Jump to content

Ogle County, Illinois

Coordinates: 42°02′N 89°19′W / 42.04°N 89.32°W / 42.04; -89.32
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
(Redirected from Ogle County)

Ogle County
Ogle County Courthouse
Map of Illinois highlighting Ogle County
Location within the U.S. state of Illinois
Map of the United States highlighting Illinois
Illinois's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 42°02′N 89°19′W / 42.04°N 89.32°W / 42.04; -89.32
Country United States
State Illinois
FoundedJanuary 16, 1836
Named forJoseph Ogle
SeatOregon
Largest cityRochelle
Area
 • Total763 sq mi (1,980 km2)
 • Land759 sq mi (1,970 km2)
 • Water4.4 sq mi (11 km2)  0.6%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total51,788
 • Estimate 
(2023)
51,265 Decrease
 • Density68/sq mi (26/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district16th
Websitewww.oglecounty.org

Ogle County is a county in the northern part of the U.S. state of Illinois. According to the 2020 United States Census, it had a population of 51,788.[1] Its county seat is Oregon,[2] and its largest city is Rochelle. Ogle County comprises Rochelle, IL Micropolitan Statistical Area, which is also included in the Rockford-Freeport-Rochelle, IL Combined Statistical Area.

History

[edit]

Ogle County was formed in 1836 out of Jo Daviess and LaSalle counties, and named in honor of Captain Joseph Ogle, a veteran of the Revolutionary War who settled in Illinois in 1785. Ogle County government was organized in 1837; before that time it remained assigned to Jo Daviess County for legislative, taxation, and judicial matters.[3] In 1839, part of Ogle County was partitioned off to form Lee County.

Ogle County was a New England settlement. The founders of Oregon and Rochelle arrived from New England; they were "Yankees", descendants of English Puritans who had settled New England in the 1600s. They were part of a wave of farmers who migrated into the Northwest Territory in the early 1800s, their trek eased by completion of the Erie Canal in 1825. They found virgin forest and wild prairie, and quickly laid out farms, constructed roads, erected government buildings and established post routes. They brought a passion for education and strong abolitionism. They were members of the Congregationalist or Episcopalian Church. Culturally Ogle County, like much of northern Illinois would maintain values similar to those of New England.[4][5]

Geography

[edit]

According to the US Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 763 square miles (1,980 km2), of which 759 square miles (1,970 km2) is land and 4.4 square miles (11 km2) (0.6%) is water.[6]

Adjacent counties

[edit]

Climate

[edit]
Oregon, Illinois
Climate chart (explanation)
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
 
 
1.6
 
 
26
10
 
 
1.4
 
 
32
15
 
 
2.6
 
 
44
27
 
 
3.6
 
 
58
37
 
 
4.3
 
 
70
48
 
 
4.9
 
 
79
58
 
 
3.5
 
 
82
62
 
 
4.5
 
 
80
60
 
 
3.3
 
 
73
51
 
 
2.7
 
 
62
39
 
 
2.8
 
 
45
28
 
 
2.1
 
 
31
17
Average max. and min. temperatures in °F
Precipitation totals in inches
Source: The Weather Channel[7]
Metric conversion
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
 
 
41
 
 
−3
−12
 
 
36
 
 
0
−9
 
 
65
 
 
7
−3
 
 
92
 
 
14
3
 
 
110
 
 
21
9
 
 
124
 
 
26
14
 
 
88
 
 
28
17
 
 
114
 
 
27
16
 
 
84
 
 
23
11
 
 
69
 
 
17
4
 
 
72
 
 
7
−2
 
 
54
 
 
−1
−8
Average max. and min. temperatures in °C
Precipitation totals in mm

In recent years, average temperatures in Oregon have ranged from a low of 10 °F (−12 °C) in January to a high of 82 °F (28 °C) in July, although a record low of −27 °F (−33 °C) was recorded in January 1999 and a record high of 110 °F (43 °C) was recorded in July 1936. Average monthly precipitation ranged from 1.43 inches (36 mm) in February to 4.88 inches (124 mm) in June.[7]

Demographics

[edit]
Historical population
CensusPop.Note
18403,479
185010,020188.0%
186022,888128.4%
187027,49220.1%
188029,9378.9%
189028,710−4.1%
190029,1291.5%
191027,864−4.3%
192026,830−3.7%
193028,1184.8%
194029,8696.2%
195033,42911.9%
196038,10614.0%
197042,86712.5%
198046,3388.1%
199045,957−0.8%
200051,03211.0%
201053,4974.8%
202051,788−3.2%
2023 (est.)51,265[8]−1.0%
US Decennial Census[9]
1790-1960[10] 1900-1990[11]
1990-2000[12] 2010[13]

