Mercer County, Illinois
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Mercer County is a county located in the state of Illinois. As of 2000, the population is 16,957. Its county seat is Aledo.6
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History
Mercer County is named for Hugh Mercer (1726-1777), a physician and general during the American Revolution. Mercer died from wounds suffered at the Battle of Princeton.
In May 1812, Congress passed an act which set aside lands in Arkansas, Michigan and Illinois as payment to volunteer soldiers in the War of 1812. Mercer County was part of this "Military Tract."
Seven years after Illinois became a state, Mercer County was founded. It was formed from unorganized territory near Pike County on January 13, 1825.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,473 km² (569 mi²). 1,453 km² (561 mi²) of it is land and 20 km² (8 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 1.38% water.
Demographics
As of the census2 of 2000, there are 16,957 people, 6,624 households, and 4,915 families residing in the county. The population density is 12/km² (30/mi²). There are 7,109 housing units at an average density of 5/km² (13/mi²). The racial makeup of the county is 98.37% White, 0.29% Black or African American, 0.12% Native American, 0.17% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.35% from other races, and 0.68% from two or more races. 1.27% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 6,624 households out of which 32.10% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 63.5% are married couples living together, 7.2% have a female householder with no husband present, and 25.8% are non-families. 22.8% of all households are made up of individuals and 11.6% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.53 and the average family size is 2.96.
In the county the population is spread out with 24.80% under the age of 18, 7.3% from 18 to 24, 26.6% from 25 to 44, 25.4% from 45 to 64, and 15.90% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 40 years. For every 100 females there are 96.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 94.20 males.
The median income for a household in the county is $40,893, and the median income for a family is $47,192. Males have a median income of $35,138 versus $22,227 for females. The per capita income for the county is $18,645. 7.8% of the population and 5.8% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 10% of those under the age of 18 and 8.4% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
Cities and towns
- Aledo
- Alexis
- Boden
- Burgess
- Cable
- Eliza
- Gilchrist
- Hamlet
- Joy
- Keithsburg
- Mannon
- Marston
- Matherville
- Millersburg
- New Boston
- New Windsor
- North Henderson
- Norwood
- Petersville
- Preemption
- Reynolds
- Seaton
- Shale City
- Sherrard
- Sugar Grove
- Sunbeam
- Swedona
- Viola
- Wanlock
- Windsor
External links
Mercer County official website (http://www.outfitters.com/illinois/mercer/)
