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New Lenox, Illinois

New Lenox is a village in central Will County, Illinois, United States. It is an eastern suburb of Joliet. The village population was 27,214 as of the 2020 census. New Lenox has schools like Lincoln-Way West High School, Providence Catholic High School, and Lincoln-Way Central High School.

History
What is now the Village of New Lenox was first settled in the late 1820s, in the area of Gougar crossing (Route 30 and Gougar Road) and it was called VanHorne Point. New Lenox Township was established when Will County was created in 1852 with the building of the Rock Island Railroad between Chicago and Rock Island, Illinois. Originally named Tracey in honor of the general superintendent of the Rock Island Railroad. Mr. Tracy later requested that the community be renamed. The first supervisor of the Rock Island Railway for New Lenox Township, John Van Duser, named the Township New Lenox from the town Lenox, New York, which was Van Duser's hometown. In 1863, the name for the new settlement officially became New Lenox Township.

The Village of New Lenox was officially created on October 4, 1946. In 1945, 46 community leaders, F. Carlton Cole, Walter Baers and others reasoned that the community should be incorporated. Recognizing the benefits and the potential growth of the area, a community vote in the spring of 1946 resulted in the authorization for the creation of the Village of New Lenox. On October 4, 1946, the State of Illinois officially certified that New Lenox was legally organized and incorporated as a Village in the State of Ill

In 1829, fur traders Aaron Friend and Joseph Brown established an outpost along the north side of Hickory Creek (near today’s Gougar Road), which was one of the earliest settlements in Will County. Friend moved west with the Native Americans after the Blackhawk War of 1832. In 1830, William Rice, Sr. and William Rice, Jr. arrived and began farming and building a log cabin, which they sold along with their land to John Gougar on behalf of his father William Gougar. In 1832, “Uncle Billy” Gougar established a post office at his farm where area residents would pick up their mail. The Gougar farm became the center of activity in the area.

Joseph Norman, who opened the second area sawmill in 1833, was also the father of Elizabeth Norman, born in 1832, and was the first child born in New Lenox Township. In 1852, the coming of the Rock Island Railroad changed the settlement of the Township. Before the railroad, farmers hauled their goods to the I & M Canal or by wagon all the way to larger cities like Chicago. The railroad brought distant markets to the farmer, along with more visitors and the mail. Later three additional railroads: the Wabash, the Michigan Central, and the Elgin, Joliet and Eastern all crossed New Lenox Township. Gradually the area east of Gougar Crossing along the railroad tracks became the new center of town and so the Village of New Lenox began.

The village was platted in 1858. The name Tracy was the name shown on the original plat to honor the general superintendent of the Rock Island Railroad. Tracy requested that another name be found. The first supervisor for New Lenox Township J. Van Duser had named the Township New Lenox from the town of Lenox, New York, which was Van Duser's home town. In 1863, the name for the new settlement officially became New Lenox after the Township. The coming of the Rock Island Railroad in 1852 changed the settlement of the Township considerably. Previously farmers could do "cash crop" farming by hauling the products to the I & M Canal or by wagon all the way to larger cities like Chicago. The presence of the railroad brought distant markets to the farmer. Eventually New Lenox Township was served by three additional railroads: the Wabash, the Michigan Central, and the Elgin, Joliet and Eastern.

The most prominent citizen of New Lenox at the turn of the century was H. N. Higinbotham. Although Mr. Higinbotham's home was located in New Lenox, he became famous in Chicago where he was a partner in Marshall Field's, a banker, and the organizing and supervising force behind the World's Columbian Exposition of 1893. He was a colleague and friend of most of Chicago's leaders, including George Pullman, Marshall Field, and the Palmers. Mr. Higinbotham once owned the farms that later became Pilcher Park. He owned and operated one of the largest carnation and rose greenhouse businesses in this area. In 1898, the first rural Bell telephone company in Illinois came to New Lenox. By 1905, there were 132 subscribers. The switchboard operators worked in homes so that 24 hour service could be given to customers to handle emergencies. The Deadmore home at 221 Haven Avenue was the first location for the switchboard.

New Lenox is known as "The Home of Proud Americans", which exemplifies the quality of life in the community.

Geography
New Lenox is located approximately 36 miles southwest of downtown Chicago at 41.50833°N, -87.97056°W (41.508251, -87.970597). According to the 2010 census, New Lenox has a total area of 15.683 sqmi, of which 15.66 sqmi (or 99.85%) is land and 0.023 sqmi (or 0.15%) is water. It is bordered by Joliet to the northwest, Ingalls Park to the west, Mokena to the east, Frankfort to the southeast and Manhattan to the south.

Climate
The average temperatures in New Lenox range from 21 °F (-6 °C) in January to 73 °F (23 °C) in July. There are, on average, 137 days of the daily low temperature being below or at freezing, and 86 days when the daily high is above 80 °F (27 °C).

Demographics
As of the census of 2010, there were 24,394 people, 8,000 households, and 6,547 families residing in the village. The population density was 2,424.9 PD/sqmi. There were 8,244 housing units at an average density of 819.5 /sqmi.

The racial makeup of the village was 96.2% White, 0.8% Asian, 0.7% African American, 0.2% Native American, 0.0% Pacific Islander, 1.0% from other races, and 1.1% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.7% of the population.

There were 8,000 households, out of which 45.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 69.8% were married couples living together, and 8.2 were non-families. 15.1% 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 3.41.

The median income for a household in the village was $88,778 and the median income for a family was $97,752

The median home value in the village as August 31, 2023, is $401,997.

According to a 2011 forecast the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning estimated New Lenox will have a population of 90,652 in 2030. However, due to a substantial slow down in area growth, a 2015 forecast estimates the population of New Lenox will grow to about 68,000 residents by 2040.

Economy
The crossroads of I-355, Route 6, and Cedar Road was intended as the future site of two major development projects; Cedar Crossings and Spring Creek Outlets. Cedar Crossings would have been constructed at southwest corner of Cedar Road and Route 6, adjacent to Silver Cross Hospital. Cedar Crossings proposed a 970,000-square-foot retail center to be developed by the Zaremba Group. Sadly, development of Cedar Crossings delayed due to economic reasons. Also proposed was Spring Creek Outlets. Spring Creek Outlets would have been a 65 acer Outlet Mall with additions including senior housing, hotels, restaurants, medical offices, and more. This would have extended Route 6, but was delayed and cut also due to economic reasons.

However in 2023, New Lenox announced a 100 acre sports complex coming in 2025 in the original proposed Cedar Crossing. This will include eight full-size baseball fields, five soccer fields, two multi-sport fields, open swimming pools, and a 50,000-square-foot fieldhouse. This will cost 8.25 million for 103 acres with 50-60 million costing for the sport complex all together. There will also be ten acres sold for hotel and restaurant use across the hospital and the sport complex.

Government
The village operates under the village form of local government. The Council-Trustees/Mayor form of government is followed and utilizes a village administrator to perform chief administrative duties. The current mayor is Tim Baldermann and the current village administrator is Kurt Carroll. The six member board of trustees and mayor are elected in an election at large on a four-year staggered basis, with the mayor elected to that specific office by the voters.

The village's board of trustees is responsible for setting village policy, enacting ordinances and resolutions for the proper governing of the village, as well as for overseeing the proper planning of the village.

The current board is composed of Katie Christopherson, Amy Gugiliuzza, Keith Madsen, Lindsay Scalise, David Smith, and Jim Wilson.

The village clerk is an appointed position and is responsible for the proper keeping of all official documents of the village. As well, the position is the local election official, and is responsible for in-person absentee voting, as well as the duties of setting the ballot for all local elections. As chief administrative officer, the village administrator is responsible for the enforcement of all village codes and ordinances, as well as recommending employee hiring to the mayor and board of trustees. The village administrator also supervises all village departmental operations.

In 2007, the village governmental operations were moved to the new New Lenox Village Hall at 1 Veterans Parkway. Upon occupying this new building of approximately 65000 sqft, the old Village Hall which was approximately 14000 sqft was taken over by the New Lenox Police Department. The main level of the building which formerly housed the village operations was remodeled for police use. In 2014, a new building would open as the official Police Station in the Commons moving the police use away from the Village Hall.

