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South Beloit, Illinois

South Beloit, is a city located in Winnebago County, Illinois, USA. It is part of the Rockford Metropolitan Area, but it is also a suburban extension of Beloit, Wisconsin. South Beloit, is directly along the border of smaller cities and towns north of Rockfords border. At the 2010 census, the city's population was 7,892, up from 5,297 in 2000.

Geography
South Beloit is located at 42.48423°N, -89.03859°W (42.484228, -89.038586).

According to the 2010 census, South Beloit has a total area of 6.13 sqmi, of which 5.9 sqmi (or 96.25%) is land and 0.23 sqmi (or 3.75%) is water.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 8,051 people, 3,400 households, and 1,678 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,362.9 PD/sqmi. There were 2,345 housing units at an average density of 592.2 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 87.16% White, 5% African American, 0.63% Native American, 1.01% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 3.48% from other races, and 1.83% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 7.49% of the population.

There were 2,165 households, out of which 33.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.1% were married couples living together, 11.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.5% were non-families. 28.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was 3.01.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 26.5% under the age of 18, 8.7% from 18 to 24, 33.4% from 25 to 44, 18.5% from 45 to 64, and 12.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.2 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $35,597, and the median income for a family was $41,154. Males had a median income of $33,110 versus $22,596 for females. The per capita income for the city was $18,363. About 8.2% of families and 10.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.4% of those under age 18 and 7.6% of those age 65 or over.

History
All historical knowledge is from the book, Our Golden History-South Beloit Illinois, which is a non-copyrighted work by Cathryn Hayes. She wrote the book to inform the people South Beloit of their roots.

Natural history
What is now South Beloit was previously full of natural resources such as copper, lead, and bog iron. Buff and blue limestones were plentiful everywhere in Winnebago County, with limestone forming the banks of the Rock River and Turtle Creek. The buff limestone gave the first settlers material for their houses and public buildings, some of which can still be seen in Rockford, Rockton, and Beloit/South Beloit. The older homes in South Beloit had 18 - 20 in basement walls of this limestone. The South Beloit area has a thick deposit of sand, and industries were built here because of its unusually fine quality. A fine quality of clay was also found in the state line area.

Earliest residents
Many Peoples have inhabited South Beloit over the years, including the Mound Builders, Sioux, and Illinswek (Illinois). The Turtle Indians of the area were the Winnebago Tribe, Siouan family. They had villages all along the Rock River and Turtle Creek. One large village was in modern-day South Beloit and all the way up to northeast Beloit. It was named for an important chief, Kau Rau Maw Nee (Walking Turtle). Turtle later became modern day Beloit and South Beloit.

Beloit divided
In 1818, Congress told the people of the Illinois Territory to draft a constitution and adopt a state government. A heated debate arose over the correct placement of the northern state line of Illinois. Most people in the lead region around Galena and the northern part of the territory did not want to be part of the proposed state because of a large debt and tax for internal improvements. The northern part was against slavery (still practiced in the southern part) and wanted a Lake Michigan shoreline. If the old line of 1787 were kept, Illinois would be much smaller than Wisconsin, placing Chicago in Wisconsin and leaving Illinois with no Lake Michigan shoreline. Getting exasperated with the debate, Nathaniel Pope, who represented Illinois, went ahead and proposed the bill to Congress cutting 8,500 square miles off of Wisconsin and adding it to Illinois. Thus the current state line was created.

A farming community
Illinois had become a state in 1818, Winnebago County was organized in January 1836, and public surveys started in the fall of 1836. Government sale of lands started in 1837–39, but Rockton Township sale was held until 1843 because of claims made by Polish exiles in 1843 for land previously held by early settlers in and around Rockton and Rockford. Their claims were discounted and the land was put up for sale when the land commission declared the Polish Count had not fulfilled the terms of the agreement. He was to have the choice of three adjacent townships and live on the land, making improvements for ten years. The Polish had chosen Townships 44 and 46, Range 1, East, and not 45 and had not settled on the land. The early settlers held the land by squatters’ rights and were now able to buy their farms from the government for $1.25 an acre.

This was also the time when Winnebago County tried to secede from Illinois and attach itself to Wisconsin. The people living there disapproved of the $14,000,000 debt for internal improvements with an empty treasury and insufficient revenue. The southern part of the state was poor and unprogressive, in contrast to the industrious north. Winnebago County voted in 1842 for annexation to Wisconsin. 972 voted for it, and only 6 voted against it. However, the south had more people and out-voted the north. So Winnebago County remained in Illinois.

By 1838, the village of Turtle had grown large enough to resent the Indian name it had used for so long. They also rejected the suggestion of 'New Albany'. A committee (or possibly two committees) was chosen to propose a new name. The French word for nice or pretty is 'bellotte'. The committee members, remembering a happy time in Detroit, sounded the word for pretty and came up with Balloit, then Beloit. The name was approved, reported to the settlement, and accepted. South Beloit became the south part of Beloit.

Becoming a city
By the early 1900s, the city was thriving according to the standards if the time. With 1200 people living there, it petitioned other governments to become a city in 1914. The petition was approved, and in May 1917, a special election was held to file for incorporation. The election passed and South Beloit became a city on September 17, 1917. The initial city did not include a certain portion to the West side of the city, which joined the city on May 2, 1921.

Police and fire departments
The police department was established as one of the first departments by ordinance No.13, October 1917. It started off as a one-man, part-time enforcement. The first squad car was purchased from Saris Auto Company in 1923 for $431.71. In October 1928, the Department bought a motorcycle from the Beloit Police for $100. In April 1957, the Department became radio operated by the purchase of a Motorola Police Base Station for $587 and the hiring of Richard Miller as the first radio operator for $316 a month.

In February 1927, there was a bond issue to remodel City Hall, which included the establishment of a fire department and purchase of fire equipment. The first group of volunteers met in fall, 1927 and, with the help of Beloit firemen, learned how to use the equipment and effectively fight fires. The fire truck, a W.S. Knott, was manufactured in Minneapolis and delivered in February 1928 by Clare Hillman, who was familiar with its operation and became the first fire chief. The first uniformed department was made up of twelve members, plus Chief Hillman. These early volunteers were Edward Brady, George Graves, George Holtz, Arthur Schultz, David Bliss, James Howard, John Jensen, Thomas Flanigan, Robert Smith, Everett Clussman, Erwin Earl, and Fay Hanson.

School history
In 1859 a group of settlers living on the east side of the city purchased a piece of land from Dr. E.N.Clark for $125. The school house, costing $621, was built on that property. The district at the time of the purchase was District No.11, Town of Rockton, Winnebago County, and was called Clark School after Dr. Clark.

Another South Beloit school was Butler School, started at least by 1877 and probably around 1859, on the other side of the river. Mrs. Marguerite Warren, a teacher long ago in South Beloit, compiled a list of some of the students that went to the old Butler School. Ed Burger, Charles Burger, Mrs. Castner, Melvin Lynch, Elloit Warren, Magda Guetschow, Martha Guetschow, Marie Guetschow, William Guetschow, Oscar Nordt, Frances Perkins, Oscar Swanson, Elmer Swanson, Bill Stanley, Everett Chapel, and Henry Zempel were the ones she was able to remember.

Three of the early teachers at Butler were Maud Whetstone, Kitty Aspland, and William Gharrity. At Clark the first teacher was Lewis Bixby who got $26 a month for five winter months and had to pay his own board. Miss Jennie Kimball taught the following summer for $4 a week. The enrollment at Clark was from six to twenty pupils in the early years. During the Civil War, the school year was reduced. The Clarks, Stantons, Hutchisons, Herseys, Hayeses, Helms, and HaPBC Linear (Pacific Bearing)

Cannabis legalization
South Beloit's economy has benefited from the legalization of cannabis in Illinois due to its location on the Illinois-Wisconsin state line, as cannabis remains illegal in Wisconsin. The city has received a significant amount of tax revenue since the opening of the town's first recreational cannabis dispensary in 2020.

Transportation
Local bus service in the city is provided by Beloit Transit as well as Stateline Mass Transit District. Van Galder Bus Company provides intercity bus service to Chicago, Madison and points in between.

title: South Beloit, Illinois


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Winnebago, Illinois

Winnebago is a village in Winnebago County, Illinois. It is part of the Rockford-Winnebago Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 3,101 at the 2010 census, up from 2,958 in 2000.

History
James Weber Linn (1876–1939), educator and politician, was born in Winnebago.

Geography
Winnebago is located at 42.26556°N, -89.24056°W (42.265652, -89.240548). According to the 2010 census, Winnebago has a total area of 1.95 sqmi, all land.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 3,000 people, 1,009 households, and 841 families residing in the village. The population density was 1,500 PD/sqmi. There were 1,023 housing units at an average density of 735.0 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the village was 98.14% White, 1.12% African American, 0.03% Native American, 0.30% Asian, and 0.41% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.18% of the population.

There were 1,009 households, out of which 50.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 69.9% were married couples living together, 10.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 16.6% were non-families. 14.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.93 and the average family size was 3.24.

