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Neoga, Illinois
City
Motto(s): 
"Neoga Naturally"
Location of Neoga in Cumberland County, Illinois.
Location of Neoga in Cumberland County, Illinois.
Location of Illinois in the United States
Location of Illinois in the United States
Country United States
State Illinois
County Cumberland
Township Neoga
Founded 1856
Government
 • Type Mayor
Area
 • Total 1.39 sq mi (3.60 km2)
 • Land 1.39 sq mi (3.60 km2)
 • Water 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation
659 ft (201 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 1,398
 • Density 1,005.76/sq mi (388.25/km2)
Time zone UTC-6 (CST)
 • Summer (DST) UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP Code(s)
62447
Area code(s) 217
FIPS code 17-51986
GNIS ID 2395170
Wikimedia Commons Neoga, Illinois

Neoga is a small city located in Cumberland County, Illinois, in the United States. It was officially started in 1856. In 2020, about 1,398 people lived there. Neoga is part of the larger CharlestonMattoon Micropolitan Statistical Area. The current mayor of Neoga is Tony Kepp.

The name "Neoga" has two possible origins. One idea is that it means "deer" in the Kickapoo language. Another idea is that it comes from an Iroquois word meaning "place of the deity."

Exploring Neoga's Location and Size

Neoga is in the northwestern part of Cumberland County. It's located at 39.321769 degrees North and -88.452109 degrees West.

How to Get Around Neoga

U.S. Route 45 goes right through the middle of Neoga. It's known as Oak Avenue there. Interstate 57 is on the eastern side of town. You can get to Neoga from Exit 177 on I-57, where it meets US 45. The city of Effingham is about 14 miles south, and Mattoon is about 13 miles north.

Neoga's Total Area

According to information from 2021, Neoga covers a total area of about 1.39 square miles (3.60 square kilometers). All of this area is land.

Understanding Neoga's Population

The population of Neoga has changed over the years. Here's a look at how many people have lived there during different census counts:

Historical population
Census Pop.
1890 829
1900 1,126 35.8%
1910 1,074 −4.6%
1920 1,149 7.0%
1930 995 −13.4%
1940 1,062 6.7%
1950 1,125 5.9%
1960 1,145 1.8%
1970 1,270 10.9%
1980 1,736 36.7%
1990 1,678 −3.3%
2000 1,854 10.5%
2010 1,636 −11.8%
2020 1,398 −14.5%
U.S. Decennial Census

Who Lives in Neoga?

As of the 2020 census, there were 1,398 people living in Neoga. These people lived in 557 households, and 337 of these were families. The city had about 1,005 people per square mile.

Most of the people in Neoga (about 93.92%) were White. There were also smaller percentages of African American, Native American, Asian, and Pacific Islander residents. About 1.93% of the population identified as Hispanic or Latino.

Households and Families

Out of the 557 households, about 34.3% had children under 18 living with them. More than half (52.42%) were married couples living together. About 28.90% of all households were made up of single individuals.

Age Groups in Neoga

The city's population includes people of all ages. About 27.4% of the residents were under 18 years old. About 20.1% were 65 years old or older. The average age in Neoga was 36.5 years.

Community Life and Facilities in Neoga

Neoga has a strong connection to the early history of railroads in central Illinois. It's a community that hosts many social events. The largest place for events can hold up to 150 people.

Local Businesses and Services

Neoga has a strong banking and finance industry. You can find banks like First Mid Bank and Trust and First Neighbor Bank here. These local banks help with different development projects.

The Neoga News is a local newspaper published every week. It shares news and sports stories that are important to people living in the area.

Places of Worship

The City of Neoga is home to a lively religious community. There are seven local churches in the city.

Parks and Recreation

Neoga offers many places for fun and outdoor activities. Public parks have tennis and basketball courts. There are also several lakes nearby where you can swim, boat, and enjoy water sports.

For those who love the outdoors, Fox Ridge State Park and Lincoln Trail State Park are close by. These parks offer camping, hiking, snowmobiling, walking paths, and horseback riding.

Library Services

The Neoga District Library is located in downtown Neoga. It gives residents access to books, computers, and other helpful resources.

Education Opportunities in Neoga

Neoga is home to Neoga Community Unit School District 3. This district includes an elementary school and a junior-senior high school. The sports teams at the schools are known as the "Indians."

Higher Education Nearby

Lake Land College is about 12 miles north of Neoga. It offers college courses and training programs for jobs.

Eastern Illinois University is in Charleston, about 25 miles northeast of Neoga. Students can go there to earn bachelor's and master's degrees in many different subjects.

See also

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