Princeton, Illinois
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Princeton is a city located in Bureau County, Illinois. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 7,501. It is the county seat of Bureau CountyTemplate:GR.
Geography
Princeton is located at 41°22'43" North, 89°28'1" West (41.378481, -89.466924)Template:GR.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 17.4 km² (6.7 mi²). 17.4 km² (6.7 mi²) of it is land and none of it is covered by water.
Princeton, Illinois was supposedly named by the draw of a hat. Two city names, Princeton and Greenville, were put in a hat and Princeton was drawn. This is only a story and unconfirmed.
Princeton's nickname is "The City of Elms" because of the huge number of elm trees the city had during the middle of the 20th century. However, an epidemic struck the elm trees of Princeton and killed off almost every single elm. However, Princeton has kept the name.
Princeton is located on the south side of Interstate 80, and its downtown is booming with business and fast food and resturaunt chains. Princeton is also home to the largest Super Wal-Mart in the state.
Princeton also is home to the oldest public High School in the entire state, founding in the 1850s. Its mascot is the Tigers. The high school houses anywhere between 600-800 students in a given year and is, as of 2004, creating a new addition to house the student's needs.
Princeton's most famous tradition is the Homestead Festival, a weekend of food, celebration, and the famous Homestead Parade, which lasts for over an hour with local floats and performances by outside groups, including the South Shore Drill Team and Jesse White's tumblers.
- Ben Parr
Demographics
As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there are 7,501 people, 3,263 households, and 1,987 families residing in the city. The population density is 430.3/km² (1,114.6/mi²). There are 3,513 housing units at an average density of 201.5/km² (522.0/mi²). The racial makeup of the city is 97.81% White, 0.39% African American, 0.11% Native American, 0.63% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 0.43% from other races, and 0.64% from two or more races. 1.24% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 3,263 households out of which 27.4% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.6% are married couples living together, 8.6% have a female householder with no husband present, and 39.1% are non-families. 35.0% of all households are made up of individuals and 17.3% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.22 and the average family size is 2.85.
In the city the population is spread out with 22.3% under the age of 18, 6.9% from 18 to 24, 25.9% from 25 to 44, 23.6% from 45 to 64, and 21.3% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 42 years. For every 100 females there are 85.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 81.0 males.
The median income for a household in the city is $39,622, and the median income for a family is $50,018. Males have a median income of $38,908 versus $20,784 for females. The per capita income for the city is $20,632. 7.2% of the population and 5.6% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 9.8% of those under the age of 18 and 5.6% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.