Edgar County, Illinois

Edgar County, Illinois
County
Edgar County Courthouse
Seal
Location within the U.S. state of Illinois
Coordinates: 39°41′N 87°45′W / 39.68°N 87.75°W / 39.68; -87.75
Country United States
State Illinois
FoundedJanuary 3, 1823
Named afterJohn Edgar
SeatParis
Largest cityParis
Area
 • Total
624 sq mi (1,620 km2)
 • Land623 sq mi (1,610 km2)
 • Water0.6 sq mi (1.6 km2)  0.1%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
16,866
 • Estimate 
(2024)
16,398 [1]
 • Density27.1/sq mi (10.5/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district15th
Websiteedgarcountyillinois.com

Edgar County is a county located in the U.S. state of Illinois. As of the 2020 United States census, the population was 16,866.[2] Its county seat is Paris.[3]

History

Edgar County was formed out of Clark County in 1823.[4] It was named for John Edgar, an Irish-born officer in the Royal Navy who resigned rather than fight against the Americans in the Revolutionary War.[5] Edgar moved to Kaskaskia, Illinois, in 1784, becoming a miller and merchant in that town.

Bloomfield started as a watering point for livestock, but during the 1940s, it became a thriving town along the highway between Vincennes, Indiana, and Chicago.[6] In 1872, the Chicago, Danville and Vincennes Railroad bypassed the town by a mile to the west. As a result, the town's businesses moved to Edgar, beginning Bloomfield's decline.[4]

  • Edgar County (1823), with unorganized territory attached to it.[7]
  • Edgar County (1825–1826)
  • Edgar County (1826–1830)
  • Edgar County (1830–present), with the additional territory incorporated into Coles County

Geography

According to the US Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 624 square miles (1,620 km2), of which 623 square miles (1,610 km2) is land and 0.6 square miles (1.6 km2) (0.1%) is water.[8]

There is one recreational area in the county, on the north edge of Paris. Twin Lakes Park and Reservoir began in 1895 upon completion of the dam compounding the Twin Lakes Reservoir.[9]

Climate and weather

Paris, Illinois
Climate chart (explanation)
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█ Average max. and min. temperatures in °F
█ Precipitation totals in inches
Source: The Weather Channel[10]
Metric conversion
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█ Average max. and min. temperatures in °C
█ Precipitation totals in mm

In recent years, average temperatures in the county seat of Paris have ranged from a low of 16 °F (−9 °C) in January to a high of 86 °F (30 °C) in July, although a record low of −23 °F (−31 °C) was recorded in January 1930 and a record high of 109 °F (43 °C) was recorded in July 1936. Average monthly precipitation ranged from 2.23 inches (57 mm) in January to 4.43 inches (113 mm) in July.[10]

Adjacent counties

Transportation

Major highways

Rail

Three railroad lines run through the county. Two are operated by CSX Transportation and the third by the Eastern Illinois Railroad Company.[11]

Transit

Airport

The county contains one public-use airport: Edgar County Airport (PRG), six miles (10 km) north of Paris.[12]

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18304,071—
18408,225102.0%
185010,69230.0%
186016,92558.3%
187021,45026.7%
188025,49918.9%
189026,7875.1%
190028,2735.5%
191027,336−3.3%
192025,769−5.7%
193024,966−3.1%
194024,430−2.1%
195023,407−4.2%
196022,550−3.7%
197021,591−4.3%
198021,7250.6%
199019,595−9.8%
200019,7040.6%
201018,576−5.7%
202016,866−9.2%
2024 (est.)16,398[13] −2.8%
US Decennial Census[14]
1790-1960[15] 1900–1990[16]
1990-2000[17] 2010–2013[2]

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 16,866 and a median age of 45.5 years. 20.6% of residents were under the age of 18 and 23.1% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 95.5 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 93.3 males age 18 and over.[18]

The racial makeup of the county was 95.3% White, 0.5% Black or African American, 0.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% Asian, <0.1% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 0.6% from some other race, and 3.1% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 1.3% of the population.[19]

49.3% of residents lived in urban areas, while 50.7% lived in rural areas.[20]

There were 7,246 households in the county, of which 26.0% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 45.6% were married-couple households, 19.7% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 26.9% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 32.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[18]

There were 8,236 housing units, of which 12.0% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 72.2% were owner-occupied and 27.8% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 2.4% and the rental vacancy rate was 11.1%.[18]

Racial and ethnic composition

Edgar County, Illinois – Racial and ethnic composition
Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.
Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic) Pop 1980[21] Pop 1990[22] Pop 2000[23] Pop 2010[24] Pop 2020[25] % 1980 % 1990 % 2000 % 2010 % 2020
White alone (NH) 21,506 19,427 19,052 18,142 16,005 98.99% 99.14% 96.69% 97.66% 94.90%
Black or African American alone (NH) 54 68 362 63 82 0.25% 0.35% 1.84% 0.34% 0.49%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) 16 24 26 23 17 0.07% 0.12% 0.13% 0.12% 0.10%
Asian alone (NH) 37 24 34 33 51 0.17% 0.12% 0.17% 0.18% 0.30%
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander alone (NH) x [26] x [27] 2 3 0 x x 0.01% 0.02% 0.00%
Other race alone (NH) 7 0 3 2 33 0.03% 0.00% 0.02% 0.01% 0.20%
Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) x [28] x [29] 71 123 453 x x 0.36% 0.66% 2.69%
Hispanic or Latino (any race) 105 52 154 187 225 0.48% 0.27% 0.78% 1.01% 1.33%
Total 21,725 19,595 19,704 18,576 16,866 100.00% 100.00% 100.00% 100.00% 100.00%

