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{{Short description|County in Illinois, United States}}
<div style="float:right;width:167px;margin-left:5px">[[image:Map of Illinois highlighting Mason County.png]]</div>
{{Distinguish|Mason, Illinois}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox U.S. county
| county = Mason County
| state = Illinois
| ex image = Mason County Courthouse, Havana.jpg
| ex image cap = [[Mason County Courthouse (Illinois)|Mason County Courthouse]], Havana
| founded = 1841
| seat wl = Havana
| largest city wl = Havana
| area_total_sq_mi = 563
| area_land_sq_mi = 539
| area_water_sq_mi = 24
| area percentage = 4.3
| population_as_of = 2020
| population_total = 13086
| pop_est_as_of = 2021
| population_est = 12881
| population_density_sq_mi = auto
| time zone = Central
| footnotes =
| web = www.masoncountyil.gov
| district = 15th
| named for = [[George Mason]]
}}


'''Mason County''' is a [[County (United States)|county]] in the [[U.S. state]] of [[Illinois]]. According to the [[2020 United States Census|2020 census]], it had a population of 13,086.<ref name="QF">{{cite web|title=QuickFacts |url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/masoncountyillinois/PST045221 |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=January 23, 2023 }}</ref> Its [[county seat]] is [[Havana, Illinois|Havana]].<ref name="GR6">{{cite web|url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx|access-date=June 7, 2011|title=Find a County|publisher=National Association of Counties|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110531210815/http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx|archive-date=May 31, 2011}}</ref> The county is named in honor of [[George Mason]], a member of the Virginia legislature who campaigned for the adoption of the [[United States Bill of Rights]].
'''Mason County''' is a [[county]] located in the [[U.S. state|state]] of [[Illinois]]. As of [[2000]], the population is 16,038. Its [[county seat]] is [[Havana, Illinois]][[Geographic references|<sup>6</sup>]].


== Geography ==
==History==
Mason County was created in 1841 out of portions of [[Tazewell County, Illinois|Tazewell]] and [[Menard County, Illinois|Menard]] counties.
According to the [[U.S. Census Bureau]], the county has a total area of 1,459 [[square kilometer|km&sup2;]] (563 [[square mile|mi&sup2;]]). 1,396 km&sup2; (539 mi&sup2;) of it is land and 63 km&sup2; (24 mi&sup2;) of it is water. The total area is 4.34% water.
<gallery>
File:Mason County 1841.png|Mason County at the time of its creation in 1841
</gallery>


== Demographics ==
==Geography==
As of the [[census]][[Geographic references#2|<sup>2</sup>]] of [[2000]], there are 16,038 people, 6,389 households, and 4,561 families residing in the county. The [[population density]] is 11/km&sup2; (30/mi&sup2;). There are 7,033 housing units at an average density of 5/km&sup2; (13/mi&sup2;). The racial makeup of the county is 98.82% [[Race (U.S. census)|White]], 0.12% [[Race (U.S. census)|Black]] or [[Race (U.S. census)|African American]], 0.26% [[Race (U.S. census)|Native American]], 0.21% [[Race (U.S. census)|Asian]], 0.00% [[Race (U.S. census)|Pacific Islander]], 0.09% from [[race (U.S. census)|other races]], and 0.50% from two or more races. 0.50% of the population are [[Race (U.S. census)|Hispanic]] or [[Race (U.S. census)|Latino]] of any race.


According to the [[U.S. Census Bureau]], the county has an area of {{convert|563|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|539|sqmi}} is land and {{convert|24|sqmi}} (4.3%) is water.<ref name="census-density"/>
There are 6,389 households out of which 30.50% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.40% are [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 9.00% have a female householder with no husband present, and 28.60% are non-families. 24.90% of all households are made up of individuals and 13.00% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.48 and the average family size is 2.93.


Mason County is bound on the south by the [[Sangamon River]], and on the west by the [[Illinois River]]. These rivers join at the county's southwest tip.
In the county the population is spread out with 24.40% under the age of 18, 7.70% from 18 to 24, 26.30% from 25 to 44, 24.20% from 45 to 64, and 17.30% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 40 years. For every 100 females there are 96.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 93.10 males.


