Winnebago County, Illinois

County in Illinois, United States

U.S. county in Illinois

Winnebago County

U.S. county

City Hall in Rockford, Illinois.

City Hall in Rockford, Illinois.

Official seal of Winnebago County

Seal

Map of Illinois highlighting Winnebago County

Location within the U.S. state of Illinois

Illinois's location within the U.S.

Country|  United States
State|  Illinois
Founded| January 16, 1836
Named for| Winnebago Tribe
Seat| Rockford
Largest city| Rockford
Area

• Total| 519 sq mi (1,340 km2)
• Land| 513 sq mi (1,330 km2)
• Water| 5.9 sq mi (15 km2)  1.1%
Population

(2020)

• Total| 285,350
• Density| 550/sq mi (210/km2)
Time zone| UTC−6 (Central)
• Summer (DST)| UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional districts| 16th, 17th
Website| www.wincoil.us

Winnebago County is a county located in the U.S. state of Illinois. According to the 2020 census, it had a population of 285,350 making it the seventh most populous county in Illinois behind Cook County and its five surrounding collar counties. Its county seat is Rockford.[1] Winnebago County is the central county of the Rockford Metropolitan Statistical Area.

## Contents

* 1 History
* 2 Geography
* 2.1 Climate and weather
* 2.2 Major highways
* 2.3 Transit
* 2.4 Adjacent counties
* 3 Demographics
* 4 Communities
* 4.1 Cities
* 4.2 Villages
* 4.3 Census-designated place
* 4.4 Unincorporated communities
* 4.5 Townships
* 4.6 Former Settlement
* 5 Politics
* 6 See also
* 7 References
* 8 Further reading
* 9 External links

## History

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Winnebago County was formed on January 16, 1836, out of Jo Daviess and LaSalle counties. It was named for the Winnebago Tribe of American Indians. At the time the county was founded its inhabitants consisted almost entirely of New Englanders and New England transplants from upstate New York.[2] These were "Yankee" settlers, meaning they were descended from the English Puritans who settled New England during the early 1600s. They made up virtually all of Winnebago County's inhabitants during the first several decades of its history. In this regard the county was similar to most of the northern portion of the state of Illinois, and almost all of the neighboring state of Wisconsin. After the conclusion of the Black Hawk War there was an additional surge of immigration from New England. As a result of this heritage the inhabitants of Winnebago County considered themselves, and functioned as, a cultural expansion of early New England culture.[3] In the Presidential election of 1860, Abraham Lincoln won 3,985 votes in Winnebago County, whereas Stephen A. Douglas only won 817 votes.[4]

* Winnebago County for its first year of existence

Winnebago County for its first year of existence

* Winnebago County in 1837, reduced to its current borders by the creation of Stephenson and Boone Counties

Winnebago County in 1837, reduced to its current borders by the creation of Stephenson and Boone Counties

## Geography

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According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 519 square miles (1,340 km2), of which 513 square miles (1,330 km2) is land and 5.9 square miles (15 km2) (1.1%) is water.[5]

### Climate and weather

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Rockford, Illinois

Climate chart (explanation)

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1.4

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4.8

4.1

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2.6

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Average max. and min. temperatures in °F
Precipitation totals in inches
Source: The Weather Channel[6]
| Metric conversion

−12

102

122

104

107

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

In recent years, average temperatures in the county seat of Rockford have ranged from a low of 11 °F (−12 °C) in January to a high of 83 °F (28 °C) in July, although a record low of −27 °F (−33 °C) was recorded in January 1982 and a record high of 112 °F (44 °C) was recorded in July 1936. Average monthly precipitation ranged from 1.34 inches (34 mm) in February to 4.80 inches (122 mm) in June.[6]

### Major highways

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* Interstate 39
* Interstate 90
* U.S. Highway 20
* U.S. Highway 51
* Illinois Route 2
* File:Illinois 70.svg Illinois Route 70
* Illinois Route 75
* Illinois Route 173
* File:Illinois 251.svg Illinois Route 251

### Transit

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* Beloit Transit
* Rockford Mass Transit District
* List of intercity bus stops in Illinois

### Adjacent counties

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* Rock County, Wisconsin (north)
* Boone County (east)
* DeKalb County (southeast)
* Ogle County (south)
* Stephenson County (west)
* Green County, Wisconsin (northwest)

