Vermilion County, Illinois
Encyclopedia
Vermilion County is a county located in the eastern part of the U.S. state
of Illinois
, between the Indiana
border and Champaign County
. It was established in 1826 and was the 45th of Illinois' 102 counties. It is part of the 'Danville, Illinois, Metropolitan Statistical Area' which encompasses all of Vermilion County.
According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 81,625, which is a decrease of 2.7% from 83,919 in 2000.
It contains 21 incorporated settlements; the county seat
is the largest city, Danville
. The county is also divided into 19 townships which provide local services.
in Indiana near Cayuga
; the river was so named because of the color of the earth along its route.
The area which became Vermilion County was under the flag of France from 1682 to 1763, as part of New France. It was owned by Great Britain for fifteen years after the French and Indian War; it then became part of the colonies after the Revolutionary War when the area was ceded to Virginia and was known as "the Illinois County of Virginia". Later it was part of the Indiana Territory, then the Illinois Territory, and finally the state of Illinois. The county was officially created on January 18, 1826 from a portion of Edgar County. There was an unorganized territory to the north and west which was attached to the county; Champaign and Iroquois
counties were formed from part of this territory in 1833. The remainder was used to create Ford County in 1859; this was the last county to be formed in the state.
The existence of saline springs in the county proved to be a strong attraction to early white men, and were mentioned as early as 1801, when Joseph Barron, an interpreter fluent in a number of Native American languages, stated in an affidavit that he was present at the "Vermilion Salines" that year. The production required 100 gallons of water for one bushel of salt and proved to be profitable from the first run 1822 to 1829, when salt became less expensive and the venture was no longer economical.
The saline springs were also the site of the first settlement, made by Seymour Treat in 1819, along with the Beckwith and Whitcomb families. James Butler, from Ohio, followed in 1820 and settled in the Catlin area; within a few years, the settlement grew to encompass several families and became known as "Butler's Point". About the same time, the southern area of the county also attracted an early settler named Henry Johnson, who built a cabin approximately two miles west of Georgetown; this area later became known as "Johnson's Point". The southern portion of the county soon became populated with a number of cabins and small settlements. The majority of those coming to Vermilion County originated in the American South and left because of their opposition to slavery.
Some of the early settlers were of the Religious Society of Friends
, or Quakers. Some of these settlers founded the settlement of Vermilion Grove in the south part of the county; it is not only one of the oldest settlements in the county but also the site of the second school in the county.
The county has strong ties to Abraham Lincoln
. He practiced law in Danville from 1841 to 1859 with Ward Hill Lamon
, who later served as his bodyguard. Lincoln also gave a brief speech in Danville in 1858 while campaigning for U.S. Senate against Stephen A. Douglas; Lincoln gave the speech in his stocking feet while standing on the balcony at the home of Dr. William Fithian, a prominent local physician. Today, the Fithian home is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and serves as the Vermilion County Museum; visitors can see Lincoln memorabilia including a bed in which Lincoln slept.
The maps below illustrate the various stages in the evolution of Vermilion County.
. The county is bordered on the north by Iroquois County
. To the west are Champaign County
and Ford County and to the south is Edgar County
. The Indiana counties of Benton
, Warren
and Vermillion
lie to the northeast, east and southeast, respectively. This is one of only a few cases in the United States where two counties with the same name share a border; the Indiana county is spelled the French way with two "L"s, and the Illinois county is spelled in the English manner with one "L", but the source of the name is the same; the Vermilion River flows through both counties. (Another such situation in Illinois involves Pike County
, which borders Pike County
, Missouri
.)
Vermilion County is also one of several counties which share borders with eight other counties, although one of the counties it borders, Douglas County, is at a single point (the southwestern corner of Vermilion County and northeastern corner of Douglas County).
According to the 2010 census, the county has a total area of 901.28 square miles (2,334.3 km²), of which 898.37 square miles (2,326.8 km²) (or 99.68%) is land and 2.91 square miles (7.5 km²) (or 0.32%) is water. The land in Vermilion County consists mostly of various forms of silt loam
. Lake Vermilion
, a man-made 1000 acres (404.7 ha) reservoir, is the largest body of water in the county; it lies on the northwest side of Danville and is the source of the city's water, and also provides recreation opportunities.
Illinois law allows settlements to incorporate as either cities or villages; when incorporated, cities must have a population of at least 2,500, and villages must have a population of at least 500. There are three cities in the county and eighteen villages, along with several unincorporated towns. The three cities are Danville
, the county seat and the county's largest settlement with a population of about 34,000; Hoopeston
, located in the far north part of the county, with a population of about 6,000; and Georgetown
, south of Danville, with a population of about 3,600.
The village of Allerton
is in the far southwest corner of the county, with a small portion extending into Champaign County; Sidell
is just east of Allerton. Alvin
and Bismarck
are both located to the north of Danville; further north, Rossville
is on Route 1 south of Hoopeston. Going south from Danville, Route 1 passes through Tilton
, Belgium
, Westville
, the city of Georgetown, and Ridge Farm
.
