Stephenson County, Illinois
County in Illinois, United States

County in Illinois
Stephenson County
County
Stephenson County Courthouse
Stephenson County Courthouse
Map of Illinois highlighting Stephenson County
Location within the U.S. state of Illinois
Map of the United States highlighting Illinois
Illinois's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 42°21′N 89°40′W / 42.35°N 89.67°W / 42.35; -89.67
Country United States
State Illinois
Founded1837
Named forBenjamin Stephenson
SeatFreeport
Largest cityFreeport
Area
 • Total565 sq mi (1,460 km2)
 • Land565 sq mi (1,460 km2)
 • Water0.5 sq mi (1 km2)  0.09%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total44,630
 • Estimate 
(2023)
43,105 Decrease
 • Density79/sq mi (30/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional districts16th, 17th
Websitewww.co.stephenson.il.us

Stephenson County is a county located in the U.S. state of Illinois. According to the 2020 United States Census, it had a population of 44,630.[1] Its county seat is Freeport.[2] Stephenson County is included in the Freeport, IL Micropolitan Statistical Area, which is also included in the Rockford-Freeport-Rochelle, IL Combined Statistical Area.

History

The land that became Stephenson County was first settled by William Waddams in 1832, who founded Waddams Grove.[3] By 1837, population was sufficient to form Stephenson County, taking land from Jo Daviess and Winnebago counties. The county was named for Colonel Benjamin Stephenson, an official of the Illinois Territory.[4]

  • Marker marking Waddams' first settlement in Stephenson County
    Marker marking Waddams' first settlement in Stephenson County
  • Stephenson County at the time of its creation in 1837. Its boundaries have remained unchanged since then.
    Stephenson County at the time of its creation in 1837. Its boundaries have remained unchanged since then.

Geography

According to the US Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 565 square miles (1,460 km2), of which 565 square miles (1,460 km2) is land and 0.5 square miles (1.3 km2) (0.09%) is water.[5]

Climate and weather

Freeport, Illinois
Climate chart (explanation)
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
 
 
1.3
 
 
25
9
 
 
1.3
 
 
31
14
 
 
2.1
 
 
43
25
 
 
3.2
 
 
57
36
 
 
4
 
 
69
47
 
 
4.5
 
 
78
57
 
 
3.6
 
 
82
62
 
 
4.1
 
 
80
59
 
 
3.7
 
 
73
50
 
 
2.6
 
 
61
39
 
 
2.7
 
 
44
28
 
 
1.7
 
 
30
16
█ Average max. and min. temperatures in °F
█ Precipitation totals in inches
Source: The Weather Channel[6]
Metric conversion
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
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O
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34
 
 
−4
−13
 
 
34
 
 
−1
−10
 
 
54
 
 
6
−4
 
 
82
 
 
14
2
 
 
101
 
 
21
8
 
 
113
 
 
26
14
 
 
91
 
 
28
17
 
 
104
 
 
27
15
 
 
93
 
 
23
10
 
 
66
 
 
16
4
 
 
68
 
 
7
−2
 
 
44
 
 
−1
−9
█ Average max. and min. temperatures in °C
█ Precipitation totals in mm

In recent years the average temperatures in the county seat of Freeport, have ranged from a low of 9 °F (−13 °C) in January to a high of 82 °F (28 °C) in July, although a record low of −29 °F (−34 °C) was recorded in January 2009 and a record high of 101 °F (38 °C) was recorded in July 1988. Average monthly precipitation ranged from 1.33 inches (34 mm) in January to 4.46 inches (113 mm) in June.[6]

Adjacent counties

Major highways

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18402,800—
185011,666316.6%
186025,112115.3%
187030,60821.9%
188031,9634.4%
189031,338−2.0%
190034,93311.5%
191036,8215.4%
192037,7432.5%
193040,0646.1%
194040,6461.5%
195041,5952.3%
196046,20711.1%
197048,8615.7%
198049,5361.4%
199048,052−3.0%
200048,9791.9%
201047,711−2.6%
202044,630−6.5%
2023 (est.)43,105[7]−3.4%
US Decennial Census[8]
1790–1960[9] 1900–1990[10]
1990–2000[11] 2010–2013[1]

