Dixon, Illinois
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Dixon is a city located in Lee County, Illinois, USA. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 15,941. It is the county seat of Lee CountyTemplate:GR.
Dixon is located on the Rock River. Dixon was the boyhood home of Ronald Reagan, whose family house is preserved at 816 South Hennepin Street.
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Geography
Dixon is located at 41°50'46" North, 89°29'6" West (41.846130, -89.485115)Template:GR.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 17.5 km² (6.8 mi²). 16.4 km² (6.3 mi²) of it is land and 1.1 km² (0.4 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 6.22% water.
Demographics
As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there are 15,941 people, 5,681 households, and 3,488 families residing in the city. The population density is 972.3/km² (2,519.8/mi²). There are 6,138 housing units at an average density of 374.4/km² (970.3/mi²). The racial makeup of the city is 86.33% White, 10.48% African American, 0.14% Native American, 0.82% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 1.10% from other races, and 1.09% from two or more races. 4.30% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 5,681 households out of which 29.8% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.7% are married couples living together, 11.8% have a female householder with no husband present, and 38.6% are non-families. 32.6% of all households are made up of individuals and 14.7% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.32 and the average family size is 2.94.
In the city the population is spread out with 20.9% under the age of 18, 8.9% from 18 to 24, 34.6% from 25 to 44, 20.7% from 45 to 64, and 14.9% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 37 years. For every 100 females there are 110.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 112.6 males.
The median income for a household in the city is $35,720, and the median income for a family is $45,088. Males have a median income of $32,511 versus $21,777 for females. The per capita income for the city is $16,630. 10.1% of the population and 5.7% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 10.7% of those under the age of 18 and 12.0% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
The Rock River, public source of most drinking water, has levels of radon in it, and while we are told it is harmless to drink, local Jefferson School shut down its drinking fountains and provided all students with bottled water.
Local Flavor
Every spring Dixon holds the annual Petunia Festival down Galena Avenue featuring a multitude of floats from all around, a vehicle resembling an old locomotive engine(which can be occasionally spotted year-round) and the whimsical character of Pinky the Petunia. Beforehand, petunias are planted all along the streets, especially along Galena, by volunteers and watered by more volunteers later. When the festival is over, the pink petunias are replaced with purple and white ones, the colors of the local High School teams, the Dixon Dukes. Occasionally around town, one may spot the colorful local character of "Elvis", a very old, thin man, wearing a gray jogging suit with a Walkman in his ears. one year at the festival, Elvis was on a float dancing and in full costume under the words "Elvis is back!". I do not know what has become of Elvis recently as I have not seen him for years, nor do I know how he acquired his name. In the center of downtown near the Dixon Archway one can see a small lot adjacent to the main intersection in town. In this lot are a section of wall covered in graffiti that resembles the Berlin Wall in Germany, some paintings of Ronald "Dutch" Reagan behing glass cases, and, most strangely, a statue of a large, bewinged finger on a pedastal entitled The Wings of Peace. This art object has given way to the local joke "Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus, I come from a town that put wings on a big dick". The Dixon High school itself is a thing to look at, because unlike most high schools it is built almost like a castle. Made of large tan bricks and next to the scenic, if almost toxic, Rock River, it is a sight to behold, although on the inside it is rather underfunded, still being heated by radiators and only a few rooms with many amenities.
External link
- Ronald Reagan Boyhood Home (http://www.rambletherock.com/reagan.htm)