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 53,497 people, 20,856 households, and 14,711 families residing in the county.[14] The population density was 70.5 inhabitants per square mile (27.2/km2). There were 22,561 housing units at an average density of 29.7 per square mile (11.5/km2).[6] The racial makeup of the county was 93.2% white, 0.9% black or African American, 0.5% Asian, 0.2% American Indian, 3.8% from other races, and 1.4% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 8.9% of the population.[14] In terms of ancestry, 38.0% were German, 15.3% were Irish, 10.2% were English, 6.4% were American, 5.3% were Swedish, and 5.3% were Norwegian.[15]

Of the 20,856 households, 33.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.1% were married couples living together, 9.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 29.5% were non-families, and 24.5% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.54 and the average family size was 3.01. The median age was 40.7 years.[14]

The median income for a household in the county was $55,733 and the median income for a family was $64,927. Males had a median income of $49,996 versus $32,082 for females. The per capita income for the county was $24,959. About 6.6% of families and 8.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.4% of those under age 18 and 5.9% of those age 65 or over.[16]

Economy

[edit]

By 2000, 65% of the county labor force was employed as white-collar workers with an increase of 20 points in comparison with 1990 statistics. Manufacturing remains the leading employment sector absorbing more than 21.7% of the labor force though there was a decrease from 30,4% in 1995. However it is expected that services would replace manufacturing starting 2015 as the leading activity.[17]

Agriculture remains important in Ogle county, mainly corn and soybeans. In 2003, the Illinois Department of Agriculture ranked Ogle County 17th in the State for crop cash receipts, and 14th in the state for livestock cash receipts. As for livestock production, hogs and pigs are still leading even though productions decreased from 57,000 units in 1998 to 48,900 in 2002.[17]

The county also got some investment packages such as a $180 million truck-to-train cargo hub in 2006.[18] In August 2006, it was announced that a new ethanol production facility would receive a package of $5.5 million Opportunity Returns grant from the State.[19]

Politics

[edit]
United States presidential election results for Ogle County, Illinois[20]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2020 16,248 61.69% 9,428 35.79% 664 2.52%
2016 14,352 59.32% 8,050 33.27% 1,791 7.40%
2012 13,422 57.44% 9,514 40.72% 431 1.84%
2008 13,144 52.72% 11,253 45.13% 537 2.15%
2004 14,918 61.92% 9,018 37.43% 155 0.64%
2000 12,325 59.83% 7,673 37.25% 603 2.93%
1996 9,558 52.13% 6,765 36.90% 2,012 10.97%
1992 9,008 44.80% 6,512 32.38% 4,589 22.82%
1988 11,644 66.94% 5,641 32.43% 109 0.63%
1984 13,503 73.40% 4,803 26.11% 90 0.49%
1980 12,533 66.41% 4,067 21.55% 2,271 12.03%
1976 11,073 62.22% 6,463 36.32% 261 1.47%
1972 13,512 73.88% 4,743 25.93% 35 0.19%
1968 12,168 68.98% 4,399 24.94% 1,074 6.09%
1964 10,430 60.13% 6,917 39.87% 0 0.00%
1960 13,226 73.38% 4,792 26.59% 7 0.04%
1956 13,194 78.21% 3,660 21.70% 16 0.09%
1952 13,351 77.79% 3,796 22.12% 16 0.09%
1948 9,519 71.15% 3,796 28.37% 63 0.47%
1944 10,680 72.59% 3,951 26.86% 81 0.55%
1940 11,838 70.71% 4,833 28.87% 71 0.42%
1936 9,576 61.60% 5,776 37.15% 194 1.25%
1932 8,224 59.11% 5,416 38.93% 272 1.96%
1928 9,808 78.18% 2,691 21.45% 47 0.37%
1924 8,449 71.61% 1,591 13.48% 1,759 14.91%
1920 9,322 82.99% 1,720 15.31% 191 1.70%
1916 8,639 70.30% 3,207 26.10% 442 3.60%
1912 2,014 29.86% 1,750 25.95% 2,981 44.20%
1908 4,848 69.24% 1,761 25.15% 393 5.61%
1904 5,109 75.14% 1,209 17.78% 481 7.07%
1900 5,255 68.97% 2,171 28.49% 193 2.53%
1896 5,210 69.20% 2,142 28.45% 177 2.35%
1892 3,939 60.61% 2,244 34.53% 316 4.86%
The Ogle County Judicial Center, across the street from the Old Ogle County Courthouse in Oregon, Illinois