In the village, the population was spread out, with 34.3% under the age of 18, 5.7% from 18 to 24, 32.6% from 25 to 44, 19.1% from 45 to 64, and 8.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.8 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $59,891, and the median income for a family was $62,685. Males had a median income of $44,851 versus $25,817 for females. The per capita income for the village was $21,019. About 0.9% of families and 1.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.0% of those under age 18 and 3.9% of those age 65 or over.

Education
Students in Winnebago are served by Winnebago CUSD#323. The district has one high school, one middle school and two elementary schools.

license: Creative Commons - Attribution Share-Alike - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

title: Winnebago, Illinois


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Bay View Gardens, Illinois

Bay View Gardens is a village in Woodford County, Illinois, United States. The population was 378 at the 2010 census, up from 366 in 2000. The village is part of the Peoria, Illinois Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Geography
Bay View Gardens is located at 40.80972°N, -89.51917°W (40.809826, -89.519091).

According to the 2010 census, Bay View Gardens has a total area of 0.43 sqmi, all land.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 366 people, 141 households, and 105 families residing in the village. The population density was 2,057.0 PD/sqmi. There were 149 housing units at an average density of 837.4 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the village was 99.18% White and 0.27% African American. Native American, Hispanic, or Latino of any race were 0.55% of the population.

There were 141 households, out of which 38.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.7% were married couples living together, 12.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.5% were non-families. 24.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.60 and the average family size was 3.06.

In the village, the population was spread out, with 28.1% under the age of 18, 7.1% from 18 to 24, 29.2% from 25 to 44, 24.0% from 45 to 64, and 11.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 105.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.8 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $32,750, and the median income for a family was $37,614. Males had a median income of $32,083 versus $23,194 for females. The per capita income for the village was $15,230. About 5.7% of families and 5.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.7% of those under age 18 and none of those age 65 or over.

title: Bay View Gardens, Illinois


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Benson, Illinois

Benson is a village in Woodford County, Illinois, United States. The population was 423 at the 2010 census, up from 408 in 2000. It is part of the Peoria, Illinois Metropolitan Statistical Area.

The village was established in 1874 with the construction of the Chicago, Pekin and Southwestern Railroad. The town was named after S.H. Benson of Streator, Illinois, the railroad's general freight manager. A post office was established in 1873.

The Benson Water Tower was replaced with a modern water tower in the 1980s and has since been demolished.

Geography
According to the 2010 census, Benson has a total area of 0.17 sqmi, all land.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 408 people, 172 households, and 117 families residing in the village. The population density was 2,338.6 PD/sqmi. There were 183 housing units at an average density of 1,048.9 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the village was 99.26% White, 0.25% Asian, and 0.49% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.25% of the population.

There were 172 households, out of which 27.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.0% were married couples living together, 6.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.4% were non-families. 27.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.37 and the average family size was 2.92.

In the village, the population was spread out, with 24.3% under the age of 18, 7.4% from 18 to 24, 26.0% from 25 to 44, 16.9% from 45 to 64, and 25.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.9 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $40,500, and the median income for a family was $55,536. Males had a median income of $37,031 versus $21,161 for females. The per capita income for the village was $19,358. About 5.0% of families and 4.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including none of those under age 18 and 9.8% of those age 65 or over.

title: Benson, Illinois


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Congerville, Illinois

Congerville is a village in Woodford County, Illinois, United States. The population was 474 as of the 2010 census, up from 466 in 2000. Congerville is part of the Peoria, Illinois Metropolitan Statistical Area.

History
The site of Congerville was surveyed for Joseph Schrock on January 2, 1888, and the village was known as Schrock. The name was changed to Conger on February 27, 1888, after the early settler Ben Conger, and then to Congerville on July 31, 1888.

Geography
Congerville is located at 40.61413°N, -89.20658°W.

After a January 5, 1999, reading of -36 F, Congerville held the record for the coldest temperature ever officially recorded in Illinois. It took this title from Mount Carroll—which had recorded -35 F in 1930 —and lost it to the same town on January 31, 2019, when the temperature there dropped to -38 F.

According to the 2010 census, Congerville has a total area of 1.124 sqmi, of which 1.12 sqmi (or 99.64%) is land and 0.004 sqmi (or 0.36%) is water.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 466 people, 163 households, and 131 families residing in the village. The population density was 615.3 PD/sqmi. There were 167 housing units at an average density of 220.5 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the village was 98.93% White, 0.43% Native American, 0.21% Asian, and 0.43% from two or more races. None of the population is African American, Pacific Islander, Hispanic or Latino of any race, or from other races.

There were 163 households, out of which 37.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 74.2% were married couples living together, 2.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 19.6% were non-families. 17.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 4.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.86 and the average family size was 3.27.

In the village, the population was spread out, with 28.5% under the age of 18, 11.8% from 18 to 24, 30.3% from 25 to 44, 19.1% from 45 to 64, and 10.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 30 years. For every 100 females, there were 103.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 104.3 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $51,786, and the median income for a family was $60,313. Males had a median income of $45,673 versus $25,132 for females. The per capita income for the village was $20,795. None of the families and 0.7% of the population were living below the poverty line, including no under eighteens and 2.8% of those over 64.

Notable people

 * Simon E. Lantz, Illinois farmer and politician, lived in Congerville.
 * Andy Studebaker, outside linebacker for the Philadelphia Eagles, Kansas City Chiefs and Indianapolis Colts

title: Congerville, Illinois


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Eureka, Illinois

Eureka is a city and the county seat of Woodford County, Illinois. The population was 5,295 at the 2010 census. Eureka is part of the Peoria, Illinois Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Eureka is a small community centered on the intersection of what is now U.S. 24 and Illinois 117. It is also one of the towns along the Ronald Reagan Trail, a series of roads that connect towns in central Illinois that were of importance to Reagan's early life. President Reagan attended and graduated from Eureka College.

History
Eureka was originally laid out as Walnut Grove in 1855. The name was changed to Eureka because of a naming conflict with another Walnut Grove. Sources differ on who proposed the name Eureka. The city is named from the Greek expression Eureka, meaning "I have found it".

Geography
Eureka is located at 40.71556°N, -89.27528°W (40.715620, -89.275220).

According to the 2010 census, Eureka has a total area of 3.068 sqmi, of which 3.02 sqmi (or 98.44%) is land and 0.048 sqmi (or 1.56%) is water.

Demographics
As of the 2000 United States Census, there were 4,871 people, 1,754 households, and 1,169 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,810.5 PD/sqmi. There were 1,831 housing units at an average density of 680.5 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 97.97% White, 0.57% African American, 0.37% Native American, 0.33% Asian, 0.16% from other races, and 0.60% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.03% of the population.

There were 1,754 households, out of which 31.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.9% were married couples living together, 8.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.3% were non-families. 30.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was 3.12.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 24.3% under the age of 18, 14.5% from 18 to 24, 23.1% from 25 to 44, 16.9% from 45 to 64, and 21.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 85.2 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $44,744, and the median income for a family was $53,590. Males had a median income of $44,816 versus $22,692 for females. The per capita income for the city was $20,460. About 0.9% of families and 2.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.8% of those under age 18 and 2.1% of those age 65 or over.

Economy
The largest employers in Eureka are:

 * Maple Lawn Homes - Independent and Assisted Living - 240 employees
 * District 140 - School System - 220 employees
 * Apostolic Christian Home - Independent and Assisted Living - 190 employees
 * Woodford County Courthouse - County Seat - 161 employees
 * Eureka Hospital - 150 employees
 * Cox Transfer - Trucking Company - 125 employees
 * Eureka College - 123 employees
 * Mangold Ford Mercury - Auto Dealership - 64 employees
 * Washington Equipment Co. - Overhead Cranes - 43 employees

Eureka College
Eureka is known for Eureka College, a private liberal arts college associated with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and the alma mater of president Ronald Reagan. Reagan graduated in 1932 with a degree in economics and sociology and, throughout his life, remained very close to the college. Reagan returned to the town at least twelve times, including twice as President of the United States. In 1947, serving as the grand marshal for Eureka's annual pumpkin festival parade, the largest recorded parade crowds in the history of Eureka gathered along the streets to welcome back the Hollywood actor to his college hometown. Reports are the crowds were more than tenfold the town's 4,000 residents at the time. In 1967, as newly elected Governor of California and widely rumored prospective presidential candidate, Ronald Reagan returned to Eureka to dedicate the Melick Library at his alma mater, drawing more than 5,000 spectators. Eureka had styled itself the "pumpkin capital of the world" until its pumpkin-processing plant moved to nearby Morton, Illinois. The Reagan Museum and Peace Garden at Eureka College is a top tourist attraction in the community, especially after the 2010-2011 renovation of the Museum and of the Reagan special collection section at Melick Library at Eureka College. It is now estimated to be the largest center of Reagan memorabilia after the Reagan Presidential Library in California. People from all over the world visit the Ronald Reagan museum at Eureka College.

Parks and recreation
Kaufman Park is the local 9 hole public golf course.

