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Johnson County, Illinois

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Named for
  
Richard Mentor Johnson

Congressional district
  
15th

Area
  
903.9 km²

Population
  
12,677 (2013)

Unemployment rate
  
7.0% (Apr 2015)

Largest city
  
Vienna

Time zone
  
Central: UTC-6/-5

Founded
  
1812

County seat
  
Vienna


Cities
  
Vienna, Goreville, Buncombe, New Burnside, Belknap, Simpson, Cypress

Rivers
  
Buck Run, Grassy Creek, Wolf Creek, Cache River

Johnson County is a county located in the U.S. state of Illinois. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 12,582. Its county seat is Vienna. It is located in the southern portion of Illinois known locally as "Little Egypt".

Contents

Map of Johnson County, IL, USA

History

Johnson County was organized in 1812 out of Randolph County. It was named for Richard M. Johnson, who was then a U.S. Congressman from Kentucky. In 1813, Johnson commanded a Kentucky regiment at the Battle of the Thames, after which he claimed to have killed Tecumseh in hand-to-hand combat. Johnson went on to be Vice President of the United States.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 349 square miles (900 km2), of which 344 square miles (890 km2) is land and 4.9 square miles (13 km2) (1.4%) is water.

Climate and weather

In recent years, average temperatures in the county seat of Vienna have ranged from a low of 25 °F (−4 °C) in January to a high of 90 °F (32 °C) in July, although a record low of −20 °F (−29 °C) was recorded in January 1977 and a record high of 103 °F (39 °C) was recorded in August 2007. Average monthly precipitation ranged from 3.16 inches (80 mm) in October to 5.16 inches (131 mm) in May.

Major highways

  • Interstate 24
  • Interstate 57
  • U.S. Route 45
  • Illinois Route 37
  • Illinois Route 146
  • Illinois Route 147
  • Illinois Route 166
  • Adjacent counties

  • Williamson County - north
  • Saline County - northeast
  • Pope County - east
  • Massac County - southeast
  • Pulaski County - southwest
  • Union County - west
  • National protected areas

  • Cypress Creek National Wildlife Refuge (part)
  • Shawnee National Forest (part)
  • 2010

    Whereas according to the 2010 U.S. Census Bureau:

  • 89.0% White
  • 8.0% Black
  • 0.2% Native American
  • 0.2% Asian
  • 0.0% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander
  • 1.0% Two or more races
  • 1.6% Other races
  • 3.0% Hispanic or Latino (of any race)
  • 2000

    As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 12,582 people, 4,584 households, and 3,270 families residing in the county. The population density was 36.6 inhabitants per square mile (14.1/km2). There were 5,598 housing units at an average density of 16.3 per square mile (6.3/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 89.0% white, 8.0% black or African American, 0.2% Asian, 0.2% American Indian, 1.6% from other races, and 1.0% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 3.0% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 17.6% were German, 11.5% were Irish, 10.9% were English, and 6.5% were American.

    Of the 4,584 households, 28.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.2% were married couples living together, 8.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 28.7% were non-families, and 25.3% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.41 and the average family size was 2.85. The median age was 42.2 years.

    The median income for a household in the county was $41,619 and the median income for a family was $47,423. Males had a median income of $48,047 versus $30,904 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,402. About 11.1% of families and 13.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.0% of those under age 18 and 10.7% of those age 65 or over.

    City

  • Vienna
  • Villages

  • Belknap
  • Buncombe
  • Cypress
  • Goreville
  • New Burnside
  • Simpson
  • References

    Johnson County, Illinois Wikipedia