Farmer City, Illinois
Encyclopedia
Farmer City is a city in DeWitt County, Illinois
, United States
. The population was 2,037 at the 2010 census.
Farmer City is part of Blue Ridge Community Unit School District 18
sharing facilities with nearby Mansfield
and Bellflower, Illinois
. Farmer City facilities include the District Unit Office, the Ruth M. Schneider Elementary School (K-3) and Blue Ridge High School
. Blue Ridge received a bronze in the U.S. News and World Report Best High Schools list.
Native American tribes lived on the prairie and woodlands around Salt Creek
and other local streams. The westwards push of traders and adventurers led to settlers around 1825. Dennis Hurley is believed to be the first white settler in the area; build a cabin, the area became known as Hurley's Grove with other families settling the area. Founding families were the Kirbys, McCords, Clearwaters, Watsons, Johnson, Webb, Blalach, Weedmans, Coveys, Cummings and Huddlestons. Hurley's Grove was just south of present day Farmer City, with increased population by 1837, becoming part of DeWitt County in 1839.
The area to the south of Hurley's Grove solidified as a permanent settlement, within the wooded areas safety. North of the primary area became known as Mt. Pleasant. Subdivision
of the land divided the area into 14 blocks, with a central public square; the first residence built was that of Nathan Clearwater, and William McFall opened a store in 1837. Mail delivery was established in 1837, but with another Mt. Pleasant
in the state, the name changed to Santa Anna
.
Dewitt County was part of the Eighth Judicial District in the early 1850s, and lawyer Abraham Lincoln
traveled in the area many times on his circuit; he was well respected by county residents. C. H. Moore House
in nearby Clinton
is the former residence of Lincoln's co-counsel in various cases.
The settlement grew in population and physical size, with the center of activity moving northward. The area became connected in 1870 by rail, prospering; that year's census listed 1276 people in the township, and 537 in Mt. Pleasant. The necessity of an official name arose in 1869, with Farmer City chosen after much discussion and debate. The business district was destroyed in 1879 by a major fire, but the town was rebuilt. The rebuilding process had to be rebooted after an 1894 fire destroyed the new business district.
The early years of the next century saw Farmer City grow into a bustling community. A newspaper, the Public Reaper, first printed on November 27, 1879. City fathers helped usher the area into a modern era, with utilities such as a water tower (1920). The new business district was joined by schools, churches, and fine homes. Interstate 74
was completed in the early 1970s.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 2.3 square miles (6 km²), of which, 2.3 square miles (6 km²) of it is land and 0.1 square mile (0.258998811 km²) of it (2.13%) is water.
Farmer City, Illinois is the only Farmer City in the entire United States.
of 2000, there were 2,055 people, 830 households, and 557 families residing in the city. The population density
was 892.8 people per square mile (345.0/km²). There were 906 housing units at an average density of 393.6 per square mile (152.1/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 99.56% White, 0.05% from other races
, and 0.39% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.39% of the population.
There were 830 households out of which 32.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.8% were married couples
living together, 9.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.8% were non-families. 28.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.41 and the average family size was 2.94.
In the city the population was spread out with 24.7% under the age of 18, 7.0% from 18 to 24, 27.6% from 25 to 44, 21.6% from 45 to 64, and 19.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 93.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.0 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $40,223, and the median income for a family was $45,515. Males had a median income of $34,524 versus $22,438 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $19,946. About 5.6% of families and 8.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.4% of those under age 18 and 3.3% of those age 65 or over.
, which is paralleled by US 150, and State Route 54
intersect near Farmer City. They are paralleled by routes of the Norfolk Southern Railway and Illinois Central Railroad
, respectively.
, an FM radio station broadcasting on a frequency of 98.3 mhz. Its programming consists of a variety of music styles (blues, bluegrass, alternative and traditional country, rock, comedy, gospel and American Roots music), whose broadcasts can also be heard online.