Eureka Lake Park is a 30 acre man-made impoundment lake with 240 acre of land. It was built in the 1940s as a WPA project to provide a water source for the city until 1982. It is located on Walnut Creek, a tributary to Panther Creek and Mackinaw River. Visitors may enjoy its picnic grounds and occasionally fishing, but big catches are rare. The park also contains a dog park and disc golf course. The park is also well known for its annual Fourth of July fireworks display.

Notable people

 * Donald Attig (b. 1936), boat designer and yachtsman, graduated from Eureka College
 * Dan McCoy (b. 1978), comedian and television writer, is a 1996 graduate of Eureka High School
 * John Peffers (1878–1936), Illinois state representative and lawyer, was born in Eureka
 * Ronald Reagan, 40th U.S President, who attended college in Eureka, Illinois at Eureka College
 * Andy Studebaker (b. 1985) former NFL player, is a 2004 graduate of Eureka High School
 * Mary Lou Sumner (1927-2002), Illinois state legislator
 * Ben Zobrist (b. 1981), All-Star Major League Baseball player and Most Valuable Player in the 2016 World Series for the Chicago Cubs, was born and raised in Eureka

title: Eureka, Illinois


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Germantown Hills, Illinois

Germantown Hills is a village in Woodford County, Illinois, approximately 8 mi northeast of Peoria. Germantown Hills is the only incorporated community in Worth Township. As of the 2010 census, the village had a total population of 3,438. Largely an agricultural community until its incorporation in 1954, Germantown Hills is now a growing bedroom community in the Peoria Metropolitan Area.

History
Settlement of the area began as early as November 1831, when Methodist Rev. Zadock Hall began preaching in modern-day Worth Township. Soon after, an iron foundry was opened by settler Philip Klein. By 1837, a Catholic church was organized by German Catholics in the area. In 1850, William Hoshor built a tavern and hotel named the Germantown House, for which the village would be named more than 100 years later. A steam sawmill was built in 1860, and in the 1890s, the Union House was erected as a tavern, grocery store, and saloon.

The area remained almost completely agricultural until the incorporation of Oak Grove Park in 1954. The village's founders wished to use the name "Germantown" to reflect Hoshor's Germantown House and the area's large German-American representation. Still, the name was taken by a village in southern Illinois. Upon its incorporation, the population of Oak Grove Park was 182. In 1967, the name Oak Grove Park was dropped in favor of Germantown Hills. The village's population would rise steadily until the 1980 census, when the annexation of the Whispering Oaks subdivision brought the number to 524. Subsequent development and annexation brought the population to 1195 by 1990. Rampant development, fueled by suburbanization in the Peoria Metropolitan Area, brought the population to its most-recent count of 3,438.

Geography
Germantown Hills is located at 40.77139°N, -89.46194°W (40.771569, -89.461894).

According to the 2010 census, Germantown Hills has a total area of 1.677 sqmi, of which 1.63 sqmi (or 97.2%) is land and 0.047 sqmi (or 2.8%) is water.

Illinois State Route 116, a four-lane divided highway, runs through the center of the village and connects it to Peoria, serving as the focal point for development and residences.

Demographics
As of the census of 2010, there were 3,438 people (up from about 2,100 recorded in the 2000 census ), 1,175 households, and 975 families residing in the village. The population density was 2055.0 PD/sqmi. There were 1,218 housing units with an average density of 728.0 /mi2. The racial makeup of the village was 96.0% White, 0.5% African American, 1.8% Asian, 0.3% from other races, and 1.3% representing two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race represented 1.8% of the population.

There were 1,175 households, of which 45.1% had children under 18 living with them, 73.1% were married couples living together, 6.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 17.0% were non-families. 14.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 3.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.93 and the average family size was 3.26.

In the village, the population was spread out, with 33.6% under the age of 20, 4.2% from 20 to 24, 26.9% from 25 to 44, 28.8% from 45 to 64, and 6.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35.8 years. For every 100 females, there were 100.4 males. For every 100 females age 20 and over, there were 95.9 males.

According to the 2005-2009 American Community Survey, the median income for a household in the village was $99,196, and the median income for a family was $105,792. The per capita income for the village was $36,651. About 1.7% of families and 2.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.6% of those under age 18 and 4.0% of those age 65 or over.

Education

 * Germantown Hills School District 69 comprises two schools:
 * Germantown Hills Elementary School is responsible for Kindergarten to Grade 2. In 2008, 314 students were enrolled.
 * Germantown Hills Middle School educates students in Grades 3 through 8. The school's 2008 enrollment was 612 In 2008, GHMS was ranked 15 out of the 1357 middle schools in Illinois by results of the Illinois Standards Achievement Test (ISAT).
 * Metamora Township High School District 122 encompasses Germantown Hills, responsible for Grades 9 through 12. The village's high school students attend Metamora Township High School in neighboring Metamora.

title: Germantown Hills, Illinois


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Kappa, Illinois

Kappa is a village in Woodford County, Illinois, United States. The population was 227 at the 2010 census, up from 170 in 2000. It is part of the Peoria, Illinois Metropolitan Statistical Area.

In 1833 Thomas Dixon became the first settler in the Kappa area. Over the next few years, other settlers moved in around the area, and eventually a railroad was built through the area. On May 23, 1853, rail service began, and postal service began. The first postmaster, William Jones, appointed the name Montrose, but the Illinois Central Railroad preferred Kappa. Kappa is the tenth letter in the Greek alphabet, and was applied to the town because it was the tenth town between Dunleith (modern-day East Dubuque, Illinois) and Bloomington.

Kappa sits on the north side of the Mackinaw River. Approximately five miles to the southeast is Lake Bloomington, while five miles to the southwest is Evergreen Lake.

Since its inception, the railroad line from East Dubuque to Bloomington has been decommissioned. In the early 1900s, SBI Route 2 was founded, and then changed to U.S. Route 51. U.S. 51 now bypasses the town to the west, leaving Illinois Route 251 as the main north–south road through town.

Geography
Kappa is located at 40.67639°N, -89.00944°W (40.676439, -89.009349).

According to the 2010 census, Kappa has a total area of 0.34 sqmi, all land.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 170 people, 63 households, and 48 families residing in the village. The population density was 747.1 PD/sqmi. There were 67 housing units at an average density of 294.5 /mi2. The racial makeup of the village was 97.06% White, 1.18% Native American, 1.76% from other races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.35% of the population.

There were 63 households, out of which 47.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.7% were married couples living together, 9.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.8% were non-families. 20.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.70 and the average family size was 3.08.

In the village, the population was spread out, with 32.4% under the age of 18, 5.9% from 18 to 24, 34.1% from 25 to 44, 19.4% from 45 to 64, and 8.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.9 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $46,786, and the median income for a family was $50,417. Males had a median income of $35,417 versus $21,250 for females. The per capita income for the village was $17,451. About 6.0% of families and 9.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.6% of those under the age of eighteen and 12.5% of those 65 or over.

Recreation and entertainment
The small village's main attraction is the Kappa Gentlemen's Club, a strip club that has been the subject of multiple legal cases, including a prostitution bust as part of an undercover sting operation in 2008.

title: Kappa, Illinois


text:
Metamora, Illinois

Metamora is a village in Metamora Township, Woodford County, Illinois, United States. The population was 3,636 at the 2010 census. Metamora is a growing suburb of Peoria and is part of the Peoria, Illinois Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Geography
Metamora is located at 40.78333°N, -89.36667°W (40.7911, -89.3624).

According to the 2010 census, Metamora has a total area of 2.204 sqmi, of which 2.2 sqmi (or 99.82%) is land and 0.004 sqmi (or 0.18%) is water.

Name
Metamora was founded as Hanover in 1836. It was named for Hanover, New Hampshire by a consortium of land speculators called the Hanover Company. New post office conventions required towns to have unique names, forcing the town to differentiate itself from others in Illinois named Hanover. Early post office names included Black Partridge (1836) and Partridge Point (1837). The name of the village was finally changed to Metamora in 1845 based on the character in the popular play Metamora; or, The Last of the Wampanoags. The village still has a Hanover Street and Partridge Street, reflecting these earlier names. Also, a popular location Black Partridge Park.

History
Metamora was settled by Yankee settlers. These were people from New England who were descended from the English Puritans who settled that region in the 1600s. The first group were settlers from Hanover, New Hampshire, organized by a company from Gilmanton, New Hampshire who named the town Hanover. A New England man named John Page scouted the area for the company and decided that this particular tract of land would be a good place for farms. When they arrived the area was a forest, with no roads and no structures. The New Hampshire settlers cleared the forest, constructed roads and built farms as well as a small town to support the farms. Other New England settlers arrived shortly thereafter from the states of Rhode Island, Vermont and Massachusetts. Metamora was the county seat of Woodford County from 1843 until 1896. The Metamora Courthouse State Historic Site, a courthouse from this period, is preserved as an Illinois state historic site. Future President Abraham Lincoln and future Vice President Adlai E. Stevenson I practiced law there.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 2,700 people, 1,050 households, and 743 families residing in the village. The population density was 1,944.4 PD/sqmi. There were 1,094 housing units at an average density of 787.9 /mi2. The racial makeup of the village was 99.07% White, 0.26% African American, 0.19% Native American, 0.00% Asian, 0.07% from other races, and 0.33% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.63% of the population.

