Colchester is a city located in McDonough County, Illinois. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 1,493. The city is named after the provincial town of Colchester, England. The Royal Grammar School in Colchester, England has clocks running at the time of Colchester, Illinois in the Geography classrooms.
Colchester is located at 40°25'31" North, 90°47'32" West (40.425174, -90.792339).
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 2.6 km2 (1.0 mi2). 2.6 km2 (1.0 mi2) of it is land and none of it is covered by water.
As of the census of 2000, there are 1,493 people, 634 households, and 419 families residing in the city. The population density is 582.3/km2 (1,500.7/mi2). There are 694 housing units at an average density of 270.7/km2 (697.6/mi2). The racial makeup of the city is 99.40% White, 0.00% African American, 0.07% Native American, 0.07% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 0.00% from other races, and 0.47% from two or more races. 0.60% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 634 households out of which 29.8% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.8% are married couples living together, 12.1% have a female householder with no husband present, and 33.8% are non-families. 30.6% of all households are made up of individuals and 13.2% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.32 and the average family size is 2.89.
In the city the population is spread out with 22.9% under the age of 18, 9.8% from 18 to 24, 27.6% from 25 to 44, 22.6% from 45 to 64, and 17.0% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 38 years. For every 100 females there are 85.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 78.4 males.
The median income for a household in the city is $31,283, and the median income for a family is $37,763. Males have a median income of $27,857 versus $19,211 for females. The per capita income for the city is $15,354. 7.3% of the population and 5.0% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 8.8% of those under the age of 18 and 5.9% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
Coal was discovered near Colchester in the 1850's. One might assume that the town was named "Colchester" because of the coal. The town was, however, named after Colchester, England, before coal was discovered. Moreover, the "col" in "Colchester" is not a reference to "coal".
The mines in Colchester attracted immigrants from Pennsylvania. At first these included the descendants of Irish Protestant refugees from the Irish Rebellion of 1798. Later they were joined by Irish Catholic refugees from the Irish Potato Famine.
Source:
ColchesterIllinois.com
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