Alexander County, Illinois

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


seallink =


map size = 150
founded = 1819
seat = Cairo
largest city = Cairo
area_total_sq_mi = 253
area_total_km2 = 654
area_land_sq_mi = 236
area_land_km2 = 612
area_water_sq_mi = 16
area_water_km2 = 42
area percentage = 6.40%
census yr = 2000
pop = 9590
density_sq_mi = 41
density_km2 = 16
time zone = Central
UTC offset = -6
DST offset= -5
footnotes =
web = |

Alexander County is a county located in the U.S. state of Illinois. As of the 2000 census, the population is 9,590. Its county seat is Cairo, IllinoisGR|6.

Alexander County is part of the Cape Girardeau–Jackson, MO-IL Micropolitan Statistical Area.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 253 square miles (654 km²), of which 236 square miles (612 km²) is land and 16 square miles (42 km²) (6.40%) is water.

Adjacent counties

*Union County - north
*Ballard County, Kentucky - east
*Pulaski County - east
*Mississippi County, Missouri - south
*Scott County, Missouri - west
*Cape Girardeau County, Missouri - northwest

National protected areas

* Cypress Creek National Wildlife Refuge (part)
* Shawnee National Forest (part)

History

Alexander County was organized out of Union County in 1819. It was named for William M. Alexander, who became Speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives in 1822.

Demographics

USCensusPop
1900= 19384
1910= 22741
1920= 23980
1930= 22542
1940= 25496
1950= 20316
1960= 16061
1970= 12015
1980= 12264
1990= 10626
2000= 9590
footnote= [http://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/il190090.txt IL Counties 1900-1990] As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 9,590 people, 3,808 households, and 2,475 families residing in the county. The population density was 41 people per square mile (16/km²). There were 4,591 housing units at an average density of 19 per square mile (8/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 62.98% White, 34.90% Black or African American, 0.28% Native American, 0.36% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.54% from other races, and 0.91% from two or more races. 1.44% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 16.3% were of American, 11.2% German, 8.2% Irish and 5.1% English ancestry according to Census 2000. 97.7% spoke English and 1.8% Spanish as their first language.

There were 3,808 households out of which 30.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.10% were married couples living together, 17.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.00% were non-families. 32.30% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.36 and the average family size was 2.99.

In the county the population was spread out with 25.80% under the age of 18, 7.70% from 18 to 24, 26.60% from 25 to 44, 22.90% from 45 to 64, and 16.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 98.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.10 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $26,042, and the median income for a family was $31,824. Males had a median income of $29,133 versus $18,966 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,084. About 21.20% of families and 26.10% of the population were below the poverty line, including 38.60% of those under age 18 and 14.80% of those age 65 or over.

Cities and towns

*Cairo
*East Cape Girardeau
*McClure
*Tamms
*Thebes

Unincorporated communities

*Cache
*Elco
*Fayville
*Future City
*Gale
*Klondike
*Miller City
*Olive Branch
*Urbandale

External links

* [http://www.rootsweb.com/~ilalexan/index.htm Rootsweb - Alexander County]