The soil covering much of Mason County is very sandy. This was formed during the melting of the [[Wisconsin Glacier]] about 10,000 years ago. Meltwater from the glacier deposited large amounts of sand in a delta region near at the junction of the Sangamon and Illinois Rivers.
The median income for a household in the county is $35,985, and the median income for a family is $42,239. Males have a median income of $33,426 versus $21,093 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the county is $17,357. 9.70% of the population and 7.80% of families are below the [[poverty line]]. Out of the total population, 13.60% of those under the age of 18 and 9.60% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.


The sandy soil does not hold water well, quickly exposing crops to drought conditions as the [[water table]] drops during periods of low precipitation. However, the soil is very good for growing vegetables that are otherwise not common in Illinois. Modern irrigation has made this a highly productive agricultural area.
== Cities and towns ==
*[[Bath, Illinois|Bath]]
*[[Easton, Illinois|Easton]]
*[[Forest City, Illinois|Forest City]]
*[[Havana, Illinois|Havana]]
*[[Kilbourne, Illinois|Kilbourne]]
*[[Manito, Illinois|Manito]]
*[[Mason City, Illinois|Mason City]]
*[[Topeka, Illinois|Topeka]]


A sand wetland on the Illinois River is managed by the [[U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service]] as the [[Chautauqua National Wildlife Refuge]].

===National protected area===
* [[Chautauqua National Wildlife Refuge]] (part)

===State Forest===
*[[Sand Ridge State Forest]] - Containing 7,200 acres (2,900 ha), it is the largest state forest in Illinois.

===State Fish & Wildlife Areas===
*[[Sanganois State Fish & Wildlife Area]] (part)

===Climate and weather===
{{climate chart
|[[Havana, Illinois]]
|14|32|1.85
|19|38|1.94
|30|50|3.02
|40|63|3.45
|51|74|4.43
|60|84|3.81
|64|88|3.87
|61|86|3.45
|52|80|3.21
|41|68|2.86
|30|51|3.26
|19|37|2.63
|float=right
|units=imperial
|clear=both
|source=The Weather Channel<ref name="weather">{{cite web
|url = http://www.weather.com/weather/wxclimatology/monthly/graph/USIL0521
|title = Monthly Averages for Havana, Illinois
|access-date = January 27, 2011
|publisher = The Weather Channel
|url-status = live
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121023161031/http://www.weather.com/weather/wxclimatology/monthly/graph/USIL0521
|archive-date = October 23, 2012
}}</ref>}}
In recent years, average temperatures in the county seat of Havana have ranged from a low of {{convert|14|°F}} in January to a high of {{convert|88|°F}} in July, although a record low of {{convert|-30|°F}} was recorded in January 1999 and a record high of {{convert|106|°F}} was recorded in July 1983. Average monthly precipitation ranged from {{convert|1.85|in}} in January to {{convert|4.43|in}} in May.<ref name="weather"/>

===Adjacent counties===
* [[Fulton County, Illinois|Fulton County]] - northwest
* [[Tazewell County, Illinois|Tazewell County]] - northeast
* [[Logan County, Illinois|Logan County]] - southeast
* [[Menard County, Illinois|Menard County]] - south
* [[Cass County, Illinois|Cass County]] - southwest
* [[Schuyler County, Illinois|Schuyler County]] - west

==Transportation==

===Public Transportation===
*[[SHOW Bus]]

===Major highways===
* [[Image:US 136.svg|20px]] [[U.S. Highway 136]]
* [[Image:Illinois 10.svg|20px]] [[Illinois Route 10]]
* [[Image:Illinois 29.svg|20px]] [[Illinois Route 29]]
* [[Image:Illinois 78.svg|20px]] [[Illinois Route 78]]
* [[Image:Illinois 97.svg|20px]] [[Illinois Route 97]]
* [[Image:Illinois 100.svg|20px]] [[Illinois Route 100]]