There were 1,050 households, out of which 30.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.3% were married couples living together, 8.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.2% were non-families. 27.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.44 and the average family size was 2.97.

In the village, the population was spread out, with 23.8% under the age of 18, 5.6% from 18 to 24, 23.4% from 25 to 44, 22.2% from 45 to 64, and 25.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females, there were 87.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 81.7 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $46,691, and the median income for a family was $56,384. Males had a median income of $40,745 versus $26,505 for females. The per capita income for the village was $20,200. About 1.8% of families and 2.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.8% of those under age 18 and 2.0% of those age 65 or over.

Education
Metamora has a grade school district, a high school district, and a Catholic grade school.

The village is served by Metamora Community Consolidated School District 1 for Kindergarten through 8th grade and by Metamora Township High School for 9th through 12th.
 * Metamora Grade School District 1 serves Kindergarten through Grade 8 in Metamora Township and parts of nearby Worth Township.
 * Metamora Township High School District 122 operates one four-year high school serving the village, along with nearby Germantown Hills, and Spring Bay.
 * St. Mary's Grade School Grades Kindergarten-8th

Events
At the beginning of August, Metamora hosts the annual "Metamora 4x50" race, an ultracycling event in which participants compete by riding a 50-mile loop four times.

The Redbirds are the local high school team mascot, and students participate in a range of regional sports meets including golf, volleyball, and soccer.

The Village of Metamora puts on Old Settler's Days each year around the third week of June. It's a century-old tradition involving carnival rides, live local music, and plenty of food. The Lincoln-Douglas 5K and 8 Mile Runs are also conducted during the weekend of Old Settler's Days.

Popular culture
Metamora, Illinois served as the location for the fictional Edgecreek, Illinois in several independent films from Ten Thirty-One Pictures Entertainment, including The Only Way in 2004.

Metamora was cited in the 2012 film Lincoln. The President tells his Cabinet a story about the Melissa Goings murder case, which took place there in 1857.

title: Metamora, Illinois


text:
Minonk, Illinois

Minonk is a city in Minonk Township, Woodford County, Illinois. The population was 2,078 at the 2010 census, down from 2,168 in 2000. The city is part of the Peoria, Illinois, metropolitan area.

Geography
Minonk is located at 40.90222°N, -89.03611°W (40.902357, -89.035992). As of the 2010 census, Minonk has a total area of 2.42 sqmi, all land.

Demographics
At the 2000 census, there were 2,168 people, 841 households and 587 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,587.6 PD/sqmi. There were 885 housing units at an average density of 648.1 /mi2. The racial makeup of the city was 98.99% White, 0.05% African American, 0.05% Asian, 0.28% from other races, and 0.65% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.20% of the population.

There were 841 households, of which 31.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.9% were married couples living together, 9.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.2% were non-families. 26.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.50 and the average family size was 3.02.

25.9% of the population were under the age of 18, 6.9% from 18 to 24, 27.5% from 25 to 44, 19.0% from 45 to 64, and 20.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.0 males.

The median household income was $44,028 and the median family income was $50,379. Males had a median income of $35,859 compared with $22,500 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,688. About 7.0% of families and 8.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.9% of those under age 18 and 7.7% of those age 65 or over.

History
The founding of Minonk corresponds with the construction of the Illinois Central Railroad. The Illinois Central Railroad main line was completed in 1854 and ran through Section Seven, eventually becoming the City of Minonk. The plat of the town was first recorded on November 7, 1854.

David Neal, an agent with the Illinois Central Railroad, is credited for naming the city. Local folklore provides varying accounts about the origins of the name “Minonk.” One version states that he originally named the area after a street in Boston, where he owned property. A second story suggests that he changed the name of the settlement, originally referred to as “Marquette” on old French maps, to the Ojibwe word “Minonk,” meaning “a good place.” Minonk is the only city in the world with that name.

Early settlers were attracted to Minonk by a variety of livelihoods. Many came to work on the railroad. Others settled in the area to farm on the abundant, rich farmland. However, coal mining was the leading industry in the early years of Minonk. The first coal mines were developed in the 1860s, and at one point employed over 300 men. Two mines operated in Minonk: the first mine was located on the north edge of the city, and the second was situated a half-mile north of town.

Sports
Minonk is home to Fieldcrest High School and their football team the Fieldcrest Knights.

title: Minonk, Illinois


text:
Panola, Illinois

Panola is a village in Woodford County, Illinois, United States. The population was 45 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Peoria, Illinois Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Panola is one of the smallest communities in Illinois today. It is located about 2 mi north of El Paso, along Illinois Route 251 (next to U.S. 51).

History
Some sources, including Stewart, pg. 362, as well as several Woodford County history books claim the name Panola was fabricated by J.B. Calhoun, land commissioner of the Illinois Central Railroad, by arbitrarily combining single consonants and vowels. However, the 1954 El Paso Story correctly records that while Panola was assigned by an official of the Illinois Central Railroad, it simply duplicates the name of Panola County, Mississippi as well as several municipalities in the southern U.S. named Panola. Panola is a Native American word for cotton.

Because of its aging population and apparent lack of enthusiasm for others to be involved in operation of the local government, in 2004 the village board of Panola attempted to unincorporate the town. Only one other town in Illinois had successfully unincorporated previously. Of the 33 residents at the time, 27 had voting rights. The measure failed 16 to 11. It needed a majority to pass.

Geography
Panola is located at 40.785°N, -89.02083°W (40.785072, -89.020942).

According to the 2010 census, Panola has a total area of 0.2 sqmi, all land.

Demographics
As of the 2010 census there were 45 residents of Panola. The median age of the population was 44. 1 resident reported being both black and white and one resident reported being Hispanic or Latino, while the remaining 42 residents were non-Hispanic whites.

As of the census of 2000, there were 33 people, 13 households, and 11 families residing in the village. The population density was 163.5 PD/sqmi. There were 14 housing units at an average density of 69.4 /mi2. The racial makeup of the village was 93.94% White, and 6.06% Asian.

There were 13 households, out of which 23.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 84.6% were married couples living together, 7.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 7.7% were non-families. No households were made up of individuals, and none had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.54 and the average family size was 2.58.

In the village, the population was spread out, with 15.2% under the age of 18, 3.0% from 18 to 24, 27.3% from 25 to 44, 30.3% from 45 to 64, and 24.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 46 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 100.0 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $41,875, and the median income for a family was $40,625. Males had a median income of $47,500 versus $26,250 for females. The per capita income for the village was $24,259. None of the population and none of the families were below the poverty line.

title: Panola, Illinois


text:
Roanoke, Illinois

Roanoke is a village in Roanoke Township, Woodford County, Illinois, United States. The population was 1,960 at the 2020 census. It is part of the Peoria, Illinois Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Early settlement
Until about 1850, much of northern Illinois was still frontier land and sparsely populated, which the exception of Chicago and towns along the rivers. This changed in 1850, when President Millard Fillmore signed a land grant for the construction of the Illinois Central Railroad, lobbied for by then-lawyers Stephen Douglas and Abraham Lincoln. With the railroad expanding into Central Illinois, new opportunities for settlement by German, Dutch, Irish, Italian, Swedish, and other European immigrants opened up in Woodford County.

Roanoke was one of these settlements. On December 17, 1872, Roanoke was mapped out and lots were offered for sale. The plat of Roanoke was composed of 15 blocks and was bounded by Main, Front, Ann and Pleasant Streets. Two years later in 1874, Roanoke officially became a "Village" in the State of Illinois. Building began immediately in Roanoke and by the time the railroad was complete the population had increased to three hundred. On August 15, 1874, the first election was held for the purpose of electing six trustees for the Village of Roanoke. To this day, the Village has continually filled those six positions.

Coal mining
The Roanoke area, like most of Illinois, is underlain by rich veins of coal. The second coal shaft in Woodford County was sunk in Roanoke in 1881. Another shaft started in a westerly direction, but this coal was "flinty", or mixed with rock, and digging was discontinued. The mine at its peak employed around 300 men and hoisted 500 tons of coal a day.

As was the case in most small mining towns, life in the mines could be dangerous. In the June 29th, 1906, four men fell 400 feet down the main shaft to their deaths while performing maintenance and improvements to the main shaft. After the accident, the coal mine continued to operate until 1940, when it was permanently closed due to safety concerns and maintenance issues. In 1941, due to its state of disrepair, the tipple at the mine head collapsed into the shaft, leaving a crater. The crater was filled in, and the remaining equipment sold as scrap.

Slate, flint, and other non-coal slag from the old mine was collected into a large mound colloquially called the "Jumbo," on the southern side of the village near where the mine was once located. Since before the mine closed, it is estimated that 800,000 tons of slag from the Jumbo has been used in various road and town improvement construction projects. Although smaller than its original size, the Jumbo still stands at present, topped with an electric star that is illuminated during the Christmas season.