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 2,037 at the 2010 census.
Farmer City is part of Blue Ridge Community Unit School District 18
Blue Ridge Community Unit School District 18
Blue Ridge Community Unit School District 18 is a school district in DeWitt County in the U.S. state of Illinois, with the district office in Farmer City and schools in Farmer City and Mansfield.Susan Wilson is the superintendent.-Schools:...
sharing facilities with nearby Mansfield
Mansfield, Illinois
Mansfield is a village in Piatt County, Illinois in the United States. The population was 949 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Mansfield is located at ....
and Bellflower, Illinois
Bellflower, Illinois
Bellflower is a village in McLean County, Illinois, United States. The population was 357 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Bloomington–Normal Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Bellflower is located at ....
. Farmer City facilities include the District Unit Office, the Ruth M. Schneider Elementary School (K-3) and Blue Ridge High School
Blue Ridge High School (Illinois)
Blue Ridge High School is a high school in Farmer City, Illinois. It has 260 students. The principal is John Lawrence. The school is operated by Blue Ridge Community Unit School District 18....
. Blue Ridge received a bronze in the U.S. News and World Report Best High Schools list.
History
The Kickapoo and PotawatomiPotawatomi
The Potawatomi are a Native American people of the upper Mississippi River region. They traditionally speak the Potawatomi language, a member of the Algonquian family. In the Potawatomi language, they generally call themselves Bodéwadmi, a name that means "keepers of the fire" and that was applied...
Native American tribes lived on the prairie and woodlands around Salt Creek
Salt Creek (Sangamon River Tributary)
Salt Creek is a major tributary to the Sangamon River, which it joins at the boundary between Mason and Menard County, Illinois. There are at least two other Salt Creeks in Illinois, Salt Creek , and in Effingham County, Illinois....
and other local streams. The westwards push of traders and adventurers led to settlers around 1825. Dennis Hurley is believed to be the first white settler in the area; build a cabin, the area became known as Hurley's Grove with other families settling the area. Founding families were the Kirbys, McCords, Clearwaters, Watsons, Johnson, Webb, Blalach, Weedmans, Coveys, Cummings and Huddlestons. Hurley's Grove was just south of present day Farmer City, with increased population by 1837, becoming part of DeWitt County in 1839.
The area to the south of Hurley's Grove solidified as a permanent settlement, within the wooded areas safety. North of the primary area became known as Mt. Pleasant. Subdivision
Subdivision (land)
Subdivision is the act of dividing land into pieces that are easier to sell or otherwise develop, usually via a plat. The former single piece as a whole is then known in the United States as a subdivision...
of the land divided the area into 14 blocks, with a central public square; the first residence built was that of Nathan Clearwater, and William McFall opened a store in 1837. Mail delivery was established in 1837, but with another Mt. Pleasant
Mount Pleasant Township, Whiteside County, Illinois
Mount Pleasant Township is located in Whiteside County, Illinois. The population was 5,291 at the 2000 census.- External links :***...
in the state, the name changed to Santa Anna
Santa Anna Township, DeWitt County, Illinois
Santa Anna Township is one of thirteen townships in DeWitt County, Illinois, USA. As of the 2000 census, its population was 2,487. Its name was changed from Mt...
.
Dewitt County was part of the Eighth Judicial District in the early 1850s, and lawyer Abraham Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln was the 16th President of the United States, serving from March 1861 until his assassination in April 1865. He successfully led his country through a great constitutional, military and moral crisis – the American Civil War – preserving the Union, while ending slavery, and...
traveled in the area many times on his circuit; he was well respected by county residents. C. H. Moore House
C. H. Moore House
The C. H. Moore Homestead, in Clinton, Illinois, is one of two Registered Historic Places in DeWitt County. The other, the Magill House, was added to the Register in 2003. The Moore House was added in 1979.-History:...
in nearby Clinton
Clinton, Illinois
Clinton is the largest city in DeWitt County, Illinois, United States. The population was 7,225 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of DeWitt County.The city and the county are named for DeWitt Clinton, governor of New York, 1817-1823...
is the former residence of Lincoln's co-counsel in various cases.