## Demographics

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Historical population

Census | Pop. |  | %±
1840| 4,609| | —
1850| 11,773| | 155.4%
1860| 24,491| | 108.0%
1870| 29,301| | 19.6%
1880| 30,505| | 4.1%
1890| 39,938| | 30.9%
1900| 47,845| | 19.8%
1910| 63,153| | 32.0%
1920| 90,929| | 44.0%
1930| 117,373| | 29.1%
1940| 121,178| | 3.2%
1950| 152,385| | 25.8%
1960| 209,765| | 37.7%
1970| 246,623| | 17.6%
1980| 250,884| | 1.7%
1990| 252,913| | 0.8%
2000| 278,418| | 10.1%
2010| 295,266| | 6.1%
2019 (est.)| 282,572| [7]| −4.3%
U.S. Decennial Census[8]
1790-1960[9] 1900-1990[10]
1990-2000[11] 2010-2019[12]

As of the 2010 census, there were 295,266 people, 115,501 households, and 76,854 families residing in the county.[13] The population density was 575.2 inhabitants per square mile (222.1/km2). There were 125,965 housing units at an average density of 245.4 per square mile (94.7/km2).[5] The racial makeup of the county was 77.4% white, 12.2% black or African American, 2.3% Asian, 0.3% American Indian, 4.9% from other races, and 2.8% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 10.9% of the population.[13] In terms of ancestry, 25.6% were German, 13.5% were Irish, 9.4% were American, 8.7% were Swedish, 8.3% were English, and 7.4% were Italian.[14]

Of the 115,501 households, 33.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.3% were married couples living together, 14.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 33.5% were non-families, and 27.7% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.52 and the average family size was 3.07. The median age was 38.3 years.[13]

The median income for a household in the county was $47,198 and the median income for a family was $59,814. Males had a median income of $48,358 versus $32,103 for females. The per capita income for the county was $24,008. About 11.5% of families and 15.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 25.0% of those under age 18 and 7.5% of those age 65 or over.[15]

## Communities

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### Cities

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* Loves Park
* Rockford
* South Beloit

### Villages

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* Cherry Valley
* Durand
* Machesney Park
* New Milford
* Pecatonica
* Rockton
* Roscoe
* Winnebago

### Census-designated place

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* Lake Summerset

### Unincorporated communities

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* Alworth
* Argyle
* Harlem
* Harrison
* Kishwaukee
* Latham Park
* Seward
* Shirland
* Wempletown
* Westfield Corners

### Townships

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Winnebago County is divided into these townships:

* Burritt
* Cherry Valley
* Durand
* Harlem
* Harrison
* Laona
* Owen
* Pecatonica
* Rockford
* Rockton
* Roscoe
* Seward
* Shirland
* Winnebago

### Former Settlement

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* Camp Grant

## Politics

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Prior to 1992, Winnebago County was a Republican Party stronghold in presidential elections, only backing the Democratic Party candidates in the national landslides of 1936 & 1964\. Since then, it has become a swing county, backing the national winner in every presidential election from 1980 to 2012. In 2016, Hillary Clinton won the county by only 89 votes over Donald Trump, affected by the relatively large third-party vote that year.

United States presidential election results for Winnebago County, Illinois[16] Year  | Republican | Democratic | Third party

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No. | % | No. | % | No. | %
2020 | 60,861  | 47.66%  | 64,056  | 50.16% | 2,792  | 2.19%
2016 | 55,624  | 46.33%  | 55,713  | 46.41% | 8,718  | 7.26%
2012 | 55,138  | 46.18%  | 61,732  | 51.70% | 2,527  | 2.12%
2008 | 53,886  | 42.53%  | 70,034  | 55.27% | 2,784  | 2.20%
2004 | 60,782  | 50.06% | 59,740  | 49.20%  | 903  | 0.74%
2000 | 53,816  | 49.24% | 51,981  | 47.56%  | 3,500  | 3.20%
1996 | 44,479  | 44.52%  | 46,264  | 46.31% | 9,167  | 9.18%
1992 | 42,221  | 37.63%  | 48,298  | 43.04% | 21,696  | 19.33%
1988 | 55,699  | 54.85% | 45,280  | 44.59%  | 571  | 0.56%
1984 | 64,203  | 58.66% | 44,629  | 40.78%  | 619  | 0.57%
1980 | 48,825  | 46.46% | 32,384  | 30.82%  | 23,880  | 22.72%
1976 | 52,736  | 54.15% | 42,399  | 43.54%  | 2,252  | 2.31%
1972 | 57,682  | 61.46% | 35,937  | 38.29%  | 231  | 0.25%
1968 | 47,646  | 52.51% | 36,702  | 40.45%  | 6,391  | 7.04%
1964 | 39,920  | 44.98%  | 48,834  | 55.02% | 0  | 0.00%
1960 | 49,541  | 55.20% | 40,090  | 44.67%  | 110  | 0.12%
1956 | 48,332  | 62.38% | 29,063  | 37.51%  | 89  | 0.11%
1952 | 43,468  | 57.95% | 31,409  | 41.88%  | 127  | 0.17%
1948 | 29,537  | 51.54% | 27,145  | 47.36%  | 631  | 1.10%
1944 | 30,837  | 52.31% | 27,831  | 47.22%  | 277  | 0.47%
1940 | 30,683  | 51.89% | 28,061  | 47.46%  | 383  | 0.65%
1936 | 24,997  | 46.30%  | 27,200  | 50.38% | 1,792  | 3.32%
1932 | 26,632  | 57.12% | 17,707  | 37.98%  | 2,286  | 4.90%
1928 | 33,258  | 80.39% | 7,684  | 18.57%  | 430  | 1.04%
1924 | 21,978  | 71.32% | 2,228  | 7.23%  | 6,608  | 21.44%
1920 | 19,913  | 79.23% | 3,355  | 13.35%  | 1,866  | 7.42%
1916 | 14,893  | 65.04% | 6,198  | 27.07%  | 1,806  | 7.89%
1912 | 2,537  | 21.32%  | 2,276  | 19.12%  | 7,089  | 59.56%
1908 | 8,919  | 71.54% | 2,163  | 17.35%  | 1,385  | 11.11%
1904 | 8,143  | 74.80% | 1,177  | 10.81%  | 1,567  | 14.39%
1900 | 8,103  | 72.69% | 2,498  | 22.41%  | 546  | 4.90%
1896 | 8,242  | 75.10% | 2,447  | 22.30%  | 286  | 2.61%
1892 | 5,854  | 62.50% | 2,634  | 28.12%  | 878  | 9.37%