Culture
In 2005, the village opened the Commons anchored by the Performing Arts Pavilion. The village organizes a Summer Performing Arts Program including a series of free concerts and family movie nights. Each year the village hosts the Triple Play Concert Series featuring national recording artists performing on three different dates each summer. In 2024 it was announced that the Triple Play Concert would be rebranded to the Summer Concert Series as the mayor said it would have more notable artists perform and more concerts occurring throughout the summer.

The New Lenox French Market made its debut in 2011. The Market ran late spring through October. However due to lack of attendance, it permanently stopped after the 2015 season.

New Lenox hosts multiple festivals, including Cruise the Commons, Christmas in the Commons, Fridays After Five ,and the Loyalty Day Parade.

The now disbanded Lincoln-Way Patriots were part of the Mid States Football League and played throughout the Lincoln-Way area.

Parks
The New Lenox Community Park District maintains 40 parks and athletic fields comprising nearly 600 acres; while also utilizing 14 facilities throughout New Lenox.

New Lenox also offers a number of paved asphalt and crushed gravel trails. Old Plank Road Trail is a 22-mile pavement hiking and biking nature trail that travels through the heart of New Lenox with many access points to include access at the Village Hall in the Commons. The Hickory Creek State Nature Preserve provides a 2.8-mile asphalt hiking and biking nature trail as well as access to the historic one-room Schmuhl School Museum on the southeast corner of Route 30 and Schoolhouse Road, which is owned and operated by the New Lenox Historical Society. Additionally, the Hadley Valley Preserve offers a unique 4.85-mile crushed Spring Creek Greenway Trail that welcomes pedestrians and equestrians.

Health care
Silver Cross has built a $400 million hospital just off of U.S. Route 6 nearby the new I-355 extension in New Lenox; replacing their Joliet location on February 26, 2012. The replacement hospital brings services from Children’s Memorial Hospital, the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago (RIC) – the #1 Rehabilitation Hospital in the Nation, and the University of Chicago Medical Center.

Train
New Lenox has two Metra commuter rail lines. The New Lenox Metra Station is located on the corner of U.S. Route 30 and Cedar Road, servicing towns on Metra's Rock Island District Line between Joliet Union Station and Chicago's LaSalle Street Station. New Lenox also has Metra Laraway Road Station at the intersection of Cedar Road. This rail line services towns on Metra's SouthWest Service Line between Manhattan and Chicago's Union Station.

Highways
New Lenox is located at the junctions of many major roads. U.S. Route 30 is the main East to West road through town. The major north–south streets are Cedar Road, Gougar Road, and Nelson Road. I-80 and I-355, also known as the Veterans Memorial Tollway, pass through New Lenox. These expressways provide transportation to many other major highways and to Chicago, Joliet, Naperville, Wheaton, Bolingbrook.

Airport
New Lenox-Howell Airport is an abandoned airfield located on Laraway Road.

Education
Elementary and middle schools are operated by New Lenox School District 122 while Lincoln-Way Community High School District serves the communities of New Lenox, Frankfort, Mokena, Manhattan, and small portions of Tinley Park There are three comprehensive high schools within the district: Lincoln-Way Central, Lincoln-Way East, and Lincoln-Way West. Lincoln-Way Central and Lincoln-Way West are located in New Lenox; Lincoln-Way East is located in Frankfort. Providence Catholic High School is a private Roman Catholic secondary school located in New Lenox.

Media
New Lenox's weekly community newspaper was The New Lenox Patriot. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the company running the paper closed in April 2020. Most residents rely on the New Lenox Patch website for their news source. However in 2023, New Lenox announced The Villager Newsletter that publishes quarterly throughout the year.

Notable people

 * B.J. Bello, NFL linebacker for the Los Angeles Chargers
 * Alex Broadhurst, former NHL center for the Columbus Blue Jackets
 * Adam Calhoun, American rapper/songwriter
 * Karla DeVito, singer/songwriter
 * Tony Cingrani, MLB pitcher, currently playing for the St. Louis Cardinals
 * Ned Grabavoy, former MLS player and current scouting director for Portland Timbers, 2009 MLS Cup winner
 * Sonya Huber, writer
 * Renée Kosel, state Congresswomen representing Illinois 81st legislative district
 * Rob Ninkovich, retired defensive end and two-time Super Bowl champion for the New England Patriots, analyst for ESPN
 * Johan Reinhard, Andean archeologist and explorer in residence for National Geographic
 * Wellington J. Reynolds, painter, instructor at Art Institute of Chicago
 * Eric Steinbach, offensive lineman, retired NFL football player

title: New Lenox, Illinois


text:
Plainfield, Illinois

Plainfield is a village in Will and Kendall counties, Illinois, United States. The population was 44,762 at the 2020 census.

The village includes land in Will County's Plainfield and Wheatland townships, as well as Na-Au-Say and Oswego townships in Kendall County. With the growth in the Chicago suburbs in the 1990s and 2000s, the village has seen a population increase, from 4,500 in 1990 to 28,000 in 2000 to nearly 45,000 in 2016. It is between the cities of Naperville and Joliet.

The village has established a community Preservation Commission and historic preservation ordinance. It is the home of the Lake Renwick Preserve, a county forest preserve used for birdwatching and other activities. Located south of Village Hall is Settlers' Park, which includes a lake, war monument, open space, and more. The park presents outdoor concerts to the public in the summer.

History
The area was called "Walkers' Grove" until it was platted as "Plainfield" in 1841. It was originally settled by a large community of Potawatomi people, and the land was later bequeathed to the United States as part of the Treaty of St. Louis (1816) with the Council of the Three Fires. Indian Boundary Road aligns with the western border of the tract of land originally ceded.

The earliest Europeans in the area were French fur traders. The first European-American settler in the area was James Walker, who with his father-in-law, Methodist minister Jessie Walker, traveled here in 1826 where he established a small mission for the Potawatomi people. James Walker, Jesse Walker's son-in-law, traveled with him and became the first European-American to claim land in the area in 1828.

In 1828, James Walker, in the company of several men, erected a sawmill around which the settlement of Walkers' Grove developed.

Plainfield is identified as the oldest community in Will County because the earliest settlement of Walkers' Grove was established on the banks of the DuPage River by 1828. However, the actual village of Plainfield was platted immediately north of Walkers' Grove in 1834 by Chester Ingersoll. The separate community of East Plainfield was platted in June 1836 by James Mathers, who began selling lots in July 1836. He also constructed a gristmill and a mill race west of Water Street, which would later become Plainfield-Naperville Road. Ingersoll's "Planefield" (Plainfield) which comprised lots in Section 16, along with Mather's East Plainfield lots in Section 10 and Levi Arnold's plat of Section 9, all became joined to create the present-day village after the death of Levi Arnolds in 1845.

Walkers' Grove flourished because of the DuPage River and established routes to Fort Dearborn in Chicago, as well as to Ottawa to the west. Reuben Flagg hauled lumber from Walker's mill to Chicago in order to erect the first two frame structures in the city (the P.F.W. Peck House and the George Dole Forwarding House). Chicago also depended upon the settlement for mail and supplies. The community's early prosperity was stunted when the Illinois and Michigan Canal opened in 1848, because the village was not located along the canal. Located within the village are numerous Greek Revival, Upright and Wing cottages, a school built in 1847, and a number of early-19th-century homes. Plainfield currently has three buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places: Plainfield Halfway House, Flanders House, and a 1928 Standard Oil gas station.

Plainfield abolitionists offered food and shelter to runaway slaves following the Underground Railroad.

North Central College was founded in the village in 1861 as Plainfield College.

The Plainfield Public Library District was founded in the village in 1925 as the Nimmons Village of Plainfield Free Public Library.

Plainfield is the birthplace of Eddie Gardner, one of the pilots credited with establishing the transcontinental air mail routes for the United States Postal Service. The earliest architects associated with buildings in Plainfield are J.E. Minott of Aurora; G. Julian Barnes & John H. Barnes of Joliet; and Herbert Cowell of Joliet and Plainfield.

