Piatt County, Illinois

County in Illinois, United States

U.S. county in Illinois

Piatt County

U.S. county

Piatt County Courthouse in Monticello

Location within the U.S. state of Illinois

Illinois's location within the U.S.

Country|  United States
State|  Illinois
Founded| 1841
Named for| James A. Piatt
Seat| Monticello
Largest city| Monticello
Area

• Total| 439 sq mi (1,140 km2)
• Land| 439 sq mi (1,140 km2)
• Water| 0.3 sq mi (0.8 km2)  0.06%
Population

(2020)

• Total| 16,673
• Density| 38/sq mi (15/km2)
Time zone| UTC−6 (Central)
• Summer (DST)| UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district| 13th
Website| www.piattcounty.org

Piatt County is a county in Illinois. According to the 2020 United States Census, it had a population of 16,673.[1] Its county seat is Monticello.[2]

Piatt County is part of the Champaign–Urbana, IL Metropolitan Statistical Area.

## Contents

* 1 History
* 2 Geography
* 2.1 Climate and weather
* 2.2 Major highways
* 2.3 Adjacent counties
* 3 Demographics
* 4 Communities
* 4.1 City
* 4.2 Villages
* 4.3 Census-designated places
* 4.4 Other unincorporated communities
* 4.5 Former places
* 4.6 Townships
* 5 Politics
* 6 See also
* 7 References

## History

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The first settler was George Haworth, a Quaker, followed by James Martin, Abraham Hanline, Solomon Carter and William Cordell.

Piatt County was formed in 1841 from Macon and Dewitt counties. Two local residents, James A. Piatt and Jesse Warner, were instrumental in forming the county. It was named after James A. Piatt after winning a coin flip against Jesse Warner.

* Piatt County at the time of its creation in 1841

Abraham Lincoln practiced law in Piatt County as a circuit lawyer. Lincoln and Stephen A. Douglas planned their presidential debates in Piatt County in 1858, one of which is ornamented by a marker just south of Monticello.

The first courthouse was built in 1843. It was replaced by the current courthouse in 1904.

Illinois Power Company was a major electric utility in Central Illinois, centered in Decatur, to the west of Piatt County. At one time, Illinois had a "personal property tax", an ad valorem tax levied by the counties on property that was not real estate. The personal property tax was a major expense for the electric utilities, since their generators and transmission lines were "personal property". Under Illinois law, a corporation, such as Illinois Power, paid personal property tax to the county in which the corporate headquarters was located. Because Piatt County offered a low tax rate, Illinois Power moved its corporate headquarters to that county. This allowed Piatt County to tax utility assets over half of the state, providing a rich source of revenue which was responsible for much of the wealth of this tiny county.[citation needed]

## Geography

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According to the US Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 439 square miles (1,140 km2), of which 439 square miles (1,140 km2) is land and 0.3 square miles (0.78 km2) (0.06%) is water.[3]

### Climate and weather

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Monticello, Illinois

Climate chart (explanation)

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1.6

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3.4

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2.6

2.9

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Average max. and min. temperatures in °F
Precipitation totals in inches
Source: The Weather Channel[4]
| Metric conversion

−10

100

101

101

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

In recent years, average temperatures in the county seat of Monticello have ranged from a low of 14 °F (−10 °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 105 °F (41 °C) was recorded in July 1966. Average monthly precipitation ranged from 1.61 inches (41 mm) in January to 3.99 inches (101 mm) in August.[4]

### Major highways

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* Interstate 72
* Interstate 74
* U.S. Route 36
* U.S. Route 150
* Illinois Route 10
* Illinois Route 32
* Illinois Route 48
* Illinois Route 105

### Adjacent counties

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* McLean County \- north
* Champaign County \- east
* Douglas County \- southeast
* Moultrie County \- south
* Macon County \- southwest
* De Witt County \- west

## Demographics

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Historical population

Census | Pop. |  | %±
1850| 1,606| | —
1860| 6,127| | 281.5%
1870| 10,953| | 78.8%
1880| 15,583| | 42.3%
1890| 17,062| | 9.5%
1900| 17,706| | 3.8%
1910| 16,376| | −7.5%
1920| 15,714| | −4.0%
1930| 15,588| | −0.8%
1940| 14,659| | −6.0%
1950| 13,970| | −4.7%
1960| 14,960| | 7.1%
1970| 15,509| | 3.7%
1980| 16,581| | 6.9%
1990| 15,548| | −6.2%
2000| 16,365| | 5.3%
2010| 16,729| | 2.2%
2020| 16,673| | −0.3%
US Decennial Census[5]
1790-1960[6] 1900-1990[7]
1990-2000[8] 2010-2013[1]

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 16,729 people, 6,782 households, and 4,823 families residing in the county.[9] The population density was 38.1 inhabitants per square mile (14.7/km2). There were 7,269 housing units at an average density of 16.6 per square mile (6.4/km2).[3] The racial makeup of the county was 98.0% white, 0.3% black or African American, 0.3% Asian, 0.2% American Indian, 0.2% from other races, and 0.9% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 1.0% of the population.[9] In terms of ancestry, 26.1% were German, 21.9% were American, 15.2% were English, and 13.4% were Irish.[10]

Of the 6,782 households, 32.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.4% were married couples living together, 8.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 28.9% were non-families, and 24.5% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was 2.92. The median age was 42.6 years.[9]

The median income for a household in the county was $55,752 and the median income for a family was $65,850. Males had a median income of $50,425 versus $32,304 for females. The per capita income for the county was $26,492. About 5.1% of families and 7.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.8% of those under age 18 and 4.5% of those age 65 or over.[11]

## Communities

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### City

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* Monticello (seat)

### Villages

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* Atwood (partial)
* Bement
* Cerro Gordo
* Cisco
* De Land
* Hammond
* Mansfield

Map of Piatt County, Illinois

### Census-designated places

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* La Place
* White Heath

### Other unincorporated communities

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* Amenia
* Galesville
* Lodge
* Milmine
* Pierson
* Voorhies

### Former places

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* Blue Ridge

### Townships

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* Bement
* Blue Ridge
* Cerro Gordo
* Goose Creek
* Monticello
* Sangamon
* Unity
* Willow Branch

## Politics

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United States presidential election results for Piatt County, Illinois[12] Year  | Republican | Democratic | Third party

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No. | % | No. | % | No. | %
2020 | 6,248  | 63.43% | 3,329  | 33.79%  | 274  | 2.78%
2016 | 5,634  | 62.19% | 2,645  | 29.19%  | 781  | 8.62%
2012 | 5,413  | 61.92% | 3,090  | 35.35%  | 239  | 2.73%
2008 | 4,991  | 55.34% | 3,859  | 42.79%  | 168  | 1.86%
2004 | 5,392  | 62.80% | 3,124  | 36.38%  | 70  | 0.82%
2000 | 4,619  | 55.09% | 3,488  | 41.60%  | 278  | 3.32%
1996 | 3,265  | 44.05%  | 3,274  | 44.17% | 873  | 11.78%
1992 | 3,076  | 36.42%  | 3,520  | 41.67% | 1,851  | 21.91%
1988 | 4,137  | 56.85% | 3,099  | 42.59%  | 41  | 0.56%
1984 | 5,000  | 63.46% | 2,840  | 36.05%  | 39  | 0.49%
1980 | 4,867  | 62.25% | 2,421  | 30.97%  | 530  | 6.78%
1976 | 4,442  | 55.39% | 3,509  | 43.75%  | 69  | 0.86%
1972 | 5,057  | 67.72% | 2,394  | 32.06%  | 17  | 0.23%
1968 | 3,973  | 56.28% | 2,447  | 34.66%  | 639  | 9.05%
1964 | 3,141  | 44.63%  | 3,897  | 55.37% | 0  | 0.00%
1960 | 4,506  | 60.90% | 2,889  | 39.05%  | 4  | 0.05%
1956 | 4,622  | 66.23% | 2,356  | 33.76%  | 1  | 0.01%
1952 | 4,701  | 67.82% | 2,220  | 32.03%  | 11  | 0.16%
1948 | 3,646  | 60.13% | 2,361  | 38.93%  | 57  | 0.94%
1944 | 3,912  | 59.38% | 2,641  | 40.09%  | 35  | 0.53%
1940 | 4,564  | 55.94% | 3,564  | 43.68%  | 31  | 0.38%
1936 | 3,931  | 48.77%  | 4,084  | 50.66% | 46  | 0.57%
1932 | 3,179  | 42.71%  | 4,200  | 56.43% | 64  | 0.86%
1928 | 4,565  | 69.62% | 1,959  | 29.88%  | 33  | 0.50%
1924 | 3,799  | 64.31% | 1,733  | 29.34%  | 375  | 6.35%
1920 | 4,283  | 68.16% | 1,903  | 30.28%  | 98  | 1.56%
1916 | 4,012  | 55.49% | 3,028  | 41.88%  | 190  | 2.63%
1912 | 1,150  | 30.71%  | 1,417  | 37.84% | 1,178  | 31.46%
1908 | 2,349  | 57.96% | 1,530  | 37.75%  | 174  | 4.29%
1904 | 2,515  | 63.24% | 1,334  | 33.54%  | 128  | 3.22%
1900 | 2,648  | 57.32% | 1,905  | 41.23%  | 67  | 1.45%
1896 | 2,579  | 56.07% | 1,958  | 42.57%  | 63  | 1.37%
1892 | 2,138  | 51.08% | 1,896  | 45.29%  | 152  | 3.63%

## See also

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* National Register of Historic Places listings in Piatt County

## References

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1. ^ a b "State & County QuickFacts". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 7, 2011. Retrieved July 8, 2014.
2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
3. ^ a b "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 12, 2020. Retrieved July 12, 2015.
4. ^ a b "Monthly Averages for Monticello IL". The Weather Channel. Retrieved January 27, 2011.
5. ^ "US Decennial Census". US Census Bureau. Retrieved July 8, 2014.
6. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved July 8, 2014.
7. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". US Census Bureau. Retrieved July 8, 2014.
8. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). US Census Bureau. Retrieved July 8, 2014.
9. ^ a b c "Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved July 12, 2015.
10. ^ "Selected Social Characteristics in the United States – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved July 12, 2015.
11. ^ "Selected Economic Characteristics – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved July 12, 2015.
12. ^ Leip, David. "Atlas of US Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved November 11, 2018.

Places adjacent to Piatt County, Illinois

|  | McLean County |

|
|

|  |
De Witt County |

Piatt County, Illinois

| Champaign County
|  |
Macon County | Moultrie County | Douglas County

* v
* t
* e

Municipalities and communities of Piatt County, Illinois, United States

County seat: Monticello

City|

* Monticello

Map of Illinois highlighting Piatt County

Villages|

* Atwood‡
* Bement
* Cerro Gordo
* Cisco
* De Land
* Hammond
* Ivesdale‡
* Mansfield

Townships|

* Bement
* Blue Ridge
* Cerro Gordo
* Goose Creek
* Monticello
* Sangamon
* Unity
* Willow Branch

CDPs|

* La Place
* White Heath

Other
unincorporated
communities|

* Amenia
* Blue Ridge
* Galesville
* Lodge
* Milmine
* Pierson
* Voorhies

Footnotes|

‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties

* United States portal

* v
* t
* e

State of Illinois

Springfield (capital)

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Regions|

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Municipalities|

* Alton/Granite City/Edwardsville
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* Bartlett/Hanover Park/Streamwood
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* Taylorville
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* Wheaton

Counties|

* Adams
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* Wayne
* White
* Whiteside
* Will
* Williamson
* Winnebago
* Woodford

Coordinates: 40°01′N 88°35′W﻿ / ﻿40.01°N 88.59°W﻿ / 40.01; -88.59
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