## See also

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* National Register of Historic Places listings in Winnebago County, Illinois
* Winnebago County War Memorial

## References

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Specific

1. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
2. ^ History of Rockford and Winnebago County, Illinois: From the First Settlement in 1834 to the Civil War pg. 253
3. ^ The Expansion of New England: The Spread of New England Settlement and Institutions to the Mississippi River, 1620-1865 by Lois imball Mathews pg. 210-212
4. ^ History of Rockford and Winnebago County, Illinois: From the First Settlement in 1834 to the Civil War, pg. 379
5. ^ 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.
6. ^ a b "Monthly Averages for Rockford, Illinois". The Weather Channel. Retrieved January 27, 2011.
7. ^ "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved March 26, 2020.
8. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 9, 2014.
9. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved July 9, 2014.
10. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 9, 2014.
11. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 9, 2014.
12. ^ "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 7, 2011. Retrieved July 9, 2014.
13. ^ 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.
14. ^ "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.
15. ^ "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.
16. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 19, 2018.

General

* U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Winnebago County, Illinois

## Further reading

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* Shaw, Adele Marie (June 1904). "Common-Sense Country Schools: How Superintendent kern Has Revolutionized Rural Education In Winnebago County, Illinois". The World's Work: A History of Our Time. VIII: 4883–4894. Retrieved July 10, 2009. Includes numerous photos of c. 1904 Winnebago County schools.
* Church, Charles A. (1900). History of Rockford and Winnebago County, Illinois, from the first settlement in 1834 to the civil war. Rockford, Ill.: W.P. Lamb, printer. p. 430.
* The History of Winnebago County, Illinois : its past and present. Chicago: H. F. Kett & Co. 1877. p. 664.

## External links

[edit | edit source]

* Official website
* Winnebago County Genealogy
* History of Winnebago County

Places adjacent to Winnebago County, Illinois

| Green County, Wisconsin | Rock County, Wisconsin |

|
|

|  |
Stephenson County |

Winnebago County, Illinois

| Boone County
|  |
| Ogle County | DeKalb County

* v
* t
* e

Municipalities and communities of Winnebago County, Illinois, United States

County seat: Rockford

Cities|

* Loves Park‡
* Rockford
* South Beloit

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

Villages|

* Cherry Valley‡
* Durand
* Machesney Park
* New Milford
* Pecatonica
* Rockton
* Roscoe
* Winnebago

Townships|

* Burritt
* Cherry Valley
* Durand
* Harlem
* Harrison
* Laona
* Owen
* Pecatonica
* Rockford
* Rockton
* Roscoe
* Seward
* Shirland
* Winnebago

CDPs|

* Argyle‡
* Lake Summerset‡
* Westlake Village

Other
communities|

* Alworth
* Harlem
* Harrison
* Kishwaukee
* Latham Park
* Seward
* Shirland
* Wempletown
* Westfield Corners

Footnotes|

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

* United States portal

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* e

State of Illinois

Springfield (capital)

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Coordinates: 42°20′11″N 89°09′39″W﻿ / ﻿42.33639°N 89.16083°W﻿ / 42.33639; -89.16083
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