Mason County, Illinois
Encyclopedia
Mason County is a county located in the U.S. state
of Illinois
. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 14,666, which is a decrease of 8.6% from 16,038 in 2000. Its county seat
is Havana
. The county is named in honor of George Mason
, a member of the Virginia legislature who campaigned for the adoption of the United States Bill of Rights
.
and Menard Counties.
Mason County is bounded on the south by the Sangamon River
, and on the west by the Illinois River
. These rivers join at the southwest tip of the County.
The soil covering much of Mason County is very sandy in composition. This was formed during the melting of the Wisconsin Glacier about 10,000 years before present. Meltwater from the glacier deposited large amounts of sand in a delta region near at the junction of the Sangamon and Illinois Rivers.
The sandy soil does not hold water well, quickly exposing crops to drought conditions as the water table
drops during periods of low precipitation. The soil is, however, very good for growing vegetables that are otherwise not common in Illinois. Modern irrigation has made this a highly productive agricultural area.
A sand wetland on the Illinois River is managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as the Chautauqua National Wildlife Refuge
.
As of the census
of 2000, there were 16,038 people, 6,389 households, and 4,561 families residing in the county. The population density
was 30 people per square mile (11/km²). There were 7,033 housing units at an average density of 13 per square mile (5/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 98.82% White
, 0.12% Black
or African American
, 0.26% Native American
, 0.21% Asian
, 0.09% from other races
, and 0.50% from two or more races. 0.50% of the population were Hispanic
or Latino
of any race. 34.6% were of German
, 17.9% American
, 13.1% English
and 9.0% Irish
ancestry according to Census 2000.
There were 6,389 households out of which 30.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.40% were married couples
living together, 9.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.60% were non-families. 24.90% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.48 and the average family size was 2.93.
In the county the population was spread out with 24.40% under the age of 18, 7.70% from 18 to 24, 26.30% from 25 to 44, 24.20% from 45 to 64, and 17.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 96.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.10 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $35,985, and the median income for a family was $42,239. Males had a median income of $33,426 versus $21,093 for females. The per capita income
for the county was $17,357. About 7.80% of families and 9.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.60% of those under age 18 and 9.60% 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 14,666, which is a decrease of 8.6% from 16,038 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 Havana
Havana, Illinois
Havana is a city in Mason County, Illinois, United States. The population was 3,577 at the 2000 census, and 3,260 at a 2009 estimate. It is the county seat of Mason County.-Geography:...
. The county is named in honor of George Mason
George Mason
George Mason IV was an American Patriot, statesman and a delegate from Virginia to the U.S. Constitutional Convention...
, a member of the Virginia legislature who campaigned for the adoption of the United States Bill of Rights
United States Bill of Rights
The Bill of Rights is the collective name for the first ten amendments to the United States Constitution. These limitations serve to protect the natural rights of liberty and property. They guarantee a number of personal freedoms, limit the government's power in judicial and other proceedings, and...
.
History
Mason County was created in 1841 out of portions of TazewellTazewell County, Illinois
Tazewell County is a county located in the U.S. state of Illinois. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 135,394, which is an increase of 5.4% from 128,485 in 2000. Its county seat and largest city is Pekin. The majority of the population live in the suburbs and bedroom communities...
and Menard Counties.
Geography
According to the 2010 census, the county has a total area of 563.46 square miles (1,459.4 km²), of which 539.24 square miles (1,396.6 km²) (or 95.70%) is land and 24.23 square miles (62.8 km²) (or 4.30%) is water.Mason County is bounded on the south by the Sangamon River
Sangamon River
The Sangamon River is a principal tributary of the Illinois River, approximately long, in central Illinois in the United States. It drains a mostly rural agricultural area between Peoria and Springfield...
, and on the west by the Illinois River
Illinois River
The Illinois River is a principal tributary of the Mississippi River, approximately long, in the State of Illinois. The river drains a large section of central Illinois, with a drainage basin of . This river was important among Native Americans and early French traders as the principal water route...
. These rivers join at the southwest tip of the County.
The soil covering much of Mason County is very sandy in composition. This was formed during the melting of the Wisconsin Glacier about 10,000 years before present. Meltwater from the glacier deposited large amounts of sand in a delta region near at the junction of the Sangamon and Illinois Rivers.
The sandy soil does not hold water well, quickly exposing crops to drought conditions as the water table
Water table
The water table is the level at which the submarine pressure is far from atmospheric pressure. It may be conveniently visualized as the 'surface' of the subsurface materials that are saturated with groundwater in a given vicinity. However, saturated conditions may extend above the water table as...
drops during periods of low precipitation. The soil is, however, very good for growing vegetables that are otherwise not common in Illinois. Modern irrigation has made this a highly productive agricultural area.
