Beardstown, Illinois

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Beardstown is a city in Cass County, Illinois, United States. The population was 5,766 at the 2000 census.

Beardstown was the birthplace of the jazz vibraphone pioneer Red Norvo.

1 Geography
2 Demographics
3 History
- 3.1 Registered Historic Places
4 See also
5 External links

[edit] Geography

Beardstown is located at 40°0′44″N, 90°25′43″W (40.012189, -90.428711).^GR1

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 9.0 km² (3.5 mi²). 8.8 km² (3.4 mi²) of it is land and 0.2 km² (0.1 mi²) of it (1.73%) is water.

[edit] Demographics

As of the census^GR2 of 2000, there were 5,766 people, 2,172 households, and 1,437 families residing in the city. The population density was 652.9/km² (1,692.1/mi²). There were 2,339 housing units at an average density of 264.8/km² (686.4/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 90.76% White, 0.87% African American, 0.23% Native American, 0.33% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 7.01% from other races, and 0.76% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 17.90% of the population.

There were 2,172 households out of which 32.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.1% were married couples living together, 11.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.8% were non-families. 28.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.4% 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 3.11.

In the city the population was spread out with 26.1% under the age of 18, 9.8% from 18 to 24, 29.2% from 25 to 44, 19.4% from 45 to 64, and 15.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 99.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.3 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $29,104, and the median income for a family was $31,951. Males had a median income of $25,481 versus $20,054 for females. The per capita income for the city was $13,777. About 17.0% of families and 19.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 24.7% of those under age 18 and 8.1% of those age 65 or over.

[edit] History

Beardstown was settled by a man named Thomas Beard in 1819. Beard erected a log cabin at the edge of the Illinois River, from which he traded with the Indians and ran a ferry. Later he built a two-story brick building which was used for 85 years as a store and inn. This inn sheltered the young lawyer, Abraham Lincoln, on his visits to Beardstown. The building was demolished and replaced by a post office.^{[citation needed]}

[edit] Registered Historic Places

Beardstown Grand Opera House

[edit] See also

Beardstown Ladies

[edit] External links

Maps and aerial photos Coordinates: 40.012189° -90.428711°
- Street map from Google Maps, or Yahoo! Maps, or Windows Live Local
- Satellite image from Google Maps, Windows Live Local, WikiMapia
- Topographic map from TopoZone
- Aerial image or topographic map from TerraServer-USA

	Municipalities and Communities of Cass County, Illinois (County Seat: Virginia)
Cities, Towns and Villages	Arenzville \| Ashland \| Beardstown \| Chandlerville \| Virginia
Townships	Arenzville \| Ashland \| Beardstown \| Bluff Springs \| Chandlerville \| Hagener \| Newmansville \| Panther Creek \| Philadelphia \| Sangamon Valley \| Virginia