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St. Clair County, Illinois
Map of Illinois highlighting St
Location in the state of Illinois
Map of the U.S
Illinois's location in the U.S.
Founded 1790
Named for Arthur St. Clair
Seat Belleville
Area
 - Total
 - Land
 - Water

673.95 sq mi (1,746 km²)
663.81 sq mi (1,719 km²)
10.15 sq mi (26 km²), 1.51%
Population
 - (2020)
 - Density

257,400
393.0/sq mi (152/km²)
Time zone Central: UTC-6/-5
Website www.co.st-clair.il.us

St. Clair County is a county located in the U.S. state of Illinois, and determined by the U.S. Census Bureau to include the mean center of U.S. population in 1970. As of the 2020 census, the population was 257,400. Its county seat is Belleville. St. Clair County is part of the Metro-East.

It is a part of the St. Louis Metropolitan Area.

Geography[]

According to the 2000 census, the county has a total area of 673.95 square miles (1,745.5 km2), of which 663.81 square miles (1,719.3 km2) (or 98.50%) is land and 10.15 square miles (26.3 km2) (or 1.51%) is water.[1]

The western portion of the county sits in the American Bottom. Urban decay, and Urban prairie are common in the formerly industrialized and once heavily populated East St. Louis, other cities in St. Clair County often border agricultural or vacant lands. Unlike the suburbs on the Missouri side of the metro area, those in Metro-East are typically separated by agriculture, or otherwise undeveloped land left after the decline of industry. The central portion of St. Clair county, sitting atop the Mississippi River bluff is becoming increasingly suburban with new homes being built every year. Particularly in Belleville, and it's satellite cities. The eastern and southern portion of the county is sparsely populated dotted with older small communities and small tracts of newer suburban villages between large swathes of corn and soybean fields.

Transportation[]

Major highways[]

  • I-55 Interstate 55
  • I-64 Interstate 64
  • I-70 Interstate 70
  • I-255 Interstate 255
  • US 40 U.S. Highway 40
  • US 50 U.S. Highway 50
  • Illinois 3 Illinois Route 3
  • Illinois 4 Illinois Route 4
  • Illinois 13 Illinois Route 13
  • Illinois 15 Illinois Route 15
  • Illinois 111 Illinois Route 111
  • Illinois 156 Illinois Route 156
  • Illinois 157 Illinois Route 157
  • Illinois 158 Illinois Route 158
  • Illinois 159 Illinois Route 159
  • Illinois 161 Illinois Route 161
  • Illinois 163 Illinois Route 163
  • Illinois 177 Illinois Route 177
  • Illinois 203 Illinois Route 203

Public transit[]

St. Clair County is home to 11 St. Louis MetroLink stations on the Red and Blue Lines.

  • East Riverfront
  • 5th & Missouri
  • Emerson Park
  • Jackie Joyner-Kersee Center
  • Washington Park
  • Fairview Heights
  • Memorial Hospital
  • Swansea
  • Belleville
  • College
  • Shiloh-Scott

History[]

St. Clair County was the first county established in what is today Illinois; in fact the county antedates Illinois' existence as a separate entity. It was established in 1790 by proclamation of Arthur St. Clair, first governor of the Northwest Territory, who named it after himself. In its original boundaries, the county covered a large area between the Mackinaw and Ohio Rivers. In 1801 Governor William Henry Harrison re-established St. Clair County as part of the Indiana Territory, extending its northern border to Lake Superior and the international border with Rupert's Land.[2]

In 1809, when the Illinois Territory was created, Territorial Secretary Nathaniel Pope, in his capacity as acting governor, issued a proclamation establishing St. Clair and Randolph County as the two original counties of Illinois.

Townships[]

Belleville, Cahokia, Canteen, Caseyville, Centreville, Dupo, East St. Louis, Englemann, Freeburg, Lebanon, Lenzburg, Marissa, Mascoutah, Millstadt, New Athens, O'Fallon, Prairie Du Long, Shiloh Valley, Smithton, Saint Claire, Stites, Stookey, Sugar Loaf, Swansea

Adjacent counties[]

1This is not a county, but an independent city which is not part of a county.

Demographics[]

Historical populations
Census Pop.
1900 86,685
1910 119,870 38.3%
1920 136,520 13.9%
1930 157,775 15.6%
1940 166,899 5.8%
1950 205,995 23.4%
1960 262,509 27.4%
1970 285,176 8.6%
1980 267,531 −6.2%
1990 262,852 −1.7%
2000 256,082 −2.6%
2010 270,056 5.5%
IL Counties 1900-1990

As of the census[4] of 2000, there were 256,082 people, 96,810 households, and 67,282 families residing in the county. The population density was 386 people per square mile (149/km²). There were 104,446 housing units at an average density of 157 per square mile (61/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 67.94% White, 28.77% Black or African American, 0.26% Native American, 0.91% Asian American, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 0.80% from other races, and 1.29% from two or more races. 2.19% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 26.9% were of German, 7.3% Irish, 7.0% American and 6.1% English ancestry according to Census 2000.

There were 96,810 households out of which 34.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.10% were married couples living together, 17.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.50% were non-families. 25.90% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.59 and the average family size was 3.13.

In the county the population was spread out with 27.70% under the age of 18, 8.90% from 18 to 24, 29.20% from 25 to 44, 21.10% from 45 to 64, and 13.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 91.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.20 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $39,148, and the median income for a family was $47,409. Males had a median income of $36,569 versus $25,773 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,932. About 11.80% of families and 14.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.60% of those under age 18 and 9.80% of those age 65 or over.

