Sheridan, Illinois facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sheridan
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| The Village of Sheridan | |||
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| Nickname(s):
Gateway to The Lower Fox River Dells
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Location of Sheridan 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 | Mission, Northville | ||
| Settled | 1830s | ||
| Incorporated (village) | 1872 | ||
| Founded by | Rowe Family | ||
| Named for | Gen. Philip Sheridan | ||
| Government | |||
| • Type | Mayor and Village Board | ||
| Area | |||
| • Total | 2.16 sq mi (5.59 km2) | ||
| • Land | 2.12 sq mi (5.49 km2) | ||
| • Water | 0.04 sq mi (0.10 km2) | ||
| Elevation | 594 ft (181 m) | ||
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 2,431 | ||
| • Density | 1,146.16/sq mi (442.64/km2) | ||
| Time zone | UTC-6 (CST) | ||
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) | ||
| ZIP Code(s) |
60551
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| Area codes | 815, 779 | ||
| FIPS code | 17-69277 | ||
| GNIS feature ID | 2399800 | ||
| Wikimedia Commons | Sheridan, Illinois | ||
Sheridan is a village located in LaSalle County, Illinois, in the United States. In 2020, about 2,431 people lived there. This was an increase from 2,137 people in 2010. Sheridan is part of the Ottawa Micropolitan Statistical Area.
Contents
Exploring Sheridan's Location and Landscape
Sheridan covers an area of about 2.16 square miles (5.59 square kilometers). Most of this area is land. Only a small part, about 0.04 square miles (0.10 square kilometers), is water.
How the Fox River Shapes Sheridan
The village is located near a bend in the Fox River. This is where Somonauk Creek flows into the river. It's also where the Lower Fox River Dells begin. The river is popular for canoeing. People often start their canoe trips upstream in Yorkville. They usually finish near Wedron.
The Fox River flows in different directions around Sheridan. It goes west, then south, then east, then south again, and finally west. The village itself sits on a high sandstone bluff, away from the river. This bluff has been used for mining sand and gravel.
Sheridan's Natural Protection from Floods
The village is well-protected from river floods. There is a half-mile gap between the main part of town and the river valley. This gap contains two old gravel quarry pits. These pits help to protect the town. Also, the village is about 30 feet higher than the river.
A Look at Sheridan's Population
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1880 | 442 | — | |
| 1890 | 425 | −3.8% | |
| 1900 | 485 | 14.1% | |
| 1910 | 506 | 4.3% | |
| 1920 | 476 | −5.9% | |
| 1930 | 481 | 1.1% | |
| 1940 | 442 | −8.1% | |
| 1950 | 476 | 7.7% | |
| 1960 | 704 | 47.9% | |
| 1970 | 724 | 2.8% | |
| 1980 | 719 | −0.7% | |
| 1990 | 1,288 | 79.1% | |
| 2000 | 2,411 | 87.2% | |
| 2010 | 2,137 | −11.4% | |
| 2020 | 2,431 | 13.8% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
In 2020, Sheridan had 2,431 residents. There were 403 households and 281 families. About 29.5% of households had children under 18. Most households (52.36%) were married couples.
Who Lives in Sheridan?
The population of Sheridan is diverse. About 48.66% of residents are White. Around 40.72% are African American. About 10.08% of the population is Hispanic or Latino.
The average age in Sheridan is 34.5 years. Many residents, about 50.5%, are between 25 and 44 years old.
Income and Community Services
The average income for a household in Sheridan was $70,925. For families, it was $76,979.
Sheridan has its own Fire Department and Police Department. The local school district is CUSD #2. It serves students from Serena, Sheridan, Harding, Norway, and Baker. High school students attend Serena High School.
The History of Sheridan Village
Sheridan was first settled around 1833 by Robert Rowe and his wife. Before that, in 1826, Jesse Walker started a mission nearby. This mission was at the head of Mission Creek.
How Sheridan Got Its Name
In 1844, the area was known as Mission Point. It later became Rowes Station in 1863. The village was officially planned and named Sheridan in 1869. It was named after General Philip Sheridan.
On June 24, 1872, the people of Sheridan voted to become an incorporated village. This means they formed their own local government. The first election for the Board of Trustees was held on June 29, 1872.
Changes in Local Businesses Over Time
In the late 1900s, Sheridan had many local businesses. These included a hardware store, banks, a grocery store, and restaurants. However, after 1995, many of these businesses closed or moved. This was partly due to competition from larger towns nearby like Ottawa and Sandwich.
Neighboring Community: Norway, Illinois
Norway is a community located south of Sheridan. It is an unincorporated community. This means it does not have its own local government. Sheridan provides many services for Norway residents. This includes fire, police, and postal services. The school district (CUSD #2) also serves Norway.
Education in Sheridan
Sheridan is part of Community Unit School District #2. This district is based in Serena, a nearby town. The district was formed by combining schools from Sheridan, Serena, and Harding.
Sheridan's High School History
Today, Serena High School is the only high school in the district. There are three elementary schools in the three communities. Sheridan used to have its own high school until 1939. At that time, Sheridan High School closed and combined with Serena and Harding schools.
Transportation in Sheridan
The Illinois Railway runs through the middle of Sheridan. The village is also close to several important highways.
- U.S. Highway 34 is about six miles north of Sheridan.
- U.S. Highway 52 is about four miles south.
- Illinois Route 71 is six miles away, both to the south and east.
Two county highways, C. R. 32 and C. R. 3, go through town. Another, C. R. 2, is a mile to the west.
Notable People from Sheridan
- Silas Johnson: He was a baseball pitcher who played for several MLB teams. He was the last pitcher to strike out Babe Ruth. Silas Johnson lived in Sheridan for 20 years and passed away there.
- Ron Vandermeir Jr.: A racing driver who was born in Sheridan.
Images for kids
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Flag of Sheridan, Illinois
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Seal of Sheridan, Illinois
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Location of Sheridan in LaSalle County, Illinois
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Location of Illinois in the United States
See also
In Spanish: Sheridan (Illinois) para niños
