Union County, Illinois

County in Illinois, United States

U.S. county in Illinois

Union County

U.S. county

Union County Courthouse in Jonesboro

Union County Courthouse in Jonesboro

Map of Illinois highlighting Union County

Location within the U.S. state of Illinois

Illinois's location within the U.S.

Country|  United States
State|  Illinois
Founded| 2 January 1818
Seat| Jonesboro
Largest city| Anna
Area

• Total| 422 sq mi (1,090 km2)
• Land| 413 sq mi (1,070 km2)
• Water| 8.7 sq mi (23 km2)  2.1%
Population

(2020)

• Total| 17,244
• Density| 41/sq mi (16/km2)
Time zone| UTC−6 (Central)
• Summer (DST)| UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district| 12th
Website| www.unioncountyil.gov

Union County is a county located in the U.S. state of Illinois. According to the 2020 United States Census, it had a population of 17,244.[1] Its county seat is Jonesboro.[2] It is located in the southern portion of Illinois known locally as "Little Egypt".

## Contents

* 1 History
* 2 Geography
* 2.1 Climate and weather
* 2.2 Major highways
* 2.3 Adjacent counties
* 2.4 Protected areas
* 3 Demographics
* 4 Communities
* 4.1 Cities
* 4.2 Villages
* 4.3 Unincorporated communities
* 5 Politics
* 6 Education
* 7 See also
* 8 References
* 8.1 Bibliography
* 9 External links

## History

[edit | edit source]

Union County was formed out of Johnson County, nearly a year before the Illinois Territory gained statehood.[3] It was named for a joint revival meeting of the Baptists and Dunkards, called a "union meeting". The county seal depicts the leaders of these two groups shaking hands.[4]

* For its first year of existence, Union County included an area of unorganized territory temporarily attached to it.[5]

For its first year of existence, Union County included an area of unorganized territory temporarily attached to it.[5]

* In 1819, the additional territory became Alexander County, reducing Union to its current borders.

In 1819, the additional territory became Alexander County, reducing Union to its current borders.

## Geography

[edit | edit source]

According to the US Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 422 square miles (1,090 km2), of which 413 square miles (1,070 km2) is land and 8.7 square miles (23 km2) (2.1%) is water.[6]

### Climate and weather

[edit | edit source]

Jonesboro, Illinois

Climate chart (explanation)

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

3.6

3.4

4.7

4.7

5.2

4.2

3.3

3.6

3.1

3.4

4.8

4.3

Average max. and min. temperatures in °F
Precipitation totals in inches
Source: The Weather Channel[7]
| Metric conversion

120

119

133

107

121

109

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

In recent years, average temperatures in the county seat of Jonesboro have ranged from a low of 22 °F (−6 °C) in January to a high of 90 °F (32 °C) in July, although a record low of −20 °F (−29 °C) was recorded in January 1918 and a record high of 112 °F (44 °C) was recorded in July 1901. Average monthly precipitation ranged from 3.13 inches (80 mm) in September to 5.22 inches (133 mm) in May.[7]

### Major highways

[edit | edit source]

* Interstate 57
* U.S. Highway 51
* Illinois Route 3
* Illinois Route 127
* Illinois Route 146

### Adjacent counties

[edit | edit source]

* Jackson County – north
* Williamson County – northeast
* Johnson County – east
* Pulaski County – southeast
* Alexander County – south
* Cape Girardeau County, Missouri – west
* Perry County, Missouri – northwest

### Protected areas

[edit | edit source]

* Brown Barrens Nature Preserve[8]
* Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge (partial)
* Cypress Creek National Wildlife Refuge (partial)
* Lincoln Memorial Picnic Grounds[9]
* Giant City State Park (partial)
* McClure Shale Glade Nature Preserve[10]
* Trail of Tears State Forest
* Shawnee National Forest (partial)
* Union County State Fish and Wildlife Area

## Demographics

[edit | edit source]

Historical population

Census | Pop. |  | %±
1820| 2,362| | —
1830| 3,239| | 37.1%
1840| 5,524| | 70.5%
1850| 7,615| | 37.9%
1860| 11,181| | 46.8%
1870| 16,518| | 47.7%
1880| 18,102| | 9.6%
1890| 21,549| | 19.0%
1900| 22,610| | 4.9%
1910| 21,856| | −3.3%
1920| 20,249| | −7.4%
1930| 19,883| | −1.8%
1940| 21,528| | 8.3%
1950| 20,500| | −4.8%
1960| 17,645| | −13.9%
1970| 16,071| | −8.9%
1980| 17,765| | 10.5%
1990| 17,619| | −0.8%
2000| 18,293| | 3.8%
2010| 17,808| | −2.7%
2020| 17,244| | −3.2%
US Decennial Census[11]
1790-1960[12] 1900-1990[13]
1990-2000[14] 2010-2013[1] 2020[15]

