Stephenson County
| |
|---|---|
| |
Location within the U.S. state of Illinois
| |
Illinois's location within the U.S.
| |
| Coordinates: 42°21′N 89°40′W / 42.35°N 89.67°W / 42.35; -89.67 | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  Illinois |
| Founded | 1837 |
| Named for | Benjamin Stephenson |
| Seat | Freeport |
| Largest city | Freeport |
| Area | |
| • Total | 565 sq mi (1,460 km2) |
| • Land | 565 sq mi (1,460 km2) |
| • Water | 0.5 sq mi (1 km2) 0.09% |
| Population
(2020)
| |
| • Total | 44,630 |
| • Estimate
(2023)
| 43,105  |
| • Density | 79/sq mi (30/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−6 (Central) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−5 (CDT) |
| Congressional districts | 16th, 17th |
| Website | www |
Stephenson County is a county located in the U.S. stateofIllinois. According to the 2020 United States Census, it had a population of 44,630.[1] Its county seatisFreeport.[2] Stephenson County is included in the Freeport, IL Micropolitan Statistical Area, which is also included in the Rockford-Freeport-Rochelle, IL Combined Statistical Area.
The land that became Stephenson County was first settled by William Waddams in 1832, who founded Waddams Grove.[3] By 1837, population was sufficient to form Stephenson County, taking land from Jo Daviess and Winnebago counties. The county was named for Colonel Benjamin Stephenson, an official of the Illinois Territory.[4]
According to the US Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 565 square miles (1,460 km2), of which 565 square miles (1,460 km2) is land and 0.5 square miles (1.3 km2) (0.09%) is water.[5]
| Freeport, Illinois | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Climate chart (explanation) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
In recent years the average temperatures in the county seat of Freeport, have ranged from a low of 9 °F (−13 °C) in January to a high of 82 °F (28 °C) in July, although a record low of −29 °F (−34 °C) was recorded in January 2009 and a record high of 101 °F (38 °C) was recorded in July 1988. Average monthly precipitation ranged from 1.33 inches (34 mm) in January to 4.46 inches (113 mm) in June.[6]
Illinois Route 26
Illinois Route 73
Illinois Route 75| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1840 | 2,800 | — | |
| 1850 | 11,666 | 316.6% | |
| 1860 | 25,112 | 115.3% | |
| 1870 | 30,608 | 21.9% | |
| 1880 | 31,963 | 4.4% | |
| 1890 | 31,338 | −2.0% | |
| 1900 | 34,933 | 11.5% | |
| 1910 | 36,821 | 5.4% | |
| 1920 | 37,743 | 2.5% | |
| 1930 | 40,064 | 6.1% | |
| 1940 | 40,646 | 1.5% | |
| 1950 | 41,595 | 2.3% | |
| 1960 | 46,207 | 11.1% | |
| 1970 | 48,861 | 5.7% | |
| 1980 | 49,536 | 1.4% | |
| 1990 | 48,052 | −3.0% | |
| 2000 | 48,979 | 1.9% | |
| 2010 | 47,711 | −2.6% | |
| 2020 | 44,630 | −6.5% | |
| 2023 (est.) | 43,105 | [7] | −3.4% |
| US Decennial Census[8] 1790–1960[9] 1900–1990[10] 1990–2000[11] 2010–2013[1] | |||
As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 47,711 people, 19,845 households, and 13,015 families residing in the county.[12] The population density was 84.5 inhabitants per square mile (32.6/km2). There were 22,081 housing units at an average density of 39.1 per square mile (15.1/km2).[5] The racial makeup of the county was 86.5% white, 9.0% black or African American, 0.6% Asian, 0.2% American Indian, 1.2% from other races, and 2.5% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 2.9% of the population.[12] In terms of ancestry, 46.6% were German, 12.5% were Irish, 10.0% were English, and 8.0% were American.[13]
