Editing Grundy County, Illinois

{{Short description|County in Illinois, United States}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox U.S. county
 | county               = Grundy County
 | state                = Illinois
 | flag                 = Flag of Grundy County, Illinois.png
 | seal                 = Seal of Grundy County, Illinois.png
 | founded              = February 17, 1841
 | seat wl              = Morris
 | largest city wl      = Morris
 | area_total_sq_mi     = 430
 | area_land_sq_mi      = 418
 | area_water_sq_mi     = 12
 | area percentage      = 2.9
 | population_as_of     = 2020
 | population_total     = 52533
 | pop_est_as_of        = 2023
 | population_est       = 53578 {{gain}}
 | population_density_sq_mi = auto
 | time zone            = Central
 | footnotes            = 
 | web                  = https://www.grundyco.org/
 | ex image             = Grundy County Courthouse (7395451684).jpg
 | ex image cap         = Grundy County Courthouse
 | district             = 16th
 | named for            = [[Felix Grundy]]
}}

'''Grundy County''' is a [[County (United States)|county]] in the [[U.S. state]] of [[Illinois]]. According to the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], it has a population of 52,533.<ref>{{cite web|title=Grundy County, Illinois|url=https://data.census.gov/profile/Grundy_County,_Illinois?g=050XX00US17063|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=June 9, 2023}}</ref> Its [[county seat]] is [[Morris, Illinois|Morris]].<ref name="GR6">{{cite web|url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |access-date=June 7, 2011 |title=Find a County |publisher=National Association of Counties |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110531210815/http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |archive-date=May 31, 2011 }}</ref>

Grundy County is part of the [[Chicago metropolitan area]].

In 2010, the [[center of population]] of Illinois was in Grundy County, just northeast of the village of [[Mazon, Illinois|Mazon]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/geo/reference/docs/cenpop2010/CenPop2010_Mean_ST.txt |title=Centers of Population by State: 2010 |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=July 5, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140103082820/http://www.census.gov/geo/reference/docs/cenpop2010/CenPop2010_Mean_ST.txt |archive-date=January 3, 2014 }}</ref>

Illinois's [[state fossil]], the unique and bizarre [[Tullimonstrum gregarium|Tully Monster]], was first found in [[Mazon Creek]]. Grundy County is home to [[Dresden Generating Station]]—the first privately financed nuclear power plant built in the United States—and the [[Morris Operation]]—the only de facto high-level [[radioactive waste]] storage site in the United States.

==History==
Grundy County was established on February 17, 1841. It was formed out of [[LaSalle County, Illinois|LaSalle County]] and named after U.S. Attorney General [[Felix Grundy]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Adams |first1=James N |last2=Volkel |first2=Lowell M |editor-last =Keller |editor-first =William E |title =Illinois Place Names |location =Springfield |url=https://archive.org/details/illinoisplacenam00adam |url-access=registration |year=1989 |publisher=Illinois State Historical Society |isbn=978-0-912226-24-8}}</ref> The county was well known for its coal mines<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=K3UUAAAAYAAJ|title=History of Grundy County, Illinois: Containing a History from the Earliest Settlement to the Present Time ... , Biographical Sketches, Portraits of Some of the Early Settlers, Prominent Men, Etc|publisher=O.L. Basken & Company, Historical Publishers|year=1882|oclc=27722005|volume=1–2}}</ref> and attracted miners from Pennsylvania and other regions to work its deposits. 
The [[1883 Diamond Mine Disaster]] occurred in Grundy County. The disaster took the lives of 69 men and boys who were trapped underground when water broke through into the mine after days of heavy rain and the pumps could not keep up with the rising water. 22 bodies were eventually recovered, the remaining 44 were left in the mine and the mine was sealed. Today a marker stands near where it was believed the majority of victims were entombed.<ref>{{cite web | title=Diamond Mine Disaster Victims – February 16, 1883 | website=Grundy County ILGenWeb | date=February 5, 2015 | url=https://grundy.illinoisgenweb.org/history/coalmin/minevict.php | access-date=August 11, 2019}}</ref>

<gallery>
File:Grundy County Illinois 1841.png|Grundy County at the time of its creation in 1841
</gallery>

