Alexander County, Illinois

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Alexander County, Illinois
Map
Map of Illinois highlighting Alexander County
Location in the state of Illinois
Map of the U.S. highlighting Illinois
Illinois's location in the U.S.
Statistics
Founded 1819
Seat Cairo
Largest city Cairo
Area
 - Total
 - Land
 - Water

253 sq mi (654 km²)
236 sq mi (612 km²)
16 sq mi (42 km²), 6.40%
Population
 - (2000)
 - Density

9,590
41/sq mi (16/km²)
Time zone Central: UTC-6/-5

Alexander County is a county located in the U.S. state of Illinois. As of the 2000 census, the population is 9,590. Its county seat is Cairo, Illinois[1].

Alexander County is part of the Cape GirardeauJackson, MO-IL Micropolitan Statistical Area.

Contents

[edit] Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 253 square miles (654 km²), of which 236 square miles (612 km²) is land and 16 square miles (42 km²) (6.40%) is water.

[edit] Adjacent counties

[edit] History

Alexander County was organized out of Union County in 1819. It was named for William M. Alexander, who became Speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives in 1822.

[edit] Demographics

2000 census age pyramid for Alexander County.
2000 census age pyramid for Alexander County.
Historical populations
Census Pop.  %±
1900 19,384
1910 22,741 17.3%
1920 23,980 5.4%
1930 22,542 −6%
1940 25,496 13.1%
1950 20,316 −20.3%
1960 16,061 −20.9%
1970 12,015 −25.2%
1980 12,264 2.1%
1990 10,626 −13.4%
2000 9,590 −9.7%
IL Counties 1900-1990

As of the census[2] of 2000, there were 9,590 people, 3,808 households, and 2,475 families residing in the county. The population density was 41 people per square mile (16/km²). There were 4,591 housing units at an average density of 19 per square mile (8/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 62.98% White, 34.90% Black or African American, 0.28% Native American, 0.36% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.54% from other races, and 0.91% from two or more races. 1.44% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 16.3% were of American, 11.2% German, 8.2% Irish and 5.1% English ancestry according to Census 2000. 97.7% spoke English and 1.8% Spanish as their first language.

There were 3,808 households out of which 30.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.10% were married couples living together, 17.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.00% were non-families. 32.30% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.36 and the average family size was 2.99.

In the county the population was spread out with 25.80% under the age of 18, 7.70% from 18 to 24, 26.60% from 25 to 44, 22.90% from 45 to 64, and 16.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 98.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.10 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $26,042, and the median income for a family was $31,824. Males had a median income of $29,133 versus $18,966 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,084. About 21.20% of families and 26.10% of the population were below the poverty line, including 38.60% of those under age 18 and 14.80% of those age 65 or over.

[edit] Cities and towns

[edit] Unincorporated communities

  • Cache
  • Elco
  • Fayville
  • Future City
  • Gale
  • Klondike
  • Miller City
  • Olive Branch
  • Urbandale

[edit] External links

Coordinates: 37°11′N 89°20′W / 37.19, -89.34