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 17,808 people, 7,167 households, and 4,837 families residing in the county.[16] The population density was 43.1 inhabitants per square mile (16.6/km2). There were 7,924 housing units at an average density of 19.2 per square mile (7.4/km2).[6] The racial makeup of the county was 94.8% white, 0.9% black or African American, 0.5% American Indian, 0.3% Asian, 2.0% from other races, and 1.5% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 4.8% of the population.[16] In terms of ancestry, 23.0% were German, 12.6% were Irish, 9.4% were English, and 8.1% were American.[17]

Of the 7,167 households, 29.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.6% were married couples living together, 10.6% had a female householder with no husband present, 32.5% were non-families, and 28.4% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.41 and the average family size was 2.92. The median age was 42.9 years.[16]

The median income for a household in the county was $39,760 and the median income for a family was $48,465. Males had a median income of $36,831 versus $31,272 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,512. About 12.7% of families and 21.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.5% of those under age 18 and 16.7% of those age 65 or over.[18]

## Communities

[edit | edit source]

### Cities

[edit | edit source]

* Anna
* Jonesboro (seat)

### Villages

[edit | edit source]

* Alto Pass
* Cobden
* Dongola
* Mill Creek

### Unincorporated communities

[edit | edit source]

* Balcom
* La Rue
* Reynoldsville
* Ware
* Wolf Lake

## Politics

[edit | edit source]

Like much of Southern Illinois, Union County has shifted toward the Republican Party over the past couple decades,[19] with the Republican candidate for president winning the county since 2000.

United States presidential election results for Union County, Illinois[20] Year  | Republican | Democratic | Third party

|
|
|

No. | % | No. | % | No. | %
2020 | 6,161  | 69.19% | 2,579  | 28.96%  | 164  | 1.84%
2016 | 5,790  | 67.20% | 2,402  | 27.88%  | 424  | 4.92%
2012 | 4,957  | 59.59% | 3,137  | 37.71%  | 224  | 2.69%
2008 | 5,003  | 54.65% | 3,918  | 42.80%  | 233  | 2.55%
2004 | 5,333  | 58.48% | 3,735  | 40.96%  | 51  | 0.56%
2000 | 4,397  | 50.77% | 3,982  | 45.98%  | 281  | 3.24%
1996 | 3,147  | 38.00%  | 4,252  | 51.34% | 883  | 10.66%
1992 | 3,003  | 33.06%  | 4,681  | 51.54% | 1,399  | 15.40%
1988 | 4,244  | 50.05% | 4,197  | 49.50%  | 38  | 0.45%
1984 | 4,721  | 55.13% | 3,815  | 44.55%  | 28  | 0.33%
1980 | 4,289  | 50.81% | 3,781  | 44.79%  | 371  | 4.40%
1976 | 3,531  | 41.16%  | 5,003  | 58.32% | 44  | 0.51%
1972 | 5,034  | 59.36% | 3,428  | 40.42%  | 18  | 0.21%
1968 | 3,889  | 46.45% | 3,603  | 43.04%  | 880  | 10.51%
1964 | 3,142  | 37.63%  | 5,208  | 62.37% | 0  | 0.00%
1960 | 4,432  | 50.58% | 4,321  | 49.31%  | 10  | 0.11%
1956 | 4,204  | 49.06%  | 4,359  | 50.87% | 6  | 0.07%
1952 | 4,658  | 51.97% | 4,296  | 47.93%  | 9  | 0.10%
1948 | 3,864  | 46.01%  | 4,479  | 53.33% | 55  | 0.65%
1944 | 4,114  | 48.25%  | 4,367  | 51.21% | 46  | 0.54%
1940 | 4,915  | 45.51%  | 5,804  | 53.74% | 81  | 0.75%
1936 | 4,165  | 39.81%  | 6,260  | 59.84% | 36  | 0.34%
1932 | 2,859  | 31.47%  | 6,157  | 67.77% | 69  | 0.76%
1928 | 3,352  | 44.52%  | 4,149  | 55.10% | 29  | 0.39%
1924 | 2,579  | 39.16%  | 3,783  | 57.44% | 224  | 3.40%
1920 | 3,119  | 45.55%  | 3,660  | 53.45% | 68  | 0.99%
1916 | 3,135  | 37.11%  | 5,171  | 61.22% | 141  | 1.67%
1912 | 458  | 10.44%  | 2,648  | 60.36% | 1,281  | 29.20%
1908 | 1,695  | 37.43%  | 2,690  | 59.40% | 144  | 3.18%
1904 | 1,537  | 39.54%  | 1,967  | 50.60% | 383  | 9.85%
1900 | 1,695  | 36.49%  | 2,900  | 62.43% | 50  | 1.08%
1896 | 1,842  | 37.65%  | 2,998  | 61.28% | 52  | 1.06%
1892 | 1,427  | 33.96%  | 2,663  | 63.37% | 112  | 2.67%

