Named for Alexander Hamilton Congressional district 15th Area 1,129 km² Population 8,368 (2013) Unemployment rate 4.5% (Apr 2015) | Largest city McLeansboro Time zone Central: UTC-6/-5 Founded 1821 County seat McLeansboro | |
Website www.hamiltoncountyillinois.com Cities McLeansboro, Dahlgren, McLeansboro Township Rivers Lost Creek, Auxier Creek, Middle Fork Big Muddy River | ||
Hamilton County is a county located in the U.S. state of Illinois. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 8,457. Its county seat is McLeansboro. It is located in the southern portion of the state known locally as "Little Egypt".
Contents
- Map of Hamilton County IL USA
- History
- Geography
- Climate and weather
- Major highways
- Adjacent counties
- Demographics
- City
- Town
- Villages
- Townships
- References
Map of Hamilton County, IL, USA
History
Hamilton County was formed out of White County in 1821. It is named for Alexander Hamilton, Revolutionary War hero and the first United States Secretary of the Treasury.
In 1925, numerous people were killed by the infamous Tri-State Tornado in an unprecedented rural death toll.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 436 square miles (1,130 km2), of which 435 square miles (1,130 km2) is land and 1.2 square miles (3.1 km2) (0.3%) is water.
Climate and weather
In recent years, average temperatures in the county seat of McLeansboro have ranged from a low of 20 °F (−7 °C) in January to a high of 89 °F (32 °C) in July, although a record low of −23 °F (−31 °C) was recorded in January 1930 and a record high of 113 °F (45 °C) was recorded in July 1936. Average monthly precipitation ranged from 2.76 inches (70 mm) in February to 4.67 inches (119 mm) in May.
Major highways
Adjacent counties
Demographics
As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 8,457 people, 3,489 households, and 2,376 families residing in the county. The population density was 19.5 inhabitants per square mile (7.5/km2). There were 4,104 housing units at an average density of 9.4 per square mile (3.6/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 98.2% white, 0.4% black or African American, 0.2% Asian, 0.2% American Indian, 0.3% from other races, and 0.7% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 1.2% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 33.1% were German, 20.7% were Irish, 11.4% were English, and 10.3% were American.
Of the 3,489 households, 29.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.9% were married couples living together, 9.2% had a female householder with no husband present, 31.9% were non-families, and 28.1% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 2.91. The median age was 43.1 years.
The median income for a household in the county was $35,032 and the median income for a family was $50,878. Males had a median income of $45,245 versus $23,491 for females. The per capita income for the county was $21,602. About 8.2% of families and 14.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.5% of those under age 18 and 8.5% of those age 65 or over.
City
Town
Villages
Townships
Hamilton County is divided into twelve townships: