Elwin, Illinois

Elwin, Illinois
Census-designated place
Elwin Show map of Illinois Elwin Show map of the United States
Coordinates: 39°51′6″N88°56′39″W / 39.85167°N 88.94417°W / 39.85167; -88.94417
Country	United States
State	Illinois
County	Macon
Township	South Wheatland
Area [1]
• Total	0.83 sq mi (2.16 km2)
• Land	0.83 sq mi (2.16 km2)
• Water	0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation	712 ft (217 m)
Population  (2020) [2]
• Total	119
• Density	142.86/sq mi (55.18/km2)
Time zone	UTC-6 (Central (CST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP Code	62532
FIPS code	17-23919
GNIS feature ID	407975 [3]

Elwin is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) in South Wheatland Township, Macon County, Illinois, United States. It was first listed as a CDP in 2020, with a population of 119. ^[2]

History

Elwin was formed in 1859 on land owned by William Martin and Daniel H. Elwood. It was laid out after completion of the railroad. ^[4] The name "Elwin" is an amalgamation of the surnames of founders Elwood and Martin. ^{[5] [6]}

Geography

Elwin is located in central Macon County at 39°51′6″N88°56′39″W / 39.85167°N 88.94417°W / 39.85167; -88.94417 (39.851636, -88.944228). ^[3] Centrally located within South Wheatland Township, it was once known as South Wheatland. It is 5 miles (8 km) south of the center of Decatur, the Macon county seat. U.S. Route 51 bypasses Elwin on its east side, with its old alignment passing through the center of the community as U.S. Route 51 Business. The two routes join south of Elwin and lead south 30 miles (48 km) to Pana.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the Elwin CDP has an area of 0.83 square miles (2.15 km²), all land. ^[1] The community is in the Spring Creek watershed, which flows north to the Sangamon River in Decatur.

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
2020	119		—
U.S. Decennial Census [7]

Elwin first appeared as a census designated place in the 2020 U.S. Census. ^[8]

References

1. "2022 U.S. Gazetteer Files: Illinois". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 7, 2023.
2. "P1. Race – Elwin CDP, Illinois: 2020 DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171)". U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved February 7, 2023.
3. U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Elwin, Illinois
4. "Elwin Was Second Choice". The Decatur Review. No. Page Five. February 28, 1949.
5. Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. Govt. Print. Off. pp.  118.
6. Illinois Central Magazine. Illinois Central Railroad Company. 1922. p. 44.
7. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2016.
8. "2020 Geography Changes". United States Census Bureau.