Stephenson County, Illinois
County in Illinois, United States

County in Illinois
Stephenson County, Illinois
County
Stephenson County Courthouse
Stephenson County Courthouse
Map of Illinois highlighting Stephenson County
Location within the U.S. state of Illinois
Coordinates: 42°21′N 89°40′W / 42.35°N 89.67°W / 42.35; -89.67
Country United States
State Illinois
Founded1837
Named afterBenjamin Stephenson
SeatFreeport
Largest cityFreeport
Area
 • Total
565 sq mi (1,460 km2)
 • Land565 sq mi (1,460 km2)
 • Water0.5 sq mi (1.3 km2)  0.09%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
44,630
 • Estimate 
(2024)
43,088 Decrease[1]
 • Density79.0/sq mi (30.5/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional districts16th, 17th
Websitewww.co.stephenson.il.us

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.[2] Its county seat is Freeport.[3] 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.[4] 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.[5]

  • Marker marking Waddams' first settlement in Stephenson County
    Marker marking Waddams' first settlement in Stephenson County

Geography

According to the US Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 565 square miles (1,460 km2), of which 565 square miles (1,460 km2) is land and 0.5 square miles (1.3 km2) (0.09%) is water.[6]

Climate and weather

Freeport, Illinois
Climate chart (explanation)
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F
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1.3
 
 
25
9
 
 
1.3
 
 
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2.1
 
 
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3.2
 
 
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4.5
 
 
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73
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2.6
 
 
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2.7
 
 
44
28
 
 
1.7
 
 
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█ Average max. and min. temperatures in °F
█ Precipitation totals in inches
Source: The Weather Channel[7]
Metric conversion
J
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34
 
 
−4
−13
 
 
34
 
 
−1
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27
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23
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66
 
 
16
4
 
 
68
 
 
7
−2
 
 
44
 
 
−1
−9
█ Average max. and min. temperatures in °C
█ Precipitation totals in mm

In recent years the average temperatures in the county seat of Freeport, have ranged from a low of 9 °F (−13 °C) in January to a high of 82 °F (28 °C) in July, although a record low of −29 °F (−34 °C) was recorded in January 2009 and a record high of 101 °F (38 °C) was recorded in July 1988. Average monthly precipitation ranged from 1.33 inches (34 mm) in January to 4.46 inches (113 mm) in June.[7]

Adjacent counties

Major highways

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18402,800—
185011,666316.6%
186025,112115.3%
187030,60821.9%
188031,9634.4%
189031,338−2.0%
190034,93311.5%
191036,8215.4%
192037,7432.5%
193040,0646.1%
194040,6461.5%
195041,5952.3%
196046,20711.1%
197048,8615.7%
198049,5361.4%
199048,052−3.0%
200048,9791.9%
201047,711−2.6%
202044,630−6.5%
2024 (est.)43,088[8]−3.5%
US Decennial Census[9]
1790–1960[10] 1900–1990[11]
1990–2000[12] 2010–2013[2]

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 44,630. The median age was 45.9 years. 21.3% of residents were under the age of 18 and 23.6% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 94.3 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 91.9 males age 18 and over.[13]

The racial makeup of the county was 80.5% White, 10.0% Black or African American, 0.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% Asian, <0.1% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 2.0% from some other race, and 6.6% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 5.1% of the population.[14]

54.1% of residents lived in urban areas, while 45.9% lived in rural areas.[15]

There were 19,184 households in the county, of which 25.1% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 45.2% were married-couple households, 19.4% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 28.2% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 32.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[13]

There were 21,369 housing units, of which 10.2% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 70.4% were owner-occupied and 29.6% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 2.0% and the rental vacancy rate was 9.9%.[13]

Racial and ethnic composition

Stephenson County, Illinois – Racial and ethnic composition
Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.
Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic) Pop 1980[16] Pop 1990[17] Pop 2000[18] Pop 2010[19] Pop 2020[20] % 1980 % 1990 % 2000 % 2010 % 2020
White alone (NH) 46,344 44,320 43,404 40,612 35,405 93.56% 92.23% 88.62% 85.12% 79.33%
Black or African American alone (NH) 2,699 3,069 3,732 4,226

style='background: #ffffe6; |4,374

5.45% 6.39% 7.62% 8.86% 9.80%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) 40 52 63 68

style='background: #ffffe6; |80

0.08% 0.11% 0.13% 0.14% 0.18%
Asian alone (NH) 138 303 332 295

style='background: #ffffe6; |306

0.28% 0.63% 0.68% 0.62% 0.69%
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander alone (NH) x [21] x [22] 14 13 11 x x 0.03% 0.03% 0.02%
Other race alone (NH) 70 25 35 44 155 0.14% 0.05% 0.07% 0.09% 0.35%
Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) x [23] x [24] 652 1,047 2,045 x x 1.33% 2.19% 4.58%
Hispanic or Latino (any race) 245 283 747 1,406 2,254 0.49% 0.59% 1.53% 2.95% 5.05%
Total 49,536 48,052 48,979 47,711 44,630 100.00% 100.00% 100.00% 100.00% 100.00%

2010 census

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.[25]

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.[26]

As of the 2010 United States census, there were 47,711 people, 19,845 households, and 13,015 families residing in the county.[25] The population density was 84.5 inhabitants per square mile (32.6/km2). There were 22,081 housing units at an average density of 39.1 per square mile (15.1/km2).[6] 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.[25] In terms of ancestry, 46.6% were German, 12.5% were Irish, 10.0% were English, and 8.0% were American.[27]

