Warsaw, Illinois

Template:Geobox Warsaw is a city in Hancock County, Illinois, United States. The population was 1,607 at the 2010 census, a decline from 1,793 in 2000. The city is notable for its historic downtown and the Warsaw Brewery, which operated for more than 100 years beginning in 1861 and, after renovation, reopened as a bar, restaurant and microbrewery in 2006.

History

The city of Warsaw began in 1814, when young Major Zachary Taylor founded Fort Johnson on the eastern bank of the Mississippi River across from the mouth of the Des Moines River. Fort Johnson was occupied only for a few weeks before it was burned. In 1815 another military camp, Fort Edwards, was built nearby at a different location. Warsaw became an important fur trading post and one of the earliest American settlements in northern Illinois.

During the 1840s, Warsaw was a center of opposition to Mormon settlement in Nauvoo and other areas in Hancock County during the conflict sometimes known as "The Mormon Illinois War". The local newspaper at the time, the Warsaw Signal edited by Thomas C. Sharp, was a vocal opponent of Mormon settlement and practices in Western Illinois. The Mormons, led by Willard Richards, also attempted to establish a settlement at a site just south of Warsaw during this period, but abandoned these plans due to local opposition and other problems.

The city is notable for its well-preserved downtown with a number of remaining historic businesses. Founded by German immigrants, the Warsaw Brewery opened in 1861 and operated for more than 100 years, ending production in 1971. The facility was renovated and reopened in 2006 as a bar and restaurant.

Geography

Warsaw is located at 40°21′N 91°26′W (40.3552,-91.4329), near the state's westernmost point.

According to the 2010 census, Warsaw has a total area of 7.469 square miles (19.34 km²), of which 6.52 square miles (16.89 km²) (or 87.29%) is land and 0.949 square miles (2.46 km²) (or 12.71%) is water.

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1860	2,896		—
1870	3,583		23.7%
1880	3,105		−13.3%
1890	2,721		−12.4%
1900	2,335		−14.2%
1910	2,254		−3.5%
1920	2,031		−9.9%
1930	1,866		−8.1%
1940	1,895		1.6%
1950	2,002		5.6%
1960	1,938		−3.2%
1970	1,758		−9.3%
1980	1,842		4.8%
1990	1,882		2.2%
2000	1,793		−4.7%
2010	1,607		−10.4%
2015 (est.)	1,551		−3.5%
U.S. Decennial Census

As of the census of 2000, there were 1,793 people, 726 households, and 500 families residing in the city. The population density was 271.0 people per square mile (104.6/km²). There were 807 housing units at an average density of 122.0 per square mile (47.1/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 98.77% White, 0.11% African American, 0.17% Native American, 0.17% Pacific Islander, 0.06% from other races, and 0.73% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.89% of the population.

There were 726 households out of which 32.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.0% were married couples living together, 8.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.1% were non-families. 27.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.47 and the average family size was 3.02.

In the city the population was spread out with 26.0% under the age of 18, 7.7% from 18 to 24, 25.8% from 25 to 44, 24.8% from 45 to 64, and 15.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 98.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.3 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $35,000, and the median income for a family was $39,808. Males had a median income of $29,770 versus $20,039 for females. The per capita income for the city was $18,279. About 6.4% of families and 8.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.9% of those under age 18 and 7.2% of those age 65 or over.

Notable people

• John Milton Hay, statesman, diplomat, journalist, and private secretary to Abraham Lincoln, raised in Warsaw, served as United States Secretary of State (1898-1905)
• Benjamin F. Marsh congressman, buried in Warsaw