Teutopolis, Illinois facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Teutopolis, Illinois
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| Motto(s):
Home of the Wooden Shoes
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 Teutopolis, Illinois
Location in Illinois
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| Country | United States |
| State | Illinois |
| County | Effingham |
| Area | |
| • Total | 2.04 sq mi (5.29 km2) |
| • Land | 2.04 sq mi (5.29 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 600 ft (200 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 1,618 |
| • Density | 791.97/sq mi (305.82/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (CST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| Postal code |
62467
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| Area code(s) | 217 |
| FIPS code | 17-74743 |
| GNIS ID | 2399962 |
Teutopolis is a small village located in Effingham County, Illinois. In 2020, about 1,618 people lived there.
Contents
Where is Teutopolis Located?
Teutopolis is in the northeastern part of Effingham County. A major road, U.S. Route 40 (also known as the National Road), goes right through the middle of the village.
This road connects Teutopolis to other towns. If you go west about 4 miles (6.4 km), you'll reach Effingham, which is the main city of the county. If you go east about 5.5 miles (8.9 km), you'll find Montrose.
The village covers a total area of about 2.04 square miles (5.29 square kilometers). All of this area is land.
The History of Teutopolis
How Teutopolis Got Its Name
Teutopolis was founded in 1839. Its name means "City of the Teutons", which refers to Germans. It was built along the National Road, which is now U.S. Route 40. Teutopolis is the only town in the United States with this unique name.
German Settlers Arrive
In 1834, a man named Clemens Uptmor came to the United States from Germany. He was from the Duchy of Oldenburg and the Kingdom of Hanover. His brother, Herman H. Uptmor, and some neighbors came with him. They first settled in Cincinnati, which was a popular place for German Catholics to start new lives in the west.
In 1837, these settlers formed a group called the "Deutsche Land-Compagnie oder Ansiedlungsgesellschaft." This was a land company created to buy government land. John F. Waschefort, Clemens Uptmor, and Gerard H. Bergfeld were chosen to find a good place for their new settlement.
Choosing the Perfect Location
The committee decided not to settle in Missouri because of slavery. They also avoided the north-central part of Illinois because it had many swamps and dark soil. Instead, they recommended the northeastern part of Effingham County. This area had lots of woodlands, dry uplands, and plenty of wild animals for hunting.
Gerhardt Meyer and Heinrich Roennebaum joined the original three men to check out the recommended site in Illinois. They approved the location. In July 1839, they officially claimed the land in Vandalia under John F. Waschefort's name.
Buying the Land and Planning the Town
They bought 10,000 acres (4,047 hectares) of land for $1.25 per acre. They also bought an extra 80 acres (32 hectares) for $5.00 per acre. William J. Hankins surveyed and drew up the plans for the new town. The layout of Teutopolis was very similar to the original plan of Cincinnati.
Back in Cincinnati, the land was divided among the members. This was done through a drawing held at a fire engine house. For every $50.00 a member had put into the company, they received one "in-lot" (a plot inside the town) and one "out-lot" or "garden lot" (a plot just outside the town). They also received an additional piece of farmland, totaling 40 acres (16 hectares) for each share.
Who Lives in Teutopolis?
Population Over Time
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1900 | 498 | — | |
| 1910 | 592 | 18.9% | |
| 1920 | 728 | 23.0% | |
| 1930 | 710 | −2.5% | |
| 1940 | 806 | 13.5% | |
| 1950 | 919 | 14.0% | |
| 1960 | 1,140 | 24.0% | |
| 1970 | 1,249 | 9.6% | |
| 1980 | 1,414 | 13.2% | |
| 1990 | 1,417 | 0.2% | |
| 2000 | 1,559 | 10.0% | |
| 2010 | 1,530 | −1.9% | |
| 2020 | 1,618 | 5.8% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
The population of Teutopolis has grown steadily over the years. In 1900, there were 498 people. By 2020, the population had increased to 1,618.
A Look at the Residents
According to the 2020 census, there were 1,618 people living in Teutopolis. These people made up 759 households, and 499 of these were families.
Most of the people in the village, about 97.34%, identified as White. A small number of residents were from other racial backgrounds. About 0.80% of the population identified as Hispanic or Latino.
Households and Families
Out of all the households, 28.7% had children under 18 living with them. More than half, 54.55%, were married couples living together. About 7.51% of households were led by a female with no husband present.
About 22.13% of all households were made up of people living alone. Of these, 11.20% were individuals aged 65 or older. The average household had about 2.97 people, and the average family had about 2.37 people.
Age and Income
The people in Teutopolis have a mix of ages. About 22.3% were under 18 years old. About 17.0% were 65 years or older. The average age in the village was 36.7 years.
The median income for a household in Teutopolis was $72,404. For families, the median income was higher, at $95,583. The average income per person in the village was $34,393. A small number of people, about 3.9% of the population, lived below the poverty line.