Along with its neighbor Lee County, Ogle County is one of the most consistently Republican counties in the nation when it comes to presidential elections. Except for the 1912 election when the GOP was divided between Progressive nominee Theodore Roosevelt and incumbent president William Howard Taft, Ogle County has voted Republican in every Presidential election since the Republican Party first participated in 1856. No Democratic candidate has ever won the county, which favored the Whig Party before the Republican Party was formed.[21]

Historically, Republicans have easily carried the county in statewide and national Democratic landslides. Franklin D. Roosevelt never garnered more than 39 percent of the county's vote in any of his four runs for president, and Barry Goldwater won over 60 percent here in 1964–almost identical to Lyndon Johnson's winning margin statewide. Illinois' own Barack Obama is the only Democrat to ever win at least 40 percent of the county's vote.

The county is part of Illinois's 16th congressional district. represented by Republican Darin LaHood.

Transportation

[edit]

Transit

[edit]

Major highways

[edit]

Airports

[edit]

The following public-use airports are located in the county:[22]

Railroads

[edit]

The Union Pacific line to Omaha (Chicago & North Western), BNSF line to Minneapolis (Burlington Route, later Burlington Northern), Canadian Pacific Kansas City line to Sabula (Milwaukee Road) all run through Ogle County.

Recreation

[edit]

Parks

[edit]

Nature Preserves

[edit]

Communities

[edit]

Cities

[edit]

Villages

[edit]

Unincorporated communities

[edit]

Census-designated places

[edit]

Townships

[edit]

See also

[edit]

Bibliography

[edit]
  • Kauffman, Horace G.; Kauffman, Rebecca H., eds. (1909). Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of Ogle County. Vol. 2. Chicago: Munsell Publishing Co. Retrieved November 23, 2010.
  • The History of Ogle County, Illinois. Chicago: H. F. Kett & Co. 1878. Retrieved November 23, 2010.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Ogle County, Illinois". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 10, 2023.
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ^ White, Jesse. Origin and Evolution of Illinois Counties. State of Illinois, March 2010, 9. [1]
  4. ^ The History of Ogle County, Illinois: Containing a History of the County, Its Cities, Towns, Etc., a Biographical Directory of Its Citizens, War Record of Its Volunteers in the Late Rebellion, General and Local Statistics, Portraits of Early Settlers and Prominent Men, History of the Northwest, History of Illinois, p. 326
  5. ^ The Early History of Northern Illinois by Charles Knapp Carpenter, Ogle County Federation of Women's Clubs, 1948
  6. ^ a b "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 12, 2020. Retrieved July 12, 2015.
  7. ^ a b "Monthly Averages for Oregon IL". The Weather Channel. Retrieved January 27, 2011.
  8. ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 2, 2024.
  9. ^ "US Decennial Census". US Census Bureau. Retrieved July 7, 2014.
  10. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved July 7, 2014.
  11. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". US Census Bureau. Retrieved July 7, 2014.
  12. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). US Census Bureau. Retrieved July 7, 2014.
  13. ^ "State & County QuickFacts". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 7, 2011. Retrieved July 7, 2014.
  14. ^ a b c "Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved July 12, 2015.
  15. ^ "Selected Social Characteristics in the United States – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved July 12, 2015.
  16. ^ "Selected Economic Characteristics – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved July 12, 2015.
  17. ^ a b "Amendatory Comprehensive Plan "2K4 update"" (PDF). oglecounty.org. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 12, 2007. Retrieved July 12, 2007.
  18. ^ "Special Report: Thinking Regional". rockcountyalliance.com. Archived from the original on June 13, 2007. Retrieved July 12, 2007.
  19. ^ "Gov. Blagojevich announces a new $25 million investment". rockcountyalliance.com. Archived from the original on September 26, 2007. Retrieved July 12, 2007.
  20. ^ Leip, David. "Atlas of US Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved November 11, 2018.
  21. ^ "Presidential election of 1840 - Map by counties". geoelections.free.fr. Retrieved November 11, 2018.
  22. ^ "Ogle County Public and Private Airports". www.tollfreeairline.com. Retrieved November 11, 2018.
[edit]

42°02′N 89°19′W / 42.04°N 89.32°W / 42.04; -89.32