Stephenson County, Illinois

Stephenson County, Illinois
Stephenson County is a county located in the U.S. state of Illinois. According to the 2020 United States Census, it had a population of 44,630. Its county seat is Freeport.
Stephenson County is included in the Freeport, IL Micropolitan Statistical Area, which is also included in the Rockford-Freeport-Rochelle, IL Combined Statistical Area.
History
The land that became Stephenson County was first settled by William Waddams in 1832, who founded Waddams Grove. By 1837, population was sufficient to form Stephenson County, taking land from Jo Daviess and Winnebago counties. The county was named for Colonel Benjamin Stephenson, an official of the Illinois Territory.
Geography
According to the US Census Bureau, the county has a total area of , of which is land and (0.09%) is water.
Climate and weather
In recent years the average temperatures in the county seat of Freeport, have ranged from a low of in January to a high of in July, although a record low of was recorded in January 2009 and a record high of was recorded in July 1988. Average monthly precipitation ranged from in January to in June.
Adjacent counties
Green County, Wisconsin (north)
Winnebago County (east)
Ogle County (southeast)
Carroll County (southwest)
Jo Daviess County (west)
Lafayette County, Wisconsin (northwest)
Major highways
US Highway 20
Illinois Route 26
Illinois Route 73
Illinois Route 75
Demographics
As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 47,711 people, 19,845 households, and 13,015 families residing in the county. The population density was . There were 22,081 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the county was 86.5% white, 9.0% black or African American, 0.6% Asian, 0.2% American Indian, 1.2% from other races, and 2.5% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 2.9% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 46.6% were German, 12.5% were Irish, 10.0% were English, and 8.0% were American.
Of the 19,845 households, 28.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.3% were married couples living together, 11.2% had a female householder with no husband present, 34.4% were non-families, and 29.7% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.36 and the average family size was 2.90. The median age was 43.1 years.
The median income for a household in the county was $43,304 and the median income for a family was $54,224. Males had a median income of $41,672 versus $29,510 for females. The per capita income for the county was $22,608. About 12.3% of families and 14.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 24.1% of those under age 18 and 7.3% of those age 65 or over.
Education
There are five public high schools and one private high Schools in the county: (approximate enrollment included)
Public high schools
Freeport High 1,254
Lena-Winslow High 299
Dakota High 254
Pearl City High 150
Orangeville High 142
Private high school
Aquin Catholic High 93
Communities
City
Freeport
Town
Dakota
Villages
Cedarville
Davis
German Valley
Lena
Orangeville
Pearl City
Ridott
Rock City
Winslow
Census-designated places
Baileyville (part)
Lake Summerset
Willow Lake
Unincorporated communities
Afolkey
Bolton
Buckhorn Corners
Buena Vista
Damascus
Eleroy
Evarts
Florence
Kent
Loran
McConnell
Oneco
Red Oak
Rock Grove
Scioto Mills
Waddams Grove
Winneshiek
Yellow Creek
Townships
Buckeye
Dakota
Erin
Florence
Freeport
Harlem
Jefferson
Kent
Lancaster
Loran
Oneco
Ridott
Rock Grove
Rock Run
Silver Creek
Waddams
West Point
Winslow
Historic Sites
Kellogg's Grove
Politics
See also
List of counties in Illinois
List of Illinois county name etymologies
National Register of Historic Places listings in Stephenson County, Illinois
References
External links
Stephenson County
Benjamin Stephenson House Restoration Project
Stephenson County Historical Society & Museum
Freeport/Stephenson County Convention and Visitors Bureau
Illinois Ancestors Stephenson Tombstone Project
Genealogy Trails for Stephenson County
Illinois High School Association – School Enrollments
1837 establishments in Illinois
Illinois counties
Populated places established in 1837