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Knox County, Illinois

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Article Genealogy
Parent: Henry Knox Hop 4
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Knox County, Illinois
CountyKnox County
StateIllinois
Founded1825
SeatGalesburg
Largest cityGalesburg
Area total sq mi720
Area land sq mi716
Area water sq mi4.0
Area percentage0.6%
Pop est as of2023
Pop est48,544
Density sq mi68
Time zoneCentral
Named forHenry Knox
District17th

Knox County, Illinois. Located in west-central Illinois, Knox County is part of the Galesburg Micropolitan Statistical Area. The county was established in 1825 from Fulton County and is named for Henry Knox, the first United States Secretary of War. Its county seat and largest city is Galesburg, a historic community founded by Presbyterian pioneers from New York.

History

The region was originally inhabited by the Illinois and later the Kickapoo peoples before European settlement. Knox County was organized by an act of the Illinois General Assembly on January 13, 1825. Early development was spurred by the arrival of the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad in the 1850s, which made Galesburg a major railroad hub. The county was a significant center of abolitionist activity, with Galesburg being a key stop on the Underground Railroad; the city was home to the 1858 Lincoln-Douglas debate. During the American Civil War, the county contributed troops to the Union Army, including members of the 77th Illinois Volunteer Infantry Regiment. The Knox College campus, founded in 1837, remains a historic landmark from this era.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 720 square miles, of which 716 square miles is land and 4.0 square miles is water. The landscape consists primarily of fertile plains characteristic of the Corn Belt, drained by the Spoon River and the Vermilion River. Major bodies of water include Lake Storey and Lake Bracken. The county is bordered by Warren County to the north, Stark County and Peoria County to the east, Fulton County to the south, and Henderson County and Mercer County to the west.

Demographics

As of the 2020 U.S. census, the population was 49,967. The racial makeup was approximately 80.5% White, 8.5% Black or African American, 1.2% Asian, and 5.8% Hispanic or Latino. The population density was about 68 people per square mile. The largest ancestry groups reported were German, Irish, English, and American. The median household income was below the state average, and approximately 15.5% of the population lived below the poverty line.

Government

Knox County operates under a commission form of government. The governing body is the Knox County Board, with members elected from districts. Other elected officials include the Sheriff, Clerk, Treasurer, State's Attorney, and Coroner. The county is part of the 17th Congressional District, represented in the U.S. House by Eric Sorensen. At the state level, it lies within the 47th Senate District and the 74th House District.

Economy

Historically centered on agriculture and railroad manufacturing, the economy has diversified. Major employers include BNSF Railway, Knox College, the Galesburg Cottage Hospital, and Carl Sandburg College. Manufacturing remains significant, with facilities operated by Dover and Butler Manufacturing. The Galesburg area is also a regional center for healthcare and retail services. Agriculture continues to be important, with corn and soybeans as the primary crops.

Education

Primary and secondary education is provided by several public school districts, including District 205 in Galesburg, District 202 in Knoxville, and District 276 serving Abingdon and Avon. Higher education institutions are Knox College, a private liberal arts college, and Carl Sandburg College, a public community college. The Galesburg Public Library serves as a central resource.

Communities

Cities

* Galesburg (county seat) * Abingdon * Knoxville

Villages

* Altona * East Galesburg * Henderson * London Mills * Maquon * Rio * St. Augustine * Victoria * Wataga * Williamsfield * Yates City

Unincorporated Communities

* Centerville * Columbia Heights * Dahinda * Elba Center * Gilson * Oak Run * Rapatee * Salem * Truro

Category:Knox County, Illinois Category:Illinois counties Category:1825 establishments in Illinois