Railroad closure
After the Roanoke mine stopped operation in 1940, and with the growing popularity of using Semi-trailer trucks to move crops from farm to market, the rail line running through Roanoke was eventually retired in the mid-1980s, and was promptly dismantled for scrap. The original Roanoke rail station still stands as a historic building.

2004 tornado
On July 13, 2004, an F4 tornado demolished several rural houses and properties, and the Parsons Manufacturing Plant approximately 4 mi west of downtown Roanoke. While over 200 people were still inside the Parsons plant at the time, the event was notable because there were no serious injuries or fatalities, and also because numerous photos and videos were taken of it.

Geography
Roanoke is located at 40.7975°N, -89.19972°W (40.797421, -89.199784).

According to the 2010 census, Roanoke has a total area of 0.957 sqmi, of which 0.92 sqmi (or 96.13%) is land and 0.037 sqmi (or 3.87%) is water.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,994 people, 765 households, and 559 families residing in the village. The population density was 2,192.0 PD/sqmi. There were 809 housing units at an average density of 889.3 /mi2. The racial makeup of the village was 99.15% White, 0.10% African American, 0.10% Native American, 0.05% Asian, 0.10% from other races, and 0.50% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.15% of the population.

There were 765 households, out of which 31.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 64.6% were married couples living together, 6.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.8% were non-families. 25.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.52 and the average family size was 3.00.

In the village, the population was spread out, with 24.3% under the age of 18, 7.6% from 18 to 24, 24.8% from 25 to 44, 21.4% from 45 to 64, and 21.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 96.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.5 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $43,125, and the median income for a family was $54,750. Males had a median income of $38,375 versus $22,614 for females. The per capita income for the village was $24,489. About 2.9% of families and 4.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.3% of those under age 18 and 2.5% of those age 65 or over.

Notable people

 * Frank Frantz (1872–1941), Rough Rider and the final Governor of Oklahoma Territory
 * Glen Gray (1900–1963), jazz saxophonist and orchestra leader, was born in Roanoke and graduated from Roanoke High School in 1917
 * William E. Warner, industrial arts professor at Ohio State University and founder of Epsilon Pi Tau honor society

title: Roanoke, Illinois


text:
Secor, Illinois

Secor is a village in Clayton Township, Woodford County, Illinois, United States. The population was 373 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Peoria, Illinois Metropolitan Statistical Area. Secor is located just off U.S. Route 24 between El Paso and Eureka.

History
The town was named after Charles A. Secor. A partner in the Engineering firm that laid out the eastern branch of the Peoria and Oquawka Railroad.

Geography
Secor is located at 40.74111°N, -89.13583°W (40.741074, -89.135875).

According to the 2010 census, Secor has a total area of 0.3 sqmi, all land.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 379 people, 144 households, and 109 families residing in the village. The population density was 1,068.7 PD/sqmi. There were 155 housing units at an average density of 437.1 /mi2. The racial makeup of the village was 99.74% White and 0.26% African American.

There were 144 households, out of which 31.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.5% were married couples living together, 9.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.3% were non-families. 18.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.63 and the average family size was 2.98.

In the village, the population was spread out, with 26.6% under the age of 18, 6.3% from 18 to 24, 26.9% from 25 to 44, 24.8% from 45 to 64, and 15.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.8 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $44,205, and the median income for a family was $44,722. Males had a median income of $32,232 versus $17,500 for females. The per capita income for the village was $22,635. About 9.4% of families and 8.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.5% of those under age 18 and 17.2% of those age 65 or over.

Notable people
Wilhelmina "Minnie" Vautrin (1886–1941) born September 27, 1886, in Secor, IL. Minnie, an American Missionary to China and known as the "Goddess of Mercy", was founder of Ginling Girls College in Nanjing China. During WW II the city of Nanjing was invaded by Japanese Imperial troops in December 1937. The invasion aftermath is known as the Nanjing Massacre. She is highly honored in China for establishing a sanctuary on the grounds of the Ginling college in order to protect Chinese non-combatants from 6 weeks of killing, looting and raping. Minnie was posthumously awarded the Emblem of the Blue Jade by the Chinese government for her actions during the massacre. She is buried in Salt River Cemetery nearby to Shepherd MI.

title: Secor, Illinois


text:
Spring Bay, Illinois

Spring Bay is a village in Woodford County, Illinois, United States. As of the 2010 United States census, the village population was 452, up from 436 in 2000. The village is part of the Peoria, Illinois Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Geography
Spring Bay is located at 40.82417°N, -89.52333°W (40.824261, -89.523330).

According to the 2010 census, Spring Bay has a total area of 1.149 sqmi, of which 0.82 sqmi (or 71.37%) is land and 0.329 sqmi (or 28.63%) is water.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 436 people, 173 households, and 125 families residing in the village. The population density was 541.0 PD/sqmi. There were 187 housing units at an average density of 232.0 /mi2. The racial makeup of the village was 98.85% White, 0.46% African American, 0.23% Native American, and 0.46% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.69% of the population.

There were 173 households, out of which 28.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.8% were married couples living together, 9.2% had a female householder with no husband % of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.52 and the average family size was 2.95.

In the village, the population was spread out, with 23.9% under the age of 18, 9.4% from 18 to 24, 31.0% from 25 to 44, 24.1% from 45 to 64, and 11.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.8 males.

title: Spring Bay, Illinois


text:
Berne, Indiana

Berne (English: [bɜːn]) is a city within Monroe and Wabash townships, Adams County, Indiana, United States, located 35 miles south of Fort Wayne. The population was 4,173 at the 2020 Census. Berne is widely known for its Swiss heritage, architecture and culture, and for its status as the "Furniture Capital of Indiana."

Berne and the surrounding area have also become known for their large Amish population (the fifth largest Amish community in the USA), who speak Bernese German (a Swiss German dialect), as opposed to Pennsylvania Dutch.

History
Berne was settled in 1852 by Mennonite immigrants who came directly from Switzerland (Münsterberg, in the Jura Mountains near Moutier) and named the community after their homeland's capital. Berne initially formed around a rail depot placed on the Grand Rapids and Indiana Railroad lines. On Christmas Day 1871, the first train arrived at the local depot. A post office was established in Berne in 1872. After the population of the town exceeded 2,500, on a petition of two-thirds of the residents, the town decided to become a city in 1887. By 1895 the community was the second largest city in the county.

The General Conference of the Mennonite Church has been held in Berne four times - in 1884, 1902, 1926 and 1947. The First Mennonite Church in Berne is the largest of its kind in North America, and previously had the largest congregation. It is affiliated with the Lancaster Mennonite Conference. The official publishing company of the General Conference Mennonite Church, the "Mennonite Book Concern," was located in Berne from 1884 until 1939, when it moved to North Newton, Kansas, which was the de facto seat of the Mennonite Church at the time.

Geography
Berne is located in northeastern Indiana.

According to the 2010 census, Berne has a total area of 2.08 sqmi, all land.

Teays River
An ancient pre-glacial river known as the Teays River (about the size of the Ohio River), with its headwaters near present-day Blowing Rock, North Carolina, used to pass through Virginia, West Virginia and Ohio and run just east of Berne before flowing southwest through the present town of Geneva into Jay County. It then continued its course across Indiana into Illinois, draining most of the east-central United States. The glaciers of the last Ice Age (the Pleistocene) bisected the Teays River Valley and buried it underneath at least 400 feet of glacial drift (the largest remaining piece is the Kanawha River of West Virginia). Although the river does not flow anymore, the underground Teays River Valley still contains significant water deposits, making Berne and Geneva very water-rich areas. Wells just to the east of Berne provide the much larger city of Decatur (c.10 miles north) with a large proportion of its water supply. The current locations of many wetland areas, such as Limberlost Swamp Nature Preserve, Loblolly Marsh Nature Preserve, Limberlost Park and Rainbow Bend Park lie over the old Teays River Valley.

2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 3,999 people, 1,620 households, and 1,078 families residing in the city. The population density was 1922.6 PD/sqmi. There were 1,797 housing units at an average density of 863.9 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 96.5% White, 0.5% African American, 0.1% Native American, 0.6% Asian, 1.4% from other races, and 1.0% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.0% of the population.

There were 1,620 households, out of which 29.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.4% were married couples living together, 9.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.3% had a male householder with no wife present, and 33.5% were non-families. 31.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.35 and the average family size was 2.94.

The median age in the city was 42 years. 24.1% of residents were under the age of 18; 7% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 22.4% were from 25 to 44; 22.6% were from 45 to 64; and 24% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 46.1% male and 53.9% female.

2000 census
As of the 2000 census, there were 4,150 people, 1,639 households, and 1,104 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,307.3 PD/sqmi. There were 1,690 housing units at an average density of 939.6 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 97.64% White, 0.07% African American, 0.07% Native American, 0.22% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 1.04% from other races, and 0.92% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.90% of the population.

