Murphysboro, Illinois

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Murphysboro is a city in Jackson County, Illinois, United States. The population was 13,295 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Jackson County^GR6.

234 people were killed when the Tri-State Tornado hit Murphysboro on March 18, 1925 and another F5 affected the area on December 18, 1957, the latest tornado of that rate recorded during a year.

1 Geography
2 History
3 Demographics
4 External links

[edit] Geography

Murphysboro is located at 37°46′2″N, 89°20′14″W (37.767245, -89.337346)^GR1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 12.5 km² (4.8 mi²). 12.5 km² (4.8 mi²) of it is land and 0.21% is water.

Murphysboro is located 5 miles southeast of Kinkaid Lake.

[edit] History

Murphysboro was founded by Dr. John Logan, the father of General John A. Logan. Logan County, Illinois is named after Dr. Logan.

Murphysboro was essentially totally destroyed on March 18, 1925 in the wake of the Tri-State Tornado.

Murphysboro is home to a legendary big-foot like monster known as The Big Muddy Monster. This creature was first thought to have been seen in the early 1970's by two people out one night on the southside of town near the Big Muddy River.

[edit] Demographics

As of the census^GR2 of 2000, there were 13,295 people, 3,704 households, and 2,129 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,062.8/km² (2,751.3/mi²). There were 4,183 housing units at an average density of 334.4/km² (865.6/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 79.82% White, 15.80% African American, 0.39% Native American, 1.03% Asian, 0.09% Pacific Islander, 1.10% from other races, and 1.77% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.72% of the population.

There were 3,704 households out of which 26.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 39.8% were married couples living together, 14.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 42.5% were non-families. 37.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 17.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.20 and the average family size was 2.91.

In the city the population was spread out with 14.7% under the age of 18, 40.6% from 18 to 24, 18.5% from 25 to 44, 13.8% from 45 to 64, and 12.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 23 years. For every 100 females there were 104.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 103.5 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $25,551, and the median income for a family was $25,987. Males had a median income of $24,216 versus $20,011 for females. The per capita income for the city was $13,527. About 15.8% of families and 21.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 31.4% of those under age 18 and 10.9% of those age 65 or over.