## Education

[edit | edit source]

School districts include:[21]

K-12:

* Cobden School Unit District 17
* Dongola School Unit District 66
* Goreville Community Unit School District 1
* Shawnee Community Unit School District 84

Secondary:

* Anna Jonesboro Community High School District 81
* Vienna High School District 133

Elementary:

* Anna Community Consolidated School District 37
* Buncombe Consolidated School District 43
* Cypress School District 64
* Jonesboro Community Consolidated School District 43
* Lick Creek Community Consolidated School District 16

## See also

[edit | edit source]

* National Register of Historic Places listings in Union County, Illinois
* Ku Klux Klan in Southern Illinois

## References

[edit | edit source]

1. ^ a b "State & County QuickFacts". US Census Bureau.
2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 3, 2015. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
3. ^ Perrin 1883, p. 285.
4. ^ Callary, Edward (2009). Place Names of Illinois. Urbana and Chicago, Illinois: University of Illinois Press. p. 354.
5. ^ White, Jesse. Origin and Evolution of Illinois Counties. State of Illinois, March 2010. "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on October 12, 2012. Retrieved September 26, 2012.`{{cite web}}`: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
6. ^ a b "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved July 12, 2015.
7. ^ a b "Monthly Averages for Jonesboro IL". The Weather Channel. Archived from the original on October 23, 2012. Retrieved January 27, 2011.
8. ^ Brown Barrens Nature Preserve, Union County IL Google Maps (accessed 29 December 2018)
9. ^ Lincoln Memorial Picnic Grounds, Union County IL Google Maps (accessed 29 December 2018)
10. ^ McClure Shale Glade Nature Preserve, Union County IL Google Maps (accessed 29 December 2018)
11. ^ "US Decennial Census". US Census Bureau. Retrieved July 9, 2014.
12. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Archived from the original on August 11, 2012. Retrieved July 9, 2014.
13. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on April 24, 2014. Retrieved July 9, 2014.
14. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). US Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on December 18, 2014. Retrieved July 9, 2014.
15. ^ "Explore Census Data".
16. ^ 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.
17. ^ "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.
18. ^ "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.
19. ^ Service, CHUCK RAASCH Herald & Review News. "Political scale tips toward GOP in southern Illinois, northeast Missouri". Herald-Review.com. Retrieved January 19, 2021.
20. ^ Leip, David. "Atlas of US Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Archived from the original on March 23, 2018. Retrieved May 1, 2018.
21. ^ "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Union County, IL" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved July 22, 2022. \- Text list

### Bibliography

[edit | edit source]

* Perrin, William Henry, ed. (1883). History of Alexander, Union and Pulaski Counties, Illinois. Chicago IL: O.L. Baskin & Co. OCLC 8695008. OL 13507970M.
* U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Union County, Illinois

## External links

[edit | edit source]

* Union County Official Website
* Union County State's Attorney
* Union County Treasurer
* Union County Chamber of Commerce

Places adjacent to Union County, Illinois

| Perry County, Missouri | Jackson County | Williamson County

|
|

|  |
Cape Girardeau County, Missouri |

Union County, Illinois

| Johnson County
|  |
| Alexander County | Pulaski County

* v
* t
* e

Municipalities and communities of Union County, Illinois, United States

County seat: Jonesboro

Cities|

* Anna
* Jonesboro

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

Villages|

* Alto Pass
* Cobden
* Dongola
* Mill Creek

Precincts|

* Alto Pass
* Anna District 1
* Anna District 2
* Anna District 3
* Anna District 4
* Anna District 5
* Anna District 6
* Anna District 7
* Balcom
* Cobden District 1
* Cobden District 2
* Dongola District 1
* Dongola District 2
* Jonesboro District 1
* Jonesboro District 2
* Jonesboro District 3
* Lick Creek
* Mill Creek
* Stokes
* Union

Unincorporated
communities|

* Balcom
* La Rue
* Reynoldsville
* Ware
* Wolf Lake

* United States portal

* v
* t
* e

State of Illinois

Springfield (capital)

Topics|

* Index
* Buildings and structures
* Census areas
* Communications
* Culture
* Delegations
* Earthquakes
* Economy
* Education
* Energy
* Environment
* Geography
* Government
* Health
* History
* Languages
* Law
* Music
* People
* Politics
* Portal
* Protected areas
* Society
* Sports
* Symbols
* Tourism
* Transportation
* Windmills