West of Danville along U.S. Route 150 lie the villages of Oakwood
, Muncie
and Fithian
; all are just to the south of Interstate 74. Potomac
and Henning
both lie along an east–west portion of U.S. Route 136 north of Danville. Fairmount
, Catlin
and Indianola
all lie to the southwest of Danville. Rankin
is in the far northwest corner of the county, near the intersection of Route 9 and Route 49.
There are at least a dozen communities in the county which are not incorporated.
Several towns were established in the county which no longer survive. In some cases, the coming of the railroads helped to define the best locations for settlements, and as a result some existing towns were abandoned. When Lake Vermilion was created, the old town of Denmark, to the northwest of Danville, was flooded and now lies at the bottom of the reservoir.
Eleven more townships, listed below, were created in the following decades. The final total was nineteen townships.
, the Heron County Park
, Kennekuk Cove County Park
and the Lake Vermilion
County Park. The Kickapoo State Recreation Area
, the Harry "Babe" Woodyard State Natural Area and the Middle Fork State Fish and Wildlife Area
are all managed by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.
region of the United States along with most of Illinois. Its Köppen climate classification
is Dfa, meaning that it is cold, has no dry season, and has a hot summer. In recent years, average temperatures in the county seat of Danville have ranged from a low of 17 °F (-8.3 °C) in January to a high of 86 °F (30 °C) in July, although a record low of -26 °F was recorded in January 1994 and a record high of 112 °F (44.4 °C) was recorded in July 1936. Average monthly precipitation ranged from 1.99 inches (5.1 cm) inches in February to 4.7 inches (11.9 cm) inches in June.
, which runs across five states, passes into Vermilion County from the west on its way from Rantoul. It passes east through the towns of Armstrong, Potomac and Henning; it reaches Illinois Route 1 south of Rossville and then shares that highway's route as it passes south through Danville. At the south edge of Danville it reaches Main Street and resumes its eastward heading, leaving the east edge of Danville and passing out of the county and state on its way to Covington, Indiana.
enters the county from Champaign–Urbana to the west, running just to the south of Interstate 74 and passing through the towns of Fithian, Muncie and Oakwood. Just east of Danville it crosses to the north side of Interstate 74 as that highway veers to the southeast. In downtown Danville, it meets Illinois Route 1 and U.S. Route 136, and follows Route 1 to the south and continues through the towns of Belgium, Westville, Georgetown and Ridge Farm before entering Edgar County further to the south.
runs from the north to the south through the county, passing through Hoopeston, Rossville, Danville, Belgium, Westville, Georgetown and Ridge Farm. runs from west to east near the north edge of the county and passes through Rankin and Hoopeston; upon reaching the Indiana border, continues its route to the east toward Lafayette, Indiana
. is a north–south highway near the western edge of the county. It passes south through Rankin where it intersects Route 1; further south it passes through Armstrong where U.S. Route 136 briefly shares its route. Crossing Interstate 74, it briefly shares the route of U.S. Route 150, running west for about 2 miles (3.2 km) and leaving the county before continuing south in Champaign County. is a short 8 miles (12.9 km) east–west road that connects the intersection of Illinois Route 1 and U.S. Route 136 with at the state line.
Four railroad lines pass through or into the county, all intersecting in the Danville area; this results in many different railroad crossings throughout the city. A Norfolk Southern Railway
line enters the county from Decatur
to the southwest and passes through Danville on its way to Lafayette, Indiana to the northeast. CSX Transportation
operates a north–south line through the county which connects with Chicago to the north and Terre Haute, Indiana
further south via Paris
. A Kankakee, Beaverville and Southern Railroad
north–south line runs to the east of the CSX line, just a few miles from the state border, beginning in northern Iroquois County and running south through Danville, then veering east. The Vermilion Valley Railroad is a 6 miles (9.7 km) line that connects the Flex-N-Gate factory west of Covington, Indiana with CSX in Danville.
The Vermilion Regional Airport is located just northeast of Danville.
, a public two-year community college, and Lakeview College of Nursing
, a four-year private institution (both located in Danville).
; the Illinois Senate
districts 52 and 53; and the Illinois House of Representatives
districts 104 and 105.
Each township has a supervisor. The township board consists of the supervisor and four members elected at large from the township.
As of the census
of 2000, there were 83,919 people, 33,406 households, and 22,315 families residing in the county. The population density
was 93 people per square mile (36/km²). There were 36,349 housing units at an average density of 40 per square mile (16/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 85.84% White
, 10.58% Black
or African American
, 0.22% Native American
, 0.59% Asian
, 0.02% Pacific Islander
, 1.44% from other races
, and 1.30% from two or more races. 2.98% of the population were Hispanic
or Latino
of any race. 19.7% were of American
, 19.2% German
, 11.2% English
and 8.9% Irish
ancestry according to Census 2000.
There were 33,406 households out of which 30.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.60% were married couples
living together, 12.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.20% were non-families. 28.90% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.42 and the average family size was 2.96.
In the county the population was spread out with 25.00% under the age of 18, 8.40% from 18 to 24, 27.20% from 25 to 44, 23.40% from 45 to 64, and 16.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 96.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.80 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $34,071, and the median income for a family was $41,553. Males had a median income of $32,305 versus $22,210 for females. The per capita income
for the county was $16,787. About 9.70% of families and 13.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.90% of those under age 18 and 9.20% 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,...