Certain older parts of Plainfield once suffered from extreme traffic congestion. Before Interstate 55 was built just east of the village in the late 1950s, U.S. Route 30 (the Lincoln Highway) and U.S. Route 66 (sometimes referred to as "The Mother Road") merged into one street for three blocks in the center of town on what is now Illinois Route 59. The merge was between Plainfield/Joliet Road on the south to Lockport Street on the north, but continues to be an area of heavy traffic congestion even outside heavy commuting periods. At one time, the two longest paved highways in the world (Lincoln Highway and U.S. Route 66) crossed within Plainfield. The highways only crossed each other twice and both locations are in Will County. The other location is in neighboring Joliet.

1990 Tornado
On August 28, 1990, an F5 tornado ran its course through Plainfield. The "Plainfield Tornado" killed 29 people, 24 of whom were killed instantly, and 350 were injured. More than 1,100 homes were damaged and destroyed. The tornado made it across more than 16 mi in only 8 minutes. It destroyed the only Plainfield high school at the time, now called Plainfield Central High School. A population boom started to take place at the end of the 20th century after the tornado, with a large number of new home subdivisions. Before this, Plainfield was primarily an agricultural town.

Geography
Plainfield is located in northwestern Will County. The village limits extend west into the eastern part of Kendall County. Plainfield is bordered to the north by the city of Naperville, to the northeast by the village of Bolingbrook, to the east by the village of Romeoville, and to the south by the city of Joliet. Farmland in Kendall County is to the west.

Interstate 55 runs along the eastern edge of the village, with access from two exits. I-55 leads northeast 34 mi to the center of Chicago and southwest 100 mi to Bloomington. U.S. Route 30 passes through the center of Plainfield, leading northwest 13 mi to Montgomery and southeast 9 mi to Joliet. Illinois Route 126 crosses US-30 in the center of Plainfield, leading northeast 2.5 mi to I-55 and west 14 mi to Yorkville. Illinois Route 59 runs through the center of Plainfield with US-30 but leads north 9 mi to the west side of Naperville and south 6 mi to Shorewood.

According to the 2010 census, Plainfield has a total area of 24.199 sqmi, of which 23.22 sqmi (or 95.95%) is land and 0.979 sqmi (or 4.05%) is water. The DuPage River flows through the village center, running south towards the Des Plaines River in the Illinois River watershed.

Like its namesake, Plainfield's topography is generally flat. Thousands of years ago, land in greater Plainfield used to be part of the bed of proglacial Lake Wauponsee. However, the lake did not hold up long, and eventually drained into the Illinois River valley. The lake left behind a very flat landscape. Much of downtown Plainfield has an elevation of around 600 - 625 ft above sea level, with some areas in the western and northwestern portions of the village's outskirts exceeding 700 ft. This rise in elevation was created by terminal moraines that were formed during the Wisconsin Episode of the last ice age's last glacial period that has been recorded.

Demographics
As of the census of 2010, there were 39,581 people, 11,920 households, and 10,155 families residing in the village. The population density was 1,621.5 PD/sqmi. There were 12,532 housing units at an average density of 513.4 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the village was 81.72% White, 5.56% African American, 0.22% Native American, 7.62% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 2.6% from other races, and 2.22% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 10.73% of the population.

There were 11,920 households, out of which 55.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 74.2% were married couples living together, 7.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 14.8% were non-families. 11.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 2.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.31 and the average family size was 3.62.

In the village, the population was spread out, with 35.2% under the age of 18, 6% from 18 to 24, 31.8% from 25 to 44, 21.7% from 45 to 64, and 5.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33.8 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95 males.

According to a 2014 estimate by the U.S. Census, the median income for a household in the village was $111,536 (~$ in ). About 1.0% of families and 1.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.2% of those under age 18 and 2.3% of those age 65 or over.

Downtown (Lockport St.)
In the mid 1800's, the business district of Plainfield consisted of wood-framed buildings of all shapes and sizes, yet between 1-2 stories high, and commonly had projecting awnings of wood and metal, along with either false fronted, horizontal wood cornices or large display windows. There were wood plank sidewalks that were elevated 2ft above the dirt roads on a limestone foundation. The last wood-framed building constructed on Lockport St. was in 1869, and the first masonry buildings constructed along Lockport St. were in 1865, and the post 1870 masonry buildings introduced a new commercial look where common design themes began to integrate the buildings together; including: identical floor and roof lines, cast iron storefronts with larger windows, operable canvas awnings, stamped metal cornices, etc..

Early Churches
The early church buildings of Plainfield were wood-framed and imposed Greek Revival and Gothic Revival edifices along the dirt roads. In the 1850's, four different congregations built churches along Lockport street, including the Methodists, Congregationalists, the Baptists, and the Evangelicals.

In 1836 the Methodists built a wood-framed church (located on present-day Lockport street), and in 1868 they built another church much larger and of limestone (located on present-day Illinois street in downtown Plainfield). The original church built in 1836 was later converted into a business on the first floor and a social hall on the second floor.

In 1850 the Congregational Church (located at present-day Lockport and Illinois streets) was built and cost $2,200. The east wing of the church was added in 1907.

In 1836 the Baptist church erected their first church, sized at 26ft by 36ft, and cost of $2,500. This church was later turned into a blacksmith shop in 1857 following the construction of a new church that costed $4,500-$5,000, and burned down in 1914, then rebuilt on the same site again (located at present-day Division and Lockport streets).

Major highways
Major highways in Plainfield include:

Interstate Highways

Interstate 55

US Highways

US 30

US 66

Illinois Highways

Route 59

Route 126

Pace
The Pace bus system expanded two routes (755 and 855) to Plainfield beginning May 6, 2013. Both routes are "bi-directional, weekday rush hour service" from the Plainfield Village Center to Downtown Chicago. One route terminates in the Illinois Medical District and the other in Chicago's East Loop.

Education

Plainfield Community Consolidated School District 202 serves portions of Plainfield, Joliet, Crest Hill, Bolingbrook, Romeoville, and Plainfield Township in unincorporated parts of Will County.

Peak enrollment in the district took place in 2010–2011 at 29,254 students. The enrollment has been steadily declining since that time, and is currently declining at several hundred students per year. Current enrollment is 24,737 for the 2022-2023 school year.

Notable people

 * Kapri Bibbs, NFL running back; raised in Plainfield and played for Plainfield North High School's varsity football team; won Super Bowl 50 with Denver Broncos
 * Joel Kim Booster, comedian, actor, and writer. Born in Seoul, South Korea and raised in Plainfield.
 * Lisa Chesson, Olympic defenseman with U.S. women's ice hockey team; born in Plainfield and played on Plainfield Central High School's varsity hockey team
 * Shea Couleé, a drag queen known for competing on RuPaul's Drag Race (season 9); RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars Season 5 winner; raised in Plainfield
 * Nate Fox, power forward and center with several European teams
 * John Henebry, US Air Force general; born in Plainfield
 * Maurizio Iacono, Canadian-born recording artist and singer for heavy metal band Kataklysm
 * Eric Johnson, NFL defensive tackle; raised in Plainfield and attended Plainfield South High School; drafted by the Indianapolis Colts
 * Melissa McCarthy, actress; born in Plainfield
 * Kahmari Montgomery, Professional track athlete for Nike.
 * Kristopher Prather, professional ten-pin bowler and winner of the 2019 PBA Tour Playoffs; resides in Plainfield
 * Alexander Ratiu, Romanian political prisoner; priest at St. Mary Immaculate Church (1975–1982)
 * Warren L. Wood, Illinois politician; lived in Plainfield

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

title: Plainfield, Illinois


text:
Preston Heights, Illinois

Preston Heights is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) in Will County, Illinois, United States. As of the 2020 census, the CDP population was 2,898.

Geography
Preston Heights is located at 41.49667°N, -88.0725°W (41.496564, -88.072573).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 1.5 sqmi, all land.

2000 Census
As of the census of 2000, there were 2,527 people, 875 households, and 655 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 1,691.4 PD/sqmi. There were 930 housing units at an average density of 622.5 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the CDP was 30.99% White, 63.47% African American, 0.55% Native American, 0.12% Asian, 0.20% Pacific Islander, 2.77% from other races, and 1.90% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.42% of the population.

There were 875 households, out of which 39.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.0% were married couples living together, 24.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.1% were non-families. 19.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 5.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.89 and the average family size was 3.31.

In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 32.1% under the age of 18, 10.2% from 18 to 24, 28.3% from 25 to 44, 21.2% from 45 to 64, and 8.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females, there were 90.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.3 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $42,500, and the median income for a family was $46,331. Males had a median income of $38,875 versus $25,944 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $18,681. About 8.6% of families and 9.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.7% of those under age 18 and 8.7% of those age 65 or over.

