# Zeigler, Illinois

Zeigler is a city in Franklin County, Illinois, United States. The population was 1,484 at the 2020 census.

## History

In 1905, fifty men were killed in a coal mining accident in or near the town.
Zeigler incorporated in 1914 and was named for Levi Zeigler Leiter, the father of Joseph Leiter, the founder of the Zeigler Coal Company.

## Geography

Zeigler is located in southwestern Franklin County at 37°53′59″N 89°3′12″W﻿ / ﻿37.89972°N 89.05333°W﻿ / 37.89972; -89.05333 (37.899856, -89.053429). Illinois Route 149 passes through the center of town, leading east 7.5 miles (12.1 km) to West Frankfort and west 4 miles (6 km) to Royalton. Interstate 57 is 6 miles (10 km) east of Zeigler via Route 149. Illinois Route 148 follows the western border of Zeigler, leading north 5 miles (8 km) to Christopher and south 7 miles (11 km) to Herrin. The city is laid out in the shape of a wagon wheel, with the post office, library, and several shops concentrated around a circular park at the center, and streets radiating out from the center.
According to the 2021 census gazetteer files, Zeigler has a total area of 1.37 square miles (3.55 km$^2$), of which 1.36 square miles (3.52 km$^2$) (or 99.49%) is land and 0.01 square miles (0.03 km$^2$) (or 0.51%) is water.

## Demographics

As of the 2020 census there were 1,484 people, 662 households, and 400 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,086.38 inhabitants per square mile (419.45/km$^2$). There were 743 housing units at an average density of 543.92 per square mile (210.01/km$^2$). The racial makeup of the city was 94.00% White, 0.34% African American, 0.34% Native American, 0.40% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 0.67% from other races, and 4.25% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.42% of the population.
There were 662 households, out of which 26.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 35.95% were married couples living together, 16.16% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.58% were non-families. 32.02% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.67% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.13 and the average family size was 2.61.
The city's age distribution consisted of 21.3% under the age of 18, 8.4% from 18 to 24, 24.6% from 25 to 44, 23.2% from 45 to 64, and 22.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41.8 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.5 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $44,342, and the median income for a family was $51,563. Males had a median income of $30,598 versus $20,793 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,721. About 15.0% of families and 20.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 24.3% of those under age 18 and 14.8% of those age 65 or over.

## Notable people

* Nick Holonyak, invented the first practically useful visible LED in 1962; born in Zeigler
* Babe Martin, outfielder and catcher for the St. Louis Browns and Boston Red Sox; grew up in Zeigler
* Mike Milosevich, shortstop for the New York Yankees; born in Zeigler