Regions|

* American Bottom
* Bloomington–Normal metropolitan area
* Central Illinois
* Champaign–Urbana metropolitan area
* Chicago metropolitan area
* Collar counties
* Corn Belt
* Driftless Area
* Forgottonia
* Fox Valley
* Illinois–Indiana–Kentucky tri-state area
* Metro East
* Metro Lakeland
* Mississippi Alluvial Plain
* North Shore
* Northern Illinois
* Northwestern Illinois
* Peoria metropolitan area
* Quad Cities
* River Bend
* Rockford metropolitan area
* Southern Illinois
* Wabash Valley

Municipalities|

* Alton/Granite City/Edwardsville
* Arlington Heights/Palatine
* Aurora/Naperville/Oswego/Plainfield
* Bartlett/Hanover Park/Streamwood
* Belleville/East St. Louis/Collinsville/O'Fallon
* Berwyn/Cicero
* Bloomington/Normal
* Bolingbrook/Romeoville
* Buffalo Grove/Wheeling
* Calumet City
* Canton
* Carbondale
* Carol Stream/Glendale Heights
* Centralia
* Champaign/Urbana
* Charleston/Mattoon
* Chicago
* Chicago Heights
* Crystal Lake/Algonquin
* Danville
* Decatur
* DeKalb/Sycamore
* Des Plaines/Mount Prospect/Park Ridge
* Dixon
* Downers Grove/Woodridge
* Effingham
* Elgin/Carpentersville
* Elmhurst/Lombard/Addison
* Evanston/Skokie
* Freeport
* Galesburg
* Glenview/Northbrook
* Harrisburg
* Jacksonville
* Joliet
* Kankakee/Bradley/Bourbonnais
* Lincoln
* Macomb
* Marion/Herrin
* Moline/East Moline/Rock Island
* Mount Vernon
* Mundelein
* Oak Lawn
* Oak Park
* Orland Park/Tinley Park
* Ottawa/Streator/LaSalle/Peru
* Peoria/Pekin/East Peoria/Morton/Washington
* Pontiac
* Quincy
* Rochelle
* Rockford/Belvidere/Machesney Park/Loves Park
* St. Charles
* Schaumburg/Hoffman Estates/Elk Grove Village
* Springfield
* Sterling/Rock Falls
* Taylorville
* Waukegan/North Chicago/Gurnee
* Wheaton

Counties|

* Adams
* Alexander
* Bond
* Boone
* Brown
* Bureau
* Calhoun
* Carroll
* Cass
* Champaign
* Christian
* Clark
* Clay
* Clinton
* Coles
* Cook
* Crawford
* Cumberland
* DeKalb
* DeWitt
* Douglas
* DuPage
* Edgar
* Edwards
* Effingham
* Fayette
* Ford
* Franklin
* Fulton
* Gallatin
* Greene
* Grundy
* Hamilton
* Hancock
* Hardin
* Henderson
* Henry
* Iroquois
* Jackson
* Jasper
* Jefferson
* Jersey
* Jo Daviess
* Johnson
* Kane
* Kankakee
* Kendall
* Knox
* Lake
* LaSalle
* Lawrence
* Lee
* Livingston
* Logan
* Macon
* Macoupin
* Madison
* Marion
* Marshall
* Mason
* Massac
* McDonough
* McHenry
* McLean
* Menard
* Mercer
* Monroe
* Montgomery
* Morgan
* Moultrie
* Ogle
* Peoria
* Perry
* Piatt
* Pike
* Pope
* Pulaski
* Putnam
* Randolph
* Richland
* Rock Island
* Saline
* Sangamon
* Schuyler
* Scott
* Shelby
* St. Clair
* Stark
* Stephenson
* Tazewell
* Union
* Vermilion
* Wabash
* Warren
* Washington
* Wayne
* White
* Whiteside
* Will
* Williamson
* Winnebago
* Woodford

* v
* t
* e

Southern Illinois

Counties|

* Alexander
* Bond
* Calhoun
* Clay
* Clinton
* Edwards
* Franklin
* Gallatin
* Hamilton
* Hardin
* Jackson
* Jefferson
* Jersey
* Johnson
* Lawrence
* Madison
* Marion
* Massac
* Monroe
* Perry
* Pope
* Pulaski
* Randolph
* Richland
* Saline
* St. Clair
* Union
* Wabash
* Washington
* Wayne
* White
* Williamson

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: 37°28′16″N 89°15′18″W﻿ / ﻿37.47111°N 89.25500°W﻿ / 37.47111; -89.25500
*[Pop.]: Population
*[%±]: Percent change
*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template