Sorento, Illinois facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sorento, Illinois
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Downtown Sorento, IL on June 14, 2014
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Location of Illinois in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Illinois |
| County | Bond |
| Township | Shoal Creek |
| Founded | 1882 |
| Area | |
| • Total | 0.80 sq mi (2.07 km2) |
| • Land | 0.80 sq mi (2.07 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 584 ft (178 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 429 |
| • Density | 537.59/sq mi (207.67/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (CST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP Code(s) |
62086
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| Area code(s) | 217 |
| FIPS code | 17-70525 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2399839 |
| Wikimedia Commons | Sorento, Illinois |
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Sorento is a small village located in Bond County, Illinois, in the United States. In 2020, about 429 people lived there. Sorento is considered part of the larger St. Louis Metropolitan Area, which means it's close to a big city. It's also part of a region in Illinois called Metro East.
Contents
History of Sorento
How Sorento Was Founded
Sorento officially became a village in 1882. Two local people, August H. Scharf and his father William Scharf, planned out the town on August 15, 1882. They decided to name the new village Sorento after a town they had visited in Florida called Sorrento, Florida. The village grew very quickly, and by the end of 1883, more than 500 people had moved there.
Sorento's Coal Mining Past
A coal mine opened in Sorento in 1883. This mine was an important part of the village's economy for many years. It operated for over 30 years, finally closing down on March 31, 1914.
Famous Visitors to Sorento
Did you know that a very famous pilot, Charles Lindbergh, once landed his plane near Sorento? He landed in fields just outside the village while he was getting ready for his amazing solo flight across the Atlantic Ocean.
Education in Sorento
Sorento used to have its own school called Sorento Elementary School. This school taught students from pre-kindergarten all the way up to 8th grade. It was a really good school! In 2011, Sorento Elementary was recognized as a "Blue Ribbon school." This is a special award given to schools that are excellent. Only 19 schools in Illinois and 304 schools in the entire United States received this award that year. The school is now closed.
Geography of Sorento
Sorento is a small village in terms of its size. According to information from 2021, the village covers an area of about 0.80 square miles (which is about 2.07 square kilometers). All of this area is land, meaning there are no large lakes or rivers within the village limits.
Population and People of Sorento
How Many People Live in Sorento?
The number of people living in Sorento has changed over the years. Here's a quick look at the population counts from different years:
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1890 | 538 | — | |
| 1900 | 1,000 | 85.9% | |
| 1910 | 1,018 | 1.8% | |
| 1920 | 942 | −7.5% | |
| 1930 | 831 | −11.8% | |
| 1940 | 840 | 1.1% | |
| 1950 | 692 | −17.6% | |
| 1960 | 681 | −1.6% | |
| 1970 | 625 | −8.2% | |
| 1980 | 677 | 8.3% | |
| 1990 | 596 | −12.0% | |
| 2000 | 601 | 0.8% | |
| 2010 | 498 | −17.1% | |
| 2020 | 429 | −13.9% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
In 2020, there were 429 people living in Sorento. There were 216 households, which are groups of people living together in one home. About 114 of these households were families.
Who Lives in Sorento?
Most people living in Sorento are White (about 91.38%). There are also people from other backgrounds, including African American, Native American, and people of two or more races. About 2.10% of the population identified as Hispanic or Latino.
About 21.8% of the people in Sorento are under 18 years old. The average age of people in the village is about 41.9 years old.
Places to Visit in Sorento
Ripson Bridge: A Historic Landmark
One interesting place near Sorento is the Ripson Bridge. This bridge was built way back in 1895. It's special because it's the very last "pony truss" bridge left in Bond County. A pony truss bridge is a type of bridge that has a strong frame above the road, but not over the top. It crosses Shoal Creek and is considered a local historical landmark. The bridge was named after the person who owned the land next to it when it was built.
Events in Sorento
Annual Homecoming Celebration
Every summer, usually in August, Sorento holds an annual "homecoming" event. This celebration typically lasts for two days and is a time for people who grew up in Sorento, or who live there now, to come together and have fun.
Sorento Fall Festival
In the autumn, usually on the first Sunday in October, Sorento hosts a big arts and crafts festival. This event used to be called the Ripson Bridge Festival. It takes place in downtown Sorento and is a great day out! You can enjoy live music throughout the day, play children's games, and even take part in an old-fashioned cake walk. There are also many vendors selling unique arts and crafts.
Notable People from Sorento
Some interesting people have come from Sorento:
- Esther Snyder: She was one of the people who started the famous fast-food chain, In-N-Out Burger.
- Fred R. Volkmar: He was a director at the Yale Child Study Center, which is a place that studies children's health and development.
See also
In Spanish: Sorento para niños
