Champaign County is a county located in the state of Illinois. As of 2000, the population is 179,669. Its county seat is Urbana, Illinois⁶.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 2,584 km² (998 mi²). 2,582 km² (997 mi²) of it is land and 2 km² (1 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 0.07% water.

Demographics

As of the census² of 2000, there are 179,669 people, 70,597 households, and 39,322 families residing in the county. The population density is 70/km² (180/mi²). There are 75,280 housing units at an average density of 29/km² (76/mi²). The racial makeup of the county is 78.78% White, 11.16% Black or African American, 0.24% Native American, 6.45% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 1.34% from other races, and 1.99% from two or more races. 2.90% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 70,597 households out of which 27.20% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.60% are married couples living together, 9.20% have a female householder with no husband present, and 44.30% are non-families. 31.40% of all households are made up of individuals and 7.80% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.33 and the average family size is 2.96.

In the county the population is spread out with 21.00% under the age of 18, 23.10% from 18 to 24, 28.20% from 25 to 44, 18.00% from 45 to 64, and 9.70% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 29 years. For every 100 females there are 101.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 99.70 males.

The median income for a household in the county is $37,780, and the median income for a family is $52,591. Males have a median income of $36,844 versus $26,421 for females. The per capita income for the county is $19,708. 16.10% of the population and 6.90% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 11.80% of those under the age of 18 and 4.90% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.

History

Champaign County was organized in 1833, having been previously a part of Vermilion County. The county was named for Champaign County, Ohio, the homeplace of the Illinois legilslator who sponsored the bill to create the county. The development of the county was greatly furthered by the arrival of the Chicago Branch of the Illinois Central Railroad, and even more by the establishment of the land-grant university. Later, the county also got an airport and a mass transit district. The northern part of the county experienced an economic and demographic setback with the closing of Chanute Air Training Center in the 1990's. Initially ruled by a Republican County Board since the county was created, Democrats obtained a majority in the 2000 elections. In the 2004 Presidential election, it was one of only 15 of the 102 Illinois counties in which John Kerry received a majority of the vote(50.5%).

Cities and villages

• Allerton
• Bondville
• Broadlands
• Champaign
• Fisher
• Foosland
• Gifford
• Homer
• Ivesdale
• Lake of the Woods
• Longview
• Ludlow
• Mahomet
• Ogden
• Pesotum
• Philo
• Rantoul
• Royal
• Sadorus
• Savoy
• Sidney
• St. Joseph
• Thomasboro
• Tolono
• Urbana