Niantic, Illinois facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Niantic, Illinois
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Welcome sign
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Location in Macon County, Illinois
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 Niantic, Illinois
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Illinois |
| County | Macon |
| Township | Niantic |
| Area | |
| • Total | 1.04 sq mi (2.69 km2) |
| • Land | 1.04 sq mi (2.69 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 601 ft (183 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 612 |
| • Density | 589.03/sq mi (227.38/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (CST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code |
62551
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| Area code(s) | 217 |
| FIPS code | 17-52961 |
Niantic is a small village located in Macon County, Illinois, in the United States. In 2020, about 612 people lived there. It's part of the larger Decatur area.
Contents
History
The Early Days of Niantic
Niantic Township was one of the first areas settled in Macon County. In 1825, a man named Joseph Strickling, who was from Ohio, became the first permanent settler in what is now Niantic Township. He built the very first log cabin there.
For many years, from 1825 to 1840, not many people settled permanently in the area. The population changed a lot as settlers often set up temporary homes while they were traveling further west. The first schoolhouse, also a log cabin, was built in 1847.
In 1838, a significant historical event known as the Potawatomi Death Trail passed through Niantic.
Geography
Where is Niantic Located?
Niantic is found in the western part of Macon County. It is about 12 miles (19 km) west of Decatur, which is the main city of the county. It's also about 30 miles (48 km) east-northeast of Springfield, the capital city of Illinois.
The village covers a total area of about 1.04 square miles (2.69 square kilometers), and all of it is land. Water from the village flows westward into small streams that eventually join the Sangamon River.
Demographics
How Many People Live in Niantic?
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1880 | 321 | — | |
| 1890 | 639 | 99.1% | |
| 1900 | 654 | 2.3% | |
| 1910 | 685 | 4.7% | |
| 1920 | 613 | −10.5% | |
| 1930 | 589 | −3.9% | |
| 1940 | 625 | 6.1% | |
| 1950 | 625 | 0.0% | |
| 1960 | 629 | 0.6% | |
| 1970 | 705 | 12.1% | |
| 1980 | 761 | 7.9% | |
| 1990 | 647 | −15.0% | |
| 2000 | 738 | 14.1% | |
| 2010 | 707 | −4.2% | |
| 2020 | 612 | −13.4% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
According to the census from 2000, there were 738 people living in Niantic. These people lived in 269 households, and 200 of those were families. The population density was about 686.7 people per square mile (265.1 people per square kilometer).
Most of the people living in the village were White (99.59%). A small number were Native American or from two or more races. About 0.68% of the population identified as Hispanic or Latino.
Education
Schools in Niantic
Niantic is home to Sangamon Valley High School. This school is part of the Sangamon Valley C.U.S.D. #9 school district.
Notable people
Famous People from Niantic
Some well-known people have connections to Niantic:
- Art Phelan – He was a third baseman who played baseball for the Chicago Cubs and Cincinnati Reds. He was born in Niantic.
- John L. Rotz – He was a famous jockey who is in the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame. He was also born in Niantic.
Gallery
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Niantic Village Hall and water tower
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Niantic water tower
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Niantic Fire Station
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Niantic grain elevators
See also
In Spanish: Niantic (Illinois) para niños
