Valmeyer, Illinois

Valmeyer, Illinois
Village
Valmeyer City Hall and Emergency Services
Location in Monroe County, Illinois
Valmeyer Location in the United States
Coordinates: 38°18′0″N90°18′30″W / 38.30000°N 90.30833°W / 38.30000; -90.30833
Country	United States
State	Illinois
County	Monroe
Area [1]
• Total	3.50 sq mi (9.08 km2)
• Land	3.45 sq mi (8.93 km2)
• Water	0.06 sq mi (0.14 km2)
Population  (2020) [2]
• Total	1,233
• Density	357.49/sq mi (138.04/km2)
ZIP code	62295 [3]
Area code	618
FIPS code	17-77265
Wikimedia Commons	Valmeyer, Illinois
Website	www.valmeyerillinois.com

Valmeyer is a village in Monroe County, Illinois, United States. The population was 1,233 at the 2020 census. ^[2] It was originally located in the American Bottom floodplain of the Mississippi River but now occupies higher land to the east.

History

After the Great Flood of 1993 the residents of Valmeyer decided to relocate the town 2 miles (3 km) to the east, on land that is more than 300 feet (91 m) higher than the floodplain. The town was rebuilt with financial assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The old townsite has been described as a ghost town with few inhabitants but still an important traffic artery. ^[4] Valmeyer's successful relocation is seen as a potential model for other localities retreating from sea level rise. ^[5]

The remains of the business district in Old Valmeyer has been reduced to a few broken sidewalks and empty space.

Geography

Valmeyer is located in western Monroe County at 38°18′00″N90°18′30″W / 38.299904°N 90.308334°W / 38.299904; -90.308334 . ^[6] Illinois Route 156 runs along the southern edge of the new village and passes through the center of the old village. IL 156 leads east 7 miles (11 km) to Waterloo, the county seat, and west 5 miles (8 km) to its terminus at Harrisonville, 1 mile (1.6 km) east of the Mississippi River.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Valmeyer has a total area of 3.45 square miles (8.9 km²), of which 3.42 square miles (8.9 km²) are land and 0.054 square miles (0.14 km²), or 1.56%, are water. ^[1]

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1920	406		—
1930	528		30.0%
1940	591		11.9%
1950	656		11.0%
1960	709		8.1%
1970	733		3.4%
1980	898		22.5%
1990	897		−0.1%
2000	608		−32.2%
2010	1,263		107.7%
2020	1,233		−2.4%
source: [7]

As of the census ^[8] of 2000, there were 608 people, 222 households, and 166 families residing in the village. The population density was 182.7 inhabitants per square mile (70.5/km²). There were 241 housing units at an average density of 72.4 per square mile (28.0/km²). The racial makeup of the village was 98.68% White, 0.33% African American, 0.33% Asian, 0.16% Pacific Islander, and 0.49% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.82% of the population.

There were 222 households, out of which 39.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 64.0% were married couples living together, 9.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.2% were non-families. 24.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.74 and the average family size was 3.29.

In the village, the age distribution of the population shows 27.8% under the age of 18, 10.0% from 18 to 24, 28.1% from 25 to 44, 21.1% from 45 to 64, and 13.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 87.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 79.9 males.

The median income for a household in the village was US$53,214(equivalent to $94,150 in 2023), and the median income for a family was $58,646(equivalent to $103,761 in 2023). Males had a median income of $38,500 versus $26,838 for females. The per capita income for the village was $20,420(equivalent to $36,129 in 2023). None of the families and 3.0% of the population were living below the poverty threshold, including no under eighteens and 10.2% of those over 64.

References

1. "2022 U.S. Gazetteer Files: Illinois". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 20, 2023.
2. "P1. Race – Valmeyer village, Illinois: 2020 DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171)". U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved March 20, 2023.
3. "Valmeyer IL ZIP Code". zipdatamaps.com. 2023. Retrieved May 12, 2023.
4. Eric Horng (June 20, 2008). "How a Flood Town Became a City on a Hill". ABC News .
5. "The Illinois town that got up and left". BBC. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
6. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
7. "Census of Population and Housing". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 16, 2014.
8. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved January 31, 2008.

External links

• Valmeyer Community Unit School District #3
• Official website
• Village of Valmeyer Website as of 12 April 2019