Chatham, Illinois facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Chatham
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| Village of Chatham | |
| Motto(s):
Where families grow.
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Location of Chatham in Sangamon County, Illinois.
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.svg)
Location of Illinois in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Illinois |
| County | Sangamon |
| Township | Chatham, Ball |
| Government | |
| • Body | Chatham Chamber of Commerce |
| Area | |
| • Total | 7.37 sq mi (19.08 km2) |
| • Land | 7.36 sq mi (19.07 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.01 km2) |
| Elevation | 599 ft (183 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 14,377 |
| • Density | 1,952.34/sq mi (753.83/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (CST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP Code(s) |
62629
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| Area code(s) | 217 |
| FIPS code | 17-12684 |
| Wikimedia Commons | Chatham, Illinois |
Chatham is a village in Sangamon County, Illinois, United States. It is located about 2.8 miles (4.5 km) south of Springfield. Chatham is part of the larger Springfield Metropolitan Statistical Area.
The village's motto is "Where families grow." In 2020, the population of Chatham was 14,377 people. Chatham is also located along the original path of historic U.S. Route 66 (Illinois Route 4), a famous road in American history.
Contents
Exploring Chatham
Where is Chatham?
Chatham is located at a specific point on the map: 39.672899 degrees North latitude and -89.698385 degrees West longitude. The village covers a total area of about 7.37 square miles (19.08 square kilometers). Almost all of this area is land, with only a tiny bit of water.
How Many People Live Here?
Chatham has grown quite a lot over the years! Here's how its population has changed:
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1860 | 278 | — | |
| 1880 | 454 | — | |
| 1890 | 482 | 6.2% | |
| 1900 | 629 | 30.5% | |
| 1910 | 666 | 5.9% | |
| 1920 | 848 | 27.3% | |
| 1930 | 883 | 4.1% | |
| 1940 | 867 | −1.8% | |
| 1950 | 905 | 4.4% | |
| 1960 | 1,069 | 18.1% | |
| 1970 | 2,788 | 160.8% | |
| 1980 | 5,597 | 100.8% | |
| 1990 | 6,074 | 8.5% | |
| 2000 | 8,583 | 41.3% | |
| 2010 | 11,500 | 34.0% | |
| 2020 | 14,377 | 25.0% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
In 2010, most of the people living in Chatham were White (93.57%). There were also African American (2.47%), Asian (1.85%), and Native American (0.09%) residents. About 1.97% of the population identified as Hispanic or Latino.
Education in Chatham
Chatham is part of the Ball-Chatham School District. This district includes Glenwood High School, three elementary schools, an Intermediate School, and a middle school. The schools in Chatham are known for their quality. They even received the "Bright Star Award" for being excellent in education at both elementary and high school levels. You can find more information on the Chatham Schools Website.
Fun Things to Do in Chatham
Local Festivals
Chatham hosts several fun festivals throughout the year:
- Every June, the Chatham American Legion Homecoming Festival takes place in the town square.
- In July, Chatham celebrates the Chatham Sweet Corn Festival. This festival also features the Illinois Championship Cow Chip Throw, which sounds like a unique and funny event! Both are sponsored by the Chatham Jaycees.
- Each September, the Chatham Jaycees host Octoberfest, also in the town square.
Places to Visit
If you're in Chatham, here are some interesting places to check out:
- Chatham Railroad Museum (built in 1902): Learn about the history of trains and railroads in the area.
- Caldwell Farmstead: This historic farm is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, meaning it's an important historical site.
- Interurban Trail: This is a mixed-use trail, meaning you can walk, run, or bike on it. It's a "rails-to-trails" path, built on an old railway line, and is about 4.75 miles (7.64 km) long.
- Sugar Creek Covered Bridge: This historic covered bridge is located about 5 miles (8 km) southeast of Chatham.
- Chatham Clarion: This is the local newspaper, a great way to stay updated on what's happening in the community.
Famous People from Chatham
Chatham has been home to several talented individuals who have become well-known in different fields:
- Kenneth Boyle: An Illinois state representative and lawyer.
- Kelci Bryant: An Olympic diver.
- Gracie Gold: A US and Olympic figure skater.
- Phil Maton: An MLB (Major League Baseball) pitcher.
- Nick Maton: An MLB infielder.
- Jayson Werth: A well-known outfielder who played for teams like the Toronto Blue Jays, Los Angeles Dodgers, Philadelphia Phillies, and Washington Nationals.
- Reid Detmers: A pitcher for the Los Angeles Angels baseball team.
Images for kids
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The historic Sugar Creek Covered Bridge near Chatham.