The settlement grew in population and physical size, with the center of activity moving northward. The area became connected in 1870 by rail, prospering; that year's census listed 1276 people in the township, and 537 in Mt. Pleasant. The necessity of an official name arose in 1869, with Farmer City chosen after much discussion and debate. The business district was destroyed in 1879 by a major fire, but the town was rebuilt. The rebuilding process had to be rebooted after an 1894 fire destroyed the new business district.
The early years of the next century saw Farmer City grow into a bustling community. A newspaper, the Public Reaper, first printed on November 27, 1879. City fathers helped usher the area into a modern era, with utilities such as a water tower (1920). The new business district was joined by schools, churches, and fine homes. Interstate 74
Interstate 74 in Illinois
In the U.S. state of Illinois, Interstate 74 is a major northwest-southeast Interstate Highway that runs across the northern portion of the state. It runs from the Iowa state line at the Mississippi River southeast to the Indiana state line east of Danville, Illinois. This is a distance of 220.34...
was completed in the early 1970s.
Geography
Farmer City is located at 40°14′47"N 88°38′31"W (40.246306, -88.641858).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 city has a total area of 2.3 square miles (6 km²), of which, 2.3 square miles (6 km²) of it is land and 0.1 square mile (0.258998811 km²) of it (2.13%) is water.
Farmer City, Illinois is the only Farmer City in the entire United States.
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 2,055 people, 830 households, and 557 families residing in the city. 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 892.8 people per square mile (345.0/km²). There were 906 housing units at an average density of 393.6 per square mile (152.1/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 99.56% White, 0.05% 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 0.39% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.39% of the population.
There were 830 households out of which 32.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.8% 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, 9.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.8% were non-families. 28.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.41 and the average family size was 2.94.
In the city the population was spread out with 24.7% under the age of 18, 7.0% from 18 to 24, 27.6% from 25 to 44, 21.6% from 45 to 64, and 19.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 93.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.0 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $40,223, and the median income for a family was $45,515. Males had a median income of $34,524 versus $22,438 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 city was $19,946. About 5.6% of families and 8.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.4% of those under age 18 and 3.3% of those age 65 or over.
Transportation
Interstate 74Interstate 74
Interstate 74 is an Interstate Highway in the Midwestern and Southeastern United States. Its western end is at an intersection with Interstate 80 in Davenport, Iowa; the eastern end of its Midwest segment is at an intersection with Interstate 75 in Cincinnati, Ohio...
, which is paralleled by US 150, and State Route 54
Illinois Route 54
Illinois Route 54 is an east–west highway in east-central Illinois. It passes through the cities of Clinton , Gibson City, and Onarga. Its western terminus is at Interstate 55 in Springfield. Its eastern terminus is at U.S. Route 45 at Onarga, one mile east of Interstate 57...
intersect near Farmer City. They are paralleled by routes of the Norfolk Southern Railway and Illinois Central Railroad
Illinois Central Railroad
The Illinois Central Railroad , sometimes called the Main Line of Mid-America, is a railroad in the central United States, with its primary routes connecting Chicago, Illinois with New Orleans, Louisiana and Birmingham, Alabama. A line also connected Chicago with Sioux City, Iowa...
, respectively.
Media
Farmer City is the home of WWHPWWHP
WWHP, 98.3 MHz, is a Americana/Roots formatted radio station in Farmer City, Illinois. The station slogan is "WWHP, The Whip." The station claims to be located, "somewhere between Memphis and Chicago."...
, an FM radio station broadcasting on a frequency of 98.3 mhz. Its programming consists of a variety of music styles (blues, bluegrass, alternative and traditional country, rock, comedy, gospel and American Roots music), whose broadcasts can also be heard online.