Knox County, Illinois
Encyclopedia
Knox County is a county located in the U.S. state
of Illinois
. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 52,919, which is a decrease of 5.2% from 55,836 in 2000. Its county seat
is Galesburg
.
Knox County is part of the Galesburg
Micropolitan Statistical Area
.
, the first US Secretary of War
.
The first "Knox County" in what today is Illinois was unrelated to the modern incarnation. In 1790, the land of the Indiana Territory that was to become Illinois was divided into two counties: St. Clair
and Knox. The latter included land in what was to become Indiana
. When Knox County
, Indiana
, was formed from this portion of the county in 1809, the Illinois portions were subdivided into counties that were given other names.
The modern Knox County, Illinois, was organized in 1825, from Fulton County
, itself a portion of the original St. Clair County.
Like its neighbor to the south, Fulton County, for its Spoon River Drive, Knox County is also known for a similar scenic drive fall festival the first two weekends in October, the Knox County Drive.
:
As of the census
of 2000, there were 55,836 people, 22,056 households, and 14,424 families residing in the county. The population density
was 78 people per square mile (30/km²). There were 23,717 housing units at an average density of 33 per square mile (13/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 89.86% White
, 6.29% Black
or African American
, 0.19% Native American
, 0.69% Asian
, 0.01% Pacific Islander
, 1.57% from other races
, and 1.39% from two or more races. 3.40% of the population were Hispanic
or Latino
of any race. 19.0% were of German
, 14.1% American
, 12.5% Swedish, 11.5% Irish
and 10.9% English
ancestry according to Census 2000. 96.5% spoke English
and 2.4% Spanish
as their first language.
There were 22,056 households out of which 27.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.40% were married couples
living together, 10.60% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.60% were non-families. 29.60% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.33 and the average family size was 2.87.
In the county, the population was spread out with 22.00% under the age of 18, 9.80% from 18 to 24, 26.50% from 25 to 44, 24.10% from 45 to 64, and 17.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 99.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.60 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $35,407, and the median income for a family was $44,010. Males had a median income of $32,151 versus $21,662 for females. The per capita income
for the county was $17,985. About 7.70% of families and 11.10% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.80% of those under age 18 and 6.00% of those age 65 or over.
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of 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,...
. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 52,919, which is a decrease of 5.2% from 55,836 in 2000. Its county seat
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
is Galesburg
Galesburg, Illinois
Galesburg is a city in Knox County, Illinois, in the United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 32,195. It is the county seat of Knox County....
.
Knox County is part of the Galesburg
Galesburg, Illinois
Galesburg is a city in Knox County, Illinois, in the United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 32,195. It is the county seat of Knox County....
Micropolitan Statistical Area
Galesburg micropolitan area
The Galesburg Micropolitan Statistical Area, as defined by the United States Census Bureau, is an area consisting of two counties in west central Illinois, anchored by the city of Galesburg....
.
History
Knox County was named in honor of Henry KnoxHenry Knox
Henry Knox was a military officer of the Continental Army and later the United States Army, and also served as the first United States Secretary of War....
, the first US Secretary of War
United States Secretary of War
The Secretary of War was a member of the United States President's Cabinet, beginning with George Washington's administration. A similar position, called either "Secretary at War" or "Secretary of War," was appointed to serve the Congress of the Confederation under the Articles of Confederation...
.
The first "Knox County" in what today is Illinois was unrelated to the modern incarnation. In 1790, the land of the Indiana Territory that was to become Illinois was divided into two counties: St. Clair
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...
and Knox. The latter included land in what was to become Indiana
Indiana
Indiana is a US state, admitted to the United States as the 19th on December 11, 1816. It is located in the Midwestern United States and Great Lakes Region. With 6,483,802 residents, the state is ranked 15th in population and 16th in population density. Indiana is ranked 38th in land area and is...
. When Knox County
Knox County, Indiana
As of the census of 2000, there were 39,256 people, 15,552 households, and 10,139 families residing in the county. The population density was 76 people per square mile . There were 17,305 housing units at an average density of 34 per square mile...
, Indiana
Indiana
Indiana is a US state, admitted to the United States as the 19th on December 11, 1816. It is located in the Midwestern United States and Great Lakes Region. With 6,483,802 residents, the state is ranked 15th in population and 16th in population density. Indiana is ranked 38th in land area and is...