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1850= 5921
|1860= 10931
|1870= 16184
|1880= 16242
|1890= 16067
|1900= 17491
|1910= 17377
|1920= 16634
|1930= 15115
|1940= 15358
|1950= 15326
|1960= 15193
|1970= 16161
|1980= 19492
|1990= 16269
|2000= 16038
|2010= 14666
|2020= 13086
|estyear=2023
|estimate=12523
|estref=<ref name="USCensusEst2023">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/popest/data/tables.html|title=Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=April 2, 2024}}</ref>
|align-fn=center
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=U.S. Decennial Census|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=July 7, 2014}}</ref><br />1790-1960<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu|title=Historical Census Browser|publisher=University of Virginia Library|access-date=July 7, 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120811110448/http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu/|archive-date=August 11, 2012}}</ref> 1900-1990<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/il190090.txt|title=Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=July 7, 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140424084443/http://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/il190090.txt|archive-date=April 24, 2014}}</ref><br />1990-2000<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf|title=Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=July 7, 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141218203824/http://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf|archive-date=December 18, 2014}}</ref> 2010-2013<ref name="QF"/>
}}

As of the [[2010 United States census]], there were 14,666&nbsp;people, 6,079&nbsp;households, and 4,060&nbsp;families living in the county.<ref name="census-dp1">{{cite web
|url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/0500000US17125
|title=DP-1 Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data
|access-date=July 12, 2015
|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]
|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213030534/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/0500000US17125
|archive-date=February 13, 2020
|url-status=dead
}}</ref> The population density was {{convert|27.2|PD/sqmi}}. There were 7,077 housing units at an average density of {{convert|13.1|/sqmi}}.<ref name="census-density">{{cite web
|url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/GCTPH1.CY10/0500000US17125
|access-date=July 12, 2015
|title=Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County
|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]
|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200212200049/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/GCTPH1.CY10/0500000US17125
|archive-date=February 12, 2020
|url-status=dead
}}</ref> The racial makeup of the county was 98.1% white, 0.4% black or African American, 0.3% Asian, 0.2% American Indian, 0.1% from other races, and 0.9% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 0.8% of the population.<ref name="census-dp1"/> In terms of ancestry, 33.8% were [[Germans|German]], 15.6% were [[Americans|American]], 11.1% were [[English people|English]], and 10.3% were [[Irish people|Irish]].<ref name="census-dp2">{{cite web
|url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP02/0500000US17125
|title=DP02 SELECTED SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS IN THE UNITED STATES – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates
|access-date=July 12, 2015
|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]
|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213022137/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP02/0500000US17125
|archive-date=February 13, 2020
|url-status=dead
}}</ref>

Of the 6,079&nbsp;households, 28.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.1% were married couples living together, 10.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 33.2% were non-families, and 28.4% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.38 and the average family size was 2.87. The median age was 44.0 years.<ref name="census-dp1"/>

The median income for a household in the county was $42,461 and the median income for a family was $51,348. Males had a median income of $43,448 versus $31,087 for females. The per capita income for the county was $23,427. About 13.8% of families and 15.2% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 23.6% of those under age 18 and 7.5% of those age 65 or over.<ref name="census-dp3">{{cite web
|url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP03/0500000US17125
|title=DP03 SELECTED ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates
|access-date=July 12, 2015
|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]
|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213031254/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP03/0500000US17125
|archive-date=February 13, 2020
|url-status=dead
}}</ref>

Mason County was identified as a “sundown” county which “has remained all white for many decades, despite its location between Springfield and Peoria...”.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Loewen|first=James|title=Sundown Towns: A Hidden Dimension of American Racism|publisher=The New Press|year=2005|isbn=978-1-62097-454-4|location=New York|pages=80}}</ref>

==Communities==
===Cities===
* [[Havana, Illinois|Havana]] (seat)
* [[Mason City, Illinois|Mason City]]

===Villages===
{{div col}}
* [[Bath, Illinois|Bath]]
* [[Easton, Illinois|Easton]]
* [[Forest City, Illinois|Forest City]]
* [[Kilbourne, Illinois|Kilbourne]]
* [[Manito, Illinois|Manito]]
* [[San Jose, Illinois|San Jose]]
* [[Topeka, Illinois|Topeka]]
{{div col end}}

===Census-designated place===
* [[Goofy Ridge, Illinois|Goofy Ridge]]

===Other unincorporated communities===
{{div col|colwidth=15em}}
* [[Biggs, Illinois|Biggs]]
* [[Bishop, Illinois|Bishop]]
* [[Lakewood, Mason County, Illinois|Lakewood]]
* [[Matanzas Beach, Illinois|Matanzas Beach]]
{{div col end}}