There were 1,639 households, out of which 32.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.5% were married couples living together, 7.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.6% were non-families. 31.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 18.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.40 and the average family size was 3.02.

25.7% of the population was under the age of 18, 6.8% from 18 to 24, 24.3% from 25 to 44, 19.3% from 45 to 64, and 23.8% were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 86.5 males. For every 100 females aged 18 and over, there were 80.5 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $35,491, and the median income for a family was $45,670. Males had a median income of $31,565 versus $21,563 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,394. About 1.4% of families and 3.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.5% of those under age 18 and 6.1% of those age 65 or over.

Economy
As the "furniture capital of Indiana," several different furniture manufacturers have existed in Berne during the city's history, including:
 * Gehrig Furniture (1877-1905)
 * Dunbar Furniture Manufacturing Company (1919-1993)
 * Berne Furniture Company (1925-2008)
 * Smith Brothers of Berne, Inc. (1926-present)
 * Yager Furniture, Inc. (1910–present)
 * Habegger Furniture, Inc. (1938–present)
 * Clauser Furniture, Inc. (1949–present)
 * Bernhaus Furniture, Inc. (2003–present)

Government
Gregg A. Sprunger has served as Mayor of the City of Berne since 2020.

Along with an elected Mayor, the city of Berne elects a Clerk-Treasurer and a City Council. The City Council is composed of five members, four elected from established districts and one at-large member.

Berne Mayors :
 * Gregg Sprunger (R) (2020-)
 * Bill McKean (R) (2012-2020)
 * John Minch (D) (2004-2012)
 * Blaine Fulton (R) (1992-2004)
 * Delmar Neuenschwander (D) (1984-1992)
 * Gaylord Stuckey (D) (1976-1984)
 * Willard "Bill" Wulliman (R) (1968-1976)
 * Richard Lehman (D) (1964-1968)
 * Forrest Balsiger (D) (1952-1964)
 * Andrew Sprunger (D) (1950-1952)

Public
K-12 public education in Berne is provided by South Adams Schools. South Adams Jr./Sr. High School shares its building with the Elementary and Middle Schools. Their nickname is the Starfires.

Four area schools consolidated into "South Adams" just prior to the 1966–67 school year. They were the "Berne Bears", the "Geneva Cardinals", the "Hartford Gorillas", and the "Jefferson Warriors." Though the consolidated school was located in Berne, as a compromise the school took a new name and mascot - "The South Adams Starfires" - ostensibly named after the first principal/superintendent's car (an Oldsmobile Starfire).

Library
The Berne Public Library, which opened its doors in 1935 and is currently located in the former city auditorium, serves the city of Berne. The library provides information services to all ages and holds over 60,000 titles, including print, digital, audio, and visual forms. The Heritage Room of the Berne Public Library contains local history and genealogical information.

Swiss Days Celebration
The annual Swiss Days Celebration in Berne is held the last Friday and Saturday in July and attracts thousands of visitors every year as locals celebrate their Swiss and American culture.

Muensterberg Plaza and Clock Tower
The idea of building the clock tower and plaza was first raised in 2001 while the city of Berne was planning for its sesquicentennial. Wanting to celebrate the city's Swiss heritage, it was decided to model the clock tower after the medieval Zytglogge in Bern, Switzerland, the oldest monument in that city (built c. 1220, repaired in 1405). The clock tower and plaza were given the name Muensterberg (Münsterberg) after the small Mennonite community in the Jura Mountains of Switzerland that Berne's first immigrants came from. The clock tower was constructed in 2010. It stands 160 feet tall and 32 feet wide, weighing approximately 1,216 tons (over 2.4 million pounds). It contains carillon bells created by the Verdin Company.

The Muensterberg Plaza built around the clock tower also features The Settler's Statue commemorating the arrival of the first settlers to the area, the only stateside Canton Tree, and a series of flowerbeds laid out to resemble common quilting patterns.

Lehman Park
Lehman Park is a wooded 11.5-acre park located at the intersection of US 27 and Park Avenue. The land for the park was donated to the city of Berne by Isaac and Caroline Lehman in 1928.

Media
Berne is served by one tri-weekly newspaper, The Berne Witness. At one time both German and English editions were offered; the former was later discontinued.

Berne, along with the rest of Adams County, is served by WZBD.

Notable people

 * Mary Butcher - All-American Girls Professional Baseball League player
 * The Dilley sextuplets - the USA's first surviving sextuplets
 * Bob Dro - basketball and baseball player for Indiana University and the Indianapolis Kautskys
 * Arthur L. Gilliom - 25th Indiana Attorney General
 * Les Habegger - former General Manager of the NBA's Seattle SuperSonics (1983–85)
 * Ervin Inniger - Indiana Hoosiers men's basketball player
 * Peter Luginbill - early founder and settler of Berne
 * Donald Neuen - former Professor and Director of Choral Conducting & Choral Studies at UCLA's Herb Alpert School of Music
 * Richard R. Schrock - Winner of the 2005 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for his work in the area of olefin metathesis
 * Jerome "Jerry" Steiner - Butler Bulldogs men's basketball player
 * Ernie Steury - missionary doctor who established the Tenwek Hospital in Kenya

title: Berne, Indiana


text:
Decatur, Indiana

Decatur is a city in Root and Washington townships, Adams County, Indiana, United States. It is the county seat (and the largest community) of Adams County. Decatur is home to Adams Memorial Hospital, which was designated as one of the "Top 100" Critical Access Hospitals in the United States. The population of Decatur was 9,913 at the 2020 census, up from 9,405 at the 2010 census.

Founding
The first non-Native American settlers arrived in what is now Decatur in 1835. They arrived as a result of the end of the Black Hawk War as well as the completion of the Erie Canal. They consisted entirely of settlers from New England. These were "Yankee" settlers, that is to say they were descended from the English Puritans who settled New England in the colonial era. They were primarily members of the Congregational Church though due to the Second Great Awakening many of them had converted to Methodism and some had become Baptists before coming to what is now Decatur. The Congregational Church subsequently has gone through many divisions and some factions are now known as the Church of Christ and Church of God. When the New England settlers arrived in what is now Decatur there was nothing but a dense virgin forest and wild prairie.

Decatur was founded in 1836. It was named for Stephen Decatur, Jr., one of the captains of the original six frigates of the US navy. A post office was established in Decatur in 1837.

Post Civil War History
After the Civil War, Decatur was known as a Sundown Town, where African Americans were discriminated against and eventually run out of the town completely in 1902. In a New York Times article published on July 14, 1902, the headline read, “Negro Driven Away,” and it recounted the story of the violent mob attacks which drove away African Americans from Decatur during the summer of 1902. The last line from the article explicitly concluded, “The anti-negroites declare that as Decatur is now cleared of Negroes they will keep it so, and the importation of any more will undoubtedly result in serious trouble.” A month before the last Black person was reportedly forced out of Decatur, the Indianapolis Freeman reported that 50 men began driving the Black people out because they “were determined that colored people should not live in the town." Eventually African Americans began slowly settling in town, however, due to the sundown policies that persisted throughout much of the 1900s, the current demographics still indicate a low percentage of Black residents.

Geography
According to the 2010 United States Census, Decatur has a total area of 5.786 sqmi, of which 5.78 sqmi (or 99.9%) is land and 0.006 sqmi (or 0.1%) is water.

2020 census
As of the 2020 Census there were 9,913 people and 4,278 households. The population density was 1,713.2 PD/sqmi. There were 4,572 housing units at an average density of 851.1 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 91.1% White, 7.3% Hispanic or Latino, 1.2% African American, 0.1% Native American or Alaska Native, and 0.5% from two or more races. 96.1% speak English and 3.4% speak Spanish at home. All residents of Decatur were citizens. The ancestral background of most residents was 33.3% German, 7.1% English, and 6.9% Irish.

The average age for Decatur residents was 40.5 years. Of the total population, 6.8% were veterans and 15.8% have a visible or non-visible disability. An estimated 4.6% of residents are uninsured.

Of the 4,278 households, 30.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 36.8% were married couples living together, 35% had a female householder with no spouse present, and 27.3% of the residents were never married. The average household size was 2.24.

The median income for a household in the city was $45,149, and the median income for a family was $58,542. The per capita income for the city was $23,059. Additionally, 13.9% of the population were below the poverty line, a 57.4% difference from the 2020 census. This includes 15.4% of those under age 18 and 5.2% of those age 65 or over. There was a total of 4,572 housing units, with 64.3% being owned by residents and 12.5% being rented.

Of the total residents of Decatur, 43.9% have a high school or equivalent degree and 12.9 have a bachelor's degree or higher. The latter is 70% lower than the state average. The majority of residents work in manufacturing (37.4%), education, social services and health care (14.2%) and retail (13.6%).

Only 76.3% of residents had broadband internet access, in contrast to 80.1% of state residents.

Government
The government consists of a mayor and a city council. The mayor is elected in citywide vote. The city council consists of five members. Four are elected from individual districts. One is elected at-large. A clerk-treasurer is also elected in citywide vote.

