# Onarga, Illinois

Onarga is a village in Onarga Township, Iroquois County, Illinois, United States. The population was 1,333 at the 2020 census.

## Geography

Onarga is located in western Iroquois County at 40°42′56″N 88°0′25″W﻿ / ﻿40.71556°N 88.00694°W﻿ / 40.71556; -88.00694 (40.715432, -88.006928). U.S. Route 45 passes through the center of the village, leading north 4 miles (6 km) to Gilman and south 8 miles (13 km) to Buckley. Interstate 57 runs along the western border of the village, with access from Exit 280. I-57 leads north 31 miles (50 km) to Kankakee and south 46 miles (74 km) to Champaign. Chicago is 90 miles (140 km) to the north via I-57.
According to the 2021 census gazetteer files, Onarga has a total area of 1.67 square miles (4.33 km$^2$), all land.

### Climate

Onarga has a hot-summer humid continental climate (Dfa) characterized by four distinct seasons. Winters are cold, with frequent snowfall and temperatures occasionally dropping to as low as -10 °F to -20 °F. Average high temperatures from late December through late February typically range from the mid-30s to upper 30s. Spring is generally mild but often marked by rain, wind, and cloudy skies, with high temperatures increasing from the 50s in late March to the 80s by early June. Summers are hot and humid, frequently accompanied by brief but intense thunderstorms. Average summer high temperatures are in the mid to upper 80s, with occasional highs in the lower 90s. Autumns are cooler and drier, with the first frost usually occurring by mid to late October. Onarga's summer conditions are particularly favorable for cultivating corn and soybeans, which dominate the surrounding rural landscape. The area receives an average annual precipitation of 40.44 inches.

## History

Onarga was originally laid out in the mid-19th century alongside the development of the railroad from Chicago. Because of its close proximity to Spring Creek, Onarga was one of the first settled areas of Iroquois County. The town grew rapidly had population growth but it leveled off and it now maintains small population.
The name Onarga likely comes from an Iroquois name meaning "a place of rocky hills."
Onarga has tree and shrub nurseries that have been in business for over 100 years, earning Onarga the nickname, "The Nursery Capital of the Midwest." Many fields surrounding the town bear rows of trees and bushes rather than corn and soybeans, which are otherwise ubiquitous throughout the region. The prosperous nursery businesses have led to a great amount of ethnic diversity in Onarga, as many Mexican and Mexican-American migrant workers have chosen to maintain roots in the community.
Onarga celebrated its sesquicentennial with a nearly week-long festival in the summer of 2004, which included social events and a strong focus on the history of the community.
Onarga is the final resting place of Civil War spy and Pinkerton detective Timothy Webster. Onarga was also the location of Allan Pinkerton's weekend estate, The Larches.

## Business

Onarga has a golf course, several restaurants, and Lake Arrowhead. The only movie theater in Iroquois County is in Onarga.

## Demographics

As of the 2020 census there were 1,333 people, 407 households, and 273 families residing in the village. The population density was 796.30 inhabitants per square mile (307.45/km$^2$). There were 493 housing units at an average density of 294.50 per square mile (113.71/km$^2$). The racial makeup of the village was 56.56% White, 1.50% African American, 0.45% Native American, 0.53% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 22.21% from other races, and 18.75% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 49.66% of the population.
There were 407 households, out of which 31.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.37% were married couples living together, 13.27% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.92% were non-families. 28.75% of all households were made up of individuals, and 20.64% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.40 and the average family size was 2.71.
The village's age distribution consisted of 26.5% under the age of 18, 10.6% from 18 to 24, 20.2% from 25 to 44, 25.9% from 45 to 64, and 16.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36.6 years. For every 100 females, there were 100.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 80.3 males.
The median income for a household in the village was $48,024, and the median income for a family was $54,896. Males had a median income of $31,821 versus $26,563 for females. The per capita income for the village was $19,380. About 16.5% of families and 18.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.5% of those under age 18 and 19.5% of those age 65 or over.