===Townships===
{{div col|colwidth=15em}}
* [[Allens Grove Township, Mason County, Illinois|Allens Grove]]
* [[Bath Township, Mason County, Illinois|Bath]]
* [[Crane Creek Township, Mason County, Illinois|Crane Creek]]
* [[Forest City Township, Mason County, Illinois|Forest City]]
* [[Havana Township, Mason County, Illinois|Havana]]
* [[Kilbourne Township, Mason County, Illinois|Kilbourne]]
* [[Lynchburg Township, Mason County, Illinois|Lynchburg]]
* [[Manito Township, Mason County, Illinois|Manito]]
* [[Mason City Township, Mason County, Illinois|Mason City]]
* [[Pennsylvania Township, Mason County, Illinois|Pennsylvania]]
* [[Quiver Township, Mason County, Illinois|Quiver]]
* [[Salt Creek Township, Mason County, Illinois|Salt Creek]]
* [[Sherman Township, Mason County, Illinois|Sherman]]
{{div col end}}

==Politics==
Although it voted for the Whig Party in the three elections from 1840 to 1848, Mason County was to be solidly Democratic for the next sixty to seventy years due to its anti-[[Yankee]] [[German-American]] heritage. It was not until the 1920 election when bitter resentment was felt by German-Americans at [[Woodrow Wilson]]’s postwar policies that Mason supported a GOP candidate.

In the following eighty years, Mason was a Republican-leaning swing county, although isolationist sentiment did cause it to vote narrowly for [[Wendell Willkie]] in 1940 and more convincingly for [[Thomas E. Dewey]] in 1944.

{{PresHead|place=Mason County, Illinois|source=<ref>{{cite web|url=http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS|title=Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections|first=David|last=Leip|website=uselectionatlas.org|access-date=April 30, 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180323225526/https://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS/|archive-date=March 23, 2018}}</ref>}}
<!-- PresRow should be {{PresRow|Year|Winning party|GOP vote #|Dem vote #|3rd party vote #|State}} -->
{{PresRow|2024|Republican|4,464|1,773|137|Illinois}}
{{PresRow|2020|Republican|4,654|1,985|146|Illinois}}
{{PresRow|2016|Republican|4,058|2,014|421|Illinois}}
{{PresRow|2012|Republican|3,265|2,867|164|Illinois}}
{{PresRow|2008|Democratic|3,141|3,542|148|Illinois}}
{{PresRow|2004|Republican|3,907|3,215|61|Illinois}}
{{PresRow|2000|Republican|3,411|3,192|169|Illinois}}
{{PresRow|1996|Democratic|2,430|3,385|629|Illinois}}
{{PresRow|1992|Democratic|2,473|3,969|1,260|Illinois}}
{{PresRow|1988|Republican|3,424|3,406|25|Illinois}}
{{PresRow|1984|Republican|4,109|3,354|23|Illinois}}
{{PresRow|1980|Republican|4,644|2,680|369|Illinois}}
{{PresRow|1976|Democratic|3,847|3,947|55|Illinois}}
{{PresRow|1972|Republican|4,897|2,901|12|Illinois}}
{{PresRow|1968|Republican|3,899|3,365|589|Illinois}}
{{PresRow|1964|Democratic|2,833|4,857|0|Illinois}}
{{PresRow|1960|Republican|4,337|3,824|19|Illinois}}
{{PresRow|1956|Republican|4,677|3,199|13|Illinois}}
{{PresRow|1952|Republican|4,982|3,061|4|Illinois}}
{{PresRow|1948|Republican|3,525|3,503|46|Illinois}}
{{PresRow|1944|Republican|3,959|3,282|21|Illinois}}
{{PresRow|1940|Republican|4,541|4,416|41|Illinois}}
{{PresRow|1936|Democratic|3,395|5,278|58|Illinois}}
{{PresRow|1932|Democratic|2,551|5,681|68|Illinois}}
{{PresRow|1928|Republican|3,956|3,246|19|Illinois}}
{{PresRow|1924|Republican|3,522|2,536|622|Illinois}}
{{PresRow|1920|Republican|3,842|2,595|142|Illinois}}
{{PresRow|1916|Democratic|3,029|3,886|224|Illinois}}
{{PresRow|1912|Democratic|948|2,173|1,000|Illinois}}
{{PresRow|1908|Democratic|1,924|2,264|236|Illinois}}
{{PresRow|1904|Democratic|1,798|1,806|388|Illinois}}
{{PresRow|1900|Democratic|2,027|2,508|101|Illinois}}
{{PresRow|1896|Democratic|2,100|2,407|75|Illinois}}
{{PresFoot|1892|Democratic|1,614|2,211|209|Illinois}}