, between the Indiana
Indiana
Indiana is a US state, admitted to the United States as the 19th on December 11, 1816. It is located in the Midwestern United States and Great Lakes Region. With 6,483,802 residents, the state is ranked 15th in population and 16th in population density. Indiana is ranked 38th in land area and is...
border and Champaign County
Champaign County, Illinois
Champaign County is a county located in the U.S. state of Illinois. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 201,081, which is an increase of 11.9% from 179,669 in 2000.. It is the 10th most populous county in Illinois...
. It was established in 1826 and was the 45th of Illinois' 102 counties. It is part of the 'Danville, Illinois, Metropolitan Statistical Area' which encompasses all of Vermilion County.
According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 81,625, which is a decrease of 2.7% from 83,919 in 2000.
It contains 21 incorporated settlements; the 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 the largest city, Danville
Danville, Illinois
Danville is a city in Vermilion County, Illinois, United States. It is the principal city of the'Danville, Illinois Metropolitan Statistical Area' which encompasses all of Danville and Vermilion County. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 32,467. It is the county seat of...
. The county is also divided into 19 townships which provide local services.
History
Vermilion County is named after the Vermilion River, which passes through the county and empties into the Wabash RiverWabash River
The Wabash River is a river in the Midwestern United States that flows southwest from northwest Ohio near Fort Recovery across northern Indiana to southern Illinois, where it forms the Illinois-Indiana border before draining into the Ohio River, of which it is the largest northern tributary...
in Indiana near Cayuga
Cayuga, Indiana
Cayuga is a town in Eugene Township, Vermillion County, Indiana, United States. The population was 1,162 at the 2010 census.-History:When the town was laid out in 1827, it was called Eugene Station. It was later renamed after the lake and city of Cayuga in New York. The name is based on the...
; the river was so named because of the color of the earth along its route.
The area which became Vermilion County was under the flag of France from 1682 to 1763, as part of New France. It was owned by Great Britain for fifteen years after the French and Indian War; it then became part of the colonies after the Revolutionary War when the area was ceded to Virginia and was known as "the Illinois County of Virginia". Later it was part of the Indiana Territory, then the Illinois Territory, and finally the state of Illinois. The county was officially created on January 18, 1826 from a portion of Edgar County. There was an unorganized territory to the north and west which was attached to the county; Champaign and Iroquois
Iroquois County, Illinois
Iroquois County is a county located in the northeast part of the U.S. state of Illinois along the border with Indiana. It is the third largest county in the state in terms of area, covering over . According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 29,718, which is a decrease of 5.2% from 31,334...
counties were formed from part of this territory in 1833. The remainder was used to create Ford County in 1859; this was the last county to be formed in the state.
The existence of saline springs in the county proved to be a strong attraction to early white men, and were mentioned as early as 1801, when Joseph Barron, an interpreter fluent in a number of Native American languages, stated in an affidavit that he was present at the "Vermilion Salines" that year. The production required 100 gallons of water for one bushel of salt and proved to be profitable from the first run 1822 to 1829, when salt became less expensive and the venture was no longer economical.
The saline springs were also the site of the first settlement, made by Seymour Treat in 1819, along with the Beckwith and Whitcomb families. James Butler, from Ohio, followed in 1820 and settled in the Catlin area; within a few years, the settlement grew to encompass several families and became known as "Butler's Point". About the same time, the southern area of the county also attracted an early settler named Henry Johnson, who built a cabin approximately two miles west of Georgetown; this area later became known as "Johnson's Point". The southern portion of the county soon became populated with a number of cabins and small settlements. The majority of those coming to Vermilion County originated in the American South and left because of their opposition to slavery.
Some of the early settlers were of the Religious Society of Friends
Religious Society of Friends
The Religious Society of Friends, or Friends Church, is a Christian movement which stresses the doctrine of the priesthood of all believers. Members are known as Friends, or popularly as Quakers. It is made of independent organisations, which have split from one another due to doctrinal differences...
, or Quakers. Some of these settlers founded the settlement of Vermilion Grove in the south part of the county; it is not only one of the oldest settlements in the county but also the site of the second school in the county.
The county has strong ties to Abraham Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln was the 16th President of the United States, serving from March 1861 until his assassination in April 1865. He successfully led his country through a great constitutional, military and moral crisis – the American Civil War – preserving the Union, while ending slavery, and...
. He practiced law in Danville from 1841 to 1859 with Ward Hill Lamon
Ward Hill Lamon
Ward Hill Lamon was a personal friend and self-appointed bodyguard of the American President Abraham Lincoln. Lamon was famously absent the night Lincoln was assassinated, having been sent by Lincoln to Richmond, Virginia....
, who later served as his bodyguard. Lincoln also gave a brief speech in Danville in 1858 while campaigning for U.S. Senate against Stephen A. Douglas; Lincoln gave the speech in his stocking feet while standing on the balcony at the home of Dr. William Fithian, a prominent local physician. Today, the Fithian home is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and serves as the Vermilion County Museum; visitors can see Lincoln memorabilia including a bed in which Lincoln slept.
The maps below illustrate the various stages in the evolution of Vermilion County.
