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Union County, Illinois facts for kids

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Union County
Union County Courthouse in Jonesboro
Union County Courthouse in Jonesboro
Map of Illinois highlighting Union County
Location within the U.S. state of Illinois
Map of the United States highlighting Illinois
Illinois's location within the U.S.
Country  United States
State  Illinois
Founded January 2, 1818
Seat Jonesboro
Largest city Anna
Area
 • Total 422 sq mi (1,090 km2)
 • Land 413 sq mi (1,070 km2)
 • Water 8.7 sq mi (23 km2)  2.1%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 17,244
 • Density 40.86/sq mi (15.777/km2)
Time zone UTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST) UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district 12th

Union County is a county located in the U.S. state of Illinois. According to the 2020 United States Census, it had a population of 17,244. Its county seat is Jonesboro. It is located in the southern portion of Illinois known locally as "Little Egypt".

History

Union County was formed out of Johnson County, nearly a year before the Illinois Territory gained statehood. It was named for a joint revival meeting of the Baptists and Dunkards, called a "union meeting". The county seal depicts the leaders of these two groups shaking hands.

Geography

According to the US Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 422 square miles (1,090 km2), of which 413 square miles (1,070 km2) is land and 8.7 square miles (23 km2) (2.1%) is water.

Climate and weather

Weather chart for Jonesboro, Illinois
J F M A M J J A S O N D
 
 
3.6
 
42
22
 
 
3.4
 
49
27
 
 
4.7
 
60
35
 
 
4.7
 
70
44
 
 
5.2
 
78
53
 
 
4.2
 
86
62
 
 
3.3
 
90
66
 
 
3.6
 
89
64
 
 
3.1
 
82
56
 
 
3.4
 
72
45
 
 
4.8
 
58
36
 
 
4.3
 
46
27
temperatures in °F
precipitation totals in inches
source: The Weather Channel

In recent years, average temperatures in the county seat of Jonesboro have ranged from a low of 22 °F (−6 °C) in January to a high of 90 °F (32 °C) in July, although a record low of −20 °F (−29 °C) was recorded in January 1918 and a record high of 112 °F (44 °C) was recorded in July 1901. Average monthly precipitation ranged from 3.13 inches (80 mm) in September to 5.22 inches (133 mm) in May.

Major highways

  • I-57.svg Interstate 57
  • US 51.svg U.S. Highway 51
  • Illinois 3.svg Illinois Route 3
  • Illinois 127.svg Illinois Route 127
  • Illinois 146.svg Illinois Route 146

Adjacent counties

Protected areas

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop.
1820 2,362
1830 3,239 37.1%
1840 5,524 70.5%
1850 7,615 37.9%
1860 11,181 46.8%
1870 16,518 47.7%
1880 18,102 9.6%
1890 21,549 19.0%
1900 22,610 4.9%
1910 21,856 −3.3%
1920 20,249 −7.4%
1930 19,883 −1.8%
1940 21,528 8.3%
1950 20,500 −4.8%
1960 17,645 −13.9%
1970 16,071 −8.9%
1980 17,765 10.5%
1990 17,619 −0.8%
2000 18,293 3.8%
2010 17,808 −2.7%
2020 17,244 −3.2%
2023 (est.) 16,667 −6.4%
US Decennial Census
1790-1960 1900-1990
1990-2000 2010-2013 2020

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 17,808 people, 7,167 households, and 4,837 families residing in the county. The population density was 43.1 inhabitants per square mile (16.6/km2). There were 7,924 housing units at an average density of 19.2 per square mile (7.4/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 94.8% white, 0.9% black or African American, 0.5% American Indian, 0.3% Asian, 2.0% from other races, and 1.5% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 4.8% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 23.0% were German, 12.6% were Irish, 9.4% were English, and 8.1% were American.

Of the 7,167 households, 29.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.6% were married couples living together, 10.6% had a female householder with no husband present, 32.5% were non-families, and 28.4% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.41 and the average family size was 2.92. The median age was 42.9 years.

The median income for a household in the county was $39,760 and the median income for a family was $48,465. Males had a median income of $36,831 versus $31,272 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,512. About 12.7% of families and 21.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.5% of those under age 18 and 16.7% of those age 65 or over.

Communities

Cities

Villages

Unincorporated communities

Education

School districts include:

K-12:

  • Cobden School Unit District 17
  • Dongola School Unit District 66
  • Goreville Community Unit School District 1
  • Shawnee Community Unit School District 84

Secondary:

  • Anna Jonesboro Community High School District 81
  • Vienna High School District 133

Elementary:

  • Anna Community Consolidated School District 37
  • Buncombe Consolidated School District 43
  • Cypress School District 64
  • Jonesboro Community Consolidated School District 43
  • Lick Creek Community Consolidated School District 16

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Condado de Union (Illinois) para niños

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