==Geography==
According to the [[U.S. Census Bureau]], the county has a total area of {{convert|430|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|418|sqmi}} is land and {{convert|12|sqmi}} (2.9%) is water.<ref name="census-density"/>

===Climate and weather===
{{climate chart
|[[Morris, Illinois]]
|13|30|1.75
|18|35|1.59
|29|47|2.74
|39|61|3.54
|50|73|3.95
|59|83|4.16
|63|85|3.72
|61|83|3.40
|53|76|2.95
|41|64|2.54
|31|48|3.09
|19|35|2.36
|float=right
|units=imperial
|clear=both
|source=The Weather Channel<ref name="weather">{{cite web
  |url=http://www.weather.com/weather/wxclimatology/monthly/graph/USIL0798
  |title=Monthly Averages for Morris, Illinois
  |access-date=January 27, 2011
  |publisher=The Weather Channel
}}</ref>}}
In recent years, average temperatures in the county seat of Morris have ranged from a low of {{convert|13|°F}} in January to a high of {{convert|85|°F}} in July, although a record low of {{convert|-24|°F}} was recorded in January 1985 and a record high of {{convert|103|°F}} was recorded in June 1988. Average monthly precipitation ranged from {{convert|1.59|in}} in February to {{convert|4.16|in}} in June.<ref name="weather"/>

===Major highways===
* {{jct|state=IL|I|55}}
* {{jct|state=IL|I|80}}
* {{jct|state=IL|US|6}}
* [[File:US 66 (historic).svg|25px]] [[U.S. Route 66 in Illinois|US 66]]
* {{jct|state=IL|IL|17}}
* {{jct|state=IL|IL|47}}
* {{jct|state=IL|IL|53}}
* {{jct|state=IL|IL|113}}

===Adjacent counties===
* [[Kendall County, Illinois|Kendall]] (north)
* [[Will County, Illinois|Will]] (east)
* [[Kankakee County, Illinois|Kankakee]] (southeast)
* [[Livingston County, Illinois|Livingston]] (south)
* [[LaSalle County, Illinois|LaSalle]] (west)

== Demographics ==
{{US Census population
|1850= 3023
|1860= 10379
|1870= 14938
|1880= 16732
|1890= 21024
|1900= 24136
|1910= 24162
|1920= 18580
|1930= 18678
|1940= 18398
|1950= 19217
|1960= 22350
|1970= 26535
|1980= 30582
|1990= 32337
|2000= 37535
|2010= 50063
|2020= 52533
|estyear=2023
|estimate=53578
|estref=<ref name="USCensusEst2023">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/popest/data/tables.html|title=Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=April 2, 2024}}</ref>
|align-fn=center
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=U.S. Decennial Census|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=July 5, 2014}}</ref><br />1790-1960<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu|title=Historical Census Browser|publisher=University of Virginia Library|access-date=July 5, 2014}}</ref> 1900-1990<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/il190090.txt|title=Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=July 5, 2014}}</ref><br />1990-2000<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100327165705/http://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |archive-date=March 27, 2010 |url-status=live|title=Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=July 5, 2014}}</ref> 2010<ref name="QF">{{cite web|title=State & County QuickFacts|url=http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/17/17063.html|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=July 5, 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110606163113/http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/17/17063.html|archive-date=June 6, 2011}}</ref>
}}
{{Stack|[[Image:USA Grundy County, Illinois age pyramid.svg|thumb|left|208px|2000 census age pyramid for Grundy County]]}}

As of the [[2010 United States census]], there were 50,063&nbsp;people, 18,546&nbsp;households, and 13,431&nbsp;families residing in the county.<ref name="census-dp1">{{cite web
  |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/0500000US17063
  |title=DP-1 Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data
  |access-date=July 11, 2015
  |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]
  |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213015229/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/0500000US17063
  |archive-date=February 13, 2020
|url-status=dead
  }}</ref> The population density was {{convert|119.8|PD/sqmi}}. There were 19,996 housing units at an average density of {{convert|47.8|/sqmi}}.<ref name="census-density">{{cite web
  |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/GCTPH1.CY10/0500000US17063
  |access-date=July 11, 2015
  |title=Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County
  |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]
  |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200212201246/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/GCTPH1.CY10/0500000US17063
  |archive-date=February 12, 2020
|url-status=dead
  }}</ref> The racial makeup of the county was 93.7% white, 1.2% black or African American, 0.7% Asian, 0.2% American Indian, 2.7% from other races, and 1.5% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 8.2% of the population.<ref name="census-dp1"/> In terms of ancestry, 28.3% were [[Germans|German]], 23.0% were [[Irish people|Irish]], 12.7% were [[Italians|Italian]], 9.4% were [[Polish people|Polish]], 8.6% were [[English people|English]], 7.1% were [[Norwegians|Norwegian]], and 3.0% were [[Americans|American]].<ref name="census-dp2">{{cite web
  |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP02/0500000US17063
  |title=DP02 SELECTED SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS IN THE UNITED STATES – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates
  |access-date=July 11, 2015
  |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]
  |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213021154/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP02/0500000US17063
  |archive-date=February 13, 2020
|url-status=dead
  }}</ref>