Geography
Vermilion County is located along the eastern border of Illinois; its northern border is about 95 miles (152.9 km) south of ChicagoChicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
. The county is bordered on the north by Iroquois County
Iroquois County, Illinois
Iroquois County is a county located in the northeast part of the U.S. state of Illinois along the border with Indiana. It is the third largest county in the state in terms of area, covering over . According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 29,718, which is a decrease of 5.2% from 31,334...
. To the west are Champaign County
Champaign County, Illinois
Champaign County is a county located in the U.S. state of Illinois. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 201,081, which is an increase of 11.9% from 179,669 in 2000.. It is the 10th most populous county in Illinois...
and Ford County and to the south is Edgar County
Edgar County, Illinois
Edgar County is a county located in the U.S. state of Illinois. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 18,576, which is a decrease of 5.7% from 19,704 in 2000...
. The Indiana counties of Benton
Benton County, Indiana
Benton County is located along in the northwest part of the U.S. state of Indiana, along the border with Illinois. As of 2010, the county's population was 8,854. It contains six incorporated towns as well as several small unincorporated settlements; it is also divided into 11 townships which...
, Warren
Warren County, Indiana
Warren County lies in western Indiana between the Illinois border and the Wabash River in the United States. Before the arrival of non-indigenous settlers in the early 19th century, the area was inhabited by several Native American tribes. The county was officially established in 1827 and...
and Vermillion
Vermillion County, Indiana
Vermillion County lies in western Indiana between the Illinois border and the Wabash River. It was officially established in 1824 and was the 50th Indiana county to be formed. It is included in the Terre Haute, Indiana, Metropolitan Statistical Area. The county seat is Newport.According to the 2010...
lie to the northeast, east and southeast, respectively. This is one of only a few cases in the United States where two counties with the same name share a border; the Indiana county is spelled the French way with two "L"s, and the Illinois county is spelled in the English manner with one "L", but the source of the name is the same; the Vermilion River flows through both counties. (Another such situation in Illinois involves Pike County
Pike County, Illinois
Pike 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...
, which borders Pike County
Pike County, Missouri
As of the census of 2010, there were 18,516 people, 6,451 households, and 4,476 families residing in the county. The population density was 27 people per square mile . There were 7,493 housing units at an average density of 11 per square mile...
, Missouri
Missouri
Missouri is a US state located in the Midwestern United States, bordered by Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska. With a 2010 population of 5,988,927, Missouri is the 18th most populous state in the nation and the fifth most populous in the Midwest. It...
.)
Vermilion County is also one of several counties which share borders with eight other counties, although one of the counties it borders, Douglas County, is at a single point (the southwestern corner of Vermilion County and northeastern corner of Douglas County).
According to the 2010 census, the county has a total area of 901.28 square miles (2,334.3 km²), of which 898.37 square miles (2,326.8 km²) (or 99.68%) is land and 2.91 square miles (7.5 km²) (or 0.32%) is water. The land in Vermilion County consists mostly of various forms of silt loam
Loam
Loam is soil composed of sand, silt, and clay in relatively even concentration . Loam soils generally contain more nutrients and humus than sandy soils, have better infiltration and drainage than silty soils, and are easier to till than clay soils...
. Lake Vermilion
Lake Vermilion (Illinois)
Lake Vermilion is a 1,000-acre reservoir located in Vermilion County, Illinois. It was built for water supply, fishing, and recreation purposes. The lake is 3 miles long and 0.5 miles wide...
, a man-made 1000 acres (404.7 ha) reservoir, is the largest body of water in the county; it lies on the northwest side of Danville and is the source of the city's water, and also provides recreation opportunities.
Illinois law allows settlements to incorporate as either cities or villages; when incorporated, cities must have a population of at least 2,500, and villages must have a population of at least 500. There are three cities in the county and eighteen villages, along with several unincorporated towns. The three cities are Danville
Danville, Illinois
Danville is a city in Vermilion County, Illinois, United States. It is the principal city of the'Danville, Illinois Metropolitan Statistical Area' which encompasses all of Danville and Vermilion County. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 32,467. It is the county seat of...
, the county seat and the county's largest settlement with a population of about 34,000; Hoopeston
Hoopeston, Illinois
Hoopeston is a city in Grant Township, Vermilion County, Illinois, United States. It is part of the Danville, Illinois, Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 5,965 at the 2000 census, and 5,602 in 2009.-History:Hoopeston was laid out in 1871...
, located in the far north part of the county, with a population of about 6,000; and Georgetown
Georgetown, Illinois
Georgetown is a city in Vermilion County, Illinois, United States. It is part of the 'Danville, Illinois Metropolitan Statistical Area'. The population was 3,628 at the 2000 census, and 3,412 as of an estimate in 2009.-History:...
, south of Danville, with a population of about 3,600.
