Lawrence County, Illinois

County in Illinois, United States

U.S. county in Illinois

Lawrence County

U.S. county

Lawrence County Courthouse in Lawrenceville

Lawrence County Courthouse in Lawrenceville

Map of Illinois highlighting Lawrence County

Location within the U.S. state of Illinois

Illinois's location within the U.S.

Country|  United States
State|  Illinois
Founded| 1821
Named for| James Lawrence
Seat| Lawrenceville
Largest city| Lawrenceville
Area

• Total| 374 sq mi (970 km2)
• Land| 372 sq mi (960 km2)
• Water| 2.0 sq mi (5 km2)
Population

(2020)

• Total| 15,280
• Density| 41/sq mi (16/km2)
Time zone| UTC−6 (Central)
• Summer (DST)| UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district| 15th
Website| www.lawrencecounty
illinois.com

Lawrence County is the easternmost county in the U.S. state of Illinois. At the 2020 census, the population was 15,280.[1] Its county seat is Lawrenceville.[2]

## Contents

* 1 History
* 2 Geography
* 2.1 Climate and weather
* 2.2 Major highways
* 2.3 Adjacent counties
* 3 Demographics
* 4 Communities
* 4.1 Cities
* 4.2 Village
* 4.3 Unincorporated communities
* 4.4 Townships
* 5 Politics
* 6 See also
* 7 References
* 8 External links

## History

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Lawrence County was formed in 1821 out of Crawford and Edwards counties. It was named for Capt. James Lawrence, who was killed in action during the War of 1812 while commanding the frigate USS Chesapeake.[3] Mortally wounded, he gave his men the famous last order, "Don't give up the ship."

* Lawrence County from its creation in 1821 to 1824

Lawrence County from its creation in 1821 to 1824

* Lawrence County between 1824 and 1841

Lawrence County between 1824 and 1841

* Lawrence County in 1841, when the creation of Richland County reduced Lawrence to its current size

Lawrence County in 1841, when the creation of Richland County reduced Lawrence to its current size

## Geography

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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.[4]

### Climate and weather

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Lawrenceville, Illinois

Climate chart (explanation)

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2.6

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5.1

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4.7

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3.2

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Average max. and min. temperatures in °F
Precipitation totals in inches
Source: The Weather Channel[5]
| Metric conversion

109

130

103

119

108

Average max. and min. temperatures in °C
Precipitation totals in mm

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.[5]

### Major highways

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* U.S. Route 50
* Illinois Route 1
* Illinois Route 33
* File:Illinois 250.svg Illinois Route 250

### Adjacent counties

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* Crawford County \- north
* Knox County, Indiana \- east
* Wabash County \- south
* Richland County \- west

## Demographics

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Historical population

Census | Pop. |  | %±
1830| 3,668| | —
1840| 7,092| | 93.3%
1850| 6,121| | −13.7%
1860| 9,214| | 50.5%
1870| 12,533| | 36.0%
1880| 13,663| | 9.0%
1890| 14,693| | 7.5%
1900| 16,523| | 12.5%
1910| 22,661| | 37.1%
1920| 21,380| | −5.7%
1930| 21,885| | 2.4%
1940| 21,075| | −3.7%
1950| 20,539| | −2.5%
1960| 18,540| | −9.7%
1970| 17,522| | −5.5%
1980| 17,807| | 1.6%
1990| 15,972| | −10.3%
2000| 15,452| | −3.3%
2010| 16,833| | 8.9%
2020| 15,280| | −9.2%
U.S. Decennial Census[6]
1790-1960[7] 1900-1990[8]
1990-2000[9] 2010-2013[1]

File:USA Lawrence County, Illinois age pyramid.svg2000 census age pyramid for Lawrence County

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 16,833 people, 6,130 households, and 4,056 families living in the county.[10] 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).[4] 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.[10] In terms of ancestry, 12.7% were German, 10.4% were American, 9.5% were Irish, and 7.8% were English.[11]

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.[10]

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.[12]

## Communities

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### Cities

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* Bridgeport
* Lawrenceville (seat)
* St. Francisville
* Sumner

### Village

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* Russellville

### Unincorporated communities

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* Billett
* Birds
* Chauncey
* Petrolia
* Pinkstaff
* Riddleville

