Kalpana Kalpana (Editor)

Lawrence County, Illinois

Updated on
Edit
Like
Comment
Share on FacebookTweet on TwitterShare on LinkedInShare on Reddit
Named for
  
James Lawrence

Congressional district
  
15th

Area
  
968.7 km²

Population
  
16,558 (2013)

Unemployment rate
  
5.5% (Apr 2015)

Largest city
  
Lawrenceville

Time zone
  
Central: UTC-6/-5

Founded
  
1821

County seat
  
Lawrenceville


Website
  
www.lawrencecounty
illinois.com

Cities
  
Lawrenceville, Bridgeport, Sumner, St. Francisville, Russellville, Allison Township, Birds

Rivers
  
Wabash River, Embarras River, Paul Creek, Big Slough

Lightning in lawrence county illinois 082314


Lawrence County is the easternmost county in the U.S. state of Illinois (excluding water boundaries). According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 16,833. Its county seat is Lawrenceville.

Contents

Map of Lawrence County, IL, USA

History

Lawrence County was formed in 1821 out of Crawford and Edwards counties. It was named for Captain James Lawrence, who was killed in action during the War of 1812 while commanding the frigate USS Chesapeake. Mortally wounded, he gave his men the famous last order, "Don't give up the ship."

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 374 square miles (970 km2), of which 372 square miles (960 km2) is land and 2.0 square miles (5.2 km2) (0.5%) is water.

Climate and weather

In recent years, average temperatures in the county seat of Lawrenceville have ranged from a low of 18 °F (−8 °C) in January to a high of 88 °F (31 °C) in July, although a record low of −26 °F (−32 °C) was recorded in January 1994 and a record high of 104 °F (40 °C) was recorded in June 1988. Average monthly precipitation ranged from 2.51 inches (64 mm) in February to 5.13 inches (130 mm) in May.

Major highways

  • U.S. Route 50
  • Illinois Route 1
  • Illinois Route 33
  • Illinois Route 250
  • Adjacent counties

  • Crawford County - north
  • Knox County, Indiana - east
  • Wabash County - south
  • Richland County - west
  • Demographics

    As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 16,833 people, 6,130 households, and 4,056 families residing in the county. The population density was 45.2 inhabitants per square mile (17.5/km2). There were 6,936 housing units at an average density of 18.6 per square mile (7.2/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 87.3% white, 9.6% black or African American, 0.2% Asian, 0.2% American Indian, 1.7% from other races, and 1.0% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 3.3% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 12.7% were German, 10.4% were American, 9.5% were Irish, and 7.8% were English.

    Of the 6,130 households, 28.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.7% were married couples living together, 10.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 33.8% were non-families, and 30.1% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.34 and the average family size was 2.88. The median age was 39.7 years.

    The median income for a household in the county was $38,771 and the median income for a family was $45,565. Males had a median income of $40,949 versus $25,991 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,297. About 14.8% of families and 17.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 26.9% of those under age 18 and 7.7% of those age 65 or over.

    Cities

  • Bridgeport
  • Lawrenceville
  • St. Francisville
  • Sumner
  • Villages

  • Birds
  • Russellville
  • Townships

    Nine townships make up Lawrence County. They are:

    References

    Lawrence County, Illinois Wikipedia