The village of Allerton
Allerton, Illinois
Allerton is a village in Sidell Township, Vermilion County, Illinois, United States. A small portion of the village extends into Champaign County. The population was 293 at the 2000 census.-History:...
is in the far southwest corner of the county, with a small portion extending into Champaign County; Sidell
Sidell, Illinois
Sidell is a village in Sidell Township, Vermilion County, Illinois, United States. It is part of the 'Danville, Illinois Metropolitan Statistical Area'. The population was 626 at the 2000 census.-History:...
is just east of Allerton. Alvin
Alvin, Illinois
Alvan is a village in South Ross Township, Vermilion County, Illinois, United States. It is part of the 'Danville, Illinois Metropolitan Statistical Area'. The population was 316 at the 2000 census. The U.S...
and Bismarck
Bismarck, Illinois
Bismarck is a village in Newell Township, Vermilion County, Illinois, United States. It is part of the 'Danville, Illinois Metropolitan Statistical Area'. The population was 542 at the 2000 census.-History:...
are both located to the north of Danville; further north, Rossville
Rossville, Illinois
Rossville is a village in Ross Township, Vermilion County, Illinois, United States. It is part of the 'Danville, Illinois Metropolitan Statistical Area'. The population was 1,217 at the 2000 census, and 1,147 in 2009.-History:...
is on Route 1 south of Hoopeston. Going south from Danville, Route 1 passes through Tilton
Tilton, Illinois
Tilton is a village in Danville Township, Vermilion County, Illinois, United States. It is part of the 'Danville, Illinois Metropolitan Statistical Area'. The population was 2,976 at the 2000 census, and 3,061 in 2009....
, Belgium
Belgium, Illinois
Belgium is a village in Vermilion County, Illinois, United States. It is part of the Danville, Illinois Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 466 at the 2000 census.- Geography :Belgium is located at ....
, Westville
Westville, Illinois
Westville is a village in Georgetown Township, Vermilion County, Illinois, United States. It is part of the 'Danville, Illinois Metropolitan Statistical Area'. The population was 3,175 at the 2000 census, and 2,972 in 2009.-Geography:...
, the city of Georgetown, and Ridge Farm
Ridge Farm, Illinois
Ridge Farm is a village in Elwood Township, Vermilion County, Illinois, United States. It is part of the 'Danville, Illinois Metropolitan Statistical Area'. The population was 912 at the 2000 census.-History:...
.
West of Danville along U.S. Route 150 lie the villages of Oakwood
Oakwood, Illinois
Oakwood is a village in Oakwood Township, Vermilion County, Illinois, United States. It is part of the 'Danville, Illinois Metropolitan Statistical Area'...
, Muncie
Muncie, Illinois
Muncie is a village in Oakwood Township, Vermilion County, Illinois, United States. It is part of the Danville, Illinois Metropolitan Statistical Area...
and Fithian
Fithian, Illinois
Fithian is a village in Oakwood Township, Vermilion County, Illinois, United States. It is part of the 'Danville, Illinois Metropolitan Statistical Area'. The population was 506 at the 2000 census.-History:The town was named after Dr...
; all are just to the south of Interstate 74. Potomac
Potomac, Illinois
Potomac is a village in Vermilion County, Illinois, United States. It is part of the 'Danville, Illinois Metropolitan Statistical Area'. The population was 681 at the 2000 census.-History:...
and Henning
Henning, Illinois
Henning is a village in South Ross Township, Vermilion County, Illinois, United States. It is part of the 'Danville, Illinois Metropolitan Statistical Area'...
both lie along an east–west portion of U.S. Route 136 north of Danville. Fairmount
Fairmount, Illinois
Fairmount is a village in Vance Township, Vermilion County, Illinois, United States. It is part of the 'Danville, Illinois Metropolitan Statistical Area'. The population was 640 at the 2000 census.-History:...
, Catlin
Catlin, Illinois
Catlin is a village in Vermilion County, Illinois, United States. It is part of the 'Danville, Illinois Metropolitan Statistical Area'. The population was 2,087 at the 2000 census, and 2,086 in 2009. Current resident, Chad Hays, represents the 104th district of Illinois.- History :This settlement...
and Indianola
Indianola, Illinois
Indianola is a village in Carroll Township, Vermilion County, Illinois, United States. It is part of the 'Danville, Illinois Metropolitan Statistical Area'...
all lie to the southwest of Danville. Rankin
Rankin, Illinois
Rankin is a village in Butler Township, Vermilion County, Illinois, United States. It is part of the 'Danville, Illinois Metropolitan Statistical Area'. The population was 617 at the 2000 census.-History:...
is in the far northwest corner of the county, near the intersection of Route 9 and Route 49.
There are at least a dozen communities in the county which are not incorporated.
|
Hillery, Illinois Hillery is an unincorporated community in Danville Township, Vermilion County, Illinois.-External links:*... Jamaica, Illinois Jamaica is an unincorporated community in Jamaica Township, Vermilion County, Illinois.-History:Like so many other small towns in the late 19th century, Jamaica developed because of the railroads. When the C&EI railroad came through the township, Jamaica thrived. However, when the Fairmount... Jamesburg, Illinois Jamesburg is an unincorporated town in Blount Township, Vermilion County, Illinois, USA.-Geography:Jamesburg is located at at an elevation of 682 feet.... Newtown, Illinois Newtown is an unincorporated community in Oakwood Township, Vermilion County, Illinois.-History:This settlement is one of the oldest in the county. The name was originally two words, New Town. It was platted by Benjamin Coddington in 1838, but Stephen Griffith was said to have been the first... Olivet, Illinois Olivet is a census-designated place in Elwood Township, Vermilion County, Illinois. As of the 2010 census, its population was 428.-External links:*... |
Several towns were established in the county which no longer survive. In some cases, the coming of the railroads helped to define the best locations for settlements, and as a result some existing towns were abandoned. When Lake Vermilion was created, the old town of Denmark, to the northwest of Danville, was flooded and now lies at the bottom of the reservoir.
