Champaign County, Illinois
Champaign County is a county in the U.S. state of Illinois. As of the 2020 Census, its population was 205,865,[1] making it the 10th-most populous county in Illinois. Its county seat is Urbana.[2]
Champaign County | |
|---|---|
The Champaign County Courthouse in Urbana | |
Location within Illinois | |
Illinois' location within the United States | |
| Coordinates: 40°6′59″N 88°14′36″W / 40.11639°N 88.24333°W | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Illinois |
| Region | Central Illinois |
| Metro area | Champaign–Urbana Metropolitan |
| Incorporated | Feb 20, 1833 |
| County seat | Urbana |
| Largest city | Champaign |
| Area | |
| • Total | 998 sq mi (2,580 km2) |
| • Land | 996 sq mi (2,580 km2) |
| • Water | 2.1 sq mi (5 km2) |
| • Rank | 5th largest county in Illinois |
| Population (2020) | |
| • Total | 205,865 |
| • Density | 210/sq mi (80/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−6 (Central) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−5 (Central) |
| ZIP Code prefixes | 60949, 61801, 61802, 61815, 61816, 61820-61822, 61840, 61843, 61845, 61847, 61849, 61851-61853, 61859, 61862-61864, 61866, 61871-61875, 61877, 61878, 61880 |
| Area codes | 217/447 |
| Congressional district | 2nd, 13th, 15th |
| Website | www |
| Elected countywide officials Champaign County, IL | ||
|---|---|---|
| Office | Name | Party |
| County Executive | Steve Summers | Democrat |
| Assessor | Paula Bates | Democrat |
| Auditor | George P. Danos | Democrat |
| County Board Chairman | Kyle Patterson | Democrat |
| County Board Majority | Kyle Patterson | Democrat |
| Circuit Clerk | Susan W. McGrath | Democrat |
| County Clerk | Aaron Ammons | Democrat |
| Coroner | Duane E. Northrup | Republican |
| Recorder | Aaron Ammons | Democrat |
| Sheriff | Dustin Heuerman | Democrat |
| State's Attorney | Julia Rietz | Democrat |
| Treasurer | Cassandra Johnson | Democrat |
Champaign County is part of the Champaign–Urbana metropolitan area. The twin cities of Urbana and Champaign are the only cities in the county, and they nearly surround the campus of the University of Illinois.
History edit
Champaign County was organized in 1833, having been previously a part of Vermilion County.[3] The development of the county was greatly furthered by the arrival of the Chicago Branch of the Illinois Central Railroad, and even more by the establishment of the land-grant university. Later, the county also got an airport and a mass transit district. The northern part of the county experienced an economic and demographic setback with the closing of Chanute Air Force Base in the 1990s. In the 2004 Presidential election, it was one of only 15 of the 102 Illinois counties where John Kerry received a majority of the vote (50.37%).[4]
- Champaign County at the time of its creation in 1833
- Country grain elevator in Champaign County
Geography edit
The county is 27 miles wide (east–west) and 36 miles long (north–south).[5] Its area is 998 square miles (2,580 km2), of which 996 square miles (2,580 km2) is land and 2.1 square miles (5.4 km2) (0.2%) is water.[6] It is the fifth-largest county in Illinois by land area.
Because Champaign County is situated on a large and very flat plateau, it had virtually no natural drainage, so that much of the County consisted of wetlands until drainage ditches were built, beginning in the 1870s. This was an example of an upland marsh, which resulted in a high incidence of malaria before the late nineteenth century.
The topography of Champaign County was formed by the Wisconsin glaciation about 20,000 years before the present. Lobes of ice from what is now Lake Michigan crossed the county, creating a deep pile of glacial soil, up to 300 feet thick, topped by numerous moraines forming small, flat watersheds with no outlets.
Champaign County is situated on the divide between the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers. Rivers flow out of Champaign County to the east, west, and south. The Kaskaskia River has its origin to the northwest of Champaign, draining the western side of that City. The Kaskaskia flows toward the southwest, joining the Mississippi south of St. Louis, Missouri.