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States census, there were 18,576 people, 7,839 households, and 5,148 families residing in the county.[30] The population density was 29.8 inhabitants per square mile (11.5/km2). There were 8,803 housing units at an average density of 14.1 per square mile (5.4/km2).[8] The racial makeup of the county was 98.3% white, 0.3% black or African American, 0.2% Asian, 0.1% American Indian, 0.3% from other races, and 0.7% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 1.0% of the population.[30] In terms of ancestry, 23.6% were German, 15.3% were Irish, 13.0% were English, and 12.3% were American.[31]

Of the 7,839 households, 28.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.3% were married couples living together, 10.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 34.3% were non-families, and 29.5% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.33 and the average family size was 2.84. The median age was 43.2 years.[30]

The median income for a household in the county was $39,904 and the median income for a family was $51,588. Males had a median income of $38,945 versus $29,951 for females. The per capita income for the county was $22,175. About 9.7% of families and 13.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.2% of those under age 18 and 7.9% of those age 65 or over.[32]

Communities

Cities

Villages

Unincorporated communities

Former communities

Townships

Notable people

Politics

A swing county in the first eight decades after the Civil War, Edgar County has since become powerfully Republican. It has been carried by only two Democrats since 1940 – Lyndon Johnson in 1964 by just 139 votes, and Bill Clinton in 1992 by a 41.1 percent plurality. Hillary Clinton’s 22.7 percent vote share in 2016 was by 9.3 percent the worst ever by a Democrat in the county.

United States presidential election results for Edgar County, Illinois[58]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
1892 3,197 47.64% 3,164 47.15% 350 5.22%
1896 3,822 49.80% 3,729 48.59% 123 1.60%
1900 3,766 48.90% 3,783 49.12% 153 1.99%
1904 3,753 50.33% 3,443 46.17% 261 3.50%
1908 3,757 50.46% 3,433 46.11% 255 3.43%
1912 2,430 32.84% 3,479 47.02% 1,490 20.14%
1916 6,099 46.37% 6,710 51.01% 345 2.62%
1920 6,750 53.29% 5,694 44.95% 223 1.76%
1924 6,297 52.31% 5,222 43.38% 518 4.30%
1928 7,509 58.27% 5,325 41.32% 52 0.40%
1932 5,953 43.03% 7,745 55.98% 138 1.00%
1936 6,929 46.51% 7,822 52.50% 147 0.99%
1940 7,985 54.03% 6,713 45.42% 82 0.55%
1944 6,961 57.68% 5,054 41.88% 54 0.45%
1948 6,282 54.77% 5,121 44.65% 67 0.58%
1952 8,323 64.56% 4,558 35.36% 10 0.08%
1956 7,942 64.52% 4,362 35.44% 5 0.04%
1960 7,348 59.37% 5,024 40.59% 4 0.03%
1964 5,827 49.41% 5,966 50.59% 0 0.00%
1968 6,281 56.33% 3,565 31.97% 1,305 11.70%
1972 7,195 64.73% 3,889 34.99% 32 0.29%
1976 5,842 53.01% 5,058 45.89% 121 1.10%
1980 6,639 63.14% 3,394 32.28% 482 4.58%
1984 6,821 67.54% 3,241 32.09% 37 0.37%
1988 5,538 58.55% 3,880 41.02% 41 0.43%
1992 3,790 38.77% 4,014 41.06% 1,972 20.17%
1996 3,746 45.12% 3,552 42.78% 1,004 12.09%
2000 4,833 58.71% 3,216 39.07% 183 2.22%
2004 5,258 62.38% 3,093 36.69% 78 0.93%
2008 4,398 53.09% 3,743 45.18% 143 1.73%
2012 5,132 65.50% 2,565 32.74% 138 1.76%
2016 5,645 71.46% 1,793 22.70% 461 5.84%
2020 6,193 75.41% 1,887 22.98% 132 1.61%
2024 5,955 75.11% 1,816 22.91% 157 1.98%