### Townships

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Nine townships make up Lawrence County. They are:

* Allison
* Bond
* Bridgeport
* Christy
* Denison
* Lawrence
* Lukin
* Petty
* Russell

## Politics

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In its early days, Lawrence County was a Democratic-leaning swing county, voting Republican only twice up to 1892 when it supported Ulysses S. Grant in 1872 and Benjamin Harrison in 1888. It did not vote for a losing Republican candidate until Wendell Willkie carried the county in 1940 due to isolationist sentiment. Since that time, however, Lawrence County – like so many in Southern Illinois – has become reliably Republican. The only Democrat to gain an absolute majority in the county since 1936 has been Lyndon Johnson in 1964, although Bill Clinton obtained pluralities in both 1992 and 1996.

United States presidential election results for Lawrence County, Illinois[13] Year  | Republican | Democratic | Third party

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No. | % | No. | % | No. | %
2020 | 4,886  | 76.21% | 1,419  | 22.13%  | 106  | 1.65%
2016 | 4,521  | 74.63% | 1,290  | 21.29%  | 247  | 4.08%
2012 | 3,857  | 64.40% | 2,011  | 33.58%  | 121  | 2.02%
2008 | 3,403  | 51.89% | 3,016  | 45.99%  | 139  | 2.12%
2004 | 4,162  | 61.85% | 2,518  | 37.42%  | 49  | 0.73%
2000 | 3,594  | 54.64% | 2,822  | 42.90%  | 162  | 2.46%
1996 | 2,568  | 40.18%  | 2,871  | 44.92% | 953  | 14.91%
1992 | 2,681  | 35.80%  | 3,270  | 43.67% | 1,537  | 20.53%
1988 | 3,655  | 53.57% | 3,140  | 46.02%  | 28  | 0.41%
1984 | 4,686  | 61.35% | 2,924  | 38.28%  | 28  | 0.37%
1980 | 4,453  | 56.68% | 3,030  | 38.57%  | 373  | 4.75%
1976 | 4,345  | 51.47% | 4,044  | 47.90%  | 53  | 0.63%
1972 | 5,347  | 65.36% | 2,818  | 34.45%  | 16  | 0.20%
1968 | 4,883  | 54.58% | 3,075  | 34.37%  | 988  | 11.04%
1964 | 4,176  | 44.85%  | 5,136  | 55.15% | 0  | 0.00%
1960 | 6,120  | 62.45% | 3,667  | 37.42%  | 13  | 0.13%
1956 | 6,104  | 61.89% | 3,751  | 38.03%  | 7  | 0.07%
1952 | 6,207  | 61.54% | 3,875  | 38.42%  | 4  | 0.04%
1948 | 4,472  | 49.38% | 4,391  | 48.48%  | 194  | 2.14%
1944 | 5,191  | 55.79% | 4,003  | 43.02%  | 111  | 1.19%
1940 | 6,061  | 51.22% | 5,625  | 47.54%  | 147  | 1.24%
1936 | 5,060  | 44.39%  | 6,168  | 54.11% | 170  | 1.49%
1932 | 4,194  | 40.17%  | 6,100  | 58.42% | 147  | 1.41%
1928 | 5,851  | 60.16% | 3,806  | 39.13%  | 69  | 0.71%
1924 | 4,607  | 51.50% | 4,103  | 45.87%  | 235  | 2.63%
1920 | 4,720  | 54.17% | 3,707  | 42.54%  | 287  | 3.29%
1916 | 4,481  | 44.47%  | 5,052  | 50.14% | 543  | 5.39%
1912 | 1,617  | 30.39%  | 2,550  | 47.93% | 1,153  | 21.67%
1908 | 2,197  | 47.16%  | 2,253  | 48.36% | 209  | 4.49%
1904 | 1,969  | 50.64% | 1,712  | 44.03%  | 207  | 5.32%
1900 | 1,961  | 48.03%  | 2,021  | 49.50% | 101  | 2.47%
1896 | 1,972  | 49.41% | 1,948  | 48.81%  | 71  | 1.78%
1892 | 1,523  | 45.30%  | 1,572  | 46.76% | 267  | 7.94%

