Otterville, Illinois
Encyclopedia
Otterville is an incorporated town in Jersey County
, Illinois
, United States
. As of the 2010 U.S. census, the town had a total population of 126.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the town has a total area of 1 square miles (2.6 km²).None of it is covered by water.
of 2000, there were 120 people, 41 households, and 33 families residing in the town. The population density
was 119.8 people per square mile (46.3/km²). There were 43 housing units at an average density of 42.9/sq mi (16.6/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 96.67% White, 1.67% Native American, and 1.67% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.50% of the population.
There were 41 households, out of which 41.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 65.9% were married couples
living together, 9.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 19.5% were non-families. 17.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 4.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.93 and the average family size was 3.36.
In the town, the population was spread out with 34.2% under the age of 18, 5.8% from 18 to 24, 26.7% from 25 to 44, 25.0% from 45 to 64, and 8.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 84.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.7 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $34,063, and the median income for a family was $34,375. Males had a median income of $33,000 versus $16,000 for females. The per capita income
for the town was $10,588. There were 14.7% of families and 14.6% of the population living below the poverty line, including 19.4% of under eighteens and none of those over 64.
, the Hamilton Primary School, located on Main Street. In 1834, Dr. Silas Hamilton, a local physician, left $4,000 for the construction and operation of a building for educational and religious purposes. A stone-built school was opened in 1836, and the tuition-free education for local students attracted families to the area. The school was razed in 1872, and was rebuilt and enlarged, with the original stones at the base. Classes were held at the school until 1971. George Washington, a slave freed by Dr. Hamilton, studied here, became successful, and established a perpetual scholarship fund for Americans of African descent. He also provided for the erection of a monument to his former master at the school.
The school was placed on the National Register of Historic Places
in 1998.
Jersey County, Illinois
Jersey County is a county located in the U.S. state of Illinois. Jersey County is part of the St. Louis Metropolitan Area. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 22,985, which is an increase of 6.1% from 21,668 in 2000...
, 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...
. As of the 2010 U.S. census, the town had a total population of 126.
Geography
Otterville is located at 39°3′4"N 90°23′51"W (39.051073, -90.397601).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 town has a total area of 1 square miles (2.6 km²).None of it is covered by water.
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 120 people, 41 households, and 33 families residing in the town. 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 119.8 people per square mile (46.3/km²). There were 43 housing units at an average density of 42.9/sq mi (16.6/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 96.67% White, 1.67% Native American, and 1.67% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.50% of the population.
There were 41 households, out of which 41.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 65.9% 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 19.5% were non-families. 17.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 4.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.93 and the average family size was 3.36.
In the town, the population was spread out with 34.2% under the age of 18, 5.8% from 18 to 24, 26.7% from 25 to 44, 25.0% from 45 to 64, and 8.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 84.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.7 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $34,063, and the median income for a family was $34,375. Males had a median income of $33,000 versus $16,000 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 town was $10,588. There were 14.7% of families and 14.6% of the population living below the poverty line, including 19.4% of under eighteens and none of those over 64.
Notable residents
- John B. HamiltonJohn B. HamiltonJohn B. Hamilton was an American physician and soldier. He was appointed the second Surgeon General of the United States from 1879 to 1891.-Early years:...
(1847–1898) - served as the U.S. Surgeon General from 1879 to 1891 - Stephen V. WhiteStephen V. WhiteStephen Van Culen White was a U.S. Representative from New York.Born in Chatham County, North Carolina, White moved to Illinois with his parents, who settled near Otterville, Illinois....
(1831–1913) - U.S. RepresentativeUnited States House of RepresentativesThe United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
from New YorkNew YorkNew York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
Interesting Notes
Otterville is the home of the first free integrated school in the United StatesUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, the Hamilton Primary School, located on Main Street. In 1834, Dr. Silas Hamilton, a local physician, left $4,000 for the construction and operation of a building for educational and religious purposes. A stone-built school was opened in 1836, and the tuition-free education for local students attracted families to the area. The school was razed in 1872, and was rebuilt and enlarged, with the original stones at the base. Classes were held at the school until 1971. George Washington, a slave freed by Dr. Hamilton, studied here, became successful, and established a perpetual scholarship fund for Americans of African descent. He also provided for the erection of a monument to his former master at the school.
The school was placed on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
in 1998.