==Education==
K-12 school districts include:<ref name=SDMap2020>{{cite web|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st17_il/schooldistrict_maps/c17125_mason/DC20SD_C17125.pdf|title=2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Mason County, IL|publisher=[[U.S. Census Bureau]]|access-date=2024-10-29}} - [https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st17_il/schooldistrict_maps/c17125_mason/DC20SD_C17125_SD2MS.txt Text list]</ref>
* [[Havana Community Unit School District 126]]
* [[Illini Central Community Unit School District 189]]
* [[Midwest Central Community Unit School District 191]]

It also includes portions of an elementary school district, [[New Holland-Middletown Elementary School District 88]], and a secondary school district, [[Lincoln Community High School District 404]].<ref name=SDMap2020/>

==See also==
* [[National Register of Historic Places listings in Illinois#Mason County|National Register of Historic Places listings in Mason County, Illinois]]

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

{{Geographic Location
|Centre = Mason County, Illinois
|North = [[Fulton County, Illinois|Fulton County]]
|Northeast = [[Tazewell County, Illinois|Tazewell County]]
|East =
|Southeast = [[Logan County, Illinois|Logan County]]
|South = [[Menard County, Illinois|Menard County]]
|Southwest = [[Cass County, Illinois|Cass County]]
|West = [[Schuyler County, Illinois|Schuyler County]]
|Northwest =
}}
{{Mason County, Illinois}}
{{Illinois}}
{{Illinois}}
{{Authority control}}
{{Coord|40.24|-89.91|display=title|type:adm2nd_region:US-IL_source:UScensus1990}}


[[Category:Illinois counties]]
[[Category:Mason County, Illinois| ]]
[[Category:Mason County, Illinois| ]]
[[Category:Illinois counties]]

[[de:Mason County (Illinois)]]
[[Category:1841 establishments in Illinois]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1841]]

Latest revision as of 03:20, 7 December 2024

Not to be confused with Mason, Illinois.

Mason County
County
Mason County Courthouse, Havana
Mason County Courthouse, Havana
Map of Illinois highlighting Mason County
Location within the U.S. state of Illinois
Map of the United States highlighting Illinois
Illinois's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 40°14′N 89°55′W / 40.24°N 89.91°W / 40.24; -89.91
Country United States
State Illinois
Founded1841
Named forGeorge Mason
SeatHavana
Largest cityHavana
Area
 • Total
563 sq mi (1,460 km2)
 • Land539 sq mi (1,400 km2)
 • Water24 sq mi (60 km2)  4.3%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
13,086
 • Estimate 
(2021)
12,881
 • Density23/sq mi (9.0/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district15th
Websitewww.masoncountyil.gov

Mason County is a county in the U.S. state of Illinois. According to the 2020 census, it had a population of 13,086.[1] Its county seat is Havana.[2] The county is named in honor of George Mason, a member of the Virginia legislature who campaigned for the adoption of the United States Bill of Rights.

History

[edit]

Mason County was created in 1841 out of portions of Tazewell and Menard counties.

  • Mason County at the time of its creation in 1841
    Mason County at the time of its creation in 1841

Geography

[edit]

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has an area of 563 square miles (1,460 km2), of which 539 square miles (1,400 km2) is land and 24 square miles (62 km2) (4.3%) is water.[3]

Mason County is bound on the south by the Sangamon River, and on the west by the Illinois River. These rivers join at the county's southwest tip.

The soil covering much of Mason County is very sandy. This was formed during the melting of the Wisconsin Glacier about 10,000 years ago. Meltwater from the glacier deposited large amounts of sand in a delta region near at the junction of the Sangamon and Illinois Rivers.