Of the 18,546&nbsp;households, 38.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.8% were married couples living together, 9.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 27.6% were non-families, and 22.5% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.69 and the average family size was 3.16. The median age was 36.1 years.<ref name="census-dp1"/>

The median income for a household in the county was $64,297 and the median income for a family was $75,000. Males had a median income of $58,491 versus $36,592 for females. The per capita income for the county was $27,895. About 5.2% of families and 6.9% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 8.0% of those under age 18 and 6.5% of those age 65 or over.<ref name="census-dp3">{{cite web
  |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP03/0500000US17063
  |title=DP03 SELECTED ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates
  |access-date=July 11, 2015
  |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]
  |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213031240/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP03/0500000US17063
  |archive-date=February 13, 2020
|url-status=dead
  }}</ref>

==Communities==
[[Image:Townships.Grundy.Co.map.png|right|250px|Map of Grundy County, Illinois.]]

===City===
* [[Morris, Illinois|Morris]]

===Villages===
{{div col|colwidth=15em}}
* [[Braceville, Illinois|Braceville]] 
* [[Carbon Hill, Illinois|Carbon Hill]]
* [[Channahon, Illinois|Channahon]] (part)
* [[Coal City, Illinois|Coal City]] (part)
* [[Diamond, Illinois|Diamond]] (part)
* [[Dwight, Illinois|Dwight]] (part)
* [[East Brooklyn, Illinois|East Brooklyn]]
* [[Gardner, Illinois|Gardner]]
* [[Godley, Illinois|Godley]] (part)
* [[Kinsman, Illinois|Kinsman]]
* [[Mazon, Illinois|Mazon]]
* [[Minooka, Illinois|Minooka]] (mostly)
* [[Seneca, Illinois|Seneca]] (part)
* [[South Wilmington, Illinois|South Wilmington]]
* [[Verona, Illinois|Verona]]
{{div col end}}

===Former Communities===
* [[Goose Lake Prairie State Natural Area|Jugtown]]

===Townships===
Grundy County is divided into seventeen [[Township (United States)|townships]]:

{{div col|colwidth=15em}}
* [[Aux Sable Township, Grundy County, Illinois|Aux Sable]]
* [[Braceville Township, Grundy County, Illinois|Braceville]]
* [[Erienna Township, Grundy County, Illinois|Erienna]]
* [[Felix Township, Grundy County, Illinois|Felix]]
* [[Garfield Township, Grundy County, Illinois|Garfield]]
* [[Goodfarm Township, Grundy County, Illinois|Goodfarm]]
* [[Goose Lake Township, Grundy County, Illinois|Goose Lake]]
* [[Greenfield Township, Grundy County, Illinois|Greenfield]]
* [[Highland Township, Grundy County, Illinois|Highland]]
* [[Maine Township, Grundy County, Illinois|Maine]]
* [[Mazon Township, Grundy County, Illinois|Mazon]]
* [[Morris Township, Grundy County, Illinois|Morris]]
* [[Nettle Creek Township, Grundy County, Illinois|Nettle Creek]]
* [[Norman Township, Grundy County, Illinois|Norman]]
* [[Saratoga Township, Grundy County, Illinois|Saratoga]]
* [[Vienna Township, Grundy County, Illinois|Vienna]]
* [[Wauponsee Township, Grundy County, Illinois|Wauponsee]]
{{div col end}}