## See also

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* National Register of Historic Places listings in Lawrence County, Illinois

## References

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1. ^ a b "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 6, 2011. Retrieved July 6, 2014.
2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
3. ^ Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. U.S. Government Printing Office. p. 182.
4. ^ a b "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 12, 2020. Retrieved July 12, 2015.
5. ^ a b "Monthly Averages for Lawrenceville, Illinois". The Weather Channel. Retrieved January 27, 2011.
6. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 6, 2014.
7. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved July 6, 2014.
8. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 6, 2014.
9. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 6, 2014.
10. ^ 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 12, 2015.
11. ^ "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 12, 2015.
12. ^ "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 12, 2015.
13. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved November 9, 2018.

## External links

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* Lawrence County official site
* Lawrence County Fact Sheet, Illinois State Archives
* Blue Star Emergency Medical Services Official Site

Places adjacent to Lawrence County, Illinois

|  | Crawford County |

|
|

|  |
Richland County |

Lawrence County, Illinois

| Knox County, Indiana
|  |
| Wabash County |

* v
* t
* e

Municipalities and communities of Lawrence County, Illinois, United States

County seat: Lawrenceville

Cities|

* Bridgeport
* Lawrenceville
* St. Francisville
* Sumner

File:Map of Illinois highlighting Lawrence County.svgMap of Illinois highlighting Lawrence County

Village|

* Russellville

Townships|

* Allison
* Bond
* Bridgeport
* Christy
* Denison
* Lawrence
* Lukin
* Petty
* Russell

Unincorporated
communities|

* Billett
* Birds
* Chauncey
* Petrolia
* Pinkstaff
* Riddleville‡

* United States portal

* v
* t
* e

State of Illinois

Springfield (capital)

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Regions|

* American Bottom
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Municipalities|

* Alton/Granite City/Edwardsville
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* Wheaton

Counties|

* Adams
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* v
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Southern Illinois

Counties|

* Alexander
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* Clay
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* Edwards
* Franklin
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* Wayne
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Mid-sized cities (25,000+)|

* Alton
* Belleville
* Carbondale
* Collinsville
* Edwardsville
* Granite City
* O'Fallon

Small Cities (10,000-25,000)|

* Cahokia Heights
* Centralia
* East St. Louis
* Fairview Heights
* Glen Carbon
* Godfrey
* Herrin
* Marion
* Mt. Vernon
* Swansea
* Wood River

Small Cities (5,000-10,000)|

* Anna
* Benton
* Bethalto
* Carmi
* Carterville
* Chester
* Columbia
* Du Quoin
* East Alton
* Fairfield
* Flora
* Harrisburg
* Highland
* Jerseyville
* Maryville
* Mascoutah
* Metropolis
* Mount Carmel
* Murphysboro
* Olney
* Pinckneyville
* Pontoon Beach
* Salem
* Shiloh
* Staunton
* Troy
* Washington Park
* Waterloo
* West Frankfort

Interstates|

* I-55
* I-64
* I-70
* I-255
* I-270
* I-57
* I-24

Airports/Military bases|

* Scott Air Force Base
* MidAmerica St. Louis Airport
* St. Louis Regional Airport
* St. Louis Downtown Airport
* St. Louis Metro-East Airport
* Williamson County Regional Airport
* Kellums
* Cache River Airstrip
* Pinckneyville Duquoin Airport
* Harrisburg-Raleigh Regional Airport
* Mt. Vernon Outland Airport
* Southern Illinois Airport

Universities|

* Southern Illinois University (Carbondale)
* Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

Colleges|

* Southeastern Illinois College
* Rend Lake College
* John A. Logan College
* Shawnee Community College
* Southwestern Illinois College
* Kaskaskia College
* Wabash Valley College
* East St. Louis Community College Center
* McKendree University
* Morthland College
* Olney Central College

Sports teams based in
the Southern Illinois|

* Gateway Grizzlies (baseball, Frontier League)
* Southern Illinois Miners
* Southern Illinois Salukis
* SIU Edwardsville Cougars

Coordinates: 38°43′N 87°44′W﻿ / ﻿38.72°N 87.73°W﻿ / 38.72; -87.73
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