Geography:
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 172 square miles (446bbb km²), making it the smallest county in Illinois. 160 square miles (414 km²) of the county is land and 12 square miles (32 km²) of it (7.23%) is water.
Major highways:
Interstate 180
Illinois Route 18
Illinois Route 26
Illinois Route 29
Illinois Route 71
Illinois Route 89
Area:
- Total 172 sq mi (445 km²)
- Land 160 sq mi (414 km²)
- Water 12 sq mi (31 km²), 7.23%
Population:
- (2000) 6,086
- Density 39/sq mi (15/km²)
Demographics:
As of the census[2] of 2000, there were 6,086 people, 2,415 households, and 1,748 families residing in the county. The population density was 38 people per square mile (15/km²). There were 2,888 housing units at an average density of 18 per square mile (7/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 97.62% White, 0.62% Black or African American, 0.35% Native American, 0.26% Asian, 0.62% from other races, and 0.53% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race represent 2.81% of the population. European ancestral heritage included 26.9% German, 20.0% Italian, 8.1% Irish, 7.1% Polish and 5.5% Swedish according to Census 2000.
There were 2,415 households out of which 30.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them; 62.10% were married couples living together, 7.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.60% were non-families. Households made up of individuals comprised 24.60% and 12.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.52 and the average family size was 2.99.
The age of the population covered a wide range with 25.10% under the age of 18, 7.00% from 18 to 24, 26.70% from 25 to 44, 25.30% from 45 to 64, and 15.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 97.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.20 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $45,492, and the median income for a family was $50,708. Males had a median income of $40,938 versus $21,706 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,792. About 4.20% of families and 5.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.80% of those under age 18 and 3.10% of those age 65 or over.
Founded 1825:
courtesy: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Putnam_County,_Illinois#Geography