Education
The local high school in Decatur is Bellmont High School; approximately 700 students attend BHS. Local elementary and middle school students attend Bellmont Elementary School and Bellmont Middle School. St. Joseph Catholic School serves students in grades K-8. Zion Lutheran School, Wyneken Memorial Lutheran School, and St. Peter-Immanuel Lutheran School also serve students in grades PK-8.

Decatur has a public library, a branch of the Adams Public Library System.

Media
Decatur is home to one newspaper, The Decatur Daily Democrat. It was founded in 1857.

Healthcare
Decatur is home to the Adams Memorial Hospital which was designated as one of the "Top 100" Critical Access Hospitals in the United States. The hospital was established on June 30th, 1923, during election day in Adams County After voters were posed with a question of constructing a county hospital.

Architecture
Decatur is also known for its Modern Architecture, With over 18 sculptures throughout its downtown area.

Notable people

 * David Anspaugh, television and film director, Hoosiers, Rudy
 * John Fetzer, former owner of Detroit Tigers
 * Bob Hite, Sr., radio and television announcer for CBS
 * David Smith, Sculptor

title: Decatur, Indiana


text:
Geneva, Indiana

Geneva is a town in Wabash Township, Adams County, Indiana. The population was 1,293 at the time of the 2010 census. Geneva is the location of the Limberlost Cabin, the home of writer and naturalist Gene Stratton-Porter from 1895-1913.

History
Geneva had its start in 1871 when the rival towns of Alexander and Buffalo merged. It was named after Geneva, in Switzerland. The first post office in Geneva was established in 1872.

The Town of Geneva benefited greatly from the Indiana Gas Boom of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Oil was found near Geneva and production began in 1892. This brought many new settlers to the area and skyrocketed local land prices. At its height in November 1895, one company, the Buckeye Pipe Line Company, had 160 oil wells in the Geneva field producing 24,362 barrels a month. Production fell off after 1907. Charles D. Porter and his wife, Gene Stratton-Porter, who lived in Geneva from 1886-1913, owned roughly 30 oil wells in the area, and used the proceeds to build Limberlost Cabin in 1895.

Geography
According to the 2010 census, Geneva has a total area of 1.23 sqmi, of which 1.09 sqmi (or 88.62%) is land and 0.14 sqmi (or 11.38%) is water.

2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 1,293 people, 570 households, and 349 families living in the town. The population density was 1186.2 PD/sqmi. There were 627 housing units at an average density of 575.2 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 94.6% White, 0.6% African American, 0.2% Native American, 0.2% Asian, 3.2% from other races, and 1.2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.4% of the population.

There were 570 households, of which 28.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.3% were married couples living together, 11.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.9% had a male householder with no wife present, and 38.8% were non-families. 34.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.27 and the average family size was 2.91.

The median age in the town was 41.1 years. 23.9% of residents were under the age of 18; 6.7% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 23.3% were from 25 to 44; 28.3% were from 45 to 64; and 18% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the town was 48.4% male and 51.6% female.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,368 people, 584 households, and 369 families living in the town. The population density was 1,192.1 PD/sqmi. There were 621 housing units at an average density of 541.1 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 98.25% White, 0.37% African American, 0.22% Asian, 0.29% from other races, and 0.88% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.10% of the population.

There were 584 households, out of which 29.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.2% were married couples living together, 9.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.8% were non-families. 30.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.34 and the average family size was 2.96.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 24.7% under the age of 18, 10.2% from 18 to 24, 26.6% from 25 to 44, 23.8% from 45 to 64, and 14.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.6 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $33,942, and the median income for a family was $41,645. Males had a median income of $31,895 versus $21,552 for females. The per capita income for the town was $16,435. About 9.5% of families and 11.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 23.0% of those under age 18 and 12.2% of those age 65 or over.

Education
Geneva has a public library, a branch of the Adams Public Library System. Geneva is located in the South Adams Schools District.

Notable people

 * L. S. Buckmaster (1894–1967), labor union leader
 * Robert O. Fink, classics professor
 * Gene Stratton-Porter (1863–1924), best-selling author, nature photographer, naturalist, and silent movie-era producer

Notable structures

 * Limberlost Cabin, completed in 1895, was the home Gene Stratton-Porter shared with her husband, Charles Porter, and their daughter, Jeannette (Geneva HS '05). The property was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1974. Designated as the Limberlost State Historic Site, it is operated by the Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites and open to the public.

title: Geneva, Indiana


text:
Monroe, Adams County, Indiana

Monroe is a town in Washington and Monroe townships, Adams County, Indiana, United States. The population of the town was 945 residents at the 2019 census. Adams Central Community Schools is located in Monroe.

History
Monroe was platted in 1847. It was named for James Monroe, fifth President of the United States.

Monroe was originally the Adams County seat but this was moved to Decatur after flooding problems in the town.

The Monroe area has consistently been the American region with the highest percentage of people descended from those of Swiss nationality. Most local residents who have Swiss heritage are of Anabaptist faith, or have Swiss Mennonite and Swiss Amish backgrounds, as this area of Indiana was settled by Swiss Anabaptists in the 1800s. Local Amish still speak a Swiss German dialect, which is distinct from most other Amish, who speak a Pennsylvania German dialect.

Geography
According to the 2010 census, Monroe has a total area of 0.63 sqmi, all land.

2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 842 people, 310 households, and 239 families living in the town. The population density was 1336.5 PD/sqmi. There were 322 housing units at an average density of 511.1 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 99.0% White, 0.2% Asian, 0.1% from other races, and 0.6% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.3% of the population.

There were 310 households, of which 41.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.6% were married couples living together, 11.6% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.8% had a male householder with no wife present, and 22.9% were non-families. 21.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.72 and the average family size was 3.15.

The median age in the town was 34.7 years. 30.4% of residents were under the age of 18; 6.7% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 25% were from 25 to 44; 23.2% were from 45 to 64; and 14.8% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the town was 47.3% male and 52.7% female.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 734 people, 274 households, and 215 families living in the town. The population density was 1,529.3 PD/sqmi. There were 287 housing units at an average density of 598.0 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 97.82% White, 0.14% Native American, 0.41% from other races, and 1.63% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.13% of the population. The town holds the distinction of the having the highest percentage of people with Swiss ancestry, followed by nearby Berne, Indiana, according to the 2000 U.S. Census.

There were 274 households, out of which 36.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 66.8% were married couples living together, 8.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 21.5% were non-families. 19.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.68 and the average family size was 3.09.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 27.1% under the age of 18, 9.4% from 18 to 24, 26.4% from 25 to 44, 21.7% from 45 to 64, and 15.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.0 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $42,946, and the median income for a family was $49,821. Males had a median income of $32,308 versus $25,750 for females. The per capita income for the town was $16,682. About 1.4% of families and 4.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.9% of those under age 18 and 11.8% of those age 65 or over.

title: Monroe, Adams County, Indiana


text:
Grabill, Indiana

Grabill is a town in Cedar Creek Township, Allen County, Indiana, United States. The population was 1,053 at the 2010 census. Today it is known for the presence of antique stores and Amish farms. An incorporated town, Grabill has two community parks within the corporate limits.

History
A post office was established at Grabill in 1902.

Grabill had its start as a town when the Wabash Railroad was extended to that point. Grabill was named for its first postmaster, Joseph A. Grabill.

Geography
Grabill is located at 41.21°N, -84.96833°W (41.210049, -84.968358). According to the 2010 census, Grabill has a total area of 0.6 sqmi, all land.

2010 census
At the 2010 census there were 1,053 people, 403 households, and 276 families living in the town. The population density was 1755.0 PD/sqmi. There were 443 housing units at an average density of 738.3 /sqmi. The racial makup of the town was 96.8% White, 0.6% African American, 0.7% Native American, 0.5% Asian, 0.3% from other races, and 1.2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.6%.

Of the 403 households 37.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.4% were married couples living together, 13.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 2.2% had a male householder with no wife present, and 31.5% were non-families. 27.5% of households were one person and 9.9% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.61 and the average family size was 3.22.

The median age in the town was 32.8 years. 30.9% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.2% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 28.9% were from 25 to 44; 21.7% were from 45 to 64; and 11.3% were 65 or older. The gender makeup of the town was 48.1% male and 51.9% female.

2000 census
At the 2000 census there were 1,113 people, 420 households, and 307 families living in the town. The population density was 1,805.1 PD/sqmi. There were 442 housing units at an average density of 716.9 /sqmi. The racial makup of the town was 98.65% White, 0.18% Native American, 0.27% Asian, 0.09% from other races, and 0.81% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.99%.

Of the 420 households 45.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.6% were married couples living together, 12.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.9% were non-families. 24.5% of households were one person and 8.8% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.65 and the average family size was 3.19.

The age distribution was 32.3% under the age of 18, 7.7% from 18 to 24, 33.8% from 25 to 44, 17.3% from 45 to 64, and 9.0% 65 or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.8 males.

The median household income was $42,240 and the median family income was $48,500. Males had a median income of $36,293 versus $24,688 for females. The per capita income for the town was $17,252. About 5.5% of families and 8.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.4% of those under age 18 and 3.2% of those age 65 or over.

