Founded 1837 Population 46,740 (2013) | Named for Benjamin Stephenson Area 1,463 km² Unemployment rate 5.8% (Apr 2015) | |
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Website www.co.stephenson.il.us University Highland Community College Points of interest Krape Park, Lake Le‑Aqua‑Na State Rec, Read Park, Freeport Art Museum, Famous Fossil Winery | ||
Stephenson County is a county located in the U.S. state of Illinois. According to the 2010 census, it had a population of 47,711. Its county seat is Freeport.
Contents
- Map of Stephenson County IL USA
- History
- Geography
- Climate and weather
- Adjacent counties
- Major highways
- Demographics
- Education
- City
- Town
- Census designated place
- References
Map of Stephenson County, IL, USA
Stephenson County is included in the Freeport, IL Micropolitan Statistical Area, which is also included in the Rockford-Freeport-Rochelle, IL Combined Statistical Area.
History
The land that became Stephenson County was first settled by William Waddams in 1832, who founded Waddams Grove. Five years later in 1837, Stephenson County was formed out of Jo Daviess and Winnebago counties. The county was named for Colonel Benjamin Stephenson, an official of the Illinois Territory.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 565 square miles (1,460 km2), of which 565 square miles (1,460 km2) is land and 0.5 square miles (1.3 km2) (0.09%) is water.
Climate and weather
In recent years the average temperatures in the county seat of Freeport, have ranged from a low of 9 °F (−13 °C) in January to a high of 82 °F (28 °C) in July, although a record low of −27 °F (−33 °C) was recorded in January 1985 and a record high of 101 °F (38 °C) was recorded in July 1988. Average monthly precipitation ranged from 1.33 inches (34 mm) in January to 4.46 inches (113 mm) in June.
Adjacent counties
Major highways
Demographics
As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 47,711 people, 19,845 households, and 13,015 families residing in the county. The population density was 84.5 inhabitants per square mile (32.6/km2). There were 22,081 housing units at an average density of 39.1 per square mile (15.1/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 86.5% white, 9.0% black or African American, 0.6% Asian, 0.2% American Indian, 1.2% from other races, and 2.5% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 2.9% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 46.6% were German, 12.5% were Irish, 10.0% were English, and 8.0% were American.
Of the 19,845 households, 28.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.3% were married couples living together, 11.2% had a female householder with no husband present, 34.4% were non-families, and 29.7% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.36 and the average family size was 2.90. The median age was 43.1 years.
The median income for a household in the county was $43,304 and the median income for a family was $54,224. Males had a median income of $41,672 versus $29,510 for females. The per capita income for the county was $22,608. About 12.3% of families and 14.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 24.1% of those under age 18 and 7.3% of those age 65 or over.
Education
There are five public high schools and one private high Schools in the county, enrollment figures, are included.
Public high schools
Private high school