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Sangamon County, Illinois

Coordinates: 39°46′N 89°40′W / 39.76°N 89.66°W / 39.76; -89.66
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"Sangamon" redirects here. For other uses, see Sangamon (disambiguation).
Not to be confused with Sangamon, Illinois.

Sangamon County
County
Sangamon County Courthouse in 2017
Sangamon County Courthouse in 2017
Flag of Sangamon County
Flag
Official seal of Sangamon County
Seal
Map of Illinois highlighting Sangamon County
Location within the U.S. state of Illinois
Map of the United States highlighting Illinois
Illinois's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 39°46′N 89°40′W / 39.76°N 89.66°W / 39.76; -89.66
Country United States
State Illinois
Founded1821
Named forSangamon River
SeatSpringfield
Largest citySpringfield
Area
 • Total
877 sq mi (2,270 km2)
 • Land868 sq mi (2,250 km2)
 • Water8.7 sq mi (23 km2)  1.0%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
196,343
 • Density220/sq mi (86/km2)
Congressional districts13th, 15th
Websitewww.co.sangamon.il.us

Sangamon County is a county located near the center of the U.S. state of Illinois. According to the 2020 census, it had a population of 196,343.[1] Its county seat and largest city is Springfield,[2] the state capital.

Sangamon County is included in the Springfield, IL Metropolitan Statistical Area.

History

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Lincoln Tomb

Sangamon County was formed in 1821 out of Madison and Bond counties. The county was named for the Sangamon River, which runs through it. The origin of the name of the river is unknown; among several explanations is the theory that it comes from the Pottawatomie word Sain-guee-mon (pronounced "sang gä mun"), meaning "where there is plenty to eat."[3] Published histories of neighboring Menard County (formed from Sangamon County) suggest that the name was first given to the river by the French explorers of the late 17th century as they passed through the region. The river was named to honor "St. Gamo", or Saint Gamo, an 8th-century French Benedictine monk. The French pronunciation "San-Gamo" is the legacy.

Prior to being elected President of the United States, Abraham Lincoln represented Sangamon County in the Illinois Legislature. Lincoln, along with several other legislators, was instrumental in securing Springfield, the Sangamon County seat, as the state's capital. Sangamon County was also within the congressional district represented by Lincoln when he served in the US House of Representatives. Another legislator who represented Sangamon County was Colonel Edmund Dick Taylor, also known as "Father of the Greenback". The prominent financiers and industrialists Jacob Bunn and John Whitfield Bunn were based in Springfield, Sangamon County, Illinois, as well as in Chicago, during the nineteenth century and the early twentieth century. The careers of these men and the people with whom they collaborated helped to shape much of the history and development of Sangamon County, Illinois.

  • Sangamon County from the time of its creation to 1823
    Sangamon County from the time of its creation to 1823
  • Sangamon County between 1823 and 1825
    Sangamon County between 1823 and 1825
  • Sangamon County between 1825 and 1839
    Sangamon County between 1825 and 1839
  • Sangamon in 1839, when the creation of Logan and Menard Counties reduced it to its present borders
    Sangamon in 1839, when the creation of Logan and Menard Counties reduced it to its present borders

Geography

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According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 877 square miles (2,270 km2), of which 868 square miles (2,250 km2) is land and 8.7 square miles (23 km2) (1.0%) is water.[4]

Climate and weather

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Springfield, Illinois
Climate chart (explanation)
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1.6
 
 
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1.8
 
 
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51
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3.4
 
 
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3.8
 
 
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3.5
 
 
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3.4
 
 
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2.8
 
 
79
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2.6
 
 
67
44
 
 
2.9
 
 
51
34
 
 
2.5
 
 
38
23
█ Average max. and min. temperatures in °F
█ Precipitation totals in inches
Source: The Weather Channel[5]
Metric conversion
J
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41
 
 
1
−8
 
 
46
 
 
4
−6
 
 
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17
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23
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96
 