Transportation
Pace provides bus service on Routes 504, 511 and 512 connecting Preston Heights to downtown Joliet and other destinations.

title: Preston Heights, Illinois


text:
Rockdale, Illinois

Rockdale is a village in Will County, Illinois, United States which had a population of 1,976 during the 2010 census.

Geography
Rockdale is located at 41.5075°N, -88.11528°W (41.507480, -88.115233). It is immediately south of the city of Joliet, and is about 36 mi southwest of Chicago.

According to the 2010 census, Rockdale has a total area of 0.79 sqmi, all land. Rockdale was founded in 1894 by a group of local businessmen.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,888 people, 762 households, and 473 families residing in the village. The population density was 2,377.4 PD/sqmi. There were 826 housing units at an average density of 1,040.1 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the village was 82.89% White, 0.85% African American, 0.48% Native American, 0.37% Asian, 10.86% from other races, and 4.56% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 21.98% of the population.

There were 762 households, out of which 30.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.0% were married couples living together, 10.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.8% were non-families. 31.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.47 and the average family size was 3.11.

The median income for a household in the village was $39,954, and the median income for a family was $47,232. Males had a median income of $35,761 versus $24,375 for females. The per capita income for the village was $18,738. About 7.7% of families and 9.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.1% of those under age 18 and 4.5% of those age 65 or over.

Emergency service
The village's fire suppression services are operated by the Rockdale Fire Protection district. EMS is provided by Daley's Ambulance, and law enforcement by Rockdale Police.

Transportation
Pace provides bus service on Route 505 connecting Rockdale to downtown Joliet and other destinations.

title: Rockdale, Illinois


text:
Romeoville, Illinois

Romeoville is a village in Will County, Illinois, United States. The village is located 26 mi southwest of Chicago on the Gateway Wetlands, directly west of the Des Plaines River. Per the 2020 census, the population was 39,863. It is located in the southwest suburban area of Chicago near Interstate 55 and Interstate 355.

History

Romeoville was one of the last areas of Will County occupied by Native Americans. The village of Romeo was first settled on September 14, 1835, on Isle a La Cache, a small island in the Des Plaines River. Around this time, the first bridge was built to allow access to the island from the west bank of the river. In 1848, the I&M Canal was finished, drawing new residents to the area. On January 19, 1895, residents of Romeo voted to incorporate and changed the village's name to Romeoville. The community, along with nearby Joliet, became known as "Stone City" in reference to its prosperous limestone quarries. The Illinois State Capitol in Springfield was unveiled in 1888, and is constructed entirely of Romeoville limestone. Lewis University was established on the outskirts of town in 1934.

Romeoville is home to Citgo's Lemont Refinery. The refinery was constructed in 1922 across the river from the village. It was later the site of the 1984 Romeoville petroleum refinery disaster.

In 1950, Romeoville had approximately 46 homes and a population of 147. The village remained sparsely populated until 1957, when over 600 acre of wetlands along IL-53 became the Hampton Park Subdivision. An additional 400 acre were added in 1964, as Romeoville's population slowly grew. On October 5, 1990, the first interchange on I-55 and Weber Road was built, connecting the village to the rest of the Chicago metropolitan area. Over the following decade, the area along Weber Road quickly became suburbanized as several new housing developments were completed. Romeoville was one of fastest-growing communities in Illinois throughout the 1990s and 2000s. The population grew rapidly, and the village experienced an influx of over 25,000 new residents in two decades.

On September 16–17, 2023, a family of four, consisting of two adults and two children, were killed in a mass shooting at their home in Romeoville; their three dogs were also killed. Police believed the killings were a targeted attack. The shooter, identified as 31-year-old Nathaniel Huey Jr., was tracked down with his fiancée at Catoosa, Oklahoma, on September 20. During an attempted traffic stop, Huey fled but eventually crashed his vehicle. Afterwards, he fatally shot his fiancée and then himself.

Geography
According to the 2010 census, Romeoville has a total area of 18.759 sqmi, of which 18.44 sqmi, comprising 98.3%, is land and 0.319 sqmi, comprising 1.7%, is water. Romeoville borders the neighboring communities of Bolingbrook, Plainfield, Crystal Lawns, Crest Hill, Lockport and Lemont.

Climate
Romeoville is home to a National Weather Service forecast office, although bulletins issued by said office begin, "The National Weather Service in Chicago..."

Economy

Romeoville is home to over 600 businesses. In 2013, the village won a Gold Medal from the International Economic Development Council and Atlas Integrated in the High Performance Economic Development category. They earned the award by creating 1,560 jobs during 2012–2013, which was the most for a town with a population between 25,001 and 100,000.

Top employers
According to the village website, the top employers in the village are:

Other major employers include Kehe Foods, FedEx Ground, and the Village of Romeoville.

K–12 education
Romeoville residents attend the following schools:

Valley View School District 365U
 * Valley View Early Childhood Center
 * Beverly Skoff Elementary School
 * Irene King Elementary School
 * Kenneth L. Hermansen Elementary School
 * Robert C. Hill Elementary School
 * A. Vito Martinez Middle School
 * John J. Lukancic Middle School
 * Romeoville High School
 * St. Andrew the Apostle School

Plainfield Community Consolidated School District 202

 * Eichelberger Elementary School
 * Creekside Elementary School
 * Lakewood Falls Elementary School
 * John F Kennedy Middle School
 * Indian Trails Middle School
 * Plainfield East High School

Lockport Township High School District 205
 * Lockport Township High School

Higher education

 * Joliet Junior College – Romeoville Campus
 * Rasmussen College – Romeoville Campus
 * Lewis University – Main Campus

Transportation

 * Metra station on the Heritage Corridor line.
 * Lewis University Airport for basic aircraft to Boeing Business class.
 * Pace bus route 834.

Major highways
Major highways in Romeoville include:

Interstate Highways

Interstate 55

Interstate 355

US Highways

Historic US 66

Illinois Highways

Route 7

Route 53

Notable people

 * Gerald Coleman, played goalie for the Lake Erie Monsters and Tampa Bay Lightning.
 * Egotistico Fantastico, pro wrestler
 * Oliver Gibson, DT, played with the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals.
 * Sandra Navarro Gillette, singer who charted a 1994 worldwide hit single, graduated from Romeoville High School.
 * Antonio Morrison, LB, played with the Indianapolis Colts and Green Bay Packers.
 * Byron Stingily, OT, played with the Tennessee Titans and Pittsburgh Steelers.

title: Romeoville, Illinois


text:
Shorewood, Illinois

Shorewood is a village in Troy Township, Will County, Illinois, United States. The population was 18,182 in the 2020 census, and is estimated to be 18,360 in 2024.

Geography
Shorewood is located at 41.51833°N, -88.215°W (41.5181961, -88.2150390). The village is approximately 39 mi southwest of Chicago's Loop.

According to the 2020 census, Shorewood has a total area of 8.07 sqmi, of which 7.77 sqmi (or 98.55%) is land and 0.114 sqmi (or 1.45%) is water.

Demographics
As of the census of 2010, there were 15,610 residents, with 2,146 families residing in the village. The population density was 2,008.9 people per square mile (762.9/km$2$). There were 2,647 housing units at an average density of 680.9 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the village was 92.71% White, 2.39% African American, 0.27% Native American, 1.33% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 1.98% from other races, and 1.30% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.44% of the population.

There were 2,565 households, out of which 43.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 73.2% were married couples living together, 7.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 16.3% were non-families. 13.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 3.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.00 and the average family size was 3.30.

In the village, the population was spread out, with 29.8% under the age of 18, 6.8% from 18 to 24, 30.4% from 25 to 44, 26.8% from 45 to 64, and 6.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 99.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.0 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $89,095. Males had a median income of $56,935 versus $42,336 for females. The per capita income for the village was $38,199. About 1.1% of families and 2.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 0.6% of those under age 18 and none of those age 65 or over. Median value of owner-occupied housing units, 2006-2010 is $248,100

Culture
Shorewood has one library, Shorewood-Troy Public Library.

Transportation
Pace provides bus service on Route 501 connecting Shorewood to downtown Joliet and other destinations.