The Embarras River, on the other hand, drains the south-central portion of Champaign–Urbana, originating in southeastern Champaign and flowing through the experimental fields on the southern part of the campus of the University of Illinois. The Embarras is a tributary to the Wabash River and Ohio River systems. The northeast corner of Champaign, the central portion of the University campus, and the northern part of Urbana are drained by the Boneyard Creek, which flows into the Saline Branch, a tributary of the Vermilion and Wabash rivers.
Adjacent counties edit
- McLean County – northwest
- Ford County – north
- Vermilion County – east
- Edgar County – southeast
- Douglas County – south
- Piatt County – west
Transportation edit
Major highways edit
Airports edit
The following public-use airports are located in the county:[7]
- University of Illinois Willard Airport (CMI) – Champaign–Urbana
- Rantoul National Aviation Center (Frank Elliott Field) (TIP) – Rantoul
- Frasca Field (C16) – Urbana
Rail edit
There are two train stations in Champaign County: The Illinois Terminal in downtown Champaign and Rantoul station in Rantoul. Both stations are served by the Amtrak Illini and Saluki trains, which operate once daily between Chicago and Carbondale. The Illinois Terminal is also served by the City of New Orleans, which operates once daily between Chicago and New Orleans.[8] Amtrak passenger trains in Champaign County use the former Illinois Central mainline, which is owned by the Canadian National Railway and also used by freight trains.[9][10]
The Norfolk Southern Railway operates two branch lines in Champaign County: the Mansfield Line from Urbana to Mansfield and the Lafayette District from Decatur to Peru, Indiana.[11][12] Canadian National also operates branch lines from Champaign to Seymour and Rantoul to Dewey. Traffic on the branch lines is limited and consists primarily of freight.
Intercity buses edit
Amtrak, Greyhound, and Peoria Charter operate intercity buses from Champaign–Urbana to Chicago, St. Louis, Indianapolis, and other destinations.[13][14]
Public transit edit
The Champaign–Urbana Mass Transit District operates public city buses in Champaign, Urbana, and Savoy.[15]
Champaign County Area Rural Transit System (C-CARTS) operates local bus service in Rantoul, as well as a route connecting Rantoul to Champaign–Urbana.[16]
Renewable energy edit
In August 2018, the Champaign County Board voted to approve solar farms on certain agricultural properties. Solar farms produce photovoltaic energy, which is energy produced by cells that generate electricity when they are hit by light. The board approved solar farms in AG-1 and AG-2 agricultural zoning districts. In order to make the solar farms, developers must obtain a special permit from the county board first. At least seven applications for permits were submitted in the first month.[17]
Climate and weather edit
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In recent years, average temperatures in the county seat of Urbana have ranged from a low of 16 °F (−9 °C) in January to a high of 85 °F (29 °C) in July, although a record low of −25 °F (−32 °C) was recorded in January 1999 and a record high of 109 °F (43 °C) was recorded in July 1954. Average monthly precipitation ranged from 1.90 inches (48 mm) in January to 4.80 inches (122 mm) in May.[18]
Demographics edit
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1840 | 1,475 | — | |
| 1850 | 2,649 | 79.6% | |
| 1860 | 14,629 | 452.2% | |
| 1870 | 32,737 | 123.8% | |
| 1880 | 40,863 | 24.8% | |
| 1890 | 42,159 | 3.2% | |
| 1900 | 47,622 | 13.0% | |
| 1910 | 51,829 | 8.8% | |
| 1920 | 56,959 | 9.9% | |
| 1930 | 64,273 | 12.8% | |
| 1940 | 70,578 | 9.8% | |
| 1950 | 106,100 | 50.3% | |
| 1960 | 132,436 | 24.8% | |
| 1970 | 163,281 | 23.3% | |
| 1980 | 168,392 | 3.1% | |
| 1990 | 173,025 | 2.8% | |
| 2000 | 179,669 | 3.8% | |
| 2010 | 201,081 | 11.9% | |
| 2020 | 205,865 | 2.4% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census[19] 1790–1960[20] 1900–1990[21] 1990–2000[22] 2010–2019[1] | |||