 
28
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90
 
 
31
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87
 
 
29
18
 
 
72
 
 
26
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67
 
 
19
7
 
 
73
 
 
11
1
 
 
65
 
 
3
−5
█ Average max. and min. temperatures in °C
█ Precipitation totals in mm

In recent years, average temperatures in the county seat of Springfield have ranged from a low of 17 °F (−8 °C) in January to a high of 87 °F (31 °C) in July, although a record low of −24 °F (−31 °C) was recorded in February 1905 and a record high of 112 °F (44 °C) was recorded in July 1954. Average monthly precipitation ranged from 1.62 inches (41 mm) in January to 4.06 inches (103 mm) in May.[5]

Major highways

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Transit

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Adjacent counties

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National protected areas

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State protected areas

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Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
183012,960—
184014,71613.5%
185019,22830.7%
186032,27467.8%
187046,35243.6%
188052,89414.1%
189061,19515.7%
190071,59317.0%
191091,02427.1%
1920100,26210.1%
1930111,73311.4%
1940117,9125.5%
1950131,48411.5%
1960146,53911.5%
1970161,33510.1%
1980176,0899.1%
1990178,3861.3%
2000188,9515.9%
2010197,4654.5%
2020196,343−0.6%
2023 (est.)193,491[6]−1.5%
U.S. Decennial Census[7]
1790–1960[8] 1900–1990[9]
1990–2000[10] 2010[11]

As of the 2010 census, there were 197,465 people, 82,986 households, and 51,376 families residing in the county.[12] The population density was 227.4 inhabitants per square mile (87.8/km2). There were 89,901 housing units at an average density of 103.5 per square mile (40.0/km2).[4] The racial makeup of the county was 83.6% white, 11.8% black or African American, 1.6% Asian, 0.2% American Indian, 0.5% from other races, and 2.2% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 1.8% of the population.[12] In terms of ancestry, 29.4% were German, 14.8% were Irish, 12.1% were English, 9.5% were American, and 6.3% were Italian.[13]

Of the 82,986 households, 30.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.4% were married couples living together, 13.2% had a female householder with no husband present, 38.1% were non-families, and 31.8% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.33 and the average family size was 2.94. The median age was 39.2 years.[12]

The median income for a household in the county was $52,232 and the median income for a family was $66,917. Males had a median income of $48,324 versus $36,691 for females. The per capita income for the county was $28,394. About 9.9% of families and 13.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.7% of those under age 18 and 7.3% of those age 65 or over.[14]

Government

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Sangamon County is governed by a 29-member board. Each member of the board is elected from a separate district.[15]

Other elected officials include:[16]

Office Representative Party Residence Took Office
Auditor Andy Goleman Republican Divernon 2015 (appointed)
Clerk of the Circuit Court Paul Palazzolo Republican Springfield 2015 (appointed)
Coroner James Allmon Republican Springfield 2020 (appointed)
County Clerk Don Gray Republican Springfield 2015 (appointed)
Recorder Josh Langfelder Democratic Springfield 2008 (elected)
Regional Superintendent of Schools Shannon Fehrholz Republican Springfield 2010 (appointed)
Sheriff Jack Campbell Republican Illiopolis 2018 (elected)
State's Attorney John Milhiser Republican Springfield 2023 (appointed)
Treasurer Joe Aiello Republican Springfield 2018 (elected)

Politics

[edit]

Sangamon County has been a Republican stronghold for decades, consistently supporting GOP candidates in local, state, and national elections. Despite its relatively large population and the presence of Springfield, the state's capital and a significant urban center, the county has remained reliably conservative. In recent years, however, the county has shown signs of shifting toward the Democratic Party, reflecting changing demographics and political attitudes, particularly as the Republican Party has embraced more socially conservative positions.

Sheriff department

[edit]

In 2024, sheriff deputy Sean Grayson was fired after killing Sonya Massey, an unarmed woman, within her home located in Woodside Township near Springfield, Illinois following her call for assistance.[17] Massey's father, community members, and elected officials raised strong concerns about the department, after it was revealed prior to Grayson's hiring in 2023. He had been kicked out of the U.S. Army in 2016 after being convicted of 2 DUI's, and worked at 5 different Illinois police departments between 2020 and 2023.[18] Sheriff Jack Campbell who hired Grayson, after receiving calls to resign, including from Governor J.B Pritzker announced he would step down effective August 31, 2024.[19]

