American pioneer, soldier, and United States Representative from Virginia. One of the most gifted battlefield tacticians of the American Revolutionary War, he later commanded troops during the suppression of the Whiskey Rebellion.-Early years:Most authorities believe that...
, who defeated the British at the Battle of Cowpens
Battle of Cowpens
The Battle of Cowpens was a decisive victory by Patriot Revolutionary forces under Brigadier General Daniel Morgan, in the Southern campaign of the American Revolutionary War...
in the Revolutionary War. General Morgan was serving under General Nathanael Greene
Nathanael Greene
Nathanael Greene was a major general of the Continental Army in the American Revolutionary War. When the war began, Greene was a militia private, the lowest rank possible; he emerged from the war with a reputation as George Washington's most gifted and dependable officer. Many places in the United...
at Cowpens.
Demographics
As of the census
Census
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 36,616 people, 14,039 households, and 9,251 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 64 people per square mile (25/km²). There were 15,291 housing units at an average density of 27 per square mile (10/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 92.34% 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...
, 5.36% 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...
, 0.18% 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...
, 0.46% 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...
, 0.70% 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 0.95% from two or more races. 1.35% 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. 25.3% 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....
, 17.3% American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, 16.5% 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...
and 10.3% 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...
ancestry according to Census 2000.
There were 14,039 households out of which 30.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.70% 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, 10.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.10% were non-families. 29.30% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.37 and the average family size was 2.92.
In the county the population was spread out with 22.80% under the age of 18, 11.10% from 18 to 24, 27.20% from 25 to 44, 23.30% from 45 to 64, and 15.60% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 98.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.00 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $36,933, and the median income for a family was $46,040. Males had a median income of $31,218 versus $23,174 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 $18,205. About 6.00% of families and 9.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.60% of those under age 18 and 8.30% of those age 65 or over.
Cities and towns
- BethelBethel, IllinoisBethel is a former community in Clay County, Illinois, United States. Bethel was located in Songer Township, along a railroad line north of Greendale....
- ChapinChapin, IllinoisChapin is a village in Morgan County, Illinois, United States. The population was 592 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Jacksonville Micropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Chapin is located at ....
- ConcordConcord, IllinoisConcord is a village in Morgan County, Illinois, United States. The population was 176 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Jacksonville Micropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Concord is located at ....
- FranklinFranklin, IllinoisFranklin is a village in Morgan County, Illinois, United States. The population was 586 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Jacksonville Micropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Franklin is located at ....
- JacksonvilleJacksonville, IllinoisJacksonville is a city in Morgan County, Illinois, United States. The population was 18,940 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Morgan County....
- LynnvilleLynnville, IllinoisLynnville is a village in Morgan County, Illinois, United States. The population was 137 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Jacksonville Micropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Lynnville is located at ....
- MeredosiaMeredosia, IllinoisMeredosia is a village in Morgan County, Illinois, United States. The population was 1,041 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Jacksonville Micropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Meredosia is located at ....
- MurrayvilleMurrayville, IllinoisMurrayville is a village in Morgan County, Illinois, United States. The population was 644 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Jacksonville Micropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Murrayville is located at ....
- Orleans
- Prentice
- South JacksonvilleSouth Jacksonville, IllinoisSouth Jacksonville is a village in Morgan County, Illinois, United States. The population was 3,475 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Jacksonville Micropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:South Jacksonville is located at ....
- WaverlyWaverly, IllinoisWaverly is a small city in Morgan County, Illinois, United States. The population was 1,346 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Jacksonville Micropolitan Statistical Area....
- WoodsonWoodson, IllinoisWoodson is a village in Morgan County, Illinois, United States. The population was 559 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Jacksonville Micropolitan Statistical Area. The village is named after David M. Woodson.-Geography:...
Unincorporated communities
- AlexanderAlexander, IllinoisAlexander is an unincorporated community in Morgan County, Illinois, United States. Alexander is east of Jacksonville. Alexander has a post office with ZIP code 62601....
- Arcadia
- ArnoldArnold, Morgan County, IllinoisArnold is an unincorporated community in Morgan County, Illinois, United States. Arnold is east-southeast of Jacksonville....
- Clements
- LiterberryLiterberry, IllinoisLiterberry is an unincorporated community in Morgan County, Illinois, United States. Literberry is north of Jacksonville. Literberry has a post office with ZIP code 62660....
- MerrittMerritt, IllinoisMerritt is an unincorporated community in Scott County, Illinois, United States. Merritt is east of Exeter....
- Nortonville
- Pisgah
- Rees
- Sinclair
Climate and weather
In recent years, average temperatures in the county seat of Jacksonville have ranged from a low of 15 °F (-9.4 °C) in January to a high of 87 °F (30.6 °C) in July, although a record low of -28 °F was recorded in February 1934 and a record high of 114 °F (45.6 °C) was recorded in July 1954. Average monthly precipitation ranged from 1.35 inches (3.4 cm) in January to 4.86 inches (12.3 cm) in May.See also
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Morgan County