Pike County, Illinois

Last updated

Pike County
County
Courthouse, Pike County, Illinois.jpg
Pike County Courthouse, Pittsfield
Map of Illinois highlighting Pike County.svg
Location within the U.S. state of Illinois
Illinois in United States.svg
Illinois's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 39°37′N90°53′W / 39.62°N 90.89°W / 39.62; -90.89
CountryFlag of the United States.svg United States
StateFlag of Illinois.svg  Illinois
FoundedJanuary 31, 1821
Named for Zebulon Pike
Seat Pittsfield
Largest cityPittsfield
Area
 • Total849 sq mi (2,200 km2)
 • Land831 sq mi (2,150 km2)
 • Water18 sq mi (50 km2)  2.1%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total14,739
 • Density17/sq mi (6.7/km2)
Time zone UTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST) UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district 15th
Website www.pikecountyil.org

Pike County is a county in the U.S. state of Illinois. It is located between the Mississippi River and the Illinois River in western Illinois. According to the 2020 United States Census, it had a population of 14,739. [1] Its county seat is Pittsfield. [2]

Contents

History

Pike County was formed in January 1821 out of Madison County. It was named in honor of Zebulon Pike, leader of the Pike Expedition in 1806 to map out the south and west portions of the Louisiana Purchase. Pike served at the Battle of Tippecanoe, and was killed in 1813 in the War of 1812.

Prior to the coming of the first European settler to the future Pike County, French traders, hunters, and travelers passed through the native forests and prairies. Originally Pike County began on the south junction of the Illinois and Mississippi rivers. The east boundary was the Illinois River north to the Kankakee River to the Indiana State line on north to Wisconsin territorial line and then west to the Mississippi River to the original point at the south end. The first county seat was Cole's Grove, a post town, in what later became Calhoun County. The Gazetteer of Illinois and Missouri, published in 1822, mentioned Chicago as "a village of Pike County" containing 12 or 15 houses and about 60 or 70 inhabitants.

The New Philadelphia Town Site was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2005, designated a National Historic Landmark in 2009, and established as a National Park in 2022. Founded by Frank McWorter, an early free black settler in Pike County, it was the first town founded by a black man in the United States. McWorter had invested in land there sight unseen after purchasing the first few members of his family out of slavery. In 1836 he founded the town of New Philadelphia, near Barry. He was elected mayor and lived there the rest of his life. With the sale of land, he made enough money to purchase the freedom of his children. After the railroad bypassed the town, its growth slowed and it was eventually abandoned in the 20th century. The town site is now an archaeological site.

In the early 21st century, Pike County acquired notability as a whitetail deer hunting center, especially for bowhunting.

Geography

According to the US Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 849 square miles (2,200 km2), of which 831 square miles (2,150 km2) is land and 18 square miles (47 km2) (2.1%) is water. [4]

Pike County is located on the highlands between the Illinois River, which forms its eastern border, and the Mississippi River, which borders Missouri. It has two interstate highways, I-72, with bridges spanning both rivers to enter the county, and I-172 which extends about 300 feet (91 m) into the county to its intersection with I-72.

Climate and weather

Pittsfield, Illinois
Climate chart (explanation)
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Source: The Weather Channel [5]
Metric conversion
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In recent years, average temperatures in the county seat of Pittsfield have ranged from a low of 15 °F (−9 °C) in January to a high of 86 °F (30 °C) in July, although a record low of −25 °F (−32 °C) was recorded in February 1905 and a record high of 115 °F (46 °C) was recorded in July 1954. Average monthly precipitation ranged from 1.74 inches (44 mm) in January to 4.11 inches (104 mm) in May. [5]

Major highways

Adjacent counties

Pike County is one of the few US counties to border as many as nine counties. Illinois has two – Pike and LaSalle.

National protected area

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1830 2,396—
1840 11,728389.5%
1850 18,81960.5%
1860 27,24944.8%
1870 30,76812.9%
1880 33,7519.7%
1890 31,000−8.2%
1900 31,5951.9%
1910 28,622−9.4%
1920 26,866−6.1%
1930 24,357−9.3%
1940 25,3404.0%
1950 22,155−12.6%
1960 20,552−7.2%
1970 19,185−6.7%
1980 18,896−1.5%
1990 17,577−7.0%
2000 17,384−1.1%
2010 16,430−5.5%
2020 14,739−10.3%
2023 (est.)14,342 [6] −2.7%
US Decennial Census [7]
1790-1960 [8] 1900-1990 [9]
1990-2000 [10] 2010 [11]