Education
The town is served by East Allen County Schools: Cedarville Elementary School, Leo Elementary School, and Leo Junior/Senior High School.

Grabill has a public library, a branch of the Allen County Public Library.

Notable people

 * Mark Souder, Former U.S. Representative
 * Tyler Johnson, Indiana State Senator

title: Grabill, Indiana


text:
Huntertown, Indiana

Huntertown is a town in Allen County, Indiana. The population was 9,141 at the time of the 2020 census, making it one of the fastest-growing areas in northeastern Indiana, with a population increase of 90 percent since 2010.

History
Huntertown was originally called "The Opening" because it was a natural forest clearing. Huntertown was first settled circa 1837, founded by William T. Hunter. The village was located along the Lima Plank Road connecting Lima (now Howe) and Fort Wayne. The Perry Centre Seminary was founded in Huntertown in 1856, only to close five years later when the entire faculty and adult students enlisted in the Union Army. The town was platted in 1869, but not incorporated until 1966.

Some of the nation's oldest reliable weather observations are from a nineteenth-century Huntertown farm. Rapin Andrews began keeping meteorological records on July 17, 1839, and continued until his death ten years later. His family continued the observations until April 30, 1874. The diary of weather records was presented to the U.S. Weather Bureau (now the National Weather Service) in 1934. The record highest temperature was 102 °F in July 1846 and the record lowest temperature was -34 °F on January 29, 1873.

Huntertown today
Since much of Huntertown's growth has come from people moving from urbanized areas like Fort Wayne to new suburban subdivisions, the expectations for services have increased. For example, the town council expanded from three to five members to lessen the workload. The council now is working on creating a new water plant, a parks board, and a new 27 acre park.

The town's weekly newspaper, Northwest News, began operations in the summer of 1997 in the former Huntertown State Bank, site of a 1930s robbery by the John Dillinger gang. Proof of the robbery is still visible today, as there is a bullet hole in the right window of the shop.

Geography
Huntertown is located at 41.22778°N, -85.16944°W (41.227798, -85.169371) at an elevation of 837 ft and sits along State Road 3/Lima Road just north of Fort Wayne. Carroll Road is the southern boundary line between Huntertown and Fort Wayne.

According to the 2010 census, Huntertown has a total area of 3.81 sqmi, of which 3.8 sqmi (or 99.74%) is land and 0.01 sqmi (or 0.26%) is water.

Demographics
As of 2000 the median income for a household in the town in 2000 was $52,250, and the median income for a family was $59,219. Males had a median income of $41,150 versus $28,152 for females. The per capita income for the town was $21,232. About 3.0% of families and 4.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.1% of those under age 18 and 6.3% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 4,810 people, 1,726 households, and 1,299 families residing in the town. The population density was 1265.8 PD/sqmi. There were 1,823 housing units at an average density of 479.7 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 93.6% White, 1.4% African American, 0.4% Native American, 2.0% Asian, 0.8% from other races, and 1.9% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.3% of the population.

There were 1,726 households, of which 45.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.8% were married couples living together, 12.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.4% had a male householder with no wife present, and 24.7% were non-families. 19.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 4.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.79 and the average family size was 3.21.

The median age in the town was 31.5 years. 31.9% of residents were under the age of 18; 7% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 33.4% were from 25 to 44; 21.3% were from 45 to 64; and 6.4% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the town was 49.2% male and 50.8% female.

2020 census
As of April 1, 2020, the census reported a population of 9,141.

title: Huntertown, Indiana


text:
Leo-Cedarville, Indiana

Leo-Cedarville is a town in Cedar Creek Township, Allen County, Indiana, United States. The population was 3,603 at the 2010 census.

History
Once separate villages, Cedarville was platted in 1838, and Leo was founded in 1849, originally as the Town of Hamilton.

Leo-Cedarville was formed by the incorporation of the villages of Leo and Cedarville in 1996. This was done so that the two towns could not be annexed by the nearby city of Fort Wayne.

The Hursh Road Bridge was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1981 and delisted in 1993.

Geography
Leo-Cedarville is located at 41.215°N, -85.01556°W (41.214899, -85.015475) along the St. Joseph River and the Cedarville Reservoir.

According to the 2010 census, Leo-Cedarville has a total area of 3.85 sqmi, of which 3.71 sqmi (or 96.36%) is land and 0.14 sqmi (or 3.64%) is water.

Education
The town is served by East Allen County Schools: Cedarville Elementary School, Leo Elementary School, and Leo Junior/Senior High School.

2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 3,603 people, 1,187 households, and 1,007 families living in the town. The population density was 971.2 PD/sqmi. There were 1,234 housing units at an average density of 332.6 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 97.1% White, 0.1% African American, 0.2% Native American, 0.8% Asian, 0.6% from other races, and 1.2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.6% of the population.

There were 1,187 households, of which 48.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 73.3% were married couples living together, 7.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.5% had a male householder with no wife present, and 15.2% were non-families. 13.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 5.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.04 and the average family size was 3.32.

The median age in the town was 38.1 years. 32.3% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.1% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 24% were from 25 to 44; 27.2% were from 45 to 64; and 9.4% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the town was 49.8% male and 50.2% female.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 2,782 people, 922 households, and 778 families living in the town. The population density was 745.1 PD/sqmi. There were 939 housing units at an average density of 251.5 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 97.81% White, 0.07% African American, 0.29% Native American, 0.40% Asian, 0.29% from other races, and 1.15% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.04% of the population.

There were 922 households, out of which 47.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 76.2% were married couples living together, 5.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 15.6% were non-families. 13.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 5.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.02 and the average family size was 3.33.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 32.9% under the age of 18, 6.2% from 18 to 24, 32.6% from 25 to 44, 19.9% from 45 to 64, and 8.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.5 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $66,652, and the median income for a family was $70,750. Males had a median income of $48,438 versus $25,552 for females. The per capita income for the town was $22,170. About 1.0% of families and 1.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including none of those under age 18 and 8.6% of those age 65 or over.

Government
Leo-Cedarville's Town Clerk/Treasurer and Town Council members are elected to four-year terms. The Town Council has a total of 5 seats. The council includes the Council President and Vice President which are voted on within the council after an election. The current Town Clerk/Treasurer is Pamela Spannuth who was elected in 2016. The Town Manager is a non-council member and is appointed by a unanimous vote of the Town Council. The Town-Manager has the power to hire assistants, town maintenance workers, and other positions.

title: Leo-Cedarville, Indiana


text:
Monroeville, Indiana

Monroeville is a town in Monroe Township, Allen County, Indiana, United States. The population was 1,294 as of the 2020 census.

History
Monroeville was platted in 1851. It was named from Monroe Township. A post office was established at Monroeville in 1856.

Geography
Monroeville is located at 40.97278°N, -84.86861°W (40.972799, -84.868598).

According to the 2010 census, Monroeville has a total area of 0.74 sqmi, all land.

2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 1,235 people, 491 households, and 309 families living in the town. The population density was 1668.9 PD/sqmi. There were 529 housing units at an average density of 714.9 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 98.9% White, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 0.4% from other races, and 0.6% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.9% of the population.

There were 491 households, of which 28.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.8% were married couples living together, 12.4% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.7% had a male householder with no wife present, and 37.1% were non-families. 32.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.40 and the average family size was 3.04.

The median age in the town was 42.3 years. 22.2% of residents were under the age of 18; 9.4% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 22.9% were from 25 to 44; 25.7% were from 45 to 64; and 19.9% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the town was 47.1% male and 52.9% female.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,236 people, 463 households, and 325 families living in the town. The population density was 1,645.8 PD/sqmi. There were 507 housing units at an average density of 675.1 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 96.76% White, 0.16% Asian, 0.49% from other races, and 2.59% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.27% of the population.

There were 463 households, out of which 37.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.6% were married couples living together, 12.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.6% were non-families. 24.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.66 and the average family size was 3.20.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 29.8% under the age of 18, 7.9% from 18 to 24, 30.8% from 25 to 44, 17.6% from 45 to 64, and 13.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.8 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $35,795, and the median income for a family was $41,310. Males had a median income of $31,534 versus $24,853 for females. The per capita income for the town was $16,242. About 6.5% of families and 10.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.9% of those under age 18 and 15.8% of those age 65 or over.

Education
The East Allen County Schools district includes Monroeville, and Heritage Elementary School and Heritage Junior/Senior High School are the facilities Monroeville is zoned to.

Monroeville has a public library, a branch of the Allen County Public Library.

Arts and culture
Monroeville is a popular stop for bicycle tourists traveling on the Adventure Cycling Association routes. The Monroeville Community Center, which provides cyclist-only lodging, showers, and laundry facilities, was awarded the 2005 Trail Angel Award by the Adventure Cycling Association.

Media

 * Monroeville News, weekly community newspaper
 * Fort Wayne Observed news and commentary weblog

Notable people

 * Lloyd C. Douglas, author

title: Monroeville, Indiana