Woodford County, Illinois
Encyclopedia
Woodford County is a county located in the state
of Illinois
, USA
. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 38,664, which is an increase of 9.0% from 35,469 in 2000. Its county seat
is Eureka
.
Woodford County is part of the Peoria
, Illinois
, Metropolitan Statistical Area
.
and McLean Counties
. The County was named for Woodford County
, Kentucky
, which was named for General William Woodford
, who was with General George Washington
at Valley Forge
.
At the 2000 census
, there were 35,469 people, 12,797 households and 9,802 families residing in the county. The population density
was 67 per square mile (26/km²). There were 13,487 housing units at an average density of 26 per square mile (10/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 98.47% White
, 0.25% Black
or African American
, 0.17% Native American
, 0.31% Asian
, 0.01% Pacific Islander
, 0.14% from other races
, and 0.65% from two or more races. 0.68% of the population were Hispanic
or Latino
of any race. 45.9% were of German
, 9.5% American
, 9.0% English
and 8.7% Irish
ancestry according to Census 2000.
There were 12,797 households of which 35.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 67.50% were married couples
living together, 6.60% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.40% were non-families. 20.50% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.69 and the average family size was 3.12.
Age distribution was 26.70% under the age of 18, 8.70% from 18 to 24, 26.20% from 25 to 44, 23.60% from 45 to 64, and 14.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 95.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.90 males.
The median household income
was $51,394, and the median family income was $58,305. Males had a median income of $42,150 versus $25,251 for females. The per capita income
for the county was $21,956. About 2.90% of families and 4.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.80% of those under age 18 and 4.20% of those age 65 or over.
in 1992 who still won the county. In 1964, Barry Goldwater
won the county despite losing the state by nearly 19%. In a related vein Ronald Reagan
, although a Democrat at the time, attended Eureka College
which is located in the county.
:
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,...
, USA
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 38,664, which is an increase of 9.0% from 35,469 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 Eureka
Eureka, Illinois
Eureka is a city in Woodford County, Illinois, United States. The population was 5,295 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Woodford County. The city was founded in the year 1855. Eureka is part of the Peoria, Illinois Metropolitan Statistical Area....
.
Woodford County is part of the Peoria
Peoria, Illinois
Peoria is the largest city on the Illinois River and the county seat of Peoria County, Illinois, in the United States. It is named after the Peoria tribe. As of the 2010 census, the city was the seventh-most populated in Illinois, with a population of 115,007, and is the third-most populated...
, 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,...
, Metropolitan Statistical Area
Peoria metropolitan area
The Peoria Metropolitan Statistical Area, as defined by the United States Census Bureau, is an area consisting of five counties in Central Illinois, anchored by the city of Peoria...
.
Geography
According to the 2010 census, the county has a total area of 542.64 square miles (1,405.4 km²), of which 527.8 square miles (1,367 km²) (or 97.27%) is land and 14.84 square miles (38.4 km²) (or 2.73%) is water.Major highways
U.S. Highway 24
U.S. Highway 51
U.S. Highway 150
Adjacent counties
- Marshall CountyMarshall County, IllinoisThe median income for a household in the county was $41,576, and the median income for a family was $48,061. Males had a median income of $35,765 versus $21,452 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,065...
(north) - LaSalle County (northeast)
- Livingston CountyLivingston County, IllinoisLivingston 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....
(east) - 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...
(southeast) - Tazewell CountyTazewell County, IllinoisTazewell County is a county located in the U.S. state of Illinois. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 135,394, which is an increase of 5.4% from 128,485 in 2000. Its county seat and largest city is Pekin. The majority of the population live in the suburbs and bedroom communities...
(southwest) - Peoria CountyPeoria County, IllinoisPeoria County is a county located in the U.S. state of Illinois. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 186,494, which is an increase of 1.7% from 183,433 in 2000. Its county seat is Peoria....
(west)
History
Woodford County was formed in 1841 out of TazewellTazewell County, Illinois
Tazewell County is a county located in the U.S. state of Illinois. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 135,394, which is an increase of 5.4% from 128,485 in 2000. Its county seat and largest city is Pekin. The majority of the population live in the suburbs and bedroom communities...
and McLean Counties
McLean County, Illinois
McLean 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...
