Union County, Illinois

Last updated

Union County
County
Union County Courthouse in Jonesboro.jpg
Union County Courthouse in Jonesboro
Map of Illinois highlighting Union County.svg
Location within the U.S. state of Illinois
Illinois in United States.svg
Illinois's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 37°28′N89°16′W / 37.47°N 89.26°W / 37.47; -89.26
CountryFlag of the United States.svg United States
StateFlag of Illinois.svg Illinois
FoundedJanuary 2, 1818
Seat Jonesboro
Largest city Anna
Area
 • Total
422 sq mi (1,090 km2)
 • Land413 sq mi (1,070 km2)
 • Water8.7 sq mi (23 km2)  2.1%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
17,244
 • Estimate 
(2024)
16,886 Decrease2.svg [1]
 • Density41/sq mi (16/km2)
Time zone UTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST) UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district 12th
Website www.unioncountyil.gov

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. [2] Its county seat is Jonesboro. [3] It is located in the southern portion of Illinois known locally as "Little Egypt".

Contents

History

Union County was formed out of Johnson County, nearly a year before the Illinois Territory gained statehood. [4] 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. [5]

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. [7]

Climate and weather

Jonesboro, Illinois
Climate chart (explanation)
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█ Average max. and min. temperatures in °F
█ Precipitation totals in inches
Source: The Weather Channel [8]
Metric conversion
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█ Average max. and min. temperatures in °C
█ Precipitation totals in mm

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. [8]

Major highways

Adjacent counties

Protected areas

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1820 2,362—
1830 3,23937.1%
1840 5,52470.5%
1850 7,61537.9%
1860 11,18146.8%
1870 16,51847.7%
1880 18,1029.6%
1890 21,54919.0%
1900 22,6104.9%
1910 21,856−3.3%
1920 20,249−7.4%
1930 19,883−1.8%
1940 21,5288.3%
1950 20,500−4.8%
1960 17,645−13.9%
1970 16,071−8.9%
1980 17,76510.5%
1990 17,619−0.8%
2000 18,2933.8%
2010 17,808−2.7%
2020 17,244−3.2%
2023 (est.)16,667 [12] −3.3%
US Decennial Census [13]
1790-1960 [14] 1900-1990 [15]
1990-2000 [16] 2010-2013 [2] 2020 [17]

2020 census

Union County, Illinois – Racial and ethnic composition
Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.
Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic)Pop 1980 [18] Pop 1990 [19] Pop 2000 [20] Pop 2010 [21] Pop 2020 [22] % 1980% 1990% 2000% 2010% 2020
White alone (NH)17,56317,24317,40716,45415,33198.86%97.87%95.16%92.40%88.91%
Black or African American alone (NH)681221491512260.38%0.69%0.81%0.85%1.31%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH)19226259460.11%0.12%0.34%0.33%0.27%
Asian alone (NH)16504852670.09%0.28%0.26%0.29%0.39%
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander alone (NH)x [23] x [24] 2511xx0.01%0.03%0.06%
Other race alone (NH)8068280.05%0.00%0.03%0.04%0.16%
Mixed race or Multiracial (NH)x [25] x [26] 138216668xx0.75%1.21%3.87%
Hispanic or Latino (any race)911824818638670.51%1.03%2.63%4.85%5.03%
Total17,76517,61918,29317,80817,244 100.00%100.00%100.00%100.00%100.00%

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 17,808 people, 7,167 households, and 4,837 families residing in the county. [27] 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). [7] 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. [27] In terms of ancestry, 23.0% were German, 12.6% were Irish, 9.4% were English, and 8.1% were American. [28]

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. [27]

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. [29]

Communities

Cities

Villages

Unincorporated communities

Politics

Like much of Southern Illinois, Union County has shifted toward the Republican Party over the past couple decades, [30] with the Republican candidate for president winning the county since 2000.