The sandy soil does not hold water well, quickly exposing crops to drought conditions as the water table drops during periods of low precipitation. However, the soil is very good for growing vegetables that are otherwise not common in Illinois. Modern irrigation has made this a highly productive agricultural area.

A sand wetland on the Illinois River is managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as the Chautauqua National Wildlife Refuge.

National protected area

[edit]

State Forest

[edit]

State Fish & Wildlife Areas

[edit]

Climate and weather

[edit]
Havana, Illinois
Climate chart (explanation)
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
 
 
1.9
 
 
32
14
 
 
1.9
 
 
38
19
 
 
3
 
 
50
30
 
 
3.5
 
 
63
40
 
 
4.4
 
 
74
51
 
 
3.8
 
 
84
60
 
 
3.9
 
 
88
64
 
 
3.5
 
 
86
61
 
 
3.2
 
 
80
52
 
 
2.9
 
 
68
41
 
 
3.3
 
 
51
30
 
 
2.6
 
 
37
19
█ Average max. and min. temperatures in °F
█ Precipitation totals in inches
Source: The Weather Channel[4]
Metric conversion
J
F
M
A
M
J
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O
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47
 
 
0
−10
 
 
49
 
 
3
−7
 
 
77
 
 
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17
4
 
 
113
 
 
23
11
 
 
97
 
 
29
16
 
 
98
 
 
31
18
 
 
88
 
 
30
16
 
 
82
 
 
27
11
 
 
73
 
 
20
5
 
 
83
 
 
11
−1
 
 
67
 
 
3
−7
█ Average max. and min. temperatures in °C
█ Precipitation totals in mm

In recent years, average temperatures in the county seat of Havana have ranged from a low of 14 °F (−10 °C) in January to a high of 88 °F (31 °C) in July, although a record low of −30 °F (−34 °C) was recorded in January 1999 and a record high of 106 °F (41 °C) was recorded in July 1983. Average monthly precipitation ranged from 1.85 inches (47 mm) in January to 4.43 inches (113 mm) in May.[4]

Adjacent counties

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Transportation

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Public Transportation

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Major highways

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Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18505,921—
186010,93184.6%
187016,18448.1%
188016,2420.4%
189016,067−1.1%
190017,4918.9%
191017,377−0.7%
192016,634−4.3%
193015,115−9.1%
194015,3581.6%
195015,326−0.2%
196015,193−0.9%
197016,1616.4%
198019,49220.6%
199016,269−16.5%
200016,038−1.4%
201014,666−8.6%
202013,086−10.8%
2023 (est.)12,523[5]−4.3%
U.S. Decennial Census[6]
1790-1960[7] 1900-1990[8]
1990-2000[9] 2010-2013[1]

As of the 2010 United States census, there were 14,666 people, 6,079 households, and 4,060 families living in the county.[10] The population density was 27.2 inhabitants per square mile (10.5/km2). There were 7,077 housing units at an average density of 13.1 per square mile (5.1/km2).[3] The racial makeup of the county was 98.1% white, 0.4% black or African American, 0.3% Asian, 0.2% American Indian, 0.1% from other races, and 0.9% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 0.8% of the population.[10] In terms of ancestry, 33.8% were German, 15.6% were American, 11.1% were English, and 10.3% were Irish.[11]

Of the 6,079 households, 28.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.1% were married couples living together, 10.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 33.2% were non-families, and 28.4% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.38 and the average family size was 2.87. The median age was 44.0 years.[10]

The median income for a household in the county was $42,461 and the median income for a family was $51,348. Males had a median income of $43,448 versus $31,087 for females. The per capita income for the county was $23,427. About 13.8% of families and 15.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 23.6% of those under age 18 and 7.5% of those age 65 or over.[12]

Mason County was identified as a “sundown” county which “has remained all white for many decades, despite its location between Springfield and Peoria...”.[13]

Communities

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Cities

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Villages

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Census-designated place

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Other unincorporated communities

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Townships

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Politics

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Although it voted for the Whig Party in the three elections from 1840 to 1848, Mason County was to be solidly Democratic for the next sixty to seventy years due to its anti-Yankee German-American heritage. It was not until the 1920 election when bitter resentment was felt by German-Americans at Woodrow Wilson’s postwar policies that Mason supported a GOP candidate.

