Carterville, Illinois

Geobox|Settlement
name = Carterville
native_name =
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category = City
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country = United States
state = Illinois
region = Williamson
region_type = County
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district_type = City
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lat_m = 45
lat_s = 40.03
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long_EW = W
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population_date = 2000
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population_density_imperial = 1061.8
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mayor = Bill Mausey (D)
leader =
leader_type = Mayor
timezone = CST
utc_offset = -6
timezone_DST = CDT
utc_offset_DST = -5
postal_code = 62918
area_code = 618
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map_caption = Location of Carterville within Illinois
map_background = Illinois - background map.png map_locator = Illinois2
commons = Carterville, Illinois
statistics =
website =
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Carterville is a city in Williamson County, Illinois, in the United States, and is geographically situated between Carbondale, Illinois and Marion, Illinois. The city is located next to Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge. The Refuge's convert|44000|acre|km2 of land and water contain a wide diversity of flora and fauna [http://www.stateparks.com/crab_orchard.html] . As of the 2000 census, the city population was 4,616. Carterville's long serving Mayor is Bill Mausey (D) [http://www.thesouthern.com/sp_sections/story.php?pub_number=097&s=5] .

History

Carterville was founded by George M. McNeill and Laban Carter. Mr. McNeill married Olive Herrin of Herrin Prairie and, in 1866, they settled on the farm that is now known as Carterville. The Co-founder, Mr. Laban Carter, came to Williamson County in 1864, and purchased convert|100|acre|km2 of land and helped organize and secure a post office for Carterville in 1871. Later the town was named in Mr. Carter's honor [http://www.cssbonline.com/page.htm] . McNeill was one of the youngest members of the Union army during the American Civil War. He enlisted at 16 and was with General Sherman during his March to the Sea [http://www.cssbonline.com/page.htm] .

Education

Carterville is home to John A. Logan College, named for the local American Civil War hero and politician [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_A._Logan] . A college of approximately 8,000 students, John A. Logan College has been featured in Rolling Stone Magazine as the nation's fifth best community college and in 2004 was recognized as one of the fastest growing community colleges in the nation [http://www.herrinfesta.com/pages/news_jalc.php] .

The Carterville Unit 5 Schools' athletic programs have been successful in the past, winning the IHSA State Conference Championship in Class 3A football in 1996 and in Class 2A softball in 2008. [http://www.ihsa.org/activity/fb/records/team1-2.htm] .

Football

Carterville has recently become a football "powerhouse" in Southern Illinois. Beginning in 1995, Carterville has reached the IHSA playoffs for 13 straight seasons. This span includes four quarterfinals appearances (2000,2004,2005,2007) and one state title in 1996. Carterville boasts an overall record of 119-24 during that span. This success has branded Carterville as a "football town," joining the likes of other Southern Illinois towns such as Du Quoin, Anna, Mount Carmel, and Columbia.

In August of 2008, Carterville unveiled its brand new outdoor athletic complex. The addition includes a brand new football field with an artificial playing surface that sports a large "C" at midfield. The facility also contains an all-weather track, enabling the school to host track meets for the first time in many years. Even more impressive, the complex includes a luxurious, state-of-the-art press box which features separate suites for radio broadcasts, a coaches room, a kitchenette, and an excellent view of the field. Other than hosting football games and track meets, the field also offers the baseball and softball teams a place to practice when their respective fields are too wet. While the field may lack the atmosphere, tradition, or prestige of other local fields, it is now undoubtedly the elite of all Southern Illinois football facilities.

It has been a long-time tradition during Carterville football games that "The Cannon" is shot off after every Lions' touchdown. "The Cannon" is an actual civil war cannon that is owned privately by a resident family of the town. The noise of the cannon was so loud that visiting fans were often taken aback at the boom, which could be heard throughout much of the town. "The Cannon" has become synonymous with the Carterville football tradition. Despite concerns of "The Cannon" being retired along with the old field, it has been taken out to the new complex and can still be heard following every Lions' score.

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 4,616 people, 1,933 households, and 1,293 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,061.8 people per square mile (409.7/km²). There were 2,093 housing units at an average density of 481.5/sq mi (185.8/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 96.21% White, 1.13% African American, 0.15% Native American, 0.93% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.58% from other races, and 0.97% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.13% of the population.

There were 1,933 households out of which 32.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.4% were married couples living together, 10.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.1% were non-families. 28.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 2.95.

In the city the population was spread out with 25.2% under the age of 18, 10.0% from 18 to 24, 28.1% from 25 to 44, 23.1% from 45 to 64, and 13.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 93.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.0 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $36,969, and the median income for a family was $44,722. Males had a median income of $34,231 versus $24,924 for females. The per capita income for the city was $18,884. About 9.9% of families and 14.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.4% of those under age 18 and 7.1% of those age 65 or over.

References

External links

* [http://www.fws.gov/midwest/CrabOrchard/history.html/ Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge]
* [http://www.c-ville.wilmsn.k12.il.us/ Carterville Unit No. 5 Schools]
* [http://www.jal.cc.il.us/ John A. Logan College]
* [http://www.carterville.lib.il.us/ Carterville, IL Library]
* [http://www.cartervillechamber.com/ Carterville Chamber of Commerce]