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Shelby County, Illinois facts for kids

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Shelby County
Shelby County Courthouse
Shelby County Courthouse
Map of Illinois highlighting Shelby County
Location within the U.S. state of Illinois
Map of the United States highlighting Illinois
Illinois's location within the U.S.
Country  United States
State  Illinois
Founded 1827
Named for Isaac Shelby
Seat Shelbyville
Largest city Shelbyville
Area
 • Total 768 sq mi (1,990 km2)
 • Land 759 sq mi (1,970 km2)
 • Water 9.5 sq mi (25 km2)  1.2%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 20,990
 • Density 27.331/sq mi (10.552/km2)
Time zone UTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST) UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district 15th

Shelby County is a county located in the U.S. state of Illinois. According to the 2020 census, it had a population of 20,990. Its county seat is Shelbyville.

History

Shelby County was established in 1827 out of Fayette County. It was named in honor of Isaac Shelby, governor of Kentucky and participant in the American Revolutionary War.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 768 square miles (1,990 km2), of which 759 square miles (1,970 km2) is land and 9.5 square miles (25 km2) (1.2%) is water.

Climate and weather

Weather chart for Shelbyville, Illinois
J F M A M J J A S O N D
 
 
2
 
34
19
 
 
1.9
 
41
24
 
 
3.3
 
52
33
 
 
3.7
 
65
43
 
 
4
 
75
53
 
 
4.1
 
83
62
 
 
4
 
87
66
 
 
3.3
 
85
63
 
 
3.1
 
80
56
 
 
3.1
 
68
45
 
 
3.9
 
52
35
 
 
3
 
39
24
temperatures in °F
precipitation totals in inches
source: The Weather Channel

In recent years, average temperatures in the county seat of Shelbyville have ranged from a low of 19 °F (−7 °C) in January to a high of 87 °F (31 °C) in July, although a record low of −26 °F (−32 °C) was recorded in January 1915 and a record high of 111 °F (44 °C) was recorded in July 1936. Average monthly precipitation ranged from 1.89 inches (48 mm) in February to 4.05 inches (103 mm) in June.

Major highways

  • I-57.svg Interstate 57
  • US 45.svg U.S. Highway 45
  • US 51.svg U.S. Highway 51
  • Illinois 16.svg Illinois Route 16
  • Illinois 32.svg Illinois Route 32
  • Illinois 128.svg Illinois Route 128

Adjacent counties

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop.
1830 2,972
1840 6,659 124.1%
1850 7,807 17.2%
1860 14,613 87.2%
1870 25,476 74.3%
1880 30,270 18.8%
1890 31,191 3.0%
1900 32,126 3.0%
1910 31,693 −1.3%
1920 29,601 −6.6%
1930 25,471 −14.0%
1940 26,290 3.2%
1950 24,434 −7.1%
1960 23,404 −4.2%
1970 22,589 −3.5%
1980 23,923 5.9%
1990 22,261 −6.9%
2000 22,893 2.8%
2010 22,363 −2.3%
2020 20,990 −6.1%
2023 (est.) 20,568 −8.0%
U.S. Decennial Census
1790-1960 1900-1990
1990-2000 2010-2013

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 22,363 people, 9,216 households, and 6,376 families living in the county. The population density was 29.5 inhabitants per square mile (11.4/km2). There were 10,396 housing units at an average density of 13.7 per square mile (5.3/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 98.6% white, 0.3% Asian, 0.2% American Indian, 0.2% black or African American, 0.2% from other races, and 0.6% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 0.8% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 25.5% were German, 9.9% were English, 9.8% were American, and 8.8% were Irish.

Of the 9,216 households, 29.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.1% were married couples living together, 8.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 30.8% were non-families, and 27.1% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.40 and the average family size was 2.90. The median age was 43.5 years.

The median income for a household in the county was $44,627 and the median income for a family was $55,655. Males had a median income of $40,119 versus $27,860 for females. The per capita income for the county was $21,891. About 7.8% of families and 11.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.7% of those under age 18 and 8.1% of those age 65 or over.

Census-designated place

The Census Bureau has defined one census-designated place (CDP) in Shelby County.

Communities

Cities

Town

Villages

Other unincorporated communities

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Condado de Shelby (Illinois) para niños

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