Colchester, Illinois facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Colchester, Illinois
|
|
|---|---|
U.S. Route 136 westbound entering Colchester
|
|
Location in McDonough County, Illinois
|
|
 Colchester, Illinois
Location in the United States
|
|
| Country | United States |
| State | Illinois |
| County | McDonough |
| Township | Colchester |
| Area | |
| • Total | 1.15 sq mi (2.98 km2) |
| • Land | 1.15 sq mi (2.98 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 697 ft (212 m) |
| Population
(2020)
|
|
| • Total | 1,108 |
| • Density | 963.48/sq mi (371.88/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (CST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code |
62326
|
| Area code(s) | 309 |
| FIPS code | 17-15378 |
Colchester is a city located in McDonough County, Illinois, in the United States. In 2020, about 1,108 people lived there. The city got its name from Colchester, a city in England.
Contents
History of Colchester
When Was Coal Discovered in Colchester?
Coal was first found near Colchester in the 1850s. When this coal was discovered, scientists named the rock layer "Colchester Coal." This helped them identify the same type of coal in other places too.
Who Moved to Colchester for the Mines?
The coal mines in Colchester attracted many new people. Immigrants from Pennsylvania came to work there. These included families whose ancestors had left Ireland after the Irish Rebellion of 1798. Later, more Irish families came, seeking safety from the Great Famine.
What Happened in the 1920s?
In the 1920s, a man named Henry "Kelly" Wagle lived in Colchester. He was known for illegally making and moving alcohol. He helped transport alcohol between Chicago and Kansas City.
On September 11, 1921, a special baseball game happened in Colchester. Some players from the Chicago "Black Sox" team played with the Colchester team. They played against the team from nearby Macomb. Kelly Wagle helped bring these famous players to Colchester.
Geography of Colchester
Where is Colchester Located?
Colchester is in the western part of McDonough County. Its exact location is 40°25′31″N 90°47′32″W / 40.42528°N 90.79222°W.
U.S. Route 136 goes through the middle of Colchester. This road is called Macomb Street and North Street in town. It leads northeast about 7 miles (11 km) to Macomb, which is the main city of the county. To the west, it goes about 19 miles (31 km) to Carthage.
Another major road, Illinois Route 110/336, goes around Colchester to the south. This is a four-lane highway. It connects with US 136 about 3.5 miles (5.6 km) west of the city.
How Big is Colchester?
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Colchester covers a total area of 1.15 square miles (2.98 square kilometers). All of this area is land.
What Parks Are Near Colchester?
Argyle Lake State Park is a beautiful park located just 2 miles (3 km) north of Colchester. It's a great place for outdoor activities.
Population of Colchester
How Has Colchester's Population Changed?
The number of people living in Colchester has changed over time. Here's a look at the population counts from different years:
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1880 | 1,067 | — | |
| 1890 | 1,643 | 54.0% | |
| 1900 | 1,635 | −0.5% | |
| 1910 | 1,445 | −11.6% | |
| 1920 | 1,387 | −4.0% | |
| 1930 | 1,342 | −3.2% | |
| 1940 | 1,426 | 6.3% | |
| 1950 | 1,551 | 8.8% | |
| 1960 | 1,495 | −3.6% | |
| 1970 | 1,747 | 16.9% | |
| 1980 | 1,729 | −1.0% | |
| 1990 | 1,645 | −4.9% | |
| 2000 | 1,493 | −9.2% | |
| 2010 | 1,401 | −6.2% | |
| 2020 | 1,108 | −20.9% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
What is the Population Like?
In 2000, there were 1,493 people living in Colchester. There were 634 households, and 419 of them were families. The city had about 1,500 people per square mile (579 people per square kilometer).
Most people in Colchester were White (99.40%). A small number were Native American or Asian. About 0.60% of the population was Hispanic or Latino.
About 29.8% of households had children under 18 living there. About 50.8% were married couples. The average household had 2.32 people, and the average family had 2.89 people.
The median age in Colchester was 38 years old. This means half the people were younger than 38 and half were older.
Education in Colchester
What Schools Are in Colchester?
Colchester is part of the West Prairie Community Unit School District 103. Young students go to South Elementary School. Then they attend Middle School, both located in Colchester. After middle school, students go to West Prairie High School in Sciota.
Notable People from Colchester
- John Travis Nixon (1867–1909), a newspaper publisher from Louisiana, was born in Colchester.
- Lucy Smith Millikin (1821–1882), the youngest sister of Mormon leader Joseph Smith, lived in Colchester for many years and was one of its founders.
See also
In Spanish: Colchester (Illinois) para niños