. The County was named for Woodford County
Woodford County, Kentucky
Woodford County is a county located in the heart of the Bluegrass region of the U.S. state of Kentucky. As of 2000, the population was 23,208. Its county seat is Versailles. The county is named for General William Woodford, who was with General George Washington at Valley Forge...
, Kentucky
Kentucky
The Commonwealth of Kentucky is a state located in the East Central United States of America. As classified by the United States Census Bureau, Kentucky is a Southern state, more specifically in the East South Central region. Kentucky is one of four U.S. states constituted as a commonwealth...
, which was named for General William Woodford
William Woodford
William Woodford was an American Revolutionary War general from Virginia.He was born in Caroline County, Virginia, in a town now known as Woodford. He served in the French and Indian War as an ensign in Colonel George Washington's Virginia Regiment, and was promoted to lieutenant in 1761...
, who was with General George Washington
George Washington
George Washington was the dominant military and political leader of the new United States of America from 1775 to 1799. He led the American victory over Great Britain in the American Revolutionary War as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army from 1775 to 1783, and presided over the writing of...
at Valley Forge
Valley Forge
Valley Forge in Pennsylvania was the site of the military camp of the American Continental Army over the winter of 1777–1778 in the American Revolutionary War.-History:...
.
Demographics
At the 2000 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...
, there were 35,469 people, 12,797 households and 9,802 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 67 per square mile (26/km²). There were 13,487 housing units at an average density of 26 per square mile (10/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 98.47% White
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.25% 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...
, 0.14% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 0.65% from two or more races. 0.68% 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. 45.9% 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....
, 9.5% American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, 9.0% 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 8.7% 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 12,797 households of which 35.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 67.50% 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, 6.60% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.40% were non-families. 20.50% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.69 and the average family size was 3.12.
Age distribution was 26.70% under the age of 18, 8.70% from 18 to 24, 26.20% from 25 to 44, 23.60% from 45 to 64, and 14.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 95.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.90 males.
The median household income
Median household income
The median household income is commonly used to generate data about geographic areas and divides households into two equal segments with the first half of households earning less than the median household income and the other half earning more...
was $51,394, and the median family income was $58,305. Males had a median income of $42,150 versus $25,251 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 $21,956. About 2.90% of families and 4.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.80% of those under age 18 and 4.20% of those age 65 or over.
Presidential election voting
Woodford County is among the most solidly Republican counties in Illinois when it comes to Presidential elections. The last Republican to receive less than 50% of the county's vote was George H. W. BushGeorge H. W. Bush
George Herbert Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 41st President of the United States . He had previously served as the 43rd Vice President of the United States , a congressman, an ambassador, and Director of Central Intelligence.Bush was born in Milton, Massachusetts, to...
in 1992 who still won the county. In 1964, Barry Goldwater
Barry Goldwater
Barry Morris Goldwater was a five-term United States Senator from Arizona and the Republican Party's nominee for President in the 1964 election. An articulate and charismatic figure during the first half of the 1960s, he was known as "Mr...
won the county despite losing the state by nearly 19%. In a related vein Ronald Reagan
Ronald Reagan
Ronald Wilson Reagan was the 40th President of the United States , the 33rd Governor of California and, prior to that, a radio, film and television actor....
, although a Democrat at the time, attended Eureka College
Eureka College
Eureka College is a liberal arts college in Eureka, Illinois related by covenant to the Christian Church and founded in 1855. It has a strong focus on the mutual development of intellect and character. Stated core values are learning, service and leadership...
which is located in the county.
