Urbana, Illinois
|
|
Snowfall_on_Carle_Park,_Urbana,_IL,_2004-12-26.jpg
Urbana (pronounced [ɝbænə]) is a city located in Champaign County, Illinois. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 36,395. It is the county seat of Champaign CountyTemplate:GR. The city was named after Urbana, Ohio. The current mayor is Laurel Prussing; her term ends in 2009.
| Contents |
History
Geography
Urbana is located at 40°6'35" North, 88°12'15" West (40.109665, -88.204247)Template:GR.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 27.2 km² (10.5 mi²). 27.2 km² (10.5 mi²) of it is land and 0.10% is water.
Urbana shares a border with the neighboring town of Champaign, Illinois; the two together are often referred to as Urbana-Champaign (or Champaign-Urbana, or even Chambana). The joint town is the site of the main campus of the University of Illinois. Urbana, Champaign and the nearby village of Savoy, Illinois form the Champaign-Urbana Metropolitan Area.
Demographics
As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there are 36,395 people, 14,327 households, and 6,217 families residing in the city. The population density is 1,339.6/km² (3,468.3/mi²). There are 15,311 housing units at an average density of 563.5/km² (1,459.1/mi²). The racial makeup of the city is 67.01% White, 14.34% African American, 0.18% Native American, 14.24% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 1.76% from other races, and 2.45% from two or more races. 3.54% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 14,327 households out of which 20.1% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 32.2% are married couples living together, 8.7% have a female householder with no husband present, and 56.6% are non-families. 36.6% of all households are made up of individuals and 8.1% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.14 and the average family size is 2.83.
In the city the population is spread out with 14.9% under the age of 18, 36.2% from 18 to 24, 26.4% from 25 to 44, 13.2% from 45 to 64, and 9.3% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 25 years. For every 100 females there are 111.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 111.7 males.
The median income for a household in the city is $27,819, and the median income for a family is $42,655. Males have a median income of $32,827 versus $26,349 for females. The per capita income for the city is $15,969. 27.3% of the population and 13.3% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 24.5% of those under the age of 18 and 7.2% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
The Arts
Urbana in Film
Cinema_cafe_Urbana_IL.jpg
In the 1968 film, 2001: A Space Odyssey, Urbana, Illinois was named as the location where the malfuctioning HAL 9000 computer of the ill fated Discovery Mission to Jupiter was programmed. The 1959 comedy film Some Like it Hot also mentions Urbana. Near the beginning of this film, Jack Lemmon's character, an unemployed bass player, suggests to Tony Curtis, a saxophone player, that the two visit Urbana, IL, to play at the University of Illinois. Instead, the two musicians elect to join a women's band in Florida.
While in Urbana ...
Urbana Free Library
Urbana_Free_Library_(Illinois_2005).jpg
Housed in a beautiful historic building the Urbana Free Library (http://urbanafreelibrary.org/) graces the downtown area. A large addition in the same architectural style has just been completed.
This library is one of the first public libraries in Illinois and was founded in 1874. The historic building which houses the library was built in 1918. A major new addition was opened in 2005.
The library is publicly funded and receives additional support from about 600 people who have joined "The Friends of the Urbana Free Library".
The library houses historical archives of Champaign County which can be used for genealogical research.
Historic Lincoln Hotel
Historic_Lincoln_Hotel.jpg
Connected to the indoor walking mall, Lincoln Square Mall, in the center of town is the historic Lincoln Hotel. It was built in 1924 in a mixture of classic European styles. It was completely remodeled in 1977 and a number of new rooms were added to the top floor. If no activities are going on the Great Hall dining room , the Library Hall dining room and the Alumni tap lounge are worth a visit.
Urbana School District
Urbana Middle School
Urbana_Middle_School_(Illinois_2005).jpg
Urbana Middle School was spawned and in use by 1953. Since then, the school has been renovated for space once, in 2003. The school currently serves 1047 students for grades 6-8, the largest student population outside of Chicago. The school is famous for its band program, who went to the Illinois State Band Competition (Superstate) 10 years in a row under Karen Debauche.
Urbana High School
Urbana Park District
Meadowbrook
Crystal Lake
Dog Park (part of Judge Webber)
If you have a dog the Urbana Dog Park (http://www.urbanadogpark.org/) is a great place to let your pooch off the leash!
Swimming Pools
The Urbana Park District (http://www.urbanaparks.org/) offers two swimming pools in Urbana: One outside pool and one inside pool (a shared resource with the Urbana School District), which is great on a gloomy winter day.
External links
- City of Urbana (official website) (http://www.city.urbana.il.us)
- Urbana Free Library (http://urbanafreelibrary.org/)
- Silvercreek (http://www.couriersilvercreek.com/silvercreek/)
- Urbana park district (http://www.urbanaparks.org/)
- Urbana Dog Park (http://www.urbanadogpark.org/)
- Eye On Urbana (http://www.eyeonurbana.com/index.html)
- Lincoln Square Mall (http://www.city.urbana.il.us/urbana/community_development/planning/downtown_plan/lincoln.html)
- Historic Lincoln Hotel (http://www.historiclincolnhotel.com/index.do)
- Urbana School District (http://www.usd116.org)