Milford, Illinois facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Milford, Illinois
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Village (United States)
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Milford Village Hall and grain elevator
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Location in Iroquois County, Illinois
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Map of Milford
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 Milford, Illinois
Location in Iroquois County, Illinois
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| Country |  United States |
| State |  Illinois |
| County | Iroquois |
| Township | Milford |
| Area | |
| • Total | 0.67 sq mi (1.74 km2) |
| • Land | 0.67 sq mi (1.74 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 669 ft (204 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 1,158 |
| • Density | 1,725.78/sq mi (666.24/km2) |
| ZIP code |
60953
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| Area code(s) | 815 |
| FIPS code | 17-49048 |
| Website | https://www.villageofmilfordil.com/ |
Milford is a small village located in Iroquois County, Illinois, in the United States. In 2020, about 1,158 people lived there. The village got its name because of its history: an old path called the Old Hubbard Trail crossed Sugar Creek nearby, and there was a gristmill (a mill for grinding grain) there in 1836. So, it was "the mill at the ford" (a shallow place to cross a river).
Contents
Milford's Location and Landscape
Milford is found in the southeastern part of Iroquois County. A main road, Illinois Route 1, runs through it. If you go north on this road for about 12 miles, you'll reach Watseka, which is the county seat (the main town of the county). Going south the same distance takes you to Hoopeston. The border with Indiana is also close, about 9 miles to the east.
The village covers an area of about 0.67 square miles, and all of it is land. Sugar Creek flows along the southern edge of Milford. This creek eventually joins the Iroquois River near Watseka. The water from Sugar Creek is part of the larger Kankakee River watershed, which means its water eventually flows into the Kankakee River.
Milford's Population Over Time
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1870 | 230 | — | |
| 1880 | 612 | 166.1% | |
| 1890 | 957 | 56.4% | |
| 1900 | 1,077 | 12.5% | |
| 1910 | 1,316 | 22.2% | |
| 1920 | 1,466 | 11.4% | |
| 1930 | 1,442 | −1.6% | |
| 1940 | 1,628 | 12.9% | |
| 1950 | 1,648 | 1.2% | |
| 1960 | 1,699 | 3.1% | |
| 1970 | 1,656 | −2.5% | |
| 1980 | 1,716 | 3.6% | |
| 1990 | 1,512 | −11.9% | |
| 2000 | 1,369 | −9.5% | |
| 2010 | 1,306 | −4.6% | |
| 2020 | 1,158 | −11.3% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
The number of people living in Milford has changed over many years. In 2020, the village had 1,158 residents. The population density was about 1,725 people per square mile. Most of the people living in Milford are White, with smaller numbers of other racial backgrounds. About 5% of the population identifies as Hispanic or Latino.
The average age in Milford in 2020 was about 44.4 years old. About 20% of the population was under 18 years old, and about 20% was 65 years or older.
Education and School Sports
Milford has its own high school, Milford High School. Students from nearby communities like Stockland, Wellington, and Sheldon also attend this school.
Milford High School Sports Teams
Milford High School offers many sports for its students. The boys' teams are called the "Bearcats," and the girls' teams are known as the "Lady Cats."
- Sports offered:
* Golf * Baseball * Softball * Football * Volleyball * Cheerleading * Basketball
Football Team History
The Milford football team has sometimes joined with other schools to create stronger teams. For example, in 2009, Milford and Cissna Park high schools teamed up for football. Before that, Milford had also partnered with Sheldon and Donovan schools for football.
Unique Gymnasium Floor
For a while, Milford High School had a very unusual gym floor. It was carpeted! This was rare for a gym used for varsity basketball and volleyball. However, in 1997, the carpet was removed and replaced with a plastic surface made by Sport Court.
First Night Football Game
The Milford Bearcat football team was part of a special moment in sports history. They played in what is recognized as the first "modern" night football game in America. This game happened on September 21, 1928, in Westville, Illinois. Westville won the game 26–6.
Notable People from Milford
Many interesting people have connections to Milford:
- Joseph R. Callahan: He was an Illinois state representative, a farmer, and a businessman. He was born on a farm near Milford.
- Ray A. Laird: He was the president of Laredo Community College in Laredo, Texas, from 1960 to 1974. He was born in Milford in 1907.
- Eula Davis McEwan: A geologist and paleontologist who was born in Milford. She taught at the University of Nebraska.
- Claude Rothgeb: He was an outfielder for the Washington Senators baseball team and also coached college football, basketball, and baseball. He was born in Milford.
- Jessie Sumner: She was a judge in Iroquois County and served as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives for Illinois.
Images for kids
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Milford Carnegie library
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Milford's water tower
See also
In Spanish: Milford (Illinois) para niños