Notable people

 * Tanner Laczynski, professional ice hockey player for the Philadelphia Flyers
 * Eric Parker, wide receiver with the San Diego Chargers

title: Shorewood, Illinois


text:
Symerton, Illinois

Symerton is a village in Will County, Illinois, United States. The population was 128 at the 2020 census. By population, it is the smallest village in Will County.

Geography
Symerton is located at 41.32806°N, -88.05444°W (41.328133, -88.054550).

According to the 2010 census, Symerton has a total area of 0.05 sqmi, all land. It is the smallest village in Will County by size and by population. It is located between Peotone and Wilmington.

History
Symerton was served by the Wabash Railroad. The Will County Historical Society moved the depot to Lockport, Illinois, to serve as part of the society's frontier village; however, the frontier village was evicted from its site in 2009, and the depot was placed into storage. It has since been relocated to Heritage Village on 2nd Street, including other relocated historic buildings from other parts of Will County. The Blackhawk Railway Historical Society was involved in restoring this depot to its original appearance. During the early 1940s, the government bought land in Jackson and Florence townships in order to build the Joliet Arsenal. As a result, farmers were forced to leave Jackson and Florence Townships, and many moved their homes down the street, to Symerton.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 106 people, 34 households, and 24 families residing in the village. The population density was 2,064.1 PD/sqmi. There were 36 housing units at an average density of 701.0 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the village was 99.06% White and 0.94% African American.

There were 34 households, out of which 38.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 64.7% were married couples living together, 2.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.5% were non-families. 23.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 5.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.12 and the average family size was 3.76.

In the village, the population was spread out, with 30.2% under the age of 18, 11.3% from 18 to 24, 28.3% from 25 to 44, 24.5% from 45 to 64, and 5.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 30 years. For every 100 females, there were 100.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.7 males.

As of 2019, the median income for a household in the village was $72,917. 1.0% of households were below the poverty line.

title: Symerton, Illinois


text:
Willow Brook Estates, Illinois

Willow Brook Estates is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) in Will County, Illinois,  United States. The population was 1,346 at the 2020 census. it is considered a far south suburb of Chicago.

History
Willow Brook Estates was developed as a subdivision in 1971 by John Parker, Evelyn Parker and Ronald Parker. The community was built in 3 phases from 1971 to 1991 and has 161 lots. There is a large pond in the center of the development known as Park Pond. Willow Brook Estates is known as one of the largest and oldest unincorporated towns in Illinois governed by an HOA. Despite its similar name, Willow Brook Estates is 47 miles south-east of the Village of Willowbrook in DuPage County.

Geography
Willow Brook Estates is located at 41.44993°N, -87.54112°W.

Willow Brook Estates is located north-east of the intersection at East Exchange Street and Stateline Road. It borders the State of Indiana to the east. The town of Crete, Illinois is 8 miles to the west.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 3.4 sqmi, of which 3.4 sqmi is land and 0.04 sqmi (0.59%) is water.

2010 Census
As of the census of 2000, there were 2,130 people, 726 households, and 638 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 631.0 PD/sqmi. There were 740 housing units at an average density of 219.2 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the CDP in 2017 was 53.5% White and 46.4% African American.

There were 726 households, out of which 33.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 82.4% were married couples living together, 3.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 12.0% were non-families. 9.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 3.3% 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 3.13.

In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 23.5% under the age of 18, 7.4% from 18 to 24, 22.1% from 25 to 44, 36.5% from 45 to 64, and 10.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females, there were 2,000,000 males. For every 5 females age 18 and over, there were 100 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $88,137, and the median income for a family was $93,066. Males had a median income of $65,833 versus $35,000 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $33,177. About 1.1% of families and 2.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including none of those under the age of eighteen or sixty-five or over.

title: Willow Brook Estates, Illinois


text:
Wilmington, Illinois

Wilmington is a city in Will County, Illinois, United States. Located on IL-53 and Historic Route 66 along the east bank of the Kankakee River, it is approximately 60 miles south-west from downtown Chicago (the Chicago Loop). The population was 5,724 at the 2010 census. Wilmington is just south of Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie, which is home the largest bison herd in the state.

History
Thomas Cox purchased land near Alden's Island in 1834 and built a sawmill, corn cracker, gristmill, and a carding machine facility all of which were powered by water wheels situated on a mill right off of the Kankakee River which runs through Wilmington.

The city is home to the historic Eagle Hotel located on the northwest corner of state Rt 53 (Rt 66) and Water street (Rt 102). It later became famous as a stop on U.S. Route 66, which followed the route of modern-day Illinois Route 53. A notable attraction for travelers along this route is the Gemini Giant muffler man type statue. Countless photos of travelers, both domestic and foreign, standing at the base of the Gemini Giant are taken each year.

Wilmington is also home to Cinder Ridge Golf Course, located off of I-55. Wilmington was the scene of the brutal murder of Riley Fox.

A mural depicting historic Downtown Wilmington was installed facing the Eagle Hotel in October 2023, in anticipation of the 100th anniversary of the establishment of Route 66 coming up in 2026.

Geography
Wilmington is located at 41.30752°N, -88.14614°W. It is located on the banks of the Kankakee River, approximately 50 mi southwest of Chicago and 15 mi south of Joliet.

One of Wilmington's most notable geographical features is a large island in the Kankakee River, much of which is occupied by a city park. This island divides the river into a large channel and a smaller one which was used as a natural mill race during the early years of the city. The island is the source of the city's nickname, "The Island City."

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 4.5 sqmi, of which 4.2 sqmi is land and 0.3 sqmi (6.86%) is water.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 5,134 people, 1,991 households, and 1,318 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,218.3 PD/sqmi. There were 2,097 housing units at an average density of 497.6 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 97.14% White, 0.74% African American, 0.35% Native American, 0.29% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.60% from other races, and 0.86% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.95% of the population.

There were 1,991 households, out of which 34.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.1% were married couples living together, 9.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.8% were non-families. 28.4% 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 2.51 and the average family size was 3.10.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 26.3% under the age of 18, 8.3% from 18 to 24, 29.4% from 25 to 44, 22.9% from 45 to 64, and 13.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.7 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $45,659, and the median income for a family was $53,648. Males had a median income of $41,966 versus $25,625 for females. The per capita income for the city was $24,357. About 5.1% of families and 5.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.3% of those under age 18 and 9.3% of those age 65 or over.

Notable people

 * Damien Anderson, National Football League player (born 1979)
 * Harry Butcher, driver in the Indianapolis 500 (1892–1942)
 * George Cutshaw, Major League Baseball player (1887–1973)
 * John J. Feely, congressman (1875–1905)
 * Leroy Ioas, Hand of the Cause of the Bahá'í Faith (1896–1965)
 * Burt Keeley, Major League Baseball pitcher (1879–1952)
 * Kiiara, singer (born 1995)
 * Francis Joseph Magner, Roman Catholic bishop (1887–1947)
 * Kelly Murphy (born 1989) Olympic Volleyball player
 * Tanner Roark, Major League Baseball player (born 1986)
 * Josephine Trott, composer (1874–1950)

title: Wilmington, Illinois


text:
Bush, Illinois

Bush is a village in Williamson County, Illinois, United States. As of the 2000 census, the village population was 257.

History
Bush was founded in 1902 and named for Benjamin Franklin Bush (1860–1927), a railroad and mining official who later became president of the Missouri Pacific Railroad. The village developed around a coal mine which had opened that year. A branch of the St. Louis, Iron Mountain and Southern Railway (later part of the Missouri Pacific) was extended to Bush in 1903, and a post office opened in 1904. The community incorporated as a village in 1905.

Geography
Bush is located at 37.84139°N, -89.13222°W (37.841286, -89.132199).

According to the 2010 census, Bush has a total area of 0.456 sqmi, of which 0.45 sqmi (or 98.68%) is land and 0.006 sqmi (or 1.32%) is water.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 257 people, 110 households, and 78 families residing in the village. The population density was 558.0 PD/sqmi. There were 116 housing units at an average density of 251.9 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the village was 98.83% White, 0.39% Asian, and 0.78% from two or more races.

There were 110 households, out of which 26.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.2% were married couples living together, 16.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.2% were non-families. 27.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.9% 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 2.75.