A sand wetland on the Illinois River is managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as the Chautauqua National Wildlife Refuge
Chautauqua National Wildlife Refuge
The Chautauqua National Wildlife Refuge is located on the Illinois River in Mason County northeast of Havana, Illinois. It is managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as one of the four Illinois River National Wildlife and Fish Refuges....
.
Major highways
U.S. Highway 136
Townships
Allens Grove, Bath, Crane Creek, Forest City, Havana, Kilbourne, Lynchburg, Manito, Mason City, Pennsylvania, Quiver, Salt Creek, ShermanAdjacent counties
- 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...
- north - Tazewell CountyTazewell County, IllinoisTazewell County is a county located in the U.S. state of Illinois. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 135,394, which is an increase of 5.4% from 128,485 in 2000. Its county seat and largest city is Pekin. The majority of the population live in the suburbs and bedroom communities...
- northeast - Logan CountyLogan County, IllinoisLogan County is a county located in the U.S. state of Illinois. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 30,305, which is a decrease of 2.8% from 31,183 in 2000...
- southeast - Menard County - south
- Cass County - southwest
- Schuyler County - west
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 16,038 people, 6,389 households, and 4,561 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 30 people per square mile (11/km²). There were 7,033 housing units at an average density of 13 per square mile (5/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 98.82% 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...
, 0.12% 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...
, 0.26% 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...
, 0.21% 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...
, 0.09% 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 0.50% from two or more races. 0.50% 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. 34.6% 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....
, 17.9% American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, 13.1% 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...
and 9.0% 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...
ancestry according to Census 2000.
There were 6,389 households out of which 30.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.40% 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, 9.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.60% were non-families. 24.90% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.48 and the average family size was 2.93.
In the county the population was spread out with 24.40% under the age of 18, 7.70% from 18 to 24, 26.30% from 25 to 44, 24.20% from 45 to 64, and 17.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 96.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.10 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $35,985, and the median income for a family was $42,239. Males had a median income of $33,426 versus $21,093 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 $17,357. About 7.80% of families and 9.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.60% of those under age 18 and 9.60% of those age 65 or over.
Cities and towns
- BathBath, IllinoisBath is a village in Mason County, Illinois, United States. The population was 310 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Bath is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of , all of it land....
- Biggs
- BishopBishop, IllinoisBishop is an unincorporated community in Forest City Township, Mason County, Illinois, United States. Bishop is west-southwest of Forest City....
- EastonEaston, IllinoisEaston is a village in Mason County, Illinois, in the United States. As of the 2000 census, the village population was 373.-Geography:Easton is located at ....
- Forest CityForest City, IllinoisForest City is a village in Mason County, Illinois, United States. The population was 287 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Forest City is located at ....
- HavanaHavana, IllinoisHavana is a city in Mason County, Illinois, United States. The population was 3,577 at the 2000 census, and 3,260 at a 2009 estimate. It is the county seat of Mason County.-Geography:...
- KilbourneKilbourne, IllinoisKilbourne is a village in Mason County, Illinois, United States. The population was 375 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Kilbourne is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of , all of it land.-Demographics:...
- ManitoManito, IllinoisManito is a village in Mason County, Illinois, United States. The population was 1,733 at the 2000 census, and 1,595 at a 2009 estimate.The village is home to the Manito Popcorn Festival, which started in 1972.-Geography:...
- Mason CityMason City, IllinoisMason City is a city in Mason County, Illinois, United States. The population was 2,558 at the 2000 census, and 2,324 at a 2009 estimate.-Geography:Mason City is located at ....
- Matanzas
- Natrona
- Poplar City
- San JoseSan Jose, IllinoisSan Jose is a village in both Logan County and Mason County, Illinois, United States, founded in 1858. The population was 696 at the 2000 census.- History :The town of San Jose was founded in 1858. The village was named by Alexander W. Morgan....
- Saldora
- Snicarte
- Teheran
- TopekaTopeka, IllinoisTopeka is an incorporated town in Mason County, Illinois, United States. The population was 90 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Topeka is located at ....
- UnionUnion, IllinoisUnion is a village in McHenry County, Illinois, United States. The population was 580 at the 2010 census, up from 576 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Union is located at ....
Climate and weather
In recent years, average temperatures in the county seat of Havana have ranged from a low of 14 °F (-10 °C) in January to a high of 88 °F (31.1 °C) in July, although a record low of -30 °F was recorded in January 1999 and a record high of 106 °F (41.1 °C) was recorded in July 1983. Average monthly precipitation ranged from 1.85 inches (4.7 cm) in January to 4.43 inches (11.3 cm) in May.See also
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Mason County, Illinois