Sangamon County was formed in 1821 out of Madison and Bond counties. The county was named for the Sangamon River, which runs through it. The origin of the name of the river is unknown; among several explanations is the theory that it comes from the Pottawatomie word Sain-guee-mon (pronounced "sang gä mun"), meaning "where there is plenty to eat."[3] Published histories of neighboring Menard County (formed from Sangamon County) suggest that the name was first given to the river by the French explorers of the late 17th century as they passed through the region. The river was named to honor "St. Gamo", or Saint Gamo, an 8th-century French Benedictine monk. The French pronunciation "San-Gamo" is the legacy.
Prior to being elected President of the United States, Abraham Lincoln represented Sangamon County in the Illinois Legislature. Lincoln, along with several other legislators, was instrumental in securing Springfield, the Sangamon County seat, as the state's capital. Sangamon County was also within the congressional district represented by Lincoln when he served in the US House of Representatives. Another legislator who represented Sangamon County was Colonel Edmund Dick Taylor, also known as "Father of the Greenback". The prominent financiers and industrialists Jacob Bunn and John Whitfield Bunn were based in Springfield, Sangamon County, Illinois, as well as in Chicago, during the nineteenth century and the early twentieth century. The careers of these men and the people with whom they collaborated helped to shape much of the history and development of Sangamon County, Illinois.
Sangamon County from the time of its creation to 1823
Sangamon County between 1823 and 1825
Sangamon County between 1825 and 1839
Sangamon in 1839, when the creation of Logan and Menard Counties reduced it to its present borders
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 877 square miles (2,270km2), of which 868 square miles (2,250km2) is land and 8.7 square miles (23km2) (1.0%) is water.[4]
In recent years, average temperatures in the county seat of Springfield have ranged from a low of 17°F (−8°C) in January to a high of 87°F (31°C) in July, although a record low of −24°F (−31°C) was recorded in February 1905 and a record high of 112°F (44°C) was recorded in July 1954. Average monthly precipitation ranged from 1.62 inches (41mm) in January to 4.06 inches (103mm) in May.[5]
U.S. Decennial Census[7] 1790–1960[8] 1900–1990[9] 1990–2000[10] 2010[11]
As of the 2010 census, there were 197,465people, 82,986households, and 51,376families residing in the county.[12] The population density was 227.4 inhabitants per square mile (87.8/km2). There were 89,901 housing units at an average density of 103.5 per square mile (40.0/km2).[4] The racial makeup of the county was 83.6% white, 11.8% black or African American, 1.6% Asian, 0.2% American Indian, 0.5% from other races, and 2.2% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 1.8% of the population.[12] In terms of ancestry, 29.4% were German, 14.8% were Irish, 12.1% were English, 9.5% were American, and 6.3% were Italian.[13]
Of the 82,986households, 30.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.4% were married couples living together, 13.2% had a female householder with no husband present, 38.1% were non-families, and 31.8% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.33 and the average family size was 2.94. The median age was 39.2 years.[12]
The median income for a household in the county was $52,232 and the median income for a family was $66,917. Males had a median income of $48,324 versus $36,691 for females. The per capita income for the county was $28,394. About 9.9% of families and 13.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.7% of those under age 18 and 7.3% of those age 65 or over.[14]
Government
Sangamon County is governed by a 29-member board. Each member of the board is elected from a separate district.[15]
Sangamon County has been a Republican stronghold for decades, consistently supporting GOP candidates in local, state, and national elections. Despite its relatively large population and the presence of Springfield, the state's capital and a significant urban center, the county has remained reliably conservative. In recent years, however, the county has shown signs of shifting toward the Democratic Party, reflecting changing demographics and political attitudes, although Democrats have remained unable to carry the county in most races.
Sheriff department
In 2024, sheriff deputy Sean Grayson was fired after killing Sonya Massey, an unarmed woman, within her home located in Woodside Township near Springfield, Illinois following her call for assistance.[17] Massey's father, community members, and elected officials raised strong concerns about the department, after it was revealed prior to Grayson's hiring in 2023. He had been kicked out of the U.S. Army in 2016 after being convicted of 2 DUI's, and worked at 5 different Illinois police departments between 2020 and 2023.[18] Sheriff Jack Campbell who hired Grayson, after receiving calls to resign, including from Governor J.B Pritzker announced he would step down effective August 31, 2024.[19]
United States presidential election results for Sangamon County, Illinois[20]
Here is a listing of school districts (all are full K–12) with any territory in this county, no matter how small, even if the administrative headquarters and/or schools are in other counties:[21]
↑ "History and Overview". Springfield, Illinois: County of Sangamon, Illinois. Archived from the original on December 5, 2011. Retrieved December 4, 2011.
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