# Milford, Illinois

Milford is a village in Milford Township, Iroquois County, Illinois, United States. The population was 1,158 at the 2020 census. The village's name comes from its location, where the Old Hubbard Trail forded Sugar Creek and where a gristmill stood in 1836 ("the mill at the ford").

## Geography

Milford is located in southeastern Iroquois County along Illinois Route 1, which leads north 12 miles (19 km) to Watseka, the county seat, and south the same distance to Hoopeston in Vermilion County. The Indiana border is 9 miles (14 km) east of Milford via county roads.
According to the 2021 census gazetteer files, Milford has a total area of 0.67 square miles (1.74 km$^2$), all land. Sugar Creek flows westward along the southern edge of the village, before turning north to flow to the Iroquois River near Watseka. It is part of the Kankakee River watershed.

## Demographics

As of the 2020 census there were 1,158 people, 566 households, and 353 families residing in the village. The population density was 1,725.78 inhabitants per square mile (666.33/km$^2$). There were 623 housing units at an average density of 928.46 per square mile (358.48/km$^2$). The racial makeup of the village was 91.62% White, 0.26% African American, 0.00% Native American, 0.43% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 2.42% from other races, and 5.27% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.09% of the population.
There were 566 households, out of which 24.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 38.34% were married couples living together, 17.49% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.63% were non-families. 31.27% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.49% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.64 and the average family size was 2.17.
The village's age distribution consisted of 20.4% under the age of 18, 9.1% from 18 to 24, 22.2% from 25 to 44, 27.7% from 45 to 64, and 20.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44.4 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.3 males.
The median income for a household in the village was $47,830, and the median income for a family was $55,054. Males had a median income of $33,750 versus $27,011 for females. The per capita income for the village was $23,502. About 5.9% of families and 13.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.4% of those under age 18 and 5.9% of those age 65 or over.

## Education
### High school athletics

Milford High School, which also brings in students from nearby communities of Stockland, Wellington and Sheldon, fields varsity level teams in; golf, baseball, softball, football, volleyball, cheer leading, and basketball. Teams play under the nickname "Bearcats" (boys) and "Lady Cats" (girls).
Football cooperative agreements: In the spring of 2009 it was announced that Cissna Park and Milford would form a high school football cooperative to become more competitive. Previously, the football program had co-oped with Sheldon (from 1993 through Sheldon's becoming part of the Milford school district) and Donovan (in 1997 and 1998).
Gymnasium: The school was also one of few nationally to feature a carpeted gym floor used for varsity level basketball and volleyball. The carpet was removed in the summer of 1997 and replaced by a plastic surface manufactured by Sport Court.
Night Football: The Bearcat football team took part in the first night football game in America. The contest took place on September 21, 1928, in Westville IL. Westville won the game 26–6. This is recognized by the Illinois High School Association as the first "modern" football game played under lights.

## Notable people

* Joseph R. Callahan, Illinois state representative, farmer, and businessman; born on a farm near Milford
* Ray A. Laird, president of Laredo Community College in Laredo, Texas, 1960 to 1974; born in Milford in 1907
* Eula Davis McEwan, geologist and paleontologist born in Milford, taught at the University of Nebraska
* Claude Rothgeb, outfielder for the Washington Senators, college football, basketball, and baseball coach; born in Milford
* Jessie Sumner, Iroquois county judge, member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Illinois' 18th district through the 76th to 78th US congress

## Gallery

* Milford Carnegie library
* Milford's water tower