In the village, the population was spread out, with 23.7% under the age of 18, 7.0% from 18 to 24, 28.0% from 25 to 44, 26.1% from 45 to 64, and 15.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 100.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 104.2 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $14,821, and the median income for a family was $28,333. Males had a median income of $30,313 versus $12,917 for females. The per capita income for the village was $11,503. About 31.1% of families and 38.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 62.5% of those under the age of eighteen and 10.0% of those 65 or over.

title: Bush, Illinois


text:
Cambria, Illinois

Cambria is a village in northwestern Williamson County, Illinois, United States. The population was 1,228 at the 2010 census.

History
Cambria was established in the early 1900s by brothers Tom and Evan John, owners of the Carterville and Big Muddy Coal Company, which had opened a mine in the area around 1904. The community was originally known as Lauder, but was changed to Cambria, the old Latin name for Wales, from which the John brothers hailed. A post office known as Reeves opened in 1905, but its name was changed to Cambria in 1911.

Geography
Cambria is located at 37.78306°N, -89.11861°W (37.783054, -89.118533).

According to the 2010 census, Cambria has a total area of 1.403 sqmi, of which 1.36 sqmi (or 96.94%) is land and 0.043 sqmi (or 3.06%) is water.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,330 people, 564 households, and 367 families residing in the village. The population density was 974.3 PD/sqmi. There were 649 housing units at an average density of 475.4 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the village was 95.04% White, 2.26% African American, 0.45% Native American, 0.08% Asian, 0.75% from other races, and 1.43% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.73% of the population.

There were 564 households, out of which 35.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.9% were married couples living together, 14.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.8% were non-families. 28.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.36 and the average family size was 2.91.

In the village, the population was spread out, with 26.3% under the age of 18, 13.4% from 18 to 24, 32.0% from 25 to 44, 17.7% from 45 to 64, and 10.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 30 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.0 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $25,870, and the median income for a family was $34,688. Males had a median income of $27,262 versus $20,750 for females. The per capita income for the village was $12,913. About 18.7% of families and 23.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 25.4% of those under age 18 and 25.0% of those age 65 or over.

73.7% of the total village population has their high school diploma or equivalent. This is below the national average of 80.4%. The percentage of the total population that holds a bachelor's degree or above is also below the national average of 24.4%. Only 12.9% of citizens hold college level degrees.

Government
Village board meetings are held every first and third Tuesday of the month at the Cambria Village Hall located in the old Cambria Grade School.

Education
Cambria is located in the Carterville School District Unit 5. The Cambria Grade School closed in 2001 when the Tri-C communities of Carterville, Cambria, and Crainville consolidated all Kindergarten through middle school grade levels.

Cambria is located near John A. Logan College located in Carterville and Southern Illinois University in Carbondale.

Religion
Cambria is home to three churches.

Notable person

 * Luther Harvel, outfielder for the Cleveland Indians

title: Cambria, Illinois


text:
Carterville, Illinois

Carterville is a city in Williamson County, Illinois, United States. At the 2020 census, the city's population was 5,848. The city is part of the Carbondale-Marion-Herrin combined statistical area and has grown considerably as a residential community of Carbondale and Marion.

The city is located next to Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge. The Refuge's 44000 acre of land and water contain a wide diversity of flora and fauna.

History
Carterville was founded by George Monroe McNeill and Laban Carter. McNeill married Olive Herrin of Herrin's Prairie and in 1866 they settled on the farm now known as Carterville. Carter came to Williamson County in 1864, purchased 100 acre of land, and helped organize and secure a post office for Carterville in 1871. The town was named in his honor. McNeill was one of the youngest members of the Union army during the American Civil War. He enlisted at 16 and was with General William T. Sherman during his March to the Sea.

Geography
According to the 2010 census, the city has a total area of 5.28 sqmi, of which 5.19 sqmi (or 98.30%) is land and 0.09 sqmi (or 1.70%) is water.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 4,616 people, 1,933 households, and 1,293 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,061.8 PD/sqmi. There were 2,093 housing units at an average density of 481.5 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 96.21% White, 1.13% African American, 0.15% Native American, 0.93% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.58% from other races, and 0.97% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.13% of the population.

There were 1,933 households, out of which 32.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.4% were married couples living together, 10.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.1% were non-families. 28.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 2.95.

In the city the population was spread out, with 25.2% under the age of 18, 10.0% from 18 to 24, 28.1% from 25 to 44, 23.1% from 45 to 64, and 13.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.0 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $36,969, and the median income for a family was $44,722. Males had a median income of $34,231 versus $24,924 for females. The per capita income for the city was $18,884. About 9.9% of families and 14.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.4% of those under age 18 and 7.1% of those age 65 or over.

Education
Carterville is home to John A. Logan College, named for the local American Civil War hero and politician John A. Logan. A college of approximately 8,000 students, John A. Logan College was featured in Rolling Stone  magazine as the nation's fifth best community college and in 2004 was recognized as one of the fastest growing community colleges in the nation.

Carterville High School received a silver medal and ranked 94th in Illinois on U.S. News & World Report's 2016 list of the nation's best high schools. CHS was the only public high school in southern Illinois that performed above the state average of 21 on ACT testing.

The Carterville Unit 5 Schools' athletic programs have been successful in the past, winning the IHSA State Conference Championship in Class 3A football in 1996 and in Class 2A softball in 2008 and 2016. The Carterville Varsity Cheer squad hold the record for the most wins in IHSA history.

Notable people

 * C. W. Bishop, Congressman, Carterville city clerk and postmaster
 * Mark Gottfried, college basketball coach
 * George Monroe McNeill, founder
 * Rodney Watson, college basketball coach

title: Carterville, Illinois


text:
Colp, Illinois

Colp is a village in Williamson County, Illinois, United States. The population was 225 at the 2010 census in 2022 the population was 175.

History
Colp was established in the early 1900s and named for John Colp (1849–1920), whose mining company opened a mine in the area in 1901. The Illinois Central Railroad extended a line to the mine in 1904. The village incorporated in 1915.

Colp mayor Frank Caliper was one of the state's longest-serving elected officials. He served 52 years as mayor from 1935 until his death on March 28, 1987.

Geography
Colp is located at 37.80577°N, -89.07906°W.

According to the 2010 census, Colp has a total area of 0.14 sqmi, all land.

Demographics
At the 2000 census, there were 224 people, 103 households and 60 families residing in the village. The population density was 1,576.4 PD/sqmi. There were 112 housing units at an average density of 788.2 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the village was 76.34% White, 21.43% African American, 0.89% Native American, 0.45% from other races, and 0.89% from two or more races.

There were 103 households, of which 23.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.8% were married couples living together, 15.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 40.8% were non-families. 33.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.17 and the average family size was 2.75.

Age distribution was 22.8% under the age of 18, 10.3% from 18 to 24, 26.8% from 25 to 44, 21.9% from 45 to 64, and 18.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 89.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.0 males.

The median household income was $14,722, and the median family income was $14,286. Males had a median income of $26,250 versus $11,875 for females. The per capita income for the village was $13,769. About 44.8% of families and 37.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 53.3% of those under the age of eighteen and 25.0% of those 65 or over.

title: Colp, Illinois


text:
Crainville, Illinois

Crainville is a village in Williamson County, Illinois, United States. The population was 1,254 at the 2010 census.

History
One of the earliest mining communities in Williamson County, Crainville is named for James M. Crain, who filed the first plat for the village. It was initially known as "Crain City," but incorporated as the village of Crainville on June 28, 1881. A post office opened on September 26, 1888, also under the name Crainville. It discontinued operations on January 31, 1914, and the community is now served by the post office at neighboring Carterville.

Geography
Crainville is located at 37.74889°N, -89.06583°W (37.748761, -89.065718).

According to the 2010 census, Crainville has a total area of 1.597 sqmi, of which 1.59 sqmi (or 99.56%) is land and 0.007 sqmi (or 0.44%) is water.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 992 people, 425 households, and 265 families residing in the village. The population density was 709.9 PD/sqmi. There were 459 housing units at an average density of 328.5 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the village was 97.78% White, 0.71% African American, 0.20% Native American, 0.20% Asian, 0.20% from other races, and 0.91% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.40% of the population.