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Bismarck, Illinois Bismarck is a village in Newell Township, Vermilion County, Illinois, United States. It is part of the 'Danville, Illinois Metropolitan Statistical Area'. The population was 542 at the 2000 census.-History:... ) Alvin, Illinois Alvan is a village in South Ross Township, Vermilion County, Illinois, United States. It is part of the 'Danville, Illinois Metropolitan Statistical Area'. The population was 316 at the 2000 census. The U.S... ) |
Bismarck, Illinois Bismarck is a village in Newell Township, Vermilion County, Illinois, United States. It is part of the 'Danville, Illinois Metropolitan Statistical Area'. The population was 542 at the 2000 census.-History:... ) Ambia, Indiana Ambia is a town in Hickory Grove Township, Benton County, Indiana, United States. The population was 239 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Lafayette, Indiana Metropolitan Statistical Area.-History:... , Indiana Indiana Indiana is a US state, admitted to the United States as the 19th on December 11, 1816. It is located in the Midwestern United States and Great Lakes Region. With 6,483,802 residents, the state is ranked 15th in population and 16th in population density. Indiana is ranked 38th in land area and is... ) |
Townships
Township government was adopted in Vermilion County in 1851, and eight townships were created, listed below.
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Middlefork Township, Vermilion County, Illinois Middlefork Township is a township in Vermilion County, Illinois, USA. As of the 2000 census, its population was 1,404.-History:Middlefork Township was one of the eight townships created in 1851 and included all the land that later became Butler and Ford Townships.The first settlers in the township... Newell Township, Vermilion County, Illinois Newell Township is a township in Vermilion County, Illinois, USA. As of the 2000 census, its population was 13,835.-History:The first sale land in this area was in 1824 to Obadiah Le Neve, who settled here just before Christmas of that year. It was not until 1851 that the county was divided up... (first called Richland) Pilot Township, Vermilion County, Illinois Pilot Township is a township in Vermilion County, Illinois, USA. As of the 2000 census, its population was 658.-Geography:Pilot Township covers an area of ; of this, or 0.02 percent is water.-Adjacent townships:* Middlefork Township... Ross Township, Vermilion County, Illinois Ross Township is a township in Vermilion County, Illinois, USA. As of the 2000 census, its population was 1,476.-Geography:Ross Township covers an area of ; of this, or 0.02 percent is water.-Adjacent townships:* Grant Township... |
Eleven more townships, listed below, were created in the following decades. The final total was nineteen townships.
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Grant Township, Vermilion County, Illinois Grant Township is a township in Vermilion County, Illinois, USA. At the 2000 census, its population was 6,672.-Geography:Grant Township covers an area of ; of this, or 0.04 percent is water.-Cities and towns:* Hoopeston* Rossville... Jamaica Township, Vermilion County, Illinois Jamaica Township is a township in Vermilion County, Illinois, USA. As of the 2000 census, its population was 206.-History:Jamaica Township was created from portions of Catlin, Sidell, Carroll, and Vance Townships. The petition was filed in 1897, but the township wasn't approved until 1899 after a... Love Township, Vermilion County, Illinois Love Township is a township in Vermilion County, Illinois, USA. As of the 2000 census, its population was 223.-Geography:Love Township covers an area of ; of this, or 0.09 percent is water... |
McKendree Township, Vermilion County, Illinois McKendree Township is a township in Vermilion County, Illinois, USA. As of the 2000 census, its population was 743. Forest Glen Preserve is located in this township.-History:... Oakwood Township, Vermilion County, Illinois Oakwood Township is a township in Vermilion County, Illinois, USA. As of the 2000 census, its population was 3,423.-Geography:Oakwood Township covers an area of ; of this, or 0.56 percent is water. Lakes in this township include Doughnut Pond, Highway Pond, Inland Sea and Missionfield Pond... Sidell Township, Vermilion County, Illinois Sidell Township is a township in Vermilion County, Illinois, USA. As of the 2000 census, its population was 1,105.-Cities and towns:* Allerton * Sidell-Adjacent townships:* Vance Township * Jamaica Township... |
South Ross Township, Vermilion County, Illinois South Ross Township is a township in Vermilion County, Illinois, USA. As of the 2000 census, its population was 1,109.-Adjacent townships:* Ross Township * Jordan Township, Warren County, Indiana... Vance Township, Vermilion County, Illinois Vance Township is a township in Vermilion County, Illinois, USA. As of the 2000 census, its population was 1,027.-Geography:Vance Township covers an area of ; of this, or 0.22 percent is water.-Adjacent townships:* Oakwood Township... |
Parks
The Vermilion County Conservation District operates four parks in the county: Forest Glen PreserveForest Glen Preserve
Forest Glen Preserve is a nature preserve in McKendree Township in Vermilion County, Illinois. It is located about east of Illinois State Route 1 between the towns of Westville and Georgetown. It was founded in 1968 and serves as the headquarters for the Illinois Native Plant Society.-External...