Cities and towns[]

  • Fairmont City
  • Fairview Heights
  • Fayetteville
  • Freeburg
  • Lebanon
  • Lenzburg
  • Marissa
  • Mascoutah
  • Millstadt
  • New Athens
  • O'Fallon
  • Sauget
  • Scott AFB
  • Shiloh
  • Smithton
  • St. Libory
  • Summerfield
  • Swansea
  • Washington Park
Victorian home restored

Lebanon historic district

Mermaid House Hotel

Lebanon Mermaid House Hotel


Townships[]

St. Clair County is divided into these townships:

  • Belleville
  • Canteen
  • Caseyville
  • Centreville
  • Engelmann
  • Fayetteville
  • Freeburg
  • Lebanon
  • Lenzburg
  • Marissa
  • Mascoutah
  • Millstadt
  • New Athens
  • O'Fallon
  • Prairie du Long
  • St. Clair
  • Shiloh Valley
  • Smithton
  • Stites
  • Stookey
  • Sugarloaf


Politics[]

St. Clair County is a reliably Democratic county, having voted for the Democratic presidential candidate in every presidential election since 1928, with the exception of the 1972 United States presidential election.

United States presidential election results for St. Clair County, Illinois[5]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2020 57,150 44.47% 68,325 53.17% 3,030 2.36%
2016 53,857 44.35% 60,756 50.03% 6,823 5.62%
2012 50,125 41.83% 67,285 56.15% 2,417 2.02%
2008 47,958 38.05% 76,160 60.42% 1,936 1.54%
2004 50,203 44.35% 62,410 55.14% 576 0.51%
2000 42,299 42.13% 55,961 55.74% 2,133 2.12%
1996 33,066 35.02% 53,405 56.56% 7,958 8.43%
1992 31,951 29.71% 57,625 53.58% 17,965 16.71%
1988 41,439 42.58% 55,465 57.00% 409 0.42%
1984 51,046 49.01% 52,294 50.21% 808 0.78%
1980 46,063 45.76% 50,046 49.71% 4,564 4.53%
1976 40,333 39.91% 59,177 58.55% 1,555 1.54%
1972 50,519 51.50% 46,636 47.54% 942 0.96%
1968 34,442 34.14% 50,726 50.29% 15,706 15.57%
1964 28,226 27.61% 74,005 72.39% 0 0.00%
1960 42,046 38.31% 67,367 61.38% 338 0.31%
1956 41,528 42.77% 55,295 56.94% 283 0.29%
1952 39,713 39.51% 60,311 60.01% 479 0.48%
1948 30,883 36.07% 54,260 63.38% 474 0.55%
1944 33,557 40.82% 48,325 58.78% 327 0.40%
1940 35,998 40.05% 53,482 59.50% 411 0.46%
1936 26,684 31.86% 54,238 64.75% 2,840 3.39%
1932 22,744 31.34% 47,305 65.18% 2,522 3.48%
1928 31,026 45.60% 36,374 53.46% 637 0.94%
1924 23,380 45.85% 14,921 29.26% 12,693 24.89%
1920 21,681 51.34% 14,032 33.23% 6,518 15.43%
1916 22,134 47.70% 22,622 48.75% 1,650 3.56%
1912 8,156 31.53% 10,826 41.85% 6,884 26.61%
1908 12,619 48.66% 11,342 43.73% 1,973 7.61%
1904 11,926 55.31% 8,200 38.03% 1,435 6.66%
1900 9,764 48.53% 9,827 48.84% 530 2.63%
1896 8,960 50.96% 8,345 47.46% 278 1.58%
1892 6,276 44.72% 7,207 51.35% 551 3.93%



Climate and weather[]

Climate chart for Belleville, Illinois
JFMAMJJASOND
 
 
2.02
 
40
22
 
 
2.20
 
46
27
 
 
3.54
 
57
35
 
 
3.91
 
68
45
 
 
4.18
 
77
54
 
 
3.97
 
86
63
 
 
3.51
 
90
67
 
 
3.34
 
88
64
 
 
2.98
 
82
56
 
 
2.87
 
71
45
 
 
3.88
 
56
36
 
 
2.97
 
44
27
temperatures in °Cprecipitation totals in mm
source: The Weather Channel[6]

In recent years, average temperatures in the county seat of Belleville have ranged from a low of 22 °F (−6 °C) in January to a high of 90 °F (32 °C) in July, although a record low of −27 °F (−32.8 °C) was recorded in January 1977 and a record high of 110 °F (43 °C) was recorded in July 1954. Average monthly precipitation ranged from 2.02 inches (51 mm) in January to 4.18 inches (106 mm) in May.[6]

See also[]

  • National Register of Historic Places listings in St. Clair County, Illinois

References[]

  1. ^ "Census 2000 U.S. Gazetteer Files: Counties". United States Census. http://www.census.gov/tiger/tms/gazetteer/county2k.txt. Retrieved 2011-02-13. 
  2. ^ White, Jesse. Origin and Evolution of Illinois Counties. State of Illinois, March 2010. [1]
  3. ^ White, Jesse. Origin and Evolution of Illinois Counties. State of Illinois, March 2010. [2]
  4. ^ "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. http://factfinder.census.gov. Retrieved 2008-01-31. 
  5. ^ Leip, David. "Atlas of US Presidential Elections". http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS. 
  6. ^ a b "Monthly Averages for Belleville, Illinois". The Weather Channel. http://www.weather.com/weather/wxclimatology/monthly/graph/USIL0089. Retrieved 2011-01-27. 

External links[]

Coordinates: 38°28′N 89°56′W / 38.47, -89.93


This page uses content from the English language Wikipedia. The original content was at St. Clair County, Illinois. The list of authors can be seen in the page history. As with this Familypedia wiki, the content of Wikipedia is available under the Creative Commons License.
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