Union County, Illinois

Template:Short description Template:Use mdy dates Template:Infobox U.S. county

Union County is a county located in the U.S. state of Illinois. According to the 2020 United States census, it had a population of 17,244.<ref name=QF>Template:Cite web</ref> Its county seat is Jonesboro.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> It is located in the southern portion of Illinois known locally as "Little Egypt".

History

Union County was formed out of Johnson County, nearly a year before the Illinois Territory gained statehood.Template:Sfn It was named for a joint revival meeting of the Baptists and Dunkards, called a "union meeting". The county seal depicts the leaders of these two groups shaking hands.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

For its first year of existence, Union County included an area of unorganized territory temporarily attached to it.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

For its first year of existence, Union County included an area of unorganized territory temporarily attached to it.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
In 1819, the additional territory became Alexander County, reducing Union to its current borders.

In 1819, the additional territory became Alexander County, reducing Union to its current borders.

Geography

According to the US Census Bureau, the county has a total area of Template:Convert, of which Template:Convert is land and Template:Convert (2.1%) is water.<ref name=CD/>

Climate and weather

Template:Climate chart In recent years, average temperatures in the county seat of Jonesboro have ranged from a low of Template:Convert in January to a high of Template:Convert in July, although a record low of Template:Convert was recorded in January 1918 and a record high of Template:Convert was recorded in July 1901. Average monthly precipitation ranged from Template:Convert in September to Template:Convert in May.<ref name=WX/>

Demographics

Template:US Census population

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 17,808 people, 7,167 households, and 4,837 families residing in the county.<ref name=DP1>Template:Cite web</ref> The population density was Template:Convert. There were 7,924 housing units at an average density of Template:Convert.<ref name=CD>Template:Cite web</ref> The racial makeup of the county was 94.8% white, 0.9% black or African American, 0.5% American Indian, 0.3% Asian, 2.0% from other races, and 1.5% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 4.8% of the population.<ref name=DP1/> In terms of ancestry, 23.0% were German, 12.6% were Irish, 9.4% were English, and 8.1% were American.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Of the 7,167 households, 29.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.6% were married couples living together, 10.6% had a female householder with no husband present, 32.5% were non-families, and 28.4% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.41 and the average family size was 2.92. The median age was 42.9 years.<ref name=DP1/>

The median income for a household in the county was $39,760 and the median income for a family was $48,465. Males had a median income of $36,831 versus $31,272 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,512. About 12.7% of families and 21.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.5% of those under age 18 and 16.7% of those age 65 or over.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>