, the Heron County Park
Heron County Park
Heron County Park is a park in Newell Township in Vermilion County, Illinois. It is located just north of Danville, Illinois on Newell Road, at the north end of Lake Vermilion where the lake's waters are very shallow. A 950-foot-long floating boardwalk allows visitors to walk through a portion of...
, Kennekuk Cove County Park
Kennekuk Cove County Park
Kennekuk Cove County Park is a park in Blount Township in Vermilion County, Illinois. It is located about west of Danville, Illinois and is bordered by the Middle Fork State Fish and Wildlife Area on the west and the Kickapoo State Recreation Area on the south...
and the Lake Vermilion
Lake Vermilion
Lake Vermilion is a freshwater lake in northeastern Minnesota, United States. The Ojibwe originally called the lake Onamuni, which means "Lake of the Sunset Glow". French fur traders translated this to the Latin word Vermilion, which is a red pigment...
County Park. The Kickapoo State Recreation Area
Kickapoo State Recreation Area
Kickapoo State Recreation Area is an Illinois state park on in Vermilion County, Illinois, United States. Located just outside of Danville, Illinois this park is easily accessible through route I-74. It is 28 miles away from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and 95 miles from...
, the Harry "Babe" Woodyard State Natural Area and the Middle Fork State Fish and Wildlife Area
Middle Fork State Fish and Wildlife Area
Middle Fork State Fish and Wildlife Area is an Illinois state park on in Vermilion County, Illinois, United States. It is located about six miles north of Interstate 74 and the Oakwood exit. Its name comes from the Middle Fork of the Vermilion River that flows through the area....
are all managed by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.
Climate and weather
Vermilion County is in the humid continental climateHumid continental climate
A humid continental climate is a climatic region typified by large seasonal temperature differences, with warm to hot summers and cold winters....
region of the United States along with most of Illinois. Its Köppen climate classification
Köppen climate classification
The Köppen climate classification is one of the most widely used climate classification systems. It was first published by Crimea German climatologist Wladimir Köppen in 1884, with several later modifications by Köppen himself, notably in 1918 and 1936...
is Dfa, meaning that it is cold, has no dry season, and has a hot summer. In recent years, average temperatures in the county seat of Danville have ranged from a low of 17 °F (-8.3 °C) in January to a high of 86 °F (30 °C) in July, although a record low of -26 °F was recorded in January 1994 and a record high of 112 °F (44.4 °C) was recorded in July 1936. Average monthly precipitation ranged from 1.99 inches (5.1 cm) inches in February to 4.7 inches (11.9 cm) inches in June.
Transportation
enters Vermilion County from the west on its way from Champaign–Urbana, and passes just to the north of the towns of Fithian, Muncie and Oakwood before passing through the south edge of the Kickapoo State Park, the north edge of Tilton and the south edge of Danville. Continuing east, it leaves the county and the state on its way to Indianapolis., which runs across five states, passes into Vermilion County from the west on its way from Rantoul. It passes east through the towns of Armstrong, Potomac and Henning; it reaches Illinois Route 1 south of Rossville and then shares that highway's route as it passes south through Danville. At the south edge of Danville it reaches Main Street and resumes its eastward heading, leaving the east edge of Danville and passing out of the county and state on its way to Covington, Indiana.
enters the county from Champaign–Urbana to the west, running just to the south of Interstate 74 and passing through the towns of Fithian, Muncie and Oakwood. Just east of Danville it crosses to the north side of Interstate 74 as that highway veers to the southeast. In downtown Danville, it meets Illinois Route 1 and U.S. Route 136, and follows Route 1 to the south and continues through the towns of Belgium, Westville, Georgetown and Ridge Farm before entering Edgar County further to the south.
runs from the north to the south through the county, passing through Hoopeston, Rossville, Danville, Belgium, Westville, Georgetown and Ridge Farm. runs from west to east near the north edge of the county and passes through Rankin and Hoopeston; upon reaching the Indiana border, continues its route to the east toward Lafayette, Indiana
Lafayette, Indiana
Lafayette is a city in and the county seat of Tippecanoe County, Indiana, United States, northwest of Indianapolis. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 67,140. West Lafayette, on the other side of the Wabash River, is home to Purdue University, which has a large impact on...
. is a north–south highway near the western edge of the county. It passes south through Rankin where it intersects Route 1; further south it passes through Armstrong where U.S. Route 136 briefly shares its route. Crossing Interstate 74, it briefly shares the route of U.S. Route 150, running west for about 2 miles (3.2 km) and leaving the county before continuing south in Champaign County. is a short 8 miles (12.9 km) east–west road that connects the intersection of Illinois Route 1 and U.S. Route 136 with at the state line.