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 47,711 people, 19,845 households, and 13,015 families residing in the county.[12] The population density was 84.5 inhabitants per square mile (32.6/km2). There were 22,081 housing units at an average density of 39.1 per square mile (15.1/km2).[5] The racial makeup of the county was 86.5% white, 9.0% black or African American, 0.6% Asian, 0.2% American Indian, 1.2% from other races, and 2.5% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 2.9% of the population.[12] In terms of ancestry, 46.6% were German, 12.5% were Irish, 10.0% were English, and 8.0% were American.[13]

Of the 19,845 households, 28.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.3% were married couples living together, 11.2% had a female householder with no husband present, 34.4% were non-families, and 29.7% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.36 and the average family size was 2.90. The median age was 43.1 years.[12]

The median income for a household in the county was $43,304 and the median income for a family was $54,224. Males had a median income of $41,672 versus $29,510 for females. The per capita income for the county was $22,608. About 12.3% of families and 14.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 24.1% of those under age 18 and 7.3% of those age 65 or over.[14]

Education

There are five public high schools and one private high Schools in the county: (approximate enrollment included)

Public high schools

Private high school

Communities

A northerly look across Stephenson County's western edge from an overlook near Kent

City

Villages

Census-designated places

Unincorporated communities

Townships

Historic Sites

Politics

United States presidential election results for Stephenson County, Illinois[15]
YearRepublicanDemocraticThird party(ies)
No. %No. %No. %
202012,52156.63%9,05540.95%5352.42%
201611,08354.48%7,76838.19%1,4927.33%
201210,51249.75%10,16548.11%4512.13%
20089,90945.75%11,34952.40%3991.84%
200412,21257.28%8,91341.81%1950.91%
200010,71555.29%8,06241.60%6013.10%
19968,87148.94%7,14539.42%2,10911.64%
19929,00541.58%7,89936.47%4,75221.94%
198811,34259.87%7,46039.38%1430.75%
198414,23767.37%6,72331.82%1710.81%
198010,77952.87%6,19530.39%3,41416.75%
197611,67861.02%7,19237.58%2671.40%
197213,58467.86%6,40431.99%310.15%
196811,82159.32%7,04035.33%1,0675.35%
19649,25246.02%10,85453.98%00.00%
196013,87263.07%8,05536.62%680.31%
195614,24569.10%6,34930.80%200.10%
195214,44668.51%6,60531.32%350.17%
194810,56458.29%7,40940.88%1490.82%
194411,94860.28%7,75539.13%1180.60%
194014,04060.92%8,91138.67%940.41%
19369,94346.59%10,56749.51%8323.90%
19328,96344.38%10,72853.11%5072.51%
192811,99267.97%5,57931.62%720.41%
19248,63853.27%2,45215.12%5,12631.61%
19209,57074.64%2,77221.62%4793.74%
19168,62058.39%5,46337.00%6814.61%
19123,47638.37%3,85042.49%1,73419.14%
19084,60550.93%4,07645.08%3603.98%
19044,87656.63%3,27538.03%4605.34%
19004,67752.49%3,98344.70%2502.81%
18964,72854.16%3,77643.26%2252.58%
18923,57446.76%3,71748.63%3524.61%

See also

References

  1. ^ a b "QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 23, 2021.
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ^ "Historical News". Journal of the Illinois State Historical Society. 27 (3): 347. October 1934.
  4. ^ "Fifteenth Judicial Circuit". State of Illinois. Retrieved February 20, 2016.
  5. ^ a b "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 12, 2020. Retrieved July 12, 2015.
  6. ^ a b "Monthly Averages for Freeport IL". The Weather Channel. Retrieved January 27, 2011.
  7. ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 2, 2024.
  8. ^ "US Decennial Census". US Census Bureau. Retrieved July 8, 2014.
  9. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved July 8, 2014.
  10. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". US Census Bureau. Retrieved July 8, 2014.
  11. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). US Census Bureau. Retrieved July 8, 2014.
  12. ^ a b c "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. ^ Leip, David. "Atlas of US Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org.
  • Stephenson County
  • Benjamin Stephenson House Restoration Project
  • Stephenson County Historical Society & Museum
  • Freeport/Stephenson County Convention and Visitors Bureau
  • Illinois Ancestors Stephenson Tombstone Project
  • Genealogy Trails for Stephenson County
  • Illinois High School Association – School Enrollments

42°21′N 89°40′W / 42.35°N 89.67°W / 42.35; -89.67

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