, was formed from this portion of the county in 1809, the Illinois portions were subdivided into counties that were given other names.
The modern Knox County, Illinois, was organized in 1825, from Fulton County
Fulton County, Illinois
Fulton County is a county located in the U.S. state of Illinois. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 37,069, which is a decrease of 3.1% from 38,250 in 2000. Its county seat is Lewistown. Canton is the largest city. Both cities are southwest of Peoria, and the county is considered...
, itself a portion of the original St. Clair County.
Like its neighbor to the south, Fulton County, for its Spoon River Drive, Knox County is also known for a similar scenic drive fall festival the first two weekends in October, the Knox County Drive.
Geography
According to the 2010 census, the county has a total area of 719.81 square miles (1,864.3 km²), of which 716.4 square miles (1,855.5 km²) (or 99.53%) is land and 3.42 square miles (8.9 km²) (or 0.48%) is water.Major highways
U.S. Highway 34
U.S. Highway 150
Adjacent counties
- Henry CountyHenry County, IllinoisHenry County is a county located in the U.S. state of Illinois. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 50,486, which is a decrease of 1.0% from 51,020 in 2000. Its county seat is Cambridge...
- north - Stark CountyStark County, IllinoisStark County is a county located in the U.S. state of Illinois. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 5,994, which is a decrease of 5.3% from 6,332 in 2000...
- east - Peoria CountyPeoria County, IllinoisPeoria County is a county located in the U.S. state of Illinois. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 186,494, which is an increase of 1.7% from 183,433 in 2000. Its county seat is Peoria....
- southeast - Fulton CountyFulton County, IllinoisFulton County is a county located in the U.S. state of Illinois. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 37,069, which is a decrease of 3.1% from 38,250 in 2000. Its county seat is Lewistown. Canton is the largest city. Both cities are southwest of Peoria, and the county is considered...
- south - Warren CountyWarren County, Illinois-External links:**...
- west - Mercer CountyMercer County, IllinoisMercer County is a county located in the U.S. state of Illinois. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 16,434, which is a decrease of 3.1% from 16,957 in 2000. Its county seat is Aledo...
- northwest
Cities and towns
- AbingdonAbingdon, IllinoisAbingdon is a city in Knox County, Illinois, 50 miles west of Peoria. It is part of the Galesburg Micropolitan Statistical Area. The city was first settled in 1828 and was incorporated in 1857. In 1894, the patent for the common spring-loaded mousetrap was given to William Hooker of Abingdon,...
- AltonaAltona, IllinoisAltona is a village in Knox County, Illinois, United States. The population was 570 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Galesburg Micropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Altona is located at ....
- East GalesburgEast Galesburg, IllinoisEast Galesburg is a village in Knox County, Illinois, United States. The population was 839 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Galesburg Micropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:East Galesburg is located at ....
- GalesburgGalesburg, IllinoisGalesburg is a city in Knox County, Illinois, in the United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 32,195. It is the county seat of Knox County....
- HendersonHenderson, IllinoisHenderson is a village in Knox County, Illinois, United States. The population was 319 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Galesburg Micropolitan Statistical Area.Post office in Henderson, IL circa 2011.-Geography:...
- KnoxvilleKnoxville, IllinoisKnoxville is a city in Knox County, Illinois, United States. The population was 3,183 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Galesburg Micropolitan Statistical Area.-Description:Knoxville is located just southeast of the City of Galesburg...
- London MillsLondon Mills, IllinoisLondon Mills is a village in Fulton and Knox counties in the U.S. state of Illinois. The population was 447 at the 2000 census.The Fulton County portion of London Mills is part of the Canton Micropolitan Statistical Area and the wider Peoria Consolidated Statistical Area, while the Knox County...
(mostly in Fulton CountyFulton County, IllinoisFulton County is a county located in the U.S. state of Illinois. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 37,069, which is a decrease of 3.1% from 38,250 in 2000. Its county seat is Lewistown. Canton is the largest city. Both cities are southwest of Peoria, and the county is considered...
) - MaquonMaquon, IllinoisMaquon is a village in Knox County, Illinois, United States. The population was 318 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Galesburg Micropolitan Statistical Area.-Description:...
