Ransom, Illinois facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ransom, Illinois
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Plumb Street in Ransom
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Location in LaSalle County, Illinois
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Location of Illinois in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Illinois |
| County | LaSalle |
| Township | Allen |
| Founded | 1885 |
| Area | |
| • Total | 1.00 sq mi (2.59 km2) |
| • Land | 1.00 sq mi (2.59 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 709 ft (216 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 308 |
| • Density | 308.31/sq mi (119.00/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (CST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP Code(s) |
60470
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| Area code(s) | 815 |
| FIPS code | 17-62757 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2399041 |
| Wikimedia Commons | Ransom, Illinois |
Ransom is a small village located in LaSalle County, Illinois, in the United States. It is part of the Ottawa Micropolitan Statistical Area. In 2020, about 308 people lived there. This was a decrease from 384 people in 2010.
Contents
History of Ransom
Ransom was a planned community, which means it was designed before people moved there. In 1876, ads were placed asking shopkeepers and craftspeople to come and set up businesses. The village of Ransom officially became a town in 1885.
Early Businesses and a Big Fire
Some of the first businesses in Ransom included a hotel, a saloon, a doctor's office, and a grocery store. There was also a blacksmith and a place to exchange cash. A small wooden water tower was built near the new business area.
However, in 1892, a large fire destroyed the eastern part of the business district. This fire stopped the village from growing for a while. Some business owners decided to close their shops for good.
Rebuilding and New Services
After the fire, the village worked hard to rebuild. In 1896, they built a new public waterworks with a tall 68-foot water tower. The village then began to grow again. Its population reached its highest point of about 600 people after World War II.
Modern services also started to arrive. On September 7, 1903, Ransom got its first phone service. AT&T opened a telegraph office in 1905. Between 1905 and 1910, the village built a system of sidewalks. The first electric street lamps appeared on May 7, 1910. These lights came from Illinois Valley Gas and Electric. Slowly, electricity also made its way into people's homes in Ransom.
Who Was Ransom Named After?
The village of Ransom was named after Thomas E. G. Ransom. He was a general in the American Civil War. General Ransom was born in Vermont but lived in Illinois when he was a young man.
Where is Ransom Located?
Ransom is located in the southeastern part of LaSalle County. It is in the center of Allen Township. Illinois Route 170 runs along the eastern edge of the village. This road goes north about 13 miles (21 km) to Seneca and south about 20 miles (32 km) to Pontiac.
The total area of Ransom is about 1.00 square mile (2.59 square kilometers). All of this area is land, with no water.
Ransom's Population
The population of Ransom has changed over the years. Here's a look at how many people have lived there during different census counts:
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1880 | 132 | — | |
| 1890 | 338 | 156.1% | |
| 1900 | 339 | 0.3% | |
| 1910 | 370 | 9.1% | |
| 1920 | 402 | 8.6% | |
| 1930 | 456 | 13.4% | |
| 1940 | 419 | −8.1% | |
| 1950 | 411 | −1.9% | |
| 1960 | 415 | 1.0% | |
| 1970 | 440 | 6.0% | |
| 1980 | 456 | 3.6% | |
| 1990 | 438 | −3.9% | |
| 2000 | 409 | −6.6% | |
| 2010 | 384 | −6.1% | |
| 2020 | 308 | −19.8% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
As of the 2020 census, there were 308 people living in Ransom. There were 156 households and 99 families. The average household had about 2.78 people. The average family had about 2.28 people.
About 27% of the people in Ransom were under 18 years old. About 9.9% were 65 years or older. The average age of people in the village was 38.1 years.
See also
In Spanish: Ransom (Illinois) para niños