Of the 19,845 households, 28.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.3% were married couples living together, 11.2% had a female householder with no husband present, 34.4% were non-families, and 29.7% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.36 and the average family size was 2.90. The median age was 43.1 years.[12]
The median income for a household in the county was $43,304 and the median income for a family was $54,224. Males had a median income of $41,672 versus $29,510 for females. The per capita income for the county was $22,608. About 12.3% of families and 14.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 24.1% of those under age 18 and 7.3% of those age 65 or over.[14]
There are five public high schools and one private high Schools in the county: (approximate enrollment included)
Public high schools
Private high school
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 2020 | 12,521 | 56.63% | 9,055 | 40.95% | 535 | 2.42% |
| 2016 | 11,083 | 54.48% | 7,768 | 38.19% | 1,492 | 7.33% |
| 2012 | 10,512 | 49.75% | 10,165 | 48.11% | 451 | 2.13% |
| 2008 | 9,909 | 45.75% | 11,349 | 52.40% | 399 | 1.84% |
| 2004 | 12,212 | 57.28% | 8,913 | 41.81% | 195 | 0.91% |
| 2000 | 10,715 | 55.29% | 8,062 | 41.60% | 601 | 3.10% |
| 1996 | 8,871 | 48.94% | 7,145 | 39.42% | 2,109 | 11.64% |
| 1992 | 9,005 | 41.58% | 7,899 | 36.47% | 4,752 | 21.94% |
| 1988 | 11,342 | 59.87% | 7,460 | 39.38% | 143 | 0.75% |
| 1984 | 14,237 | 67.37% | 6,723 | 31.82% | 171 | 0.81% |
| 1980 | 10,779 | 52.87% | 6,195 | 30.39% | 3,414 | 16.75% |
| 1976 | 11,678 | 61.02% | 7,192 | 37.58% | 267 | 1.40% |
| 1972 | 13,584 | 67.86% | 6,404 | 31.99% | 31 | 0.15% |
| 1968 | 11,821 | 59.32% | 7,040 | 35.33% | 1,067 | 5.35% |
| 1964 | 9,252 | 46.02% | 10,854 | 53.98% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1960 | 13,872 | 63.07% | 8,055 | 36.62% | 68 | 0.31% |
| 1956 | 14,245 | 69.10% | 6,349 | 30.80% | 20 | 0.10% |
| 1952 | 14,446 | 68.51% | 6,605 | 31.32% | 35 | 0.17% |
| 1948 | 10,564 | 58.29% | 7,409 | 40.88% | 149 | 0.82% |
| 1944 | 11,948 | 60.28% | 7,755 | 39.13% | 118 | 0.60% |
| 1940 | 14,040 | 60.92% | 8,911 | 38.67% | 94 | 0.41% |
| 1936 | 9,943 | 46.59% | 10,567 | 49.51% | 832 | 3.90% |
| 1932 | 8,963 | 44.38% | 10,728 | 53.11% | 507 | 2.51% |
| 1928 | 11,992 | 67.97% | 5,579 | 31.62% | 72 | 0.41% |
| 1924 | 8,638 | 53.27% | 2,452 | 15.12% | 5,126 | 31.61% |
| 1920 | 9,570 | 74.64% | 2,772 | 21.62% | 479 | 3.74% |
| 1916 | 8,620 | 58.39% | 5,463 | 37.00% | 681 | 4.61% |
| 1912 | 3,476 | 38.37% | 3,850 | 42.49% | 1,734 | 19.14% |
| 1908 | 4,605 | 50.93% | 4,076 | 45.08% | 360 | 3.98% |
| 1904 | 4,876 | 56.63% | 3,275 | 38.03% | 460 | 5.34% |
| 1900 | 4,677 | 52.49% | 3,983 | 44.70% | 250 | 2.81% |
| 1896 | 4,728 | 54.16% | 3,776 | 43.26% | 225 | 2.58% |
| 1892 | 3,574 | 46.76% | 3,717 | 48.63% | 352 | 4.61% |
Places adjacent to Stephenson County, Illinois
| ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ||||||||||||||||
|
Municipalities and communities of Stephenson County, Illinois, United States
| ||
|---|---|---|
| City |
|
|
| Town |
| |
| Villages |
| |
| Townships |
| |
| CDP |
| |
| Other communities |
| |
| Footnotes | ‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties | |
| ||
| International |
|
|---|---|
| National |
|
| Geographic |
|
| Other |
|
42°21′N 89°40′W / 42.35°N 89.67°W / 42.35; -89.67