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 16,430 people, 6,639 households, and 4,527 families residing in the county. [12] The population density was 19.8 inhabitants per square mile (7.6/km2). There were 7,951 housing units at an average density of 9.6 per square mile (3.7/km2). [4] The racial makeup of the county was 96.9% white, 1.7% black or African American, 0.2% Asian, 0.2% American Indian, 0.2% from other races, and 0.7% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 1.0% of the population. [12] In terms of ancestry, 26.3% were German, 16.8% were American, 15.1% were English, and 13.4% were Irish. [13]

Of the 6,639 households, 30.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.5% were married couples living together, 9.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 31.8% were non-families, and 27.8% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.38 and the average family size was 2.87. The median age was 42.5 years. [12]

The median income for a household in the county was $40,205 and the median income for a family was $50,426. Males had a median income of $39,071 versus $26,835 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,996. About 11.3% of families and 15.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 23.7% of those under age 18 and 11.2% of those age 65 or over. [14]

Politics

Pike County was reliably Democratic from 1892 through 1948; only 2 Republican Party nominees carried the county vote during that period. However, it was a national bellwether in every presidential election from 1912 to 2004 aside from 1924 & 1988. Since 2000, the county has become a Republican stronghold, with Donald Trump winning it in the 2016 presidential election by a margin of 57.6 points.

The county is located in Illinois's 15th Congressional District and is currently represented by Republican Mary Miller. In the Illinois General Assembly, the county is located in the 50th legislative district and the 100th house district represented by Senator Steve McClure and Representative C. D. Davidsmeyer. [15]

United States presidential election results for Pike County, Illinois [16]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No. %No. %No. %
2020 6,33279.50%1,48418.63%1491.87%
2016 5,75476.41%1,41318.76%3634.82%
2012 4,86066.56%2,27831.20%1642.25%
2008 4,45758.31%3,02439.57%1622.12%
2004 5,03263.06%2,84935.70%991.24%
2000 4,70658.01%3,19839.42%2082.56%
1996 3,22540.56%3,60445.32%1,12314.12%
1992 3,34236.98%4,01644.44%1,67918.58%
1988 3,96546.11%4,61453.66%200.23%
1984 5,29557.03%3,96542.70%250.27%
1980 5,30156.63%3,69539.47%3653.90%
1976 4,97549.21%5,00649.52%1291.28%
1972 5,94060.23%3,88339.37%400.41%
1968 5,03550.66%4,19142.17%7137.17%
1964 4,11338.48%6,57661.52%00.00%
1960 5,96552.16%5,46147.75%100.09%
1956 5,92052.31%5,38247.55%160.14%
1952 6,38254.97%5,21944.95%100.09%
1948 4,72245.00%5,67454.07%980.93%
1944 5,63348.85%5,83350.58%660.57%
1940 6,61945.83%7,67653.15%1461.01%
1936 5,58940.00%8,18758.59%1981.42%
1932 4,18133.58%8,01364.35%2582.07%
1928 6,70561.88%4,00836.99%1231.14%
1924 4,98945.59%5,42449.57%5304.84%
1920 5,56454.12%4,27941.62%4374.25%
1916 5,29341.35%7,00554.73%5013.91%
1912 1,16917.65%3,37150.90%2,08331.45%
1908 2,93240.36%3,85953.12%4746.52%
1904 3,00744.42%3,11245.97%6509.60%
1900 3,04538.01%4,71558.85%2523.15%
1896 3,11136.26%5,32962.12%1391.62%
1892 2,75136.62%3,49446.51%1,26816.88%

Communities

Settlements

SettlementPopulation [17] TypeTownships
Barry 1,318CityBarry
Baylis 200VillageNew Salem
Detroit 83VillageDetroit
El Dara 78VillageDerry
Florence 17VillageDetroit
Griggsville 1,226CityGriggsville
Hull 461VillageKinderhook
Kinderhook 216VillageBarry, Kinderhook
Milton 271VillageMontezuma
Nebo 340VillageSpring Creek
New Canton 359TownPleasant Vale
New Salem 136VillageNew Salem
Pearl 138VillagePearl
Perry 397VillagePerry
Pittsfield†4,576CityNewburg, Pittsfield
Pleasant Hill 966VillagePleasant Hill
Rockport 67 CDP Atlas
Time 29VillageHardin
Valley City 13VillageFlint

