Assumption, Illinois

Assumption, Illinois
City
The Illinois State Bank Building located at 201 N. Chestnut St.
Location of Assumption in Christian County, Illinois.
Location of Illinois in the United States
Coordinates: 39°31′05″N89°02′52″W / 39.51806°N 89.04778°W / 39.51806; -89.04778 [1]
Country	United States
State	Illinois
County	Christian
Government
• Mayor	Derek Page
Area [2]
• Total	0.99 sq mi (2.56 km2)
• Land	0.99 sq mi (2.56 km2)
• Water	0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation [1]	640 ft (200 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	1,155
• Density	1,166.67/sq mi (450.42/km2)
Time zone	UTC-6 (CST)
• Summer (DST)	UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP Code(s)	62510
Area code(s)	217. 447
FIPS code	17-02609
GNIS ID	2394007 [1]
Wikimedia Commons	Assumption, Illinois
Website	cityofassumption.org

Assumption is a city in Christian County, Illinois, United States. The population was 1,155 as of the 2020 census.

History

Illinois Central Railroad depot in Assumption, 1913

Assumption originally was called "Tacusah". ^[3] The present name is after Assumption Parish, Louisiana. ^[4] A post office called Assumption has been in operation since 1858. ^[5] Assumption lays claim to the deepest coal mine (abandoned in the 1930s) in the state at over 1000' below the surface. First National Bank of Assumption (founded in 1900) claims to be the oldest bank in Christian County as it was the only bank in the county to remain open during the Great Depression.

In May 2017, news reached Assumption of the recovery of the remains of United States Air Force Captain Joseph S. Smith, a pilot shot down over Cambodia in 1971 during the Vietnam War. A large portion of the community turned out for his repatriation and interment in July 2017.

Geography

According to the 2020 census, Assumption has a total area of 0.88 square miles (2.28 km²), all land. ^[6]

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1870	590		—
1880	706		19.7%
1890	1,076		52.4%
1900	1,702		58.2%
1910	1,918		12.7%
1920	1,852		−3.4%
1930	1,554		−16.1%
1940	1,561		0.5%
1950	1,466		−6.1%
1960	1,439		−1.8%
1970	1,487		3.3%
1980	1,283		−13.7%
1990	1,244		−3.0%
2000	1,261		1.4%
2010	1,168		−7.4%
2020	1,155		−1.1%
U.S. Decennial Census [7]

As of the 2020 census ^[8] there were 1,155 people, 514 households, and 262 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,166.67 inhabitants per square mile (450.45/km²). There were 576 housing units at an average density of 581.82 per square mile (224.64/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 94.20% White, 0.52% African American, 0.00% Native American, 0.17% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 0.26% from other races, and 4.85% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.99% of the population.

There were 514 households, out of which 29.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 34.63% were married couples living together, 12.45% had a female householder with no husband present, and 49.03% were non-families. 30.54% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.53% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.92 and the average family size was 2.24.

The city's age distribution consisted of 19.9% under the age of 18, 19.8% from 18 to 24, 20.4% from 25 to 44, 25% from 45 to 64, and 14.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37.2 years. For every 100 females, there were 109.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 107.9 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $46,563, and the median income for a family was $57,083. Males had a median income of $32,692 versus $20,761 for females. The per capita income for the city was $24,281. About 12.6% of families and 10.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.8% of those under age 18 and 13.5% of those age 65 or over.

Education

Until 1992, Assumption was served by the Assumption School District #9. Since 1992, Assumption has been served by the Central A&M School District, ^[9] which also includes the village of Moweaqua, as well as the nearby rural areas. Central A&M Middle School (grades 6-8) and Bond Elementary School (preK-2) are located in Assumption, as well as the school district office. ^{[10] [11]}

Enrollment at the middle school is approximately 170 students.

Assumption is also home to Kemmerer Village, a private Presbyterian childcare agency, named for donor Philip Kemmerer who willed 400 acres (1.6 km²) to "the orphans and friendless poor of all denominations" in 1884. Originally known as Kemmerer Orphan Home, the facility opened in 1914. In 1930, the named was changed to Kemmerer Children's Home. Eventually the name became Kemmerer Village. ^{[12] [13]}

Notable people

• Lloyd Burdick, football player
• James T. Carroll, Los Angeles City Council member, 1933, born in Assumption
• John Dudra, MLB infielder for the Boston Braves, was born in Assumption in 1916
• Brant Hansen, radio personality, graduated from Assumption High School, 1987

References

1. U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Assumption, Illinois
2. "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 15, 2022.
3. Illinois Central Magazine. Illinois Central Railroad Company. 1922. p. 44.
4. "Our History". City of Assumption. Retrieved October 18, 2022.
5. "Post Offices". Jim Forte Postal History. Retrieved February 20, 2018.
6. "G001 - Geographic Identifiers - 2010 Census Summary File 1". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved December 25, 2015.
7. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
8. "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved June 28, 2022.
9. "Central A&M; Community Unit District #21". www.cam.k12.il.us. Archived from the original on June 30, 2007. Retrieved January 12, 2022.
10. "Central A & M Middle School". www.cam.k12.il.us. Archived from the original on June 15, 2007. Retrieved January 12, 2022.
11. "Bond Elementary School". www.cam.k12.il.us. Archived from the original on July 2, 2007. Retrieved January 12, 2022.
12. "Kemmerer Village - History". Archived from the original on June 26, 2013. Retrieved July 6, 2013.
13. "Kemmerer Village". www.cam.k12.il.us. Archived from the original on June 15, 2007. Retrieved January 12, 2022.

External links

• "Illinois Coal: The Legacy of an Industrial Society", sponsored by the Illinois State Historical Society includes an interview with Augustine Gobel, born in Assumption on April 21, 1909, who entered the coal mines at age sixteen.