CARTHAGE, ILLINOIS

'Carthage' is a city in Hancock County, Illinois, United States. The population was 2,725 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Hancock County. Carthage is most famous for being the site of the 1844 assassination of Joseph Smith.

Contents

History

Schools

Geography

Demographics

External links

History

Hancock County, and Carthage, saw its first settlers arrive sometime in the first few decades of the 19th century. By 1833, simple buildings had been erected in Carthage, and the town was platted in 1838. By this time Carthage had become the county seat of Hancock county.
While incarcerated in the Carthage Jail in June of 1844, Joseph Smith, founder of the Latter Day Saint movement, was assassinated by a mob. For more details of this event see: Death of Joseph Smith, Jr.
Over the years the jail had been modified and utilized for different purposes. For a period the jail was home to Carthage College. The jail has been restored to a close approximation of its appearance in 1844 and is now owned by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. The site, a full city block, is operated as a historical visitor's center.
Regionally-noted botanist, philanthropist, and traveler Dr. Alice L. Kibbe called Carthage home. Along with Dr. Kibbe's personal collections, Carthage's Kibbe Hancock Heritage Museum houses a variety of exhibits celebrating local and regional history.

Schools

Beginning in August of 2007, the Carthage High School (also known as Hancock County Central High School) building has become the home of the newly formed Illini West High School, consolidating the high school districts of Carthage, La Harpe, and Dallas City. The three cities will maintain separate facilities for elementary and middle school.

Geography

Carthage is located at (40.414327, -91.133472).
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 4.1 km² (1.6 mi²), all land.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 2,725 people, 1,184 households, and 709 families residing in the city. The population density was 657.6/km² (1,698.0/mi²). There were 1,314 housing units at an average density of 317.1/km² (818.8/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 98.13% White, 0.48% African American, 0.48% Native American, 0.55% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 0.04% from other races, and 0.26% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.33% of the population.
There were 1,184 households out of which 27.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.0% were married couples living together, 10.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 40.1% were non-families. 35.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 17.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.22 and the average family size was 2.87.
In the city the population was spread out with 23.6% under the age of 18, 7.3% from 18 to 24, 25.4% from 25 to 44, 21.8% from 45 to 64, and 21.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 85.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 79.2 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $34,677, and the median income for a family was $50,142. Males had a median income of $36,058 versus $19,972 for females. The per capita income for the city was $18,269. About 3.6% of families and 8.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.3% of those under age 18 and 7.7% of those age 65 or over.

External links

★ 'Town Websites'

★
★ via Carthage Public Library

★
★ via Carthage Chamber of Commerce

★
★ via Outfitters.com

★ 'Local Churches'

★
★ First United Methodist Church

★ 'Local Businesses'

★
★ Bergman Farm Supply

★
★ Computing Made Easy

★
★ Eternal Family Healthcare

★
★ Methode Electronics

★ 'Carthage Jail / LDS Related'

★
★ LDS web page on Carthage jail