Harristown, Illinois facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Harristown, Illinois
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Location in Macon County, Illinois
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 Harristown, Illinois
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Illinois |
| County | Macon |
| Townships | Harristown, Decatur |
| Area | |
| • Total | 1.80 sq mi (4.65 km2) |
| • Land | 1.80 sq mi (4.65 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 672 ft (205 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 1,310 |
| • Density | 728.99/sq mi (281.50/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (CST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code |
62537 (Harristown)
62522 (Decatur) |
| Area code(s) | 217 |
| FIPS code | 17-33227 |
Harristown is a small village in Macon County, Illinois. In 2020, about 1,310 people lived there. It's part of the larger Decatur, Illinois area.
Contents
Harristown: A Village with History
How Harristown Got Its Name
The village of Harristown is named after Major Thomas L. Harris. He was a brave soldier who served as a Major in the Fourth Illinois Regiment during the Mexican–American War. Later, he became a member of the U.S. Congress.
Early Settlers and Growth
The first people to settle in this area arrived in 1828. They built log cabins and started farming the land. By 1841, the first schoolhouse was built. This log building was used for both school and church services. In 1853, the first church was built. Harristown also grew because it was located along the main line of the Wabash Railroad. This train line helped bring more people and businesses to the village.
Abraham Lincoln's First Home in Illinois
Harristown holds a special place in history because it was the first home of Abraham Lincoln in Illinois. In 1830, Lincoln and his family settled about 4 miles (6.4 km) south of the current village. They built a log cabin and fenced in 10 acres (4.0 ha) of land to plant corn.
However, they only stayed for a little over a year. A very harsh winter and widespread sickness made them decide to move.
Lincoln's Journey and Discoveries
During that winter, Lincoln, along with his stepmother's son and a friend, got a job from Denton Offutt. They were hired to build a flatboat. Their task was to sail it from Beardstown, Illinois, down the Illinois and Mississippi rivers all the way to New Orleans. This trip was very important for Lincoln. It was the first time he saw slavery up close. This experience deeply affected him.
Lincoln left the Harristown area in the spring of 1831. Today, the spot where his cabin stood is marked by Lincoln Trail Homestead State Park. This park was created in 1904 to remember his time there.
Where is Harristown?
Harristown is located in the western part of Macon County, Illinois. It's right next to the city of Decatur, which is the county seat. Downtown Decatur is about 7 miles (11 km) to the east. Springfield, the capital city of Illinois, is about 33 miles (53 km) to the west.
The village covers an area of about 1.80 square miles (4.65 km²), and it's all land. Small streams that flow into the Sangamon River drain the village to the south. Abraham Lincoln's first home in Illinois was on the north bank of the Sangamon River, south of the village.
Harristown's Population Over Time
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1970 | 1,253 | — | |
| 1980 | 1,456 | 16.2% | |
| 1990 | 1,319 | −9.4% | |
| 2000 | 1,338 | 1.4% | |
| 2010 | 1,367 | 2.2% | |
| 2020 | 1,310 | −4.2% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
In 2000, there were 1,338 people living in Harristown. These people lived in 511 households, with 402 of them being families. The village had about 721 people per square mile (278 per km²). There were 525 homes in total.
Who Lives in Harristown?
Most people in Harristown are White (98.88%). A small number are African American (0.30%), Native American (0.07%), Asian (0.07%), or from two or more races (0.67%). About 0.30% of the population identified as Hispanic or Latino.
Households and Families
- About 32.3% of households had children under 18 living with them.
- Most households (68.5%) were married couples living together.
- About 6.5% of households had a female head with no husband present.
- About 19.0% of all households were individuals living alone.
- About 8.0% of households had someone 65 years or older living alone.
- The average household had 2.62 people, and the average family had 2.98 people.
Age Groups
The population of Harristown is spread out across different age groups:
- 25.1% were under 18 years old.
- 6.5% were between 18 and 24 years old.
- 29.8% were between 25 and 44 years old.
- 25.3% were between 45 and 64 years old.
- 13.3% were 65 years or older.
The average age in the village was 39 years.
Income and Poverty
In 2000, the average income for a household in Harristown was $42,946. For families, the average income was $48,162. The average income per person in the village was $18,689. About 5.0% of all people, and 4.1% of families, lived below the poverty line. This included 9.2% of those under 18 and 3.5% of those 65 or older.
Famous People from Harristown
- Cecil Garriott: A baseball player who played for the Chicago Cubs.
- Abraham Lincoln: The 16th president of the United States, who lived here for a short time.
- Lawrence Rotz (1897–1963): An Illinois state senator, businessman, and politician.
See also
In Spanish: Harristown para niños