Four railroad lines pass through or into the county, all intersecting in the Danville area; this results in many different railroad crossings throughout the city. A Norfolk Southern Railway
Norfolk Southern Railway
The Norfolk Southern Railway is a Class I railroad in the United States, owned by the Norfolk Southern Corporation. With headquarters in Norfolk, Virginia, the company operates 21,500 route miles in 22 eastern states, the District of Columbia and the province of Ontario, Canada...
line enters the county from Decatur
Decatur, Illinois
Decatur is the largest city and the county seat of Macon County in the U.S. state of Illinois. The city, sometimes called "the Soybean Capital of the World", was founded in 1823 and is located along the Sangamon River and Lake Decatur in Central Illinois. In 2000 the city population was 81,500,...
to the southwest and passes through Danville on its way to Lafayette, Indiana to the northeast. CSX Transportation
CSX Transportation
CSX Transportation operates a Class I railroad in the United States known as the CSX Railroad. It is the main subsidiary of the CSX Corporation. The company is headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida, and owns approximately 21,000 route miles...
operates a north–south line through the county which connects with Chicago to the north and Terre Haute, Indiana
Terre Haute, Indiana
Terre Haute is a city and the county seat of Vigo County, Indiana, United States, near the state's western border with Illinois. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 60,785 and its metropolitan area had a population of 170,943. The city is the county seat of Vigo County and...
further south via Paris
Paris, Illinois
Paris is a city in Paris Township, Edgar County, Illinois, USA, south of Chicago, and west of Indianapolis. In 1900, 6,105 people lived in Paris, Illinois; in 1910, 7,664; and in 1940, 9,281. The population was 8,837 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Edgar County.-Geography:Paris is...
. A Kankakee, Beaverville and Southern Railroad
Kankakee, Beaverville and Southern Railroad
The Kankakee, Beaverville and Southern Railroad Company is a Class III railroad serving agricultural communities in east-central Illinois and west-central Indiana.-History:...
north–south line runs to the east of the CSX line, just a few miles from the state border, beginning in northern Iroquois County and running south through Danville, then veering east. The Vermilion Valley Railroad is a 6 miles (9.7 km) line that connects the Flex-N-Gate factory west of Covington, Indiana with CSX in Danville.
The Vermilion Regional Airport is located just northeast of Danville.
Economy
As of 2009, Vermilion County had a workforce of 37,293 people, 33,021 of whom were employed and 4,272 of whom (11.5%) were unemployed.Education
There are 15 school districts in the county that provide primary and secondary education. There are two post-secondary educational institutions: Danville Area Community CollegeDanville Area Community College
Danville Area Community College is a public two-year community college located in Danville, Illinois. DACC was founded in 1946 and has grown into an independent college serving about 5000 students per year in over 1500 unique courses...
, a public two-year community college, and Lakeview College of Nursing
Lakeview College of Nursing
Lakeview College of Nursing is a private non-profit four-year nursing college located in Danville, Illinois, USA. The college also has a campus located in Charleston, Illinois....
, a four-year private institution (both located in Danville).
Government
Based on the 2000 census, Vermilion County is part of the Illinois' 15th congressional districtIllinois' 15th congressional district
The 15th Congressional District of Illinois is located in eastern Illinois. It includes the cities of Charleston, Urbana, Danville, and Champaign, and all or parts of Livingston, Iroquois, Ford, McLean, DeWitt, Champaign, Vermillion, Macon, Piatt, Douglas, Edgar, Moultrie, Coles, Cumberland,...
; the Illinois Senate
Illinois Senate
The Illinois Senate is the upper chamber of the Illinois General Assembly, the legislative branch of the government of the state of Illinois in the United States. The body was created by the first state constitution adopted in 1818. The Illinois Senate is made up of 59 senators elected from...
districts 52 and 53; and the Illinois House of Representatives
Illinois House of Representatives
The Illinois House of Representatives is the lower house of the Illinois General Assembly, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Illinois. The body was created by the first Illinois Constitution adopted in 1818. The state House of Representatives is made of 118 representatives elected from...
districts 104 and 105.
Each township has a supervisor. The township board consists of the supervisor and four members elected at large from the township.
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 83,919 people, 33,406 households, and 22,315 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 93 people per square mile (36/km²). There were 36,349 housing units at an average density of 40 per square mile (16/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 85.84% 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...
, 10.58% 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...
, 0.59% 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...
, 0.02% 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...
, 1.44% 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 1.30% from two or more races. 2.98% 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. 19.7% were of American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, 19.2% 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....
, 11.2% 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 8.9% 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 33,406 households out of which 30.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.60% 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, 12.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.20% were non-families. 28.90% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.42 and the average family size was 2.96.
In the county the population was spread out with 25.00% under the age of 18, 8.40% from 18 to 24, 27.20% from 25 to 44, 23.40% from 45 to 64, and 16.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 96.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.80 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $34,071, and the median income for a family was $41,553. Males had a median income of $32,305 versus $22,210 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 $16,787. About 9.70% of families and 13.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.90% of those under age 18 and 9.20% of those age 65 or over.
See also
- Danville Area Community CollegeDanville Area Community CollegeDanville Area Community College is a public two-year community college located in Danville, Illinois. DACC was founded in 1946 and has grown into an independent college serving about 5000 students per year in over 1500 unique courses...
- Vermilion Regional Airport
- Danville High SchoolDanville High School (Illinois)Danville High School is a public high school located in Danville, Illinois. DHS is part of Danville District 118, which also includes two middle schools and eight elementary schools....
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Vermilion County, IllinoisNational Register of Historic Places listings in Vermilion County, IllinoisContents: List of Registered Historic Places in Vermilion County, Illinois, USA:-Current listings:-Former listings:-See also:*List of National Historic Landmarks in Illinois*National Register of Historic Places listings in Illinois...