Perry County, Illinois

Perry County, Illinois

Perry County Courthouse in Pinckneyville
Map of Illinois highlighting Perry County
Location in the U.S. state of Illinois
Map of the United States highlighting Illinois
Illinois's location in the U.S.
Founded 1827
Named for Oliver Hazard Perry
Seat Pinckneyville
Largest city Du Quoin
Area
 • Total 447 sq mi (1,158 km2)
 • Land 442 sq mi (1,145 km2)
 • Water 5.2 sq mi (13 km2), 1.2%
Population
 • (2010) 22,350
 • Density 51/sq mi (20/km²)
Congressional district 12th
Time zone Central: UTC-6/-5
Website www.perrycountyil.org

Perry County is a county located in the U.S. state of Illinois. According to the 2010 census, it had a population of 22,350.[1] Its county seat is Pinckneyville.[2] It is located in the southern portion of Illinois known locally as "Little Egypt".

History

Perry County was formed in 1827 out of Jackson and Randolph counties. It was named in honor of Oliver Hazard Perry who defeated the British fleet at the decisive Battle of Lake Erie in the War of 1812.

In its early history, Perry County was mainly an inland pioneer outpost. Early settlers, including some Revolutionary War veterans bearing land grants, moved here from the Eastern United States. These were primarily Protestant settlers. Growth boomed in the 1850s for two reasons: construction of the Illinois Central Railroad through the eastern portion of the county, and the discovery of large coal reserves. Immigrants from Ireland, Poland, Germany, Italy and elsewhere steadily increased the County's population from 1850 through the 1920s. African Americans also were established in the County during northward migration following the Civil War.

Mining continued to be the dominant employment sector through the 1990s.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 447 square miles (1,160 km2), of which 442 square miles (1,140 km2) is land and 5.2 square miles (13 km2) (1.2%) is water.[3]

Perry County is located in Southern Illinois. Pinckneyville, at the center of the county, is approximately 70 miles (110 km) southeast of St. Louis, Missouri and 300 miles (480 km) southwest of Chicago. The Mississippi River lies about 10 miles (16 km) west and southwest of the County at its closest point.

The County's topography is mainly flat with some rolling hills. The part of the County's eastern border, the part shared with Franklin County, is formed by the Little Muddy River. Beaucoup Creek runs north to south through the County and lies just east of Pinckneyville.

The county's topography also features many "strip cut" lakes, lakes left behind following above-ground coal mining. Lakes at two of the county's chief recreation areas, the Du Quoin State Fairgrounds and Pyramid State Recreation Area, were formed this way.

Climate and weather

Pinckneyville, Illinois
Climate chart (explanation)
JFMAMJJASOND
 
 
2.8
 
 
40
22
 
 
2.6
 
 
46
26
 
 
4.3
 
 
57
36
 
 
4.3
 
 
68
45
 
 
4.8
 
 
77
55
 
 
4.2
 
 
86
64
 
 
3.5
 
 
90
68
 
 
3.3
 
 
88
65
 
 
3.3
 
 
81
57
 
 
3.2
 
 
71
45
 
 
4.4
 
 
56
36
 
 
3.5
 
 
44
26
Average max. and min. temperatures in °F
Precipitation totals in inches
Source: The Weather Channel[4]

In recent years, average temperatures in the county seat of Pinckneyville have ranged from a low of 22 °F (−6 °C) in January to a high of 90 °F (32 °C) in July, although a record low of −22 °F (−30 °C) was recorded in January 1912 and a record high of 113 °F (45 °C) was recorded in July 1934. Average monthly precipitation ranged from 2.61 inches (66 mm) in February to 4.81 inches (122 mm) in May.[4]

Major highways

Adjacent counties

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop. %±
18301,215—
18403,222165.2%
18505,27863.8%
18609,55281.0%
187013,72343.7%
188016,00716.6%
189017,5299.5%
190019,83013.1%
191022,08811.4%
192022,9013.7%
193022,767−0.6%
194023,4382.9%
195021,684−7.5%
196019,184−11.5%
197019,7573.0%
198021,7149.9%
199021,412−1.4%
200023,0947.9%
201022,350−3.2%
Est. 201521,543[5]−3.6%
U.S. Decennial Census[6]
1790-1960[7] 1900-1990[8]
1990-2000[9] 2010-2013[1]

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 22,350 people, 8,335 households, and 5,622 families residing in the county.[10] The population density was 50.6 inhabitants per square mile (19.5/km2). There were 9,426 housing units at an average density of 21.3 per square mile (8.2/km2).[3] The racial makeup of the county was 87.9% white, 8.3% black or African American, 0.4% Asian, 0.2% American Indian, 1.6% from other races, and 1.4% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 2.7% of the population.[10] In terms of ancestry, 32.8% were German, 14.3% were Irish, 10.6% were English, 8.1% were American, and 6.3% were Polish.[11]

Of the 8,335 households, 30.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.5% were married couples living together, 11.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 32.5% were non-families, and 28.6% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.38 and the average family size was 2.90. The median age was 39.4 years.[10]

The median income for a household in the county was $40,696 and the median income for a family was $50,130. Males had a median income of $40,768 versus $28,377 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,926. About 11.5% of families and 14.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.6% of those under age 18 and 6.9% of those age 65 or over.[12]

Communities

Cities

Villages

Unincorporated communities

See also

References

 Washington County Jefferson County
Randolph County Franklin County
   Perry County, Illinois  
Jackson County

Coordinates: 38°05′N 89°22′W / 38.09°N 89.37°W / 38.09; -89.37

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