DePue, Illinois facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
DePue, Illinois
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| Village of DePue | |
Location of De Pue in Bureau County, Illinois.
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Location of Illinois in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Illinois |
| County | Bureau |
| Townships | Selby, Hall |
| Area | |
| • Total | 2.55 sq mi (6.61 km2) |
| • Land | 2.45 sq mi (6.34 km2) |
| • Water | 0.11 sq mi (0.28 km2) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 1,633 |
| • Density | 667.35/sq mi (257.69/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (CST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP Code(s) |
61322
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| Area code(s) | 815 |
| FIPS code | 17-19499 |
DePue is a small village located in Bureau County, Illinois, United States. In 2020, about 1,633 people lived there. It is part of the larger Ottawa area.
Contents
History of DePue
DePue was first settled in 1853 and was called Trenton. Its current name, DePue, comes from an early French fur trader. The area was important for a long time as a port on the Illinois River. It was also a place where people harvested ice from the river.
In 1905, a company called Mineral Point Zinc started a factory in DePue. This factory made zinc for things like cars and appliances. They chose DePue because there was coal nearby and skilled workers from other zinc factories. Another company, New Jersey Zinc, later took over the plant. The factory closed in 1990.
Geography of DePue
DePue is located at 41°19′34″N 89°18′4″W / 41.32611°N 89.30111°W. It covers a total area of about 3 square miles (7.77 square kilometers). Most of this area is land, with a small part being water.
People of DePue
The population of DePue has changed over the years. Here's how it has grown and shrunk:
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1880 | 323 | — | |
| 1890 | 455 | 40.9% | |
| 1900 | 488 | 7.3% | |
| 1910 | 1,339 | 174.4% | |
| 1920 | 2,428 | 81.3% | |
| 1930 | 2,200 | −9.4% | |
| 1940 | 2,296 | 4.4% | |
| 1950 | 2,163 | −5.8% | |
| 1960 | 1,920 | −11.2% | |
| 1970 | 1,919 | −0.1% | |
| 1980 | 1,873 | −2.4% | |
| 1990 | 1,729 | −7.7% | |
| 2000 | 1,842 | 6.5% | |
| 2010 | 1,838 | −0.2% | |
| 2020 | 1,633 | −11.2% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
In 2020, there were 1,633 people living in DePue. There were 591 households, and 452 of these were families. The village is home to a diverse group of people. About 60% of the population is of Hispanic or Latino background.
Many households (41.3%) had children under 18 living with them. The average household had about 3 people. The median age in the village was around 35.6 years old. This means half the people were younger than 35.6 and half were older.
The average income for a household in DePue was about $61,553. For families, the average income was $62,500. About 14.4% of all people in DePue lived below the poverty line. This included 25.5% of children under 18.
Lake DePue Activities
Lake DePue is a special place for wildlife and fun activities. The lake and its nearby park are known for boat racing. The American Power Boat Association (APBA) and the DePue Men's Club host a big boat racing weekend each year. This event brings many visitors, entertainment, and food vendors to the lake.
The lake has faced some challenges. Because of past factory activities, the lake's water quality was affected. This caused the lake to become shallower over time. In 2012, a dry summer made the water levels very low. This almost led to the cancellation of the National Championship Races.
However, the people of DePue worked together to save the races. They built a dam at the lake's entrance. Then, they used pumps and the lake's natural springs to raise the water level. Thanks to their hard work, the races could go on! This shows how much the community cares about their lake and its traditions.
Education in DePue
DePue has one school building that houses all its schools. This includes the elementary school, the junior high school, and DePue High School. Each school has its own section within the building. The school district is called DePue Unit Schools District #103.
Students in grades 6-12 can join many activities.
- Sports:
- Junior High: Boys and girls basketball, girls' volleyball, cheerleading, and track.
- High School: Boys and girls basketball, soccer, girls' volleyball, cheerleading, and track.
- Clubs:
- Junior High: Art Club, Student Council, Spelling Bee, Video Game Club, and Chess Club.
- High School: Student Council, National Honor Society, and the Activity Club.
The schools also host fun annual events. These include movie nights for junior high students, homecoming dances for high schoolers, and class trips throughout the year.