Cities and towns
|
Germantown Hills, Illinois Germantown Hills is a village in Woodford County, Illinois, approximately northeast of Peoria. Germantown Hills is the only incorporated community in Worth Township. As of the 2010 census, the village had a total population of 3,438... Goodfield, Illinois Goodfield is a village in Tazewell and Woodford Counties in the U.S. state of Illinois. The population was 686 at the 2000 census and. Goodfield is part of the Peoria, Illinois Metropolitan Statistical Area.... Kappa, Illinois Kappa is a village in Woodford County, Illinois, United States. The population was 170 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Peoria, Illinois Metropolitan Statistical Area.... Metamora, Illinois Metamora is a village in Woodford County, Illinois, United States. The population was 2,700 at the 2000 census. Metamora is a growing suburb of Peoria and is part of the Peoria, Illinois Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:... Minonk, Illinois Minonk is a city in Woodford County, Illinois, United States. The population was 2,168 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Peoria, Illinois Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Minonk is located at .... |
Panola, Illinois Panola is a village in Woodford County, Illinois, United States. The population was 33 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Peoria, Illinois Metropolitan Statistical Area.... Roanoke, Illinois Roanoke is a village in Woodford County, Illinois, United States. The population was 1,994 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Peoria, Illinois Metropolitan Statistical Area.-2004 Tornado:... Secor, Illinois Secor is a village in Woodford County, Illinois, United States. The population was 379 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Peoria, Illinois Metropolitan Statistical Area. Secor is located just off U.S. Route 24 between El Paso and Eureka.... Spring Bay, Illinois Spring Bay is a village in Woodford County, Illinois, United States. As of the census, the village population was 436 and is part of the Peoria, Illinois Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Spring Bay is located at .... Washburn, Illinois Washburn is a village in Marshall and Woodford Counties in the U.S. state of Illinois. The population was 1,147 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Peoria, Illinois Metropolitan Statistical Area.... |
Townships
Woodford County is divided into these 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,...
:
|
Linn Township, Woodford County, Illinois Linn Township is located in Woodford County, Illinois. The population was 307 at the 2000 census. Linn Township was formed when it separated from its original township to create two new townships, the other being Clayton Township, on an unknown date.... Metamora Township, Woodford County, Illinois Metamora Township, Township 27 North, Range 2 West, is located in Woodford County, Illinois. It includes the town of Metamora, Illinois and is traversed by State Routes 89 and 116. State Route 117 runs along the southern part of its eastern border.... Minonk Township, Woodford County, Illinois Minonk Township is located in Woodford County, Illinois. The population was 2,407 at the 2000 census. Minonk Township and Panola Township were originally the same township, but were separated on an unknown date.- External links :***... Montgomery Township, Woodford County, Illinois Montgomery Township is located in Woodford County, Illinois. The population was 2,099 at the 2000 census.- External links :***... Olio Township, Woodford County, Illinois Olio Township is located in Woodford County, Illinois. The population was 4,868 at the 2000 census.- External links :***... Palestine Township, Woodford County, Illinois Palestine Township is located in Woodford County, Illinois. The population was 987 at the 2000 census.- External links :***... |
Panola Township, Woodford County, Illinois Panola Township is located in Woodford County, Illinois. The population was 359 at the 2000 census. Panola Township and Minonk Township were originally the same township, but formed two new townships on an unknown date.- External links :***... Partridge Township, Woodford County, Illinois Partridge Township is located in Woodford County, Illinois. The population was 511 at the 2000 census.- External links :***... Roanoke Township, Woodford County, Illinois Roanoke Township is located in Woodford County, Illinois. The population was 2,576 at the 2000 census.- External links :***... Spring Bay Township, Woodford County, Illinois Spring Bay Township is located in Woodford County, Illinois, United States. The population was 2,552 at the 2000 census.- External links :***... Worth Township, Woodford County, Illinois Worth Township is located in Woodford County, Illinois. The population was 7,285 at the 2000 census.- External links :***... |
Climate and weather
In recent years, average temperatures in the county seat of Eureka have ranged from a low of 13 °F (-10.6 °C) in January to a high of 86 °F (30 °C) in July, although a record low of -28 °F was recorded in February 1905 and a record high of 111 °F (43.9 °C) was recorded in July 1936. Average monthly precipitation ranged from 1.75 inches (4.4 cm) in January to 4.2 inches (10.7 cm) in May.See also
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Woodford County, Illinois