There were 425 households, out of which 31.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.6% were married couples living together, 11.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.6% were non-families. 32.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.33 and the average family size was 3.01.

In the village, the population was spread out, with 24.2% under the age of 18, 9.3% from 18 to 24, 29.8% from 25 to 44, 23.7% from 45 to 64, and 13.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 82.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 81.6 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $35,750, and the median income for a family was $48,021. Males had a median income of $34,219 versus $20,972 for females. The per capita income for the village was $17,911. About 6.6% of families and 8.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.0% of those under age 18 and 6.3% of those age 65 or over.

title: Crainville, Illinois


text:
Creal Springs, Illinois

Creal Springs is a city in Williamson County, Illinois, United States. The population was 543 at the 2010 census.

Geography
Creal Springs is located at 37.61972°N, -88.83778°W (37.619805, -88.837699).

According to the 2010 census, Creal Springs has a total area of 0.996 sqmi, of which 0.99 sqmi (or 99.4%) is land and 0.006 sqmi (or 0.6%) is water.

Creal Springs is located in southeastern Williamson County, on the north slope of the Shawnee Hills.

History
In the early 19th century, Lusk's Ferry Road was an important road that connected Fort Kaskaskia with Lusk's Ferry on the Ohio River. The original survey maps of Illinois show a short segment of this road south of Creal Springs, in Johnson County. This old road most likely ran from Marion through Creal Springs before ascending to the summit of the Shawnee Hills. The modern road running toward the southeast into Creal Springs may be the old road. The road leading south out of Creal Springs toward Lake of Egypt links into the Wagon Creek Road, which leads to the segment mapped in the original survey. Modern maps also show traces of an older road that ran south out of Creal Springs along a less direct line.

The route south out of Creal Springs lead to a difficult passage over the Shawnee Summit. There was an easier, though longer, zigzag route east to New Burnside, southwest along modern U.S. Highway 45, and then back east to Reynoldsburg. Creal Springs may at one time have served as the junction of these alternative routes.

From 1884 to 1916, Creal Springs was the home of the Creal Springs Seminary, later the Creal Springs College and Conservatory of Music, which provided education at the preparatory, baccalaureate and master's levels.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 702 people, 292 households, and 186 families residing in the city. The population density was 709.1 PD/sqmi. There were 318 housing units at an average density of 321.2 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 97.29% White, 0.14% African American, 0.57% Native American, 0.28% Asian, 0.28% from other races, and 1.42% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.71% of the population.

There were 292 households, out of which 25.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.9% were married couples living together, 13.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.3% were non-families. 32.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.28 and the average family size was 2.94.

In the city the population was spread out, with 23.4% under the age of 18, 9.0% from 18 to 24, 25.2% from 25 to 44, 23.8% from 45 to 64, and 18.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.6 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $25,272, and the median income for a family was $29,583. Males had a median income of $26,250 versus $17,125 for females. The per capita income for the city was $13,483. About 18.8% of families and 23.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 37.6% of those under age 18 and 12.0% of those age 65 or over.

Education
Marion CUSD operates the Adams School or Creal Springs Elementary School. Secondary schools are Marion Junior High and Marion High School.

title: Creal Springs, Illinois


text:
Energy, Illinois

Energy is a village in Williamson County, Illinois, United States. The population was 974 at the 2020 census. The community was named for local "Energy" brand coal.

History
What is now Energy was originally known as "Fordville," which was established in the early 1900s as a stop along the Coal Belt Railway. It was named for Wiley Ford and his son, William, who platted the village. A post office opened in 1905, and the village incorporated the following year.

In 1909, Herbert Taylor (1876–1937) purchased the coal mining operations in the area. He marketed his company's coal under the name "Energy," and in 1913 he convinced the Fordville village council to adopt this name for the village. The post office changed its name the same year.

Geography
Energy is located at 37.7725°N, -89.02556°W (37.772398, -89.025519).

According to the 2010 census, Energy has a total area of 1.198 sqmi, of which 1.18 sqmi (or 98.5%) is land and 0.018 sqmi (or 1.5%) is water.

Demographics
As of the 2000 United States Census, there were 1,175 people, 481 households, and 304 families residing in the village. The population density was 990.9 PD/sqmi. There were 519 housing units at an average density of 437.7 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the village was 97.62% White, 0.94% African American, 0.09% Native American, 0.43% Asian, and 0.94% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.60% of the population.

There were 481 households, out of which 24.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.9% were married couples living together, 10.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.6% were non-families. 30.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.19 and the average family size was 2.71.

In the village, the population was spread out, with 17.5% under the age of 18, 9.4% from 18 to 24, 24.5% from 25 to 44, 28.3% from 45 to 64, and 20.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females, there were 84.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 80.8 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $28,750, and the median income for a family was $39,554. Males had a median income of $27,446 versus $21,250 for females. The per capita income for the village was $14,656. About 7.5% of families and 12.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.5% of those under age 18 and 4.9% of those age 65 or over.

title: Energy, Illinois


text:
Herrin, Illinois

Herrin is a city in Williamson County, Illinois. The population was 12,352 at the 2020 census. The city is part of the Marion-Herrin Micropolitan Area and is a part of the Carbondale-Marion-Herrin, Illinois Combined Statistical Area with 123,272 residents, the sixth most populous Combined statistical area in Illinois.

History
The settlement of Herrin started out as scattered settlers on Herring's Prairie named for the first permanent settler Isaac Herring, a Baptist preacher. Later, his son-in-law David Herrin arrived and the similarity in names led to the eventual shortening of the name to just Herrin's Prairie. The trails from Jordan's fort to Humphreys' ford on the Big Muddy River intersected the old trail from Lusk's ferry at modern-day Golconda to Kaskaskia, which was first settled by French colonists.

Isaac Herring entered the first land in what became Herrin on 4 November 1816, two years before Illinois became a state. He paid $2 an acre for the 160 acres. At the time he lived to the west in Jackson County, the land entry was the northeast quarter off Section 30, Township 8 South, Range 2 East of the Third Principal Meridian. Today that area runs between 17th and 27th streets, and from West Cherry Street on the north to West Stotlar Street on the south.

David Ruffin Harrison started storekeeping on the prairie in 1858. During the Civil War, he built a frame store building and secured a fourth class post office that opened on May 26, 1864. After coal was discovered and mining began in nearby Carterville, Harrison, and his cousins Ephraim Snyder Herrin and Mrs. Williams in 1892 prospected for coal beginning at the southwest corner of Williams' farm, identified in 1939 as the corner of Legion Blvd and E Herrin St. (Legion Blvd no longer appears on the maps, but the reference indicates the intersection was the North and North East public roads. The 1908 county atlas shows North East Public Road two blocks east of Park Avenue which would make it North 13th Street). "The men put up the cash, Mrs. Williams boarded the workers. A fine vein of coal was found at 185 feet."

In 1895, the Chicago and Carbondale Railroad organized to lay tracks between the Illinois Central Railroad at Carbondale and connect with the new Chicago, Paducah and Memphis Railroad that had opened up in 1894, going through the central part of the county. (This one later became the Chicago and Eastern Illinois Railroad). Herrin convinced the developers to take their line between Carbondale and Johnston City through Herrin. Soon after it opened, the line was sold to the Chicago and Texas Railroad in the fall of 1895.

The following spring on May 8, 1896, the post office changed to Herrin post office. Cousins Harrison and Herrin, great-grandsons of Isaac Herring, made plans for a new town. They platted a 40-acre site divided by the line between Sections 19 and 30 of the township. They filed the plat 4 December 1896. The community incorporated as a village on March 21, 1898, and as a city two years later on April 17, 1900.

Herrin was the site of the 1922 Herrin massacre, resulting in the deaths of 23 miners and guards.

When mining made the town prosperous, Herrin had a recreational park known as White City Park. It opened on Memorial Day 1924 with 5000 in attendance. It had a salt water swimming pool, rides, and a theater. Touring big bands played here. The Dorsey Brothers and Frank Sinatra played bocce ball and performed there.

President Harry S Truman came to Herrin in September 1948. Three future presidents came to Herrin during campaigns: Richard Nixon, John F. Kennedy and Ronald Reagan. Gerald Ford came to the Herrin-Marion airport in the 1970s.

At one time Herrin had 10 hotels, many clothing stores, grocery stores as well as department stores. Of the grocery stores Herrin has had over the years, not including national chains, Louie's P&R is the only local store to remain open.

