Alorton, Illinois
Encyclopedia
Alorton is a village in St. Clair County
, Illinois
, United States
. The population was 2,749 at the 2000 census.
Alorton was home to Cahokia Downs
, an American horse racing
track located on Highway 15 which hosted both Standardbred harness racing
and Thoroughbred
flat racing
events from 1954 through 1979.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the village has a total area of 1.8 square miles (4.7 km²), all of it land.
of 2000, there were 2,749 people, 886 households, and 670 families residing in the village. The population density
was 1,545.3 people per square mile (596.3/km²). There were 1,000 housing units at an average density of 562.1 per square mile (216.9/km²). The racial makeup of the village was 1.56% White, 97.09% African American, 0.15% Native American, 0.25% from other races
, and 0.95% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.73% of the population.
There were 886 households out of which 45.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 23.5% were married couples
living together, 46.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.3% were non-families. 19.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.05 and the average family size was 3.43.
In the village the population was spread out with 39.3% under the age of 18, 9.0% from 18 to 24, 27.8% from 25 to 44, 15.7% from 45 to 64, and 8.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 26 years. For every 100 females there were 87.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 78.5 males.
The median income for a household in the village was $17,860, and the median income for a family was $19,833. Males had a median income of $21,579 versus $20,188 for females. The per capita income
for the village was $8,777. About 41.3% of families and 47.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 57.8% of those under age 18 and 26.1% of those age 65 or over.
operates the Alorton Post Office.
serves Alorton.
Curtis Miller Alternative High School is located in Alorton.
Neely Elementary School was formerly located in Alorton.
St. Clair County, Illinois
St. Clair County is a county located in the U.S. state of Illinois. In 1970, the U.S. Census Bureau placed the mean center of U.S. population in St. Clair County. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 270,056, which is an increase of 5.5% from 256,082 in 2000. Its county seat is...
, Illinois
Illinois
Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The population was 2,749 at the 2000 census.
Alorton was home to Cahokia Downs
Cahokia Downs
Cahokia Downs was an American horse racing track located on Highway 15 near the town of Alorton, St. Clair County, Illinois. Run by the East St. Louis Jockey Club, the facility opened in 1954 and hosted both Standardbred harness racing and Thoroughbred flat racing events.At Cahokia Downs on October...
, an American horse racing
Horse racing
Horse racing is an equestrian sport that has a long history. Archaeological records indicate that horse racing occurred in ancient Babylon, Syria, and Egypt. Both chariot and mounted horse racing were events in the ancient Greek Olympics by 648 BC...
track located on Highway 15 which hosted both Standardbred harness racing
Harness racing
Harness racing is a form of horse racing in which the horses race at a specific gait . They usually pull a two-wheeled cart called a sulky, although racing under saddle is also conducted in Europe.-Breeds:...
and Thoroughbred
Thoroughbred
The Thoroughbred is a horse breed best known for its use in horse racing. Although the word thoroughbred is sometimes used to refer to any breed of purebred horse, it technically refers only to the Thoroughbred breed...
flat racing
Flat racing
Flat racing is a form of Thoroughbred horse racing which is run over a level track at a predetermined distance. It differs from steeplechase racing which is run over hurdles...
events from 1954 through 1979.
Geography
Alorton is located at 38°35′3"N 90°7′4"W (38.584094, -90.117720).According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the village has a total area of 1.8 square miles (4.7 km²), all of it land.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 2,749 people, 886 households, and 670 families residing in the village. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 1,545.3 people per square mile (596.3/km²). There were 1,000 housing units at an average density of 562.1 per square mile (216.9/km²). The racial makeup of the village was 1.56% White, 97.09% African American, 0.15% Native American, 0.25% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 0.95% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.73% of the population.
There were 886 households out of which 45.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 23.5% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 46.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.3% were non-families. 19.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.05 and the average family size was 3.43.
In the village the population was spread out with 39.3% under the age of 18, 9.0% from 18 to 24, 27.8% from 25 to 44, 15.7% from 45 to 64, and 8.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 26 years. For every 100 females there were 87.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 78.5 males.
The median income for a household in the village was $17,860, and the median income for a family was $19,833. Males had a median income of $21,579 versus $20,188 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the village was $8,777. About 41.3% of families and 47.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 57.8% of those under age 18 and 26.1% of those age 65 or over.
Government and infrastructure
The United States Postal ServiceUnited States Postal Service
The United States Postal Service is an independent agency of the United States government responsible for providing postal service in the United States...
operates the Alorton Post Office.
Education
East St. Louis School District 189East St. Louis School District 189
East St. Louis School District 189 is a public school district headquartered in the city of East St. Louis, Illinois, United States.In addition to East St. Louis, the district also serves portions of Canteen, Centreville, and Stites Townships in northwestern St. Clair County.-High schools:*East St...
serves Alorton.
Curtis Miller Alternative High School is located in Alorton.
Neely Elementary School was formerly located in Alorton.