- OneidaOneida, IllinoisOneida is a city in Knox County, Illinois, United States. The population was 750 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Galesburg Micropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Oneida is located at ....
- RioRio, IllinoisRio is a village in Knox County, Illinois, United States. The population was 240 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Galesburg Micropolitan Statistical Area.Contrary to the spelling, locally Rio is pronounced Rye-Oh.-Geography:...
- St. AugustineSt. Augustine, IllinoisSt. Augustine is a village in Knox County, Illinois, United States. The population was 152 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Galesburg Micropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:St...
- VictoriaVictoria, IllinoisVictoria is a village in Knox County, Illinois, United States. The population was 323 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Galesburg Micropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Victoria is located at ....
- WatagaWataga, IllinoisWataga is a village in Knox County, Illinois, United States. The population was 857 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Galesburg Micropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Wataga is located at ....
- WilliamsfieldWilliamsfield, IllinoisWilliamsfield is a village in Knox County, Illinois, United States. The population was 620 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Galesburg Micropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Williamsfield is located at ....
- Yates CityYates City, IllinoisYates City is a village in Knox County, Illinois, United States. The population was 725 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Galesburg Micropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Yates City is located at ....
Unincorporated communities
- AppletonAppleton, IllinoisAppleton, Illinois is an unincorporated community within Persifer Township, Knox County, Illinois. Appleton lies a mile or so north of U.S. Highway 150 and Interstate 74. Knox County Highway 12 runs from north to south through Appleton and the tracks of the BNSF Railway run east to west...
- Columbia Heights
- DahindaDahinda, IllinoisDahinda is an unincorporated community in Knox County, Illinois, United States. It is part of the Galesburg Micropolitan Statistical Area. Dahinda is in Persifer Township and lies a mile or so north of U.S. Highway 150 and Interstate 74. Knox County Highway 15 runs from north to south through Dahinda...
- Delong
- DouglasDouglas, Knox County, IllinoisDouglas is an unincorporated community in Knox County, Illinois, United States. Douglas is west of Yates City....
- GilsonGilson, IllinoisGilson is an unincorporated census-designated place in Knox County, Illinois, and is located southeast of Galesburg. As of the 2010 Census, its population was 190. It is part of the Galesburg Micropolitan Statistical Area. Gilson is located just east of Illinois Route 97 along Knox County Highway 12...
- Henderson Grove
- Hermon
- Oak RunOak Run, IllinoisOak Run is a census-designated place and resort community in Persifer Township, Knox County, Illinois, USA. As of the 2010 census, its population was 547.- Description :...
- Ontario
- Rapatee
Townships
Knox County is divided into twenty-one townshipsCivil township
A civil township is a widely used unit of local government in the United States, subordinate to, and geographic divisions of, a county. Specific responsibilities and the degree of autonomy vary based on each state. Civil townships are distinct from survey townships, but in states that have both,...
:
|
Henderson Township, Knox County, Illinois Henderson Township is one of twenty-one townships in Knox County, Illinois, USA. As of the 2000 census, its population was 1,269.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, Henderson Township covers an area of .-Unincorporated towns:... Indian Point Township, Knox County, Illinois Indian Point Township is one of twenty-one townships in Knox County, Illinois, USA. As of the 2000 census, its population was 1,682.-Geography:... Knox Township, Knox County, Illinois Knox Township is one of twenty-one townships in Knox County, Illinois, USA. As of the 2000 census, its population was 5,407.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, Knox Township covers an area of ; of this, is land and is water.-Cities, towns, villages:* East Galesburg*... Lynn Township, Knox County, Illinois Lynn Township is one of twenty-one townships in Knox County, Illinois, USA. As of the 2000 census, its population was 316.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, Lynn Township covers an area of ; of this, is land and is water.-Unincorporated towns:* Centerville at -School... Maquon Township, Knox County, Illinois Maquon Township is one of twenty-one townships in Knox County, Illinois, USA. As of the 2000 census, its population was 608.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, Maquon Township covers an area of ; of this, is land and is water.-Unincorporated towns:* Rapatee at Maquon... Ontario Township, Knox County, Illinois Ontario Township is one of twenty-one townships in Knox County, Illinois, USA. As of the 2000 census, its population was 1,047.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, Ontario Township covers an area of .-Unincorporated towns:... Orange Township, Knox County, Illinois Orange Township is one of twenty-one townships in Knox County, Illinois, USA. As of the 2000 census, its population was 573.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, Orange Township covers an area of ; of this, is land and is water.-Unincorporated towns:* DeLong at Orange... |
