# Chatham, Illinois

Chatham is a village in Sangamon County, Illinois, United States. It is located 2.8 miles (4.5 km) south of Springfield and has a retail trade area that extends into four other municipalities, including Springfield. The population was 11,500 as of the 2010 census and estimated to be 13,008 as of 2019. The village lies along the original alignment of historic U.S. Route 66 (Illinois Route 4).
Chatham is part of the Springfield, Illinois Metropolitan Statistical Area.

## Geography

Chatham is located at 39°40′22″N 89°41′54″W﻿ / ﻿39.67278°N 89.69833°W﻿ / 39.67278; -89.69833 (39.672899, -89.698385). According to the 2010 census, Chatham has a total area of 5.722 square miles (14.82 km$^2$), of which 5.72 square miles (14.81 km$^2$) (or 99.97%) is land and 0.002 square miles (0.01 km$^2$) (or 0.03%) is water.

## Demographics

As of the census of 2010, the racial makeup of the village was 93.57% White, 2.47% African American, 0.09% Native American, 1.85% Asian, 0.46% from other races, and 1.57% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.97% of the population.
As of the census of 2000, there were 8,583 people, 3,083 households, and 2,472 families residing in the village. The population density was 1,728.7 inhabitants per square mile (667.5/km$^2$). There were 3,165 housing units at an average density of 637.4 per square mile (246.1/km$^2$). The racial makeup of the village was 97.48% White, 0.77% African American, 0.15% Native American, 0.90% Asian, 0.15% from other races, and 0.55% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.77% of the population.
There were 3,083 households, out of which 47.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 65.9% were married couples living together, 11.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 19.8% were non-families. 16.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 4.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.78 and the average family size was 3.13.
In the village, the population was spread out, with 32.0% under the age of 18, 6.5% from 18 to 24, 31.7% from 25 to 44, 22.6% from 45 to 64, and 7.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.6 males.
The median income for a household in the village was $60,350, and the median income for a family was $64,257. Males had a median income of $45,543 versus $31,883 for females. The per capita income for the village was $23,167. About 2.8% of families and 4.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.2% of those under age 18 and 5.6% of those age 65 or over.

## Education

Chatham is part of the Ball-Chatham School District, which includes Glenwood High School, three elementary schools, an Intermediate School, and a middle school. Chatham was one of five area schools awarded the Bright Star Award for educational excellence at the elementary and high school level. The website for these schools can be found at Chatham Schools Website.

### Festivals

Every June the Chatham American Legion Homecoming Festival takes place in the Chatham town square. Each year in July, Chatham is host to the Chatham Sweet Corn Festival and Illinois Championship Cow Chip Throw sponsored by the Chatham Jaycees. Each year in September Chatham Jaycees host the Octoberfest in the Chatham town square

## Places of interest

* Chatham Railroad Museum (1902)
* Caldwell Farmstead (National Register of Historic Places)
* Interurban Trail, a mixed-use rails-to-trails trail, (Chatham and Woodside townships, 4.75 mi (7.64 km). in length)
* Sugar Creek Covered Bridge is located 5 miles (8.0 km) southeast of Chatham.
* Chatham Clarion. (Local Newspaper)

## Notable people

* Kenneth Boyle, Illinois state representative and lawyer
* Kelci Bryant, Olympic diver
* Gracie Gold, US and Olympic figure skater
* Phil Maton, MLB pitcher
* Nick Maton, MLB infielder
* Jayson Werth, outfielder for the Toronto Blue Jays, Los Angeles Dodgers, Philadelphia Phillies and Washington Nationals
* Reid Detmers, pitcher for the Los Angeles Angels