Arthur, Illinois facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Arthur, Illinois
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Arthur in 1924
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Location in Moultrie County, Illinois
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 Arthur, Illinois
Location in the United States
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| Country |  United States |
| State |  Illinois |
| Counties | Douglas, Moultrie |
| Townships | Bourbon, Lowe |
| Area | |
| • Total | 1.34 sq mi (3.46 km2) |
| • Land | 1.34 sq mi (3.46 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 663 ft (202 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 2,231 |
| • Density | 1,668.66/sq mi (644.48/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (CST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code |
61911
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| Area code(s) | 217 |
| FIPS code | 17-02414 |
| GNIS ID | 2397993 |
| Wikimedia Commons | Arthur, Illinois |
Arthur is a village located in Douglas and Moultrie counties in Illinois. The main street of Arthur, Vine Street, actually forms the county line! In 2020, about 2,231 people lived here. The area around Arthur is famous for being home to the largest and oldest Amish community in Illinois. This community started way back in the 1860s.
Contents
History of Arthur
How Arthur Began
In 1877, Arthur was a small community with about 300 people. In April of that year, it officially became a village. The first election for village leaders happened on June 12, 1877. Several people were chosen to be trustees, and one person became the clerk.
The original town was built on land that belonged to M. H. Warren and Pendleton Murphy. As the village grew, more land was added by other families, helping Arthur expand.
Important Events in Arthur's History
On April 7, 1998, a strong tornado hit the area south of Arthur. It caused damage to twenty homes, six barns, and other buildings. One mobile home was even blown off its foundation. Eight people were injured during this event.
In 2022, the village council showed off a new flag for Arthur. This flag was created to celebrate the village's 150th birthday! You can see the new flag flying in front of the welcome center and the police department. It was first put up when the Strawberry Festival began.
On December 31, 2023, the village of Arthur sealed a time capsule. This special capsule is not meant to be opened until the year 2073!
Geography of Arthur
Arthur is located in the southwestern part of Douglas County and the northeastern part of Moultrie County. Illinois Route 133 runs through the southern part of the village. This route goes east about 9 miles (14 km) to Arcola and west the same distance to Lovington. Tuscola, which is the county seat for Douglas County, is about 15 miles (24 km) northeast. Sullivan, the county seat for Moultrie County, is also about 15 miles (24 km) southwest.
The total area of Arthur is about 1.34 square miles (3.46 km²), and all of it is land. Water from the village flows southeast into streams that lead to the Kaskaskia River.
People of Arthur
Population Growth Over Time
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1880 | 241 | — | |
| 1890 | 536 | 122.4% | |
| 1900 | 858 | 60.1% | |
| 1910 | 1,080 | 25.9% | |
| 1920 | 998 | −7.6% | |
| 1930 | 1,361 | 36.4% | |
| 1940 | 1,405 | 3.2% | |
| 1950 | 1,573 | 12.0% | |
| 1960 | 2,120 | 34.8% | |
| 1970 | 2,214 | 4.4% | |
| 1980 | 2,122 | −4.2% | |
| 1990 | 2,112 | −0.5% | |
| 2000 | 2,203 | 4.3% | |
| 2010 | 2,288 | 3.9% | |
| 2020 | 2,231 | −2.5% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
According to the 2020 census, there were 2,231 people living in Arthur. These people made up 951 households, and 612 of those were families. The village had about 1,668 people per square mile (644 per km²).
Most of the people in Arthur (about 92.38%) were White. A small number were African American, Native American, or Asian. About 6.01% of the population identified as Hispanic or Latino.
Life in Arthur Households
About 28.8% of households in Arthur had children under 18 living with them. More than half (52.89%) were married couples. The average household had 2.83 people, and the average family had 2.24 people.
The age of people in the village varied:
- 20.5% were under 18 years old.
- 22.4% were between 25 and 44 years old.
- 30.1% were 65 years or older.
The average age in Arthur was 47.3 years.
The median income for a household in Arthur was $62,250. For families, the median income was $79,500. The average income per person in the village was $29,574. About 8.3% of the total population lived below the poverty line.
The Amish Community
Arthur is well-known for its large Amish community. The village's website describes Arthur as an "Amish-friendly" place. More than 4,000 "Plain People" live in the area around the village. The Amish settlement near Arthur started in 1864. By 2013, it had 30 church districts, with about 150 people in each district.
In 2017, the Arthur Amish community was the eighth largest Amish settlement in the world, with 4,410 members.
Education in Arthur
In July 2012, the school district in Arthur joined with the smaller school district in nearby Lovington. Now, high school students from both towns attend school in Arthur. Grade schools are still kept in both towns. The two schools have shared a football team for many years. In August 2014, the Atwood Hammond school district also joined with Arthur Lovington. The high school's name was then changed to ALAH High School.
Notable People from Arthur
- Margery C. Carlson: A famous botanist, someone who studies plants.
- George Corbett: An NFL running back who played football in the 1930s.
Images for kids
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Arthur in 1924
See also
In Spanish: Arthur (Illinois) para niños
