Jacksonville, Illinois 2025

Jacksonville is a city in Morgan County, Illinois, United States. The population was 19,446 at the 2020 census. It is the county seat of Morgan County. Jacksonville was a major center of the Illinois coal industry, and was known for its prostitution and gambling industries.

Jacksonville is located at 39°42ˈ39″N 90°18ˈ22″W (39.710882, -90.306104).

According to the 2010 census, Jacksonville has a total area of 8.93 square miles, of which 8.92 square miles (or 99.89%) is land and 0.02 square miles (or 0.22%) is water.

There are several places of historical interest in Jacksonville, including the following:

1. The old Illinois Capitol building: A stunning example of Greek revival architecture, it was built in 1838 as the second capitol of Illinois. It was here that Abraham Lincoln delivered his famous “Welcome Home” speech in 1858 upon his return from Washington D.C. after years of service.

2. The Jacksonville Inn: The restaurant, with its famous fountain and soda foundation, was once a favorite hangout of Al Capone, who regularly came here for the ridiculous price of a 5-cent cup of coffee. Capone was known to sit at the same stool and order the same meal (a turkey sandwich) every time he visited.

3. The Elks' Lodge: With great jazz music, a bowling alley in the basement, card games galore, and dancing the night away, the Elks was the place to be!

4. Governors' Mansion: This historic home was built in 1855, with the cupola added in 1890, and was the official residence of Illinois' governors from 1855 to 1877. During the years 1869 - 1873, four Illinois governors were elected, each serving two-year terms.

Until the 1950s, Jacksonville had a thriving coal mining industry; there is a coal mining museum near the town.

The city has a public park system, with several ball fields, a skatepark, a frisbee golf course, and a swimming pool.

Jacksonville has a variety of dining options, with both local and chain restaurants. including Mexican, Italian, Chinese, and American cuisine.

The town supports a vibrant arts and cultural scene, with several galleries and performance spaces. There is also a restored movie palace, the Orpheum Theatre, which hosts live performances and film screenings.

Jacksonville is served by Morgan County Airport, which offers flights to regional destinations. The city is connected to the outside world by Interstate 72 and US Route 36, which connect it to larger cities like Springfield and Peoria.

The city has a local transit system, which provides service throughout the city. The city is within driving distance of several larger cities, including Springfield, Illinois, Peoria, Illinois, and St. Louis, Missouri.

As of the census of 2010, there were 19,446 people, 7,394 households, and 4,690 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,188.1 people per square mile (844.6/km²). There were 8,323 housing units at an average density of 930.3 per square mile (359.5/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 92.75% White, 4.78% Black or African American, 0.20% Native American, 1.22% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 2.33% from other races, and 1.71% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.55% of the population.

There were 7,394 households, out of which 30.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.8% were married couples living together, 12.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.2% were non-families. 30.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.36 and the average family size was 2.96.

The city is governed by a mayor and a city council. The mayor serves a four-year term and is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the city. The city council is composed of ten members, each elected to a four-year term. The council is responsible for setting city policy and passing laws.

Jacksonville is part of the Springfield, Illinois, metropolitan statistical area.

Jacksonville is home to several annual festivals and celebrations, including the following:

1. The Jacksonville Jazz Festival: A three-day celebration of live jazz music, food, and drinks that takes place in September.

2. The Downtown Jacksonville Festival: An event featuring live music, vendors, food, and a parade that takes place in June.

3. The Morgan County Fair: An annual fair featuring, 4-H exhibits, live music, and carnival rides that takes place in August.

Jacksonville is home to several public and private educational institutions, including Jacksonville High School, Jacksonville Middle School, and Our Savior's Lutheran School.

Jacksonville is home to several institutions of higher education, including Illinois College, MacMurray College, and a branch of the University of Illinois at Springfield. Illinois College is a private liberal arts college founded in 1829 and is affiliated with the United Methodist Church. MacMurray College is a private liberal arts college founded in 1846 and is affiliated with the Christian Church.

Jacksonville has a humid continental climate typical of the Midwestern United States.

In 2010, the city had a population of 19,446 people, with 7,394 households and 4,690 families. The population density was 2,188.1 people per square mile. There were 8,323 housing units at an average density of 930.3 per square mile. The racial makeup of the city was 92.75% White, 4.78% Black or African American, 0.20% Native American, 1.22% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 2.33% from other races, and 1.71% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.55% of the population.

There were 7,394 households, out of which 30.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.8% were married couples living together, 12.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.2% were non-families. 30.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.36 and the average family size was 2.96.

The city is located in the 13th Congressional District and is represented by Representative Rodney Davis (R). The city is also represented in the Illinois Senate by Senator Steve McClure (R).

Over the years, Jacksonville has been home to several notable residents, including the following:

1. James T. Blair, Jr.: A prominent businessman and former Governor of Missouri.

2. Evel Knievel: A famous daredevil and motorcycle stunt performer.

3. Robert H. Michel: A former United States Representative from Illinois.

4. Howard F. Radest: A lawyer and former judge from New York who served as president of the American Jewish Congress.

5. John A. McClernand: A prominent lawyer, politician, and military leader during the Civil War.

Jacksonville's public transportation system is made up of buses and trains, with multiple routes that connect the city to other parts of Morgan County. The city is served by the Jacksonville Municipal Airport, which offers flights to regional destinations.

The city has a vibrant newspaper culture, with several local weeklies,