See also

References

  1. ^ "County Population Totals and Components of Change: 2020–2024". United States Census Bureau. U.S. Department of Commerce. March 2025. Retrieved August 31, 2025.
  2. ^ a b "State & County QuickFacts". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 6, 2011. Retrieved July 4, 2014.
  3. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on July 4, 2012. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  4. ^ a b Stanley, Roger (June 26, 2023). "Bloomfield was a boom-and-bust settlement". The Prairie Press. Retrieved July 8, 2025.
  5. ^ Adams, James N. (compiler) (1989), Keller, William E. (ed.), Illinois Place Names, Springfield: Illinois State Historical Society, p. 580, ISBN 0-912226-24-2
  6. ^ Scott, Rose Moss (1921). "Early Schools and Churches of Edgar County, Illinois". Journal of the Illinois State Historical Society. 14 (3/4): 386–392. ISSN 0019-2287. JSTOR 40186849.
  7. ^ White, Jesse. Origin and Evolution of Illinois Counties. State of Illinois, March 2010. [1]
  8. ^ a b "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". US Census Bureau. Retrieved July 11, 2015.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  9. ^ Parks - City of Paris IL (accessed 30 December 2018)
  10. ^ a b "Monthly Averages for Paris IL". The Weather Channel. Retrieved January 27, 2011.
  11. ^ Illinois Railroad Map (PDF), archived from the original (PDF) on August 22, 2007, retrieved October 11, 2007
  12. ^ Public and Private Airports, Edgar County IL
  13. ^ "Population and Housing Unit Estimates Tables". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 24, 2025.
  14. ^ "US Decennial Census". US Census Bureau. Retrieved July 4, 2014.
  15. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved July 4, 2014.
  16. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". US Census Bureau. Retrieved July 4, 2014.
  17. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). US Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 27, 2010. Retrieved July 4, 2014.
  18. ^ a b c "2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved December 25, 2025.
  19. ^ "2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved December 25, 2025.
  20. ^ "2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)". United States Census Bureau. 2023. Retrieved December 25, 2025.
  21. ^ "1980 Census of Population - General Population Characteristics - Illinois- Table 14 - Persons by Race and Table 16 (p. 18-28) - Total Persons and Spanish Origin Persons by Type of Spanish Origin and Race (p. 29-39)" (PDF). United States Census Bureau.
  22. ^ "1990 Census of Population - General Population Characteristics - Illinois - Table 6 - Race and Hispanic Orogin" (PDF). United States Census Bureau.
  23. ^ "P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Edgar County, Illinois". United States Census Bureau.
  24. ^ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Edgar County, Illinois". United States Census Bureau.
  25. ^ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Edgar County, Illinois". United States Census Bureau.
  26. ^ included in the Asian category in the 1980 Census
  27. ^ included in the Asian category in the 1990 Census
  28. ^ not an option in the 1980 Census
  29. ^ not an option in the 1990 Census
  30. ^ a b c "Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data". US Census Bureau. Retrieved July 11, 2015.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  31. ^ "Selected Social Characteristics in the United States – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". US Census Bureau. Retrieved July 11, 2015.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  32. ^ "Selected Economic Characteristics – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". US Census Bureau. Retrieved July 11, 2015.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  33. ^ Bell Ridge, Edgar County IL Google Maps (accessed 30 December 2018)
  34. ^ Bloomfield, Edgar County IL Google Maps (accessed 30 December 2018)
  35. ^ Cherry Point, Edgar County IL Google Maps (accessed 30 December 2018)
  36. ^ Clays Prairie, Edgar County IL Google Maps (accessed 30 December 2018)
  37. ^ Conlogue, Edgar County IL Google Maps (accessed 30 December 2018)
  38. ^ Dudley, Edgar County IL Google Maps (accessed 30 December 2018)
  39. ^ Ferrel, Edgar County IL Google Maps (accessed 30 December 2018)
  40. ^ Garland, Edgar County IL Google Maps (accessed 30 December 2018)
  41. ^ Harris, Edgar County IL Google Maps (accessed 30 December 2018)
  42. ^ Hildreth, Edgar County IL Google Maps (accessed 30 December 2018)
  43. ^ Horace, Edgar County IL Google Maps (accessed 30 December 2018)
  44. ^ Huffmanville, Edgar County IL Google Maps (accessed 30 December 2018)
  45. ^ Hughes, Edgar County IL Google Maps (accessed 30 December 2018)
  46. ^ Kentucky, Edgar County IL Google Maps (accessed 30 December 2018)
  47. ^ Kidley, Edgar County IL Google Maps (accessed 30 December 2018)
  48. ^ Logan, Edgar County IL Google Maps (accessed 30 December 2018)
  49. ^ Mabel, Edgar County IL Google Maps (accessed 30 December 2018)
  50. ^ Marley, Edgar County IL Google Maps (accessed 30 December 2018)
  51. ^ Mays, Edgar County IL Google Maps (accessed 30 December 2018)
  52. ^ McCown, Edgar County IL Google Maps (accessed 30 December 2018)
  53. ^ Melwood, Edgar County IL Google Maps (accessed 30 December 2018)
  54. ^ Mortimer, Edgar County IL Google Maps (accessed 30 December 2018)
  55. ^ Palermo, Edgar County IL Google Maps (accessed 30 December 2018)
  56. ^ Scotts, Edgar County IL Google Maps (accessed 30 December 2018
  57. ^ Warrington, Edgar County IL Google Maps (accessed 30 December 2018)
  58. ^ Leip, David. "Atlas of US Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved November 1, 2018.

39°41′N 87°45′W / 39.68°N 87.75°W / 39.68; -87.75

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