Forsyth, Illinois facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Forsyth, Illinois
Village
Official logo
Motto(s):  "Pride and progress"
Location in Macon County, Illinois
Forsyth, Illinois Location in the United States
Country	United States
State	Illinois
County	Macon
Township	Hickory Point
Government
• Type	Trustee-President
Area
• Total	3.13 sq mi (8.11 km2)
• Land	3.13 sq mi (8.11 km2)
• Water	0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation	676 ft (206 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	3,734
• Density	1,192.97/sq mi (460.57/km2)
Time zone	UTC-6 (CST)
• Summer (DST)	UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code	62535
Area code(s)	217
FIPS code	17-27091

Forsyth is a small village located in Macon County, Illinois, in the United States. It's a friendly place that is part of the larger Decatur, Illinois area. In 2020, about 3,734 people lived here, which was a bit more than in 2010.

History of Forsyth

The village of Forsyth started around 1854. This was when the Illinois Central Railroad built its tracks through Macon County. The village got its name from Col. Robert Forsyth. He was the very first general freight agent for the Illinois Central Railroad.

Geography and Location

Forsyth is found in the north-central part of Macon County. It is right next to the city of Decatur to the south. Decatur is the main city of the county.

Highways and Travel

U.S. Route 51 is the main road that goes through Forsyth. It leads south about 6 miles (10 km) to the center of Decatur. If you go north on US 51, you'll reach Clinton in about 15 miles (24 km).

Interstate 72 also runs along the southern edge of Forsyth. You can get onto I-72 from Exit 141 (US 51). This interstate highway goes northeast about 43 miles (69 km) to Champaign. If you head west on I-72, you'll reach Springfield, the state capital, in about 42 miles (68 km).

Land Area

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Forsyth covers an area of about 3.13 square miles (8.11 square kilometers). All of this area is land.

Population and People

In 2000, there were 2,434 people living in Forsyth. These people lived in 903 households. Most of these households (728) were families. The population density was about 1,157 people per square mile (447 people per square kilometer).

About 37.7% of the households had children under 18 living with them. Most households (74.4%) were married couples. The average household had 2.68 people, and the average family had 3.05 people.

The people in Forsyth were spread out by age. About 28.1% were under 18 years old. About 13.2% were 65 years or older. The average age was 41 years.

Education in Forsyth

Public schools for students from kindergarten through 12th grade in the Forsyth area are part of the Maroa-Forsyth CUSD 2 school district.

• Maroa-Forsyth Grade School
• Maroa-Forsyth Middle School
• Maroa-Forsyth High School

Village Logo

In early 2019, the leaders of Forsyth decided on a new village logo. The old logo had been used since the 1980s. The new design highlights the village's special saying: "Pride and Progress." It also keeps the green color that is well-known in the community.

Economy and Shopping

The Hickory Point Mall is located in Forsyth. This means that Forsyth has many different stores. You can find large "big box" stores and many smaller shops here.

Transportation Options

The Decatur Public Transit System offers bus service in Forsyth. Route 61 connects Forsyth to downtown Decatur. It also links to other places in the area.

Notable People from Forsyth

• Kevin Koslofski – He was a professional baseball outfielder. He played for the Kansas City Royals (1992–1994) and the Milwaukee Brewers (1996). He graduated from Maroa-Forsyth High School.

See also

In Spanish: Forsyth (Illinois) para niños