† – County seat

Townships

TownshipPopulation [17] Housing Units [17] Total Area [17] Land Area [17] Water Area [17]
Atlas56332167.88 sq mi (175.8 km2)63.71 sq mi (165.0 km2)4.17 sq mi (10.8 km2)
Barry1,67579138.51 sq mi (99.7 km2)38.50 sq mi (99.7 km2)0.01 sq mi (0.026 km2)
Chambersburg2418929.63 sq mi (76.7 km2)29.09 sq mi (75.3 km2)0.54 sq mi (1.4 km2)
Cincinnati315426.73 sq mi (69.2 km2)23.82 sq mi (61.7 km2)2.91 sq mi (7.5 km2)
Derry24711537.40 sq mi (96.9 km2)37.40 sq mi (96.9 km2)0.00 sq mi (0 km2)
Detroit31216326.98 sq mi (69.9 km2)26.24 sq mi (68.0 km2)0.74 sq mi (1.9 km2)
Fairmount18810937.62 sq mi (97.4 km2)37.62 sq mi (97.4 km2)0.00 sq mi (0 km2)
Flint964716.17 sq mi (41.9 km2)15.31 sq mi (39.7 km2)0.86 sq mi (2.2 km2)
Griggsville1,43067137.64 sq mi (97.5 km2)37.64 sq mi (97.5 km2)0.00 sq mi (0 km2)
Hadley26213036.86 sq mi (95.5 km2)36.84 sq mi (95.4 km2)0.02 sq mi (0.052 km2)
Hardin21210537.41 sq mi (96.9 km2)37.39 sq mi (96.8 km2)0.02 sq mi (0.052 km2)
Kinderhook84042237.91 sq mi (98.2 km2)37.86 sq mi (98.1 km2)0.05 sq mi (0.13 km2)
Levee473925.03 sq mi (64.8 km2)22.02 sq mi (57.0 km2)3.01 sq mi (7.8 km2)
Martinsburg41918637.74 sq mi (97.7 km2)37.74 sq mi (97.7 km2)0.00 sq mi (0 km2)
Montezuma54025434.45 sq mi (89.2 km2)33.75 sq mi (87.4 km2)0.70 sq mi (1.8 km2)
Newburg94942837.55 sq mi (97.3 km2)37.21 sq mi (96.4 km2)0.35 sq mi (0.91 km2)
New Salem57327638.21 sq mi (99.0 km2)38.21 sq mi (99.0 km2)0.00 sq mi (0 km2)
Pearl28219325.26 sq mi (65.4 km2)24.63 sq mi (63.8 km2)0.63 sq mi (1.6 km2)
Perry59431037.22 sq mi (96.4 km2)37.21 sq mi (96.4 km2)0.01 sq mi (0.026 km2)
Pittsfield4,4771,98237.86 sq mi (98.1 km2)37.81 sq mi (97.9 km2)0.06 sq mi (0.16 km2)
Pleasant Hill1,25963137.60 sq mi (97.4 km2)37.56 sq mi (97.3 km2)0.04 sq mi (0.10 km2)
Pleasant Vale56332167.88 sq mi (175.8 km2)63.71 sq mi (165.0 km2)4.17 sq mi (10.8 km2)
Ross57328638.98 sq mi (101.0 km2)38.97 sq mi (100.9 km2)0.01 sq mi (0.026 km2)
Spring Creek59129537.41 sq mi (96.9 km2)37.40 sq mi (96.9 km2)0.01 sq mi (0.026 km2)

    Unincorporated communities

    Ghost towns

    See also

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    References

    1. ↑ "Pike County, Illinois". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved June 10, 2023.
    2. ↑ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
    3. ↑ White, Jesse. Origin and Evolution of Illinois Counties. State of Illinois, March 2010. "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on August 6, 2012. Retrieved September 26, 2012.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
    4. 1 2 "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 12, 2020. Retrieved July 12, 2015.
    5. 1 2 "Monthly Averages for Pittsfield IL". The Weather Channel. Archived from the original on October 23, 2012. Retrieved January 27, 2011.
    6. ↑ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 2, 2024.
    7. ↑ "US Decennial Census". US Census Bureau. Retrieved July 8, 2014.
    8. ↑ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Archived from the original on August 11, 2012. Retrieved July 8, 2014.
    9. ↑ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on April 24, 2014. Retrieved July 8, 2014.
    10. ↑ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). US Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on December 18, 2014. Retrieved July 8, 2014.
    11. ↑ "State & County QuickFacts". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 7, 2011. Retrieved July 8, 2014.
    12. 1 2 3 "Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved July 12, 2015.
    13. ↑ "Selected Social Characteristics in the United States – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved July 12, 2015.
    14. ↑ "Selected Economic Characteristics – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved July 12, 2015.
    15. ↑ "Maps of Districts of the Illinois House of Representatives (2023-2033)". Illinois State Board of Elections. July 16, 2022. Retrieved November 14, 2022.
    16. ↑ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Archived from the original on March 23, 2018.
    17. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County -- County Subdivision and Place -- 2010 Census Summary File 1". United States Census. Archived from the original on February 12, 2020. Retrieved May 28, 2013.
    18. ↑ "New Philadelphia, Illinois, Historical Landscapes". faculty.las.illinois.edu.

    39°37′N90°53′W / 39.62°N 90.89°W / 39.62; -90.89

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