Stephenson County, Illinois

Infobox U.S. County
county = Stephenson County
state = Illinois


seallink =


map size = 150
founded = 1837
seat = Freeport
largest city = Freeport
area_total_sq_mi = 565
area_total_km2 = 1463
area_land_sq_mi = 564
area_land_km2 = 1461
area_water_sq_mi = <1
area_water_km2 = 1
area percentage = 0.10%
census yr = 2000
pop = 48979
density_sq_mi = 87
density_km2 = 34
time zone = Central
UTC offset = -6
DST offset= -5
footnotes =
web = www.co.stephenson.il.us|

Stephenson County is a county located in the U.S. state of Illinois. As of 2000, the population was 48,979. Its county seat is Freeport, IllinoisGR|6.

The Freeport Micropolitan Statistical Area includes all of Stephenson County.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 565 square miles (1,463 km²), of which, 564 square miles (1,461 km²) of it is land and 1 square miles (1 km²) of it (0.10%) is water.

Townships

Buckeye, Dakota, Erin, Florance, Freeport, Harlem, Jefferson, Kent, Lancaster, Loran, Oneco, Ridott, Rock Grove, Rock Run, Silver Creek, Weddams, West Point, Winslow

Adjacent counties

*Green County, Wisconsin (north)
*Winnebago County (east)
*Ogle County (southeast)
*Carroll County (southwest)
*Jo Daviess County (west)
*Lafayette County, Wisconsin (northwest)

History

Stephenson County was formed in 1837 out of Jo Daviess and Winnebago Counties. The County was named for Colonel Benjamin Stephenson, an official of the Illinois Territory.

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 48,979 people, 19,785 households, and 13,473 families residing in the county. The population density was 87 people per square mile (34/km²). There were 21,713 housing units at an average density of 38 per square mile (15/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 89.29% White, 7.68% Black or African American, 0.15% Native American, 0.68% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.63% from other races, and 1.53% from two or more races. 1.53% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 45.0% were of German, 7.2% American, 7.0% Irish and 6.3% English ancestry according to Census 2000.USCensusPop
1900= 34933
1910= 36821
1920= 37743
1930= 40064
1940= 40646
1950= 41595
1960= 46207
1970= 48861
1980= 49536
1990= 48052
2000= 48979
footnote= [http://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/il190090.txt IL Counties 1900-1990] There were 19,785 households out of which 30.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.40% were married couples living together, 9.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.90% were non-families. 27.60% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.43 and the average family size was 2.97.

In the county the population was spread out with 25.20% under the age of 18, 7.60% from 18 to 24, 27.50% from 25 to 44, 23.30% from 45 to 64, and 16.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 93.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.30 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $40,366, and the median income for a family was $48,510. Males had a median income of $36,300 versus $24,238 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,794. About 6.50% of families and 9.00% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.60% of those under age 18 and 8.50% of those age 65 or over.

Political subdivisions

Cities and towns

Unincorporated communities

* Eleroy
* Kent
* Oneco
* Waddams Grove

Townships

External links

* [http://www.co.stephenson.il.us/ Stephenson County]
* [http://www.stephensonhouse.com/ Benjamin Stephenson House Restoration Project]
* [http://www.stephcohs.org/ Stephenson County Historical Society & Museum]
* [http://www.stephenson-county-il.org/ Freeport/Stephenson County Convention and Visitors Bureau]