As of the 2010 census, there were 201,081 people, 80,665 households, and 42,737 families residing in the county.[23] The population density was 201.8 inhabitants per square mile (77.9/km2). There were 87,569 housing units at an average density of 87.9 per square mile (33.9/km2).[6] The racial makeup of the county was 73.4% white, 12.4% black or African American, 8.9% Asian, 0.3% American Indian, 0.1% Pacific islander, 2.2% from other races, and 2.7% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 5.3% of the population.[23] In terms of ancestry, 23.9% were German, 12.2% were Irish, 11.5% were American, and 8.9% were English.[24]
Of the 80,665 households, 25.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 39.7% were married couples living together, 9.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 47.0% were non-families, and 33.2% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.29 and the average family size was 2.95. The median age was 28.9 years.[23]
The median income for a household in the county was $45,262 and the median income for a family was $65,785. Males had a median income of $45,823 versus $35,321 for females. The per capita income for the county was $24,553. About 9.7% of families and 20.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 20.2% of those under age 18 and 8.3% of those age 65 or over.[25]
The Champaign County Economic Development Corporation (CHCEDC) produced a 2009 County Demographic Profile which includes information on the population, labor, housing, cost of living, education, taxes, retail sales, transportation, quality of life, utilities.[26] CHCEDC also conducts labor force studies every two years and labor shed studies every few years.[27]
Economy edit
Supported by the University of Illinois, through backings such as the Research Park, and Champaign County leaders, the area has shown even more growth in Information Technology, Micro/Nanotechnology, Bio-Imaging, Healthcare, Logistics, Distribution, and Agribusiness in recent years.[28]
As of 2023, the top 15 employers in the county are the University of Illinois, Carle Foundation Hospital, Champaign Schools Unit 4, Kraft Heinz, OSF Healthcare, Parkland College, Kirby Foods, Christie Clinic, Champaign County Government, Urbana School District #116, FedEx, Plastipak, Rantoul Foods, Busey Bank, and SuperValu.[29]
Communities edit
Cities edit
Villages edit
Townships edit
Census-designated places edit
Other unincorporated places edit
Politics edit
Champaign County, along with Peoria County is a reliable state bellwether, having voted for Illinois' statewide winner in every presidential election since 1964.Like most of central Illinois, Champaign County was powerfully Republican between the Civil War and the latter portion of the 20th century. From 1856 to 1988, it only supported a Democrat three times, in the national Democratic landslides of 1932, 1936 and 1964. Pockets of Democratic support existed in the cities of Champaign and Urbana, which frequently sent Democrats to the Illinois House of Representatives.
Since 1992, Champaign County has been one of the few Democratic bastions in central Illinois, and has become one of the most Democratic counties in downstate Illinois. It has supported a Democrat in the last eight presidential elections, and since 2004 has given a majority to Democratic candidates. This tracks closely with the strong Democratic trend in other counties influenced by college towns since the 1990s. The county's more rural precincts are still heavily Republican, however, they are no match for Champaign and Urbana, which account for over 60 percent of the county's population. George H. W. Bush in 1988 was the last Republican to carry the county, and Barack Obama's 2008 performance was the best by a Democrat until Joe Biden's 2020 performance surpassed it. Donald Trump had a particularly poor showing in the county in both 2016 and 2020, receiving a little over 35% of the vote, his third-worst showing in the state and his worst outside the Chicago area.
