Bluford, Illinois facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Bluford, Illinois
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Location of Bluford in Jefferson County, Illinois
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Location of Illinois in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Illinois |
| County | Jefferson |
| Township | Webber |
| Area | |
| • Total | 1.56 sq mi (4.04 km2) |
| • Land | 1.56 sq mi (4.04 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 528 ft (161 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 630 |
| • Density | 403.59/sq mi (155.80/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (CST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| Postal code |
62814
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| Area code(s) | 618 |
| FIPS code | 17-06964 |
| GNIS ID | 2398145 |
| Wikimedia Commons | Bluford, Illinois |
Bluford is a small village located in Jefferson County, Illinois, in the United States. It's a quiet community that is part of the larger Mount Vernon area. In 2020, about 630 people lived in Bluford.
Where is Bluford?
Bluford is in the eastern part of Jefferson County. It's about 1 mile (1.6 km) south of Illinois Route 15. The village is also about 9 miles (14 km) east of Mount Vernon. Mount Vernon is the main city and the county seat for Jefferson County. This means it's where the county government is located.
The village covers a total area of 1.56 square miles (4.04 km2). Almost all of this area is land. Only a very small part is water.
Bluford's Story: A Look Back in Time
The village of Bluford got its name from a young boy. His name was Bluford "Bluf" Green (1868–1912). His father, Wiley Green (1835–1878), named the town after him. Wiley Green was a local justice of the peace, which means he was a public official who handled minor legal matters.
In 1881, before Bluford was officially a town, construction began on a railroad. This railroad was first called the Air Line Railroad. Later, it became known as the Southern Railroad.
George Evans, a banker from Mount Vernon, helped plan the town. He set aside 40 acres of land for the town. The railroad tracks went right through the middle of this land.
In 1882, a preacher named Rev. Z. H. Byard built the first store and home. He also became the first postmaster in Bluford. Plus, he was the first agent for the railroad station. Bluford officially became an incorporated village in 1925. This means it became a legally recognized town with its own local government. Dwight Bressler was the first mayor.
Bluford grew on both sides of the railroad tracks. The southern part of the town was sometimes called Tilford. The northern part was called Bluford. These names came from two of Wiley Green's sons. When Tilford, one of the sons, passed away, the whole town became known as Bluford.
Who Lives in Bluford?
The population of Bluford has changed over the years. Here's how many people have lived there during different census years:
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1930 | 517 | — | |
| 1940 | 463 | −10.4% | |
| 1950 | 477 | 3.0% | |
| 1960 | 388 | −18.7% | |
| 1970 | 465 | 19.8% | |
| 1980 | 728 | 56.6% | |
| 1990 | 747 | 2.6% | |
| 2000 | 785 | 5.1% | |
| 2010 | 688 | −12.4% | |
| 2020 | 630 | −8.4% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
In 2000, there were 785 people living in Bluford. These people lived in 283 different homes. Most of the people in Bluford were White. A small number of people were from other backgrounds.
About 40% of the homes had children under 18 living there. Many homes were married couples living together. Some homes had a single parent, usually a mother.
The people in Bluford were of different ages. About 28% were under 18 years old. About 14% were 65 years or older. The average age in the village was 35 years old.
The average income for a household in Bluford was about $38,250 in 2000. For families, the average income was a bit higher, around $40,515. A small number of families and people lived below the poverty line. This means they had a very low income.
See also
In Spanish: Bluford para niños