Education

School districts include, no matter how much or little territory they have in the county, even if their schools are in other counties:[28]

There are five public high schools and one private high school in the county: (approximate enrollment included)

Public high schools

Private high school

Communities

A northerly look across Stephenson County's western edge from an overlook near Kent

City

Villages

Census-designated places

Unincorporated communities

Townships

Historic Sites

Politics

United States presidential election results for Stephenson County, Illinois[29]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
№  % №  % №  %
1892 3,574 46.76% 3,717 48.63% 352 4.61%
1896 4,728 54.16% 3,776 43.26% 225 2.58%
1900 4,677 52.49% 3,983 44.70% 250 2.81%
1904 4,876 56.63% 3,275 38.03% 460 5.34%
1908 4,605 50.93% 4,076 45.08% 360 3.98%
1912 3,476 38.37% 3,850 42.49% 1,734 19.14%
1916 8,620 58.39% 5,463 37.00% 681 4.61%
1920 9,570 74.64% 2,772 21.62% 479 3.74%
1924 8,638 53.27% 2,452 15.12% 5,126 31.61%
1928 11,992 67.97% 5,579 31.62% 72 0.41%
1932 8,963 44.38% 10,728 53.11% 507 2.51%
1936 9,943 46.59% 10,567 49.51% 832 3.90%
1940 14,040 60.92% 8,911 38.67% 94 0.41%
1944 11,948 60.28% 7,755 39.13% 118 0.60%
1948 10,564 58.29% 7,409 40.88% 149 0.82%
1952 14,446 68.51% 6,605 31.32% 35 0.17%
1956 14,245 69.10% 6,349 30.80% 20 0.10%
1960 13,872 63.07% 8,055 36.62% 68 0.31%
1964 9,252 46.02% 10,854 53.98% 0 0.00%
1968 11,821 59.32% 7,040 35.33% 1,067 5.35%
1972 13,584 67.86% 6,404 31.99% 31 0.15%
1976 11,678 61.02% 7,192 37.58% 267 1.40%
1980 10,779 52.87% 6,195 30.39% 3,414 16.75%
1984 14,237 67.37% 6,723 31.82% 171 0.81%
1988 11,342 59.87% 7,460 39.38% 143 0.75%
1992 9,005 41.58% 7,899 36.47% 4,752 21.94%
1996 8,871 48.94% 7,145 39.42% 2,109 11.64%
2000 10,715 55.29% 8,062 41.60% 601 3.10%
2004 12,212 57.28% 8,913 41.81% 195 0.91%
2008 9,909 45.75% 11,349 52.40% 399 1.84%
2012 10,512 49.75% 10,165 48.11% 451 2.13%
2016 11,083 54.48% 7,768 38.19% 1,492 7.33%
2020 12,521 56.63% 9,055 40.95% 535 2.42%
2024 12,347 58.58% 8,278 39.28% 451 2.14%

See also

References

  1. ^ "County Population Totals and Components of Change: 2020–2024". United States Census Bureau. U.S. Department of Commerce. March 2025. Retrieved August 31, 2025.
  2. ^ a b "QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 23, 2021.
  3. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  4. ^ "Historical News". Journal of the Illinois State Historical Society. 27 (3): 347. October 1934.
  5. ^ "Fifteenth Judicial Circuit". State of Illinois. Retrieved February 20, 2016.
  6. ^ a b "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 12, 2020. Retrieved July 12, 2015.
  7. ^ a b "Monthly Averages for Freeport IL". The Weather Channel. Retrieved January 27, 2011.
  8. ^ "Population and Housing Unit Estimates Tables". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 24, 2025.
  9. ^ "US Decennial Census". US Census Bureau. Retrieved July 8, 2014.
  10. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved July 8, 2014.
  11. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". US Census Bureau. Retrieved July 8, 2014.
  12. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). US Census Bureau. Retrieved July 8, 2014.
  13. ^ a b c "2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved December 25, 2025.
  14. ^ "2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved December 25, 2025.
  15. ^ "2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)". United States Census Bureau. 2023. Retrieved December 25, 2025.
  16. ^ "1980 Census of Population - General Population Characteristics - Illinois- Table 14 - Persons by Race and Table 16 (p. 18-28) - Total Persons and Spanish Origin Persons by Type of Spanish Origin and Race (p. 29-39)" (PDF). United States Census Bureau.
  17. ^ "1990 Census of Population - General Population Characteristics - Illinois - Table 6 - Race and Hispanic Orogin" (PDF). United States Census Bureau.
  18. ^ "P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Stephenson County, Illinois". United States Census Bureau.
  19. ^ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Stephenson County, Illinois". United States Census Bureau.
  20. ^ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Stephenson County, Illinois". United States Census Bureau.
  21. ^ included in the Asian category in the 1980 Census
  22. ^ included in the Asian category in the 1990 Census
  23. ^ not an option in the 1980 Census
  24. ^ not an option in the 1990 Census
  25. ^ a b c "Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved July 12, 2015.
  26. ^ "Selected Economic Characteristics – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved July 12, 2015.
  27. ^ "Selected Social Characteristics in the United States – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved July 12, 2015.
  28. ^ Geography Division (December 22, 2020). 2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Stephenson County, IL (PDF) (Map). U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved October 29, 2024. - Text list
  29. ^ Leip, David. "Atlas of US Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org.
  • Stephenson County
  • Stephenson County Historical Society & Museum
  • Genealogy Trails for Stephenson County
  • Illinois High School Association – School Enrollments

42°21′N 89°40′W / 42.35°N 89.67°W / 42.35; -89.67

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