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 2020 | 35,285 | 36.92% | 57,067 | 59.71% | 3,221 | 3.37% |
| 2016 | 33,368 | 36.42% | 50,137 | 54.72% | 8,123 | 8.87% |
| 2012 | 35,312 | 44.92% | 40,831 | 51.94% | 2,466 | 3.14% |
| 2008 | 33,871 | 40.13% | 48,597 | 57.57% | 1,940 | 2.30% |
| 2004 | 39,896 | 48.40% | 41,524 | 50.37% | 1,014 | 1.23% |
| 2000 | 34,645 | 46.64% | 35,515 | 47.81% | 4,125 | 5.55% |
| 1996 | 28,232 | 42.50% | 32,454 | 48.86% | 5,743 | 8.65% |
| 1992 | 27,096 | 35.61% | 35,003 | 46.00% | 13,993 | 18.39% |
| 1988 | 33,247 | 52.36% | 29,733 | 46.82% | 519 | 0.82% |
| 1984 | 39,224 | 58.61% | 27,266 | 40.74% | 435 | 0.65% |
| 1980 | 33,329 | 50.99% | 21,017 | 32.16% | 11,014 | 16.85% |
| 1976 | 34,546 | 54.74% | 26,858 | 42.56% | 1,703 | 2.70% |
| 1972 | 33,700 | 57.43% | 24,743 | 42.17% | 236 | 0.40% |
| 1968 | 26,027 | 53.50% | 18,425 | 37.87% | 4,196 | 8.63% |
| 1964 | 22,010 | 46.04% | 25,792 | 53.96% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1960 | 27,793 | 61.16% | 17,115 | 37.66% | 533 | 1.17% |
| 1956 | 28,190 | 67.06% | 13,799 | 32.82% | 51 | 0.12% |
| 1952 | 27,188 | 65.91% | 13,951 | 33.82% | 112 | 0.27% |
| 1948 | 19,156 | 60.88% | 11,572 | 36.78% | 737 | 2.34% |
| 1944 | 18,935 | 57.46% | 13,842 | 42.00% | 177 | 0.54% |
| 1940 | 20,314 | 53.26% | 17,563 | 46.04% | 267 | 0.70% |
| 1936 | 15,808 | 45.77% | 18,203 | 52.71% | 524 | 1.52% |
| 1932 | 13,995 | 45.04% | 16,474 | 53.02% | 601 | 1.93% |
| 1928 | 19,494 | 68.28% | 8,915 | 31.23% | 141 | 0.49% |
| 1924 | 14,244 | 62.81% | 5,221 | 23.02% | 3,212 | 14.16% |
| 1920 | 15,573 | 71.83% | 5,247 | 24.20% | 861 | 3.97% |
| 1916 | 14,632 | 57.82% | 9,601 | 37.94% | 1,071 | 4.23% |
| 1912 | 3,220 | 25.62% | 4,454 | 35.43% | 4,896 | 38.95% |
| 1908 | 7,162 | 57.15% | 4,830 | 38.54% | 539 | 4.30% |
| 1904 | 6,954 | 61.10% | 3,754 | 32.98% | 674 | 5.92% |
| 1900 | 6,660 | 55.06% | 5,015 | 41.46% | 420 | 3.47% |
| 1896 | 6,780 | 57.66% | 4,643 | 39.49% | 335 | 2.85% |
| 1892 | 5,290 | 50.93% | 4,502 | 43.35% | 594 | 5.72% |
Education edit
Here is a list of K–12 school districts with territory in the county, no matter how slight, even if the districts have their schools and/or administrative offices in other counties:[31]
K–12:
- Arthur Community Unit School District 305
- Bement Community Unit School District 5
- Champaign Community Unit School District 4
- Fisher Community Unit School District 1
- Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley Community Unit School District 5
- Heritage Community Unit School District 8
- Mahomet-Seymour Community Unit School District 3
- Monticello Community Unit School District 25
- Paxton-Buckley-Loda Community Unit School District 10
- Tolono Community Unit School District 7
- Tuscola Community Unit School District 301
- Urbana School District 116
- Villa Grove Community Unit School District 302
Secondary:
- Armstrong Township High School District 225
- Rantoul Township High School District 193
- St. Joseph-Ogden Community High School District 305
Elementary:
- Armstrong-Ellis Consolidated School District 61
- Gifford Community Consolidated School District 188
- Ludlow Community Consolidated School District 142
- Prairieview-Ogden Community Consolidated School District 197
- Rantoul City School District 137
- St. Joseph Community Consolidated School District 169
- Thomasboro Community Consolidated School District 130
University of Illinois lies in the county.
See also edit
References edit
- ^ a b "Census - Geography Profile: Champaign County, Illinois". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 5, 2021.