United States presidential election results for Sangamon County, Illinois[20]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2024 50,979 51.41% 46,074 46.46% 2,118 2.14%
2020 53,485 50.87% 48,917 46.52% 2,740 2.61%
2016 49,944 50.77% 40,907 41.58% 7,522 7.65%
2012 50,225 53.26% 42,107 44.65% 1,965 2.08%
2008 46,945 46.90% 51,300 51.25% 1,861 1.86%
2004 55,904 58.61% 38,630 40.50% 841 0.88%
2000 50,374 55.06% 38,414 41.99% 2,697 2.95%
1996 42,174 47.87% 38,902 44.15% 7,029 7.98%
1992 39,641 40.93% 40,052 41.35% 17,167 17.72%
1988 50,175 56.76% 37,729 42.68% 499 0.56%
1984 54,086 61.10% 34,059 38.47% 378 0.43%
1980 49,372 57.95% 29,354 34.45% 6,474 7.60%
1976 43,309 52.24% 38,017 45.85% 1,584 1.91%
1972 50,458 65.47% 25,720 33.37% 897 1.16%
1968 36,510 50.02% 29,542 40.47% 6,944 9.51%
1964 33,077 43.43% 43,073 56.55% 16 0.02%
1960 41,483 53.64% 35,793 46.28% 59 0.08%
1956 42,951 59.71% 28,949 40.24% 35 0.05%
1952 39,392 53.99% 33,526 45.95% 50 0.07%
1948 33,714 53.28% 29,196 46.14% 363 0.57%
1944 32,871 53.24% 28,713 46.50% 161 0.26%
1940 35,464 52.44% 31,943 47.23% 221 0.33%
1936 29,562 46.43% 32,281 50.70% 1,827 2.87%
1932 26,856 44.29% 32,745 54.00% 1,042 1.72%
1928 31,957 59.99% 21,026 39.47% 288 0.54%
1924 23,443 51.58% 12,640 27.81% 9,363 20.60%
1920 21,820 59.42% 11,000 29.95% 3,903 10.63%
1916 20,900 51.65% 17,958 44.38% 1,606 3.97%
1912 6,196 31.14% 8,406 42.25% 5,295 26.61%
1908 10,422 49.79% 9,351 44.67% 1,161 5.55%
1904 10,638 53.44% 7,571 38.03% 1,697 8.53%
1900 9,769 49.61% 9,499 48.24% 422 2.14%
1896 8,998 50.17% 8,582 47.85% 354 1.97%
1892 6,009 41.06% 7,665 52.38% 960 6.56%

Communities

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Cities

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Villages

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Unincorporated communities

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Townships

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Sangamon County is divided into these townships:

Education

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Here is a listing of school districts (all are full K–12) with any territory in this county, no matter how small, even if the administrative headquarters and/or schools are in other counties:[21]

Forts

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Sangamon County, Illinois". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 10, 2023.
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ^ Callary, Edward. 2009. Place Names of Illinois. Champaign: University of Illinois Press, p. 310.
  4. ^ 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.
  5. ^ a b "Monthly Averages for Springfield, Illinois". The Weather Channel. Retrieved January 27, 2011.
  6. ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 2, 2024.
  7. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 8, 2014.
  8. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved July 8, 2014.
  9. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 8, 2014.
  10. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 8, 2014.
  11. ^ "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 6, 2011. Retrieved July 8, 2014.
  12. ^ 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.
  13. ^ "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.
  14. ^ "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.
  15. ^ "History and Overview". Springfield, Illinois: County of Sangamon, Illinois. Archived from the original on December 5, 2011. Retrieved December 4, 2011.
  16. ^ "Elected Officials - Sangamon County Clerk - Don Gray - Sangamon County, Illinois". www.sangamoncountyclerk.com.
  17. ^ Jiménez, Jesus (July 22, 2024). "Illinois State Police Release Footage of Deputy Fatally Shooting Woman". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved July 23, 2024.
  18. ^ Olsen, Dean. "'Red flags' surrounded hiring of alleged killer". Illinois Times. Retrieved July 23, 2024.
  19. ^ "Sangamon County sheriff, whose deputy fatally shot Sonya Massey, announces resignation". ksdk.com. August 9, 2024. Retrieved October 11, 2024.
  20. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org.
  21. ^ "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Sangamon County, IL" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved July 20, 2022. Text list
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39°46′N 89°40′W / 39.76°N 89.66°W / 39.76; -89.66

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