===Unincorporated communities===
{{div col}}
* [[Mazonia, Illinois|Mazonia]]
* [[Paytonville, Illinois|Paytonville]]
* [[Nettle Creek, Illinois|Nettle Creek]]
* [[Wauponsee, Illinois|Wauponsee]]
{{div col end}}

==Politics==
{{PresHead|place=Grundy County, Illinois|source=<ref>{{cite web|url=http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS|title=Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections|first=David|last=Leip|website=uselectionatlas.org}}</ref>}}
<!-- PresRow should be {{PresRow|Year|Winning party|GOP vote #|Dem vote #|3rd party vote #|State}} -->
{{PresRow|2024|Republican|16,997|9,143|528|Illinois}}
{{PresRow|2020|Republican|16,523|9,626|607|Illinois}}
{{PresRow|2016|Republican|13,454|8,065|1,718|Illinois}}
{{PresRow|2012|Republican|11,343|9,451|519|Illinois}}
{{PresRow|2008|Democratic|10,687|11,063|482|Illinois}}
{{PresRow|2004|Republican|11,198|8,463|170|Illinois}}
{{PresRow|2000|Republican|8,709|7,516|359|Illinois}}
{{PresRow|1996|Democratic|6,177|6,759|1,966|Illinois}}
{{PresRow|1992|Republican|6,346|6,122|3,797|Illinois}}
{{PresRow|1988|Republican|8,743|5,525|93|Illinois}}
{{PresRow|1984|Republican|9,595|4,671|59|Illinois}}
{{PresRow|1980|Republican|8,397|3,970|837|Illinois}}
{{PresRow|1976|Republican|7,581|5,534|86|Illinois}}
{{PresRow|1972|Republican|8,725|3,584|32|Illinois}}
{{PresRow|1968|Republican|6,607|3,407|1,091|Illinois}}
{{PresRow|1964|Republican|5,522|5,246|0|Illinois}}
{{PresRow|1960|Republican|6,948|4,276|4|Illinois}}
{{PresRow|1956|Republican|7,640|2,618|3|Illinois}}
{{PresRow|1952|Republican|7,347|3,118|13|Illinois}}
{{PresRow|1948|Republican|5,954|3,255|31|Illinois}}
{{PresRow|1944|Republican|6,310|3,544|22|Illinois}}
{{PresRow|1940|Republican|6,593|4,105|43|Illinois}}
{{PresRow|1936|Republican|5,360|4,481|344|Illinois}}
{{PresRow|1932|Democratic|4,491|4,755|69|Illinois}}
{{PresRow|1928|Republican|5,126|3,174|29|Illinois}}
{{PresRow|1924|Republican|4,337|742|1,701|Illinois}}
{{PresRow|1920|Republican|4,647|803|355|Illinois}}
{{PresRow|1916|Republican|4,811|2,241|197|Illinois}}
{{PresRow|1912|Progressive|1,919|1,172|2,179|Illinois}}
{{PresRow|1908|Republican|3,127|1,359|471|Illinois}}
{{PresRow|1904|Republican|3,448|841|656|Illinois}}
{{PresRow|1900|Republican|3,735|1,687|280|Illinois}}
{{PresRow|1896|Republican|3,246|2,074|119|Illinois}}
{{PresFoot|1892|Republican|2,159|1,892|245|Illinois}}

==See also==
* [[National Register of Historic Places listings in Grundy County, Illinois]]

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

== External links ==
* [http://www.grundyco.org Grundy County website]
* [http://www.grundycountyjobs.com Grundy County Jobs]

{{Geographic location
|Centre    = Grundy County, Illinois
|North     = [[Kendall County, Illinois|Kendall County]]
|Northeast =
|East      = [[Will County, Illinois|Will County]]
|Southeast = [[Kankakee County, Illinois|Kankakee County]]
|South     = [[Livingston County, Illinois|Livingston County]]
|Southwest =
|West      = [[LaSalle County, Illinois|LaSalle County]]
|Northwest =
}}

{{Grundy County, Illinois}}
{{Chicagoland}}
{{Illinois}}
{{Authority control}}
{{Coord|41.29|-88.43|display=title|type:adm2nd_region:US-IL_source:UScensus1990}}

[[Category:Grundy County, Illinois| ]]
[[Category:Illinois counties]]
[[Category:1841 establishments in Illinois]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1841]]
[[Category:Chicago metropolitan area]]