United States presidential election results for Union County, Illinois [31]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No. %No. %No. %
2024 5,83770.60%2,28527.64%1461.77%
2020 6,16169.19%2,57928.96%1641.84%
2016 5,79067.20%2,40227.88%4244.92%
2012 4,95759.59%3,13737.71%2242.69%
2008 5,00354.65%3,91842.80%2332.55%
2004 5,33358.48%3,73540.96%510.56%
2000 4,39750.77%3,98245.98%2813.24%
1996 3,14738.00%4,25251.34%88310.66%
1992 3,00333.06%4,68151.54%1,39915.40%
1988 4,24450.05%4,19749.50%380.45%
1984 4,72155.13%3,81544.55%280.33%
1980 4,28950.81%3,78144.79%3714.40%
1976 3,53141.16%5,00358.32%440.51%
1972 5,03459.36%3,42840.42%180.21%
1968 3,88946.45%3,60343.04%88010.51%
1964 3,14237.63%5,20862.37%00.00%
1960 4,43250.58%4,32149.31%100.11%
1956 4,20449.06%4,35950.87%60.07%
1952 4,65851.97%4,29647.93%90.10%
1948 3,86446.01%4,47953.33%550.65%
1944 4,11448.25%4,36751.21%460.54%
1940 4,91545.51%5,80453.74%810.75%
1936 4,16539.81%6,26059.84%360.34%
1932 2,85931.47%6,15767.77%690.76%
1928 3,35244.52%4,14955.10%290.39%
1924 2,57939.16%3,78357.44%2243.40%
1920 3,11945.55%3,66053.45%680.99%
1916 3,13537.11%5,17161.22%1411.67%
1912 45810.44%2,64860.36%1,28129.20%
1908 1,69537.43%2,69059.40%1443.18%
1904 1,53739.54%1,96750.60%3839.85%
1900 1,69536.49%2,90062.43%501.08%
1896 1,84237.65%2,99861.28%521.06%
1892 1,42733.96%2,66363.37%1122.67%

Education

School districts include: [32]

K-12:

Secondary:

Elementary:

See also

References

  1. ↑ "County Population Totals and Components of Change: 2020–2024". United States Census Bureau. U.S. Department of Commerce. March 2025. Retrieved August 31, 2025.
  2. 1 2 "State & County QuickFacts". US Census Bureau.
  3. ↑ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 3, 2015. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  4. ↑ Perrin 1883, p. 285.
  5. ↑ Callary, Edward (2009). Place Names of Illinois. Urbana and Chicago, Illinois: University of Illinois Press. p. 354.
  6. ↑ White, Jesse (March 2010). "Origin and Evolution of Illinois Counties" (PDF). State of Illinois. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 12, 2012. Retrieved September 26, 2012.
  7. 1 2 "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved July 12, 2015.
  8. 1 2 "Monthly Averages for Jonesboro IL". The Weather Channel. Archived from the original on October 23, 2012. Retrieved January 27, 2011.
  9. ↑ Brown Barrens Nature Preserve, Union County IL Google Maps (accessed 29 December 2018)
  10. ↑ Lincoln Memorial Picnic Grounds, Union County IL Google Maps (accessed 29 December 2018)
  11. ↑ McClure Shale Glade Nature Preserve, Union County IL Google Maps (accessed 29 December 2018)
  12. ↑ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 2, 2024.
  13. ↑ "US Decennial Census". US Census Bureau. Retrieved July 9, 2014.
  14. ↑ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Archived from the original on August 11, 2012. Retrieved July 9, 2014.
  15. ↑ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on April 24, 2014. Retrieved July 9, 2014.
  16. ↑ "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 9, 2014.
  17. ↑ "Explore Census Data".
  18. ↑ "1980 Census of Population - General Population Characteristics - Illinois- Table 14 - Persons by Race and Table 16 (p. 18-28) - Total Persons and Spanish Origin Persons by Type of Spanish Origin and Race (p. 29-39)" (PDF). United States Census Bureau .
  19. ↑ "1990 Census of Population - General Population Characteristics - Illinois - Table 6 - Race and Hispanic Orogin" (PDF). United States Census Bureau .
  20. ↑ "P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Union County, Illinois". United States Census Bureau .
  21. ↑ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Union County, Illinois". United States Census Bureau .
  22. ↑ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Union County, Illinois". United States Census Bureau .
  23. ↑ included in the Asian category in the 1980 Census
  24. ↑ included in the Asian category in the 1990 Census
  25. ↑ not an option in the 1980 Census
  26. ↑ not an option in the 1990 Census
  27. 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.
  28. ↑ "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.
  29. ↑ "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.
  30. ↑ Service, CHUCK RAASCH Herald & Review News. "Political scale tips toward GOP in southern Illinois, northeast Missouri". Herald-Review.com. Retrieved January 19, 2021.
  31. ↑ Leip, David. "Atlas of US Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Archived from the original on March 23, 2018. Retrieved May 1, 2018.
  32. ↑ "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Union County, IL" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau . Retrieved July 22, 2022. - Text list

Bibliography

37°28′16″N89°15′18″W / 37.47111°N 89.25500°W / 37.47111; -89.25500

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