# Pleasant Plains, Illinois

Pleasant Plains is a village in Sangamon County, Illinois, United States. The population was 809 at the 2020 census. It is part of the Springfield, Illinois Metropolitan Statistical Area. The village was incorporated April 8, 1876

## Geography.

Pleasant Plains is located at 39°52′27″N 89°55′12″W﻿ / ﻿39.87417°N 89.92000°W﻿ / 39.87417; -89.92000 (39.874221, -89.920106).
According to the 2010 census, Pleasant Plains has a total area of 1.4 square miles (3.63 km$^2$), all land.

## Demographics.

As of the census of 2020, there were 809 people, 310 households, and 228 families residing in the village. The population density was 626.0 inhabitants per square mile (241.7/km$^2$). There were 310 housing units at an average density of 255.4 per square mile (98.6/km$^2$). The racial makeup of the village was 97.4% White, 0.5% African American, 0.4% Asian, and 1.3% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.9% of the population.
There were 310 households, out of which 36.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.1% were married couples living together, 11.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.5% were non-families. 23.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.59 and the average family size was 3.00.
In the village, the population was spread out, with 28.2% under the age of 18, 5.2% from 20 to 24, 26.5% from 25 to 44, 25.8% from 45 to 64, and 13.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38.5 years. 47.1% of the population was male and 52.9% of the population was female.
The median income for a household in the village was $46,053, and the median income for a family was $51,111. Males had a median income of $38,482 versus $25,446 for females. The per capita income for the village was $18,714. About 3.5% of families and 2.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.7% of those under age 18 and none of those age 65 or over.

## Pleasant Plains Historical Society.

In an effort to re-connect to its historical roots, the Pleasant Plains Historical Society was created by mayor Jim Verkuilan and his friends in 2009. Its stated purpose is “To acquire, restore and maintain historical sites surrounding the community.” The Historical Society promptly took steps to purchase the Clayville, Illinois site, a goal accomplished in 2010. Clayville, a Lincoln-era stagecoach stop, had been operated by a predecessor of the University of Illinois Springfield from the 1970s until 1992. The Pleasant Plains Historical Society's affiliate, Clayville Historic Site, now operates the stagecoach stop and 1824 tavern building.

## Notable people.

* Peter Cartwright, politician and Methodist church leader
* William J. Frey, Illinois state legislator, farmer, and businessman
* James F. Short Jr., sociologist

## References.

* ↑ "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 15, 2022.
* ↑ "Name Index to Illinois Local Governments: Illinois State Archives". February 7, 2024. Retrieved February 7, 2024.
* ↑ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
* ↑ "G001 - Geographic Identifiers - 2010 Census Summary File 1". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved December 25, 2015.
* ↑ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
* ↑ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
* ↑ Reavy, Amanda (May 7, 2009). "Pleasant Plains forms group to try to buy Clayville site". The State Journal-Register (Springfield). Retrieved June 10, 2009.
* ↑ "Clayville Historic Site". Clayville Historic Site: The Broadwell Inn. Retrieved August 24, 2013.

## External links.

* Peter CartwrightPleasant Plains Web Site