In the following eighty years, Mason was a Republican-leaning swing county, although isolationist sentiment did cause it to vote narrowly for Wendell Willkie in 1940 and more convincingly for Thomas E. Dewey in 1944.

United States presidential election results for Mason County, Illinois[14]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2024 4,464 70.03% 1,773 27.82% 137 2.15%
2020 4,654 68.59% 1,985 29.26% 146 2.15%
2016 4,058 62.50% 2,014 31.02% 421 6.48%
2012 3,265 51.86% 2,867 45.54% 164 2.60%
2008 3,141 45.98% 3,542 51.85% 148 2.17%
2004 3,907 54.39% 3,215 44.76% 61 0.85%
2000 3,411 50.37% 3,192 47.14% 169 2.50%
1996 2,430 37.71% 3,385 52.53% 629 9.76%
1992 2,473 32.11% 3,969 51.53% 1,260 16.36%
1988 3,424 49.95% 3,406 49.69% 25 0.36%
1984 4,109 54.89% 3,354 44.80% 23 0.31%
1980 4,644 60.37% 2,680 34.84% 369 4.80%
1976 3,847 49.01% 3,947 50.29% 55 0.70%
1972 4,897 62.70% 2,901 37.14% 12 0.15%
1968 3,899 49.65% 3,365 42.85% 589 7.50%
1964 2,833 36.84% 4,857 63.16% 0 0.00%
1960 4,337 53.02% 3,824 46.75% 19 0.23%
1956 4,677 59.29% 3,199 40.55% 13 0.16%
1952 4,982 61.91% 3,061 38.04% 4 0.05%
1948 3,525 49.83% 3,503 49.52% 46 0.65%
1944 3,959 54.52% 3,282 45.19% 21 0.29%
1940 4,541 50.47% 4,416 49.08% 41 0.46%
1936 3,395 38.88% 5,278 60.45% 58 0.66%
1932 2,551 30.73% 5,681 68.45% 68 0.82%
1928 3,956 54.78% 3,246 44.95% 19 0.26%
1924 3,522 52.72% 2,536 37.96% 622 9.31%
1920 3,842 58.40% 2,595 39.44% 142 2.16%
1916 3,029 42.43% 3,886 54.43% 224 3.14%
1912 948 23.00% 2,173 52.73% 1,000 24.27%
1908 1,924 43.49% 2,264 51.18% 236 5.33%
1904 1,798 45.04% 1,806 45.24% 388 9.72%
1900 2,027 43.72% 2,508 54.10% 101 2.18%
1896 2,100 45.83% 2,407 52.53% 75 1.64%
1892 1,614 40.01% 2,211 54.81% 209 5.18%

Education

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K-12 school districts include:[15]

It also includes portions of an elementary school district, New Holland-Middletown Elementary School District 88, and a secondary school district, Lincoln Community High School District 404.[15]

See also

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References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 23, 2023.
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ^ a b "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 12, 2020. Retrieved July 12, 2015.
  4. ^ a b "Monthly Averages for Havana, Illinois". The Weather Channel. Archived from the original on October 23, 2012. Retrieved January 27, 2011.
  5. ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 2, 2024.
  6. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 7, 2014.
  7. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Archived from the original on August 11, 2012. Retrieved July 7, 2014.
  8. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on April 24, 2014. Retrieved July 7, 2014.
  9. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on December 18, 2014. Retrieved July 7, 2014.
  10. ^ a b c "DP-1 Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved July 12, 2015.
  11. ^ "DP02 SELECTED SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS IN THE UNITED STATES – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved July 12, 2015.
  12. ^ "DP03 SELECTED ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved July 12, 2015.
  13. ^ Loewen, James (2005). Sundown Towns: A Hidden Dimension of American Racism. New York: The New Press. p. 80. ISBN 978-1-62097-454-4.
  14. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Archived from the original on March 23, 2018. Retrieved April 30, 2018.
  15. ^ a b "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Mason County, IL" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved October 29, 2024. - Text list

40°14′N 89°55′W / 40.24°N 89.91°W / 40.24; -89.91

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