- ^ . National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
- ^ "John W. Vance: The "Father of Champaign County" | Urbana Free Library". urbanafreelibrary.org. Retrieved February 9, 2022.
- ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections – 2004 Presidential General Election Results – Champaign County, Illinois". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 18, 2018.
- ^ Hopkins, Cyril G.; Mosier, J. G.; van Alstine, E.; Garrett, P. W. (1918). Champaign County soils. University of Illinois Agricultural Experiment Station. p. 1.
- ^ a b "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 – County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 12, 2020. Retrieved July 11, 2015.
- ^ "Champaign County Public and Private Airports". www.tollfreeairline.com. Retrieved March 18, 2018.
- ^ Nerode, Nathanael (March 4, 2023). "City of New Orleans / Illini / Saluki Timetable" (PDF). Juckins.net. (PDF) from the original on April 11, 2023. Retrieved April 11, 2023.
- ^ Vandervoort, William (April 11, 2023). "Railroad Operating Information - Canadian National Chicago Subdivision". Chicago Transit & Railfan. from the original on August 17, 2022. Retrieved April 11, 2023.
- ^ Vandervoort, William (April 11, 2023). "Railroad Operating Information - Canadian National Champaign Subdivision". Chicago Transit & Railfan. from the original on April 30, 2022. Retrieved April 11, 2023.
- ^ Vandervoort, William (April 11, 2023). "Railroad Operating Information - Norfolk Southern Lafayette District". Chicago Transit & Railfan. from the original on April 30, 2022. Retrieved April 11, 2023.
- ^ Vandervoort, William (April 11, 2023). "Railroad Operating Information - Norfolk Southern Lafayette District". Chicago Transit & Railfan. from the original on September 28, 2022. Retrieved April 11, 2023.
- ^ "Peoria Charter". peoriacharter.com. Retrieved April 11, 2023.
- ^ "Greyhound: Affordable Bus Tickets Across US, Canada & Mexico". www.greyhound.com. Retrieved April 11, 2023.
- ^ "Champaign–Urbana Mass Transit District". MTD. Retrieved April 11, 2023.
- ^ "Deviated Fixed-Routes". Retrieved June 2, 2023.
- ^ "Champaign County Board approves zoning changes for solar farms". Retrieved August 25, 2018.
- ^ a b "Monthly Averages for Urbana, Illinois". The Weather Channel. Retrieved January 27, 2011.
- ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 4, 2014.
- ^ . University of Virginia Library. Archived from the original on August 11, 2012. Retrieved July 4, 2014.
- ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 4, 2014.
- ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. (PDF) from the original on March 27, 2010. Retrieved July 4, 2014.
- ^ a b c "DP-1 Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved July 11, 2015.
- ^ "DP02 SELECTED SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS IN THE UNITED STATES – 2006–2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved July 11, 2015.
- ^ "DP03 SELECTED ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS – 2006–2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved July 11, 2015.
- ^ [1] September 30, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ [2] November 20, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ [3] October 22, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ [4] October 22, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 18, 2018.
- ^ "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Champaign County, IL" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. (PDF) from the original on July 20, 2022. Retrieved July 20, 2022. - Text list
Bibliography edit
- Mathews, Milton W; McLean, Lewis A. (1886). Early History and Pioneers of Champaign County. Urbana, Illinois: Champaign County Herald. Retrieved November 29, 2010.
- Stewart, J. R., ed. (1918). A Standard History of Champaign County Illinois. Vol. 1. Chicago and New York: The Lewis Publishing Company. Retrieved November 29, 2010.
- Stewart, J. R., ed. (1918). A Standard History of Champaign County Illinois. Vol. 2. Chicago and New York: The Lewis Publishing Company. Retrieved November 29, 2010.
- Cunningham, Joseph O., ed. (1905). Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of Champaign County. Chicago: Munsell Publishing Company. pp. 631–1060. Retrieved November 29, 2010.
External links edit
- Champaign County Official Page
- Champaign County Visitors Information
- Champaign County Economic Development Corporation
- United States Board on Geographic Names (GNIS)
- Book of the Champaign County Courthouse dedication from 1901