Persifer Township, Knox County, Illinois Persifer Township is one of twenty-one townships in Knox County, Illinois, USA. As of the 2000 census, its population was 960.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, Persifer Township covers an area of ; of this, is land and is water.-Unincorporated towns:* Appleton at *... Rio Township, Knox County, Illinois Rio Township is one of twenty-one townships in Knox County, Illinois, USA. As of the 2000 census, its population was 545.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, Rio Township covers an area of .-Cemeteries:... Salem Township, Knox County, Illinois Salem Township is one of twenty-one townships in Knox County, Illinois, USA. As of the 2000 census, its population was 992.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, Salem Township covers an area of ; of this, is land and is water.-Unincorporated towns:* Douglas at * Uniontown at... Sparta Township, Knox County, Illinois Sparta Township is one of twenty-one townships in Knox County, Illinois, USA. As of the 2000 census, its population was 1,183.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, Sparta Township covers an area of ; of this, is land and is water.-School districts:* Galesburg Community Unit... Truro Township, Knox County, Illinois Truro Township is one of twenty-one townships in Knox County, Illinois, USA. As of the 2000 census, its population was 903.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, Truro Township covers an area of ; of this, is land and is water.-Unincorporated towns:* Truro at Truro Township... Victoria Township, Knox County, Illinois Victoria Township is one of twenty-one townships in Knox County, Illinois, USA. As of the 2000 census, its population was 432.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, Victoria Township covers an area of ; of this, is land and is water.-Cemeteries:The township contains these... Walnut Grove Township, Knox County, Illinois Walnut Grove Township is one of twenty-one townships in Knox County, Illinois, USA. As of the 2000 census, its population was 864.-Geography:... |
Demographics
As of the census
Census
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 55,836 people, 22,056 households, and 14,424 families residing in the county. 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 78 people per square mile (30/km²). There were 23,717 housing units at an average density of 33 per square mile (13/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 89.86% White
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...
, 6.29% Black
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...
or African American
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...
, 0.19% Native American
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...
, 0.69% Asian
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...
, 0.01% Pacific Islander
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...
, 1.57% 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 1.39% from two or more races. 3.40% of the population were Hispanic
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...
or Latino
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...
of any race. 19.0% were of German
Germans
The Germans are a Germanic ethnic group native to Central Europe. The English term Germans has referred to the German-speaking population of the Holy Roman Empire since the Late Middle Ages....
, 14.1% American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, 12.5% Swedish, 11.5% Irish
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
and 10.9% English
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
ancestry according to Census 2000. 96.5% spoke English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
and 2.4% Spanish
Spanish language
Spanish , also known as Castilian , is a Romance language in the Ibero-Romance group that evolved from several languages and dialects in central-northern Iberia around the 9th century and gradually spread with the expansion of the Kingdom of Castile into central and southern Iberia during the...
as their first language.
There were 22,056 households out of which 27.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.40% 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, 10.60% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.60% were non-families. 29.60% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.33 and the average family size was 2.87.
In the county, the population was spread out with 22.00% under the age of 18, 9.80% from 18 to 24, 26.50% from 25 to 44, 24.10% from 45 to 64, and 17.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 99.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.60 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $35,407, and the median income for a family was $44,010. Males had a median income of $32,151 versus $21,662 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 county was $17,985. About 7.70% of families and 11.10% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.80% of those under age 18 and 6.00% of those age 65 or over.
Climate and weather
In recent years, average temperatures in the county seat of Galesburg have ranged from a low of 13 °F (-10.6 °C) in January to a high of 85 °F (29.4 °C) in July, although a record low of -25 °F was recorded in January 1982 and a record high of 102 °F (38.9 °C) was recorded in July 1983. Average monthly precipitation ranged from 1.41 inches (3.6 cm) in January to 4.37 inches (11.1 cm) in July.See also
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Knox County, Illinois