In the beginning of the 21st century, Herrin by coincidence experienced two total eclipses of the sun in just seven years - the first on August 21st, 2017, and the second on April 8th, 2024.

Geography
Herrin is located at 37.8025°N, -89.02806°W (37.802412, -89.028093).

According to the 2010 census, Herrin has a total area of 9.461 sqmi, of which 9.23 sqmi (or 97.56%) is land and 0.231 sqmi (or 2.44%) is water.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 11,298 people, 4,831 households, and 3,014 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,377.5 PD/sqmi. There were 5,202 housing units at an average density of 634.2 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 96.72% White, 0.92% African American, 0.35% Native American, 0.67% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.31% from other races, and 1.01% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.95% of the population.

There were 4,831 households, out of which 27.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.2% were married couples living together, 11.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.6% were non-families. 33.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.26 and the average family size was 2.88.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 22.2% under the age of 18, 8.1% from 18 to 24, 26.8% from 25 to 44, 22.7% from 45 to 64, and 20.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 84.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 81.5 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $28,532, and the median income for a family was $39,108. Males had a median income of $31,545 versus $22,321 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,782. About 13.6% of families and 16.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 23.7% of those under age 18 and 11.2% of those age 65 or over.

Sister city
On the 17th of July 2015 mayors Steve Frattini and Flavio Polloni signed the Twinning Proclamation Act to officially declare Herrin and Cuggiono as sister cities.

 * 🇮🇹 – Cuggiono (Milan, Lombardy, Italy) (2015)

Events and festivals
Herrin hosts the annual HerrinFesta Italiana, a Memorial Day weekend celebration of the town's Italian heritage. The five-day event often draws over 60,000 people for live music, authentic Italian food, a carnival, Bocce Ball tournament, and "Bigga Nose" and pasta-eating contests, as well as many other activities. Past artists and bands include Survivor (band), Dixie Chicks, Night Ranger, Josh Gracin, Blake Shelton, Blue Öyster Cult, Florida Georgia Line, Eddie Money, The Guess Who, Kansas (band), Starship (band), Papa Roach, Saving Abel, Theory of a Deadman, Foreigner (band), and Collective Soul.

In Popular Culture
Herrin, Illinois is mentioned in the 1927 silent film "It" The character Cyrus T. Waltham is said to have gone there "for the shooting" after he retires from running Waltham's, the "World Largest Store."

Notable people

 * E. N. Bowen, Illinois state legislator, judge, and lawyer
 * Ray Chapman, early 20th Century shortstop for Cleveland Indians; was raised in Herrin
 * Richard Clarida, Vice Chairman of the Federal Reserve, former Assistant Secretary of the Treasury for Economic Policy and recipient of the Treasury Medal
 * Ora Collard, Illinois state representative and businessman; was raised in Herrin
 * Steve Fisher, basketball coach at San Diego State, head coach of Michigan national championship team, born in Herrin
 * David Lee Murphy, country music artist
 * Joseph W. Ozbourn, Medal of Honor recipient
 * Jim Ranchino, political scientist, political consultant, and pollster in Arkadelphia, Arkansas; born and raised in Herrin
 * William R. Tonso, professor emeritus of sociology at the University of Evansville.
 * Bobby Veach, early 20th Century Detroit Tigers outfielder; began playing semi-pro baseball in Herrin

title: Herrin, Illinois


text:
Hurst, Illinois

Hurst is a city in Williamson County, Illinois, United States. The population was 795 at the 2010 census.

History
Hurst was founded in 1903 as a stop along the St. Louis, Iron Mountain and Southern Railway, which had extended a line to the area from De Soto. Thomas Philip Russell, who donated some of the land for the new city, initially sought to name it after his family, but the name "Russell" was already in use elsewhere in Illinois. He then agreed to name it after his friend, William Charles Hurst, a railroad official who had stayed at his house during visits to the area.

Geography
Hurst is located at 37.8325°N, -89.14444°W (37.832366, -89.144475).

According to the 2010 census, Hurst has a total area of 0.862 sqmi, of which 0.86 sqmi (or 99.77%) is land and 0.002 sqmi (or 0.23%) is water.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 805 people, 360 households, and 217 families residing in the city. The population density was 935.1 PD/sqmi. There were 386 housing units at an average density of 448.4 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 97.27% White, 0.99% African American, 0.12% Native American, 0.87% from other races, and 0.75% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.24% of the population.

There were 360 households, out of which 29.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.9% were married couples living together, 12.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.7% were non-families. 36.1% 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 2.24 and the average family size was 2.89.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 24.1% under the age of 18, 8.9% from 18 to 24, 29.1% from 25 to 44, 23.9% from 45 to 64, and 14.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 88.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 80.8 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $21,765, and the median income for a family was $30,250. Males had a median income of $24,659 versus $18,393 for females. The per capita income for the city was $12,583. About 18.7% of families and 24.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 38.9% of those under age 18 and 14.8% of those age 65 or over.

Emergency services
The Hurst Fire Chief is Tom Gottschalk and the ambulance director is Gregory Parker. The fire and ambulance services are both fully volunteer organizations.

Education and religion
Hurst has 1 church in the community: a Christian church located on Russell Street. After the closing of the Hurst-Bush Community Grade School in 1996 and the community high school in 1966, Hurst citizens attend Herrin Unit 4 schools.

title: Hurst, Illinois


text:
Johnston City, Illinois

Johnston City is a city in Williamson County, Illinois, United States. The population was 3,348 at the 2020 census. This was a center of coal mining in the early 20th century, having a peak of population in the 1920s. The mining jobs attracted many immigrants from Europe.

History
Johnston City was founded in 1894 as a stop along the Chicago, Paducah and Memphis Railroad (later part of the Chicago and Eastern Illinois), and named for the contracting firm that constructed the railroad.

The eastern part of the city was originally known as Jeffersonville. It was surveyed in 1853. During the American Civil War it was a prosperous village. The post office was established in 1852 under the name Lake Creek. It was moved to Johnston City in 1903 but it was not until several years after that that Jeffersonville was fully amalgamated into Johnston City.

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, a number of immigrant miners from Italy, Wales and other areas arrived to work in the coal mines. There were tensions among the different ethnic groups, especially when miners went out on strike for better wages and conditions.

On June 10, 1915, the city was the site of the lynching of Joe Strando, an Italian immigrant miner from Sicily, by a mob of 300 American men. He was taken from the jail where he was held as a suspect in the murder of Edward Chapman, a wealthy local citizen, and wounding of his daughter. Sicilians were outraged and gathered reinforcements; Americans were arrayed against them. The governor sent in three companies of militia to suppress violence. Six years later, immigrant Settino de Santis confessed to the murder of Chapman, saying that the man was accidentally shot while visiting at the home of mine foreman Ben Schull. De Santis and two other men shot at Schull in retaliation for having been fired. De Santis confessed before he was executed in another capital case.

With the decline of mining, the number of jobs fell. By 1940 the city's population was just under 4,000. For 2015 the US Census estimated the population at 3500.

In the 1960s a decline in coal miners occurred due to safety standards in the coal mines.

Geography
Johnston City is located at 37.82075°N, -88.92753°W.

According to the 2010 census, Johnston City has a total area of 2.12 sqmi, of which 2.06 sqmi (or 97.17%) is land and 0.06 sqmi (or 2.83%) is water.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 3,557 people, 1,560 households, and 1,010 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,820.9 PD/sqmi. There were 1,745 housing units at an average density of 893.3 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 99.07% White, 0.11% African American, 0.14% Native American, 0.06% Asian, 0.08% from other races, and 0.53% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.07% of the population.

There were 1,560 households, out of which 27.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.8% were married couples living together, 13.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.2% were non-families. 31.8% 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 2.28 and the average family size was 2.86.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 22.8% under the age of 18, 7.9% from 18 to 24, 27.1% from 25 to 44, 23.5% from 45 to 64, and 18.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 85.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 81.1 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $25,143, and the median income for a family was $32,363. Males had a median income of $30,038 versus $16,853 for females. The per capita income for the city was $12,764. About 19.6% of families and 22.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 26.9% of those under age 18 and 17.1% of those age 65 or over.

title: Johnston City, Illinois