McDonough County, Illinois

McDonough County is a located in the  of. As of 2000, the population was 32,913. Its is.

Geography
According to the, the county has a total area of 1,528 (590 ). 1,526 km² (589 sq mi) of it is land and 2 km² (1 sq mi) of it (0.13%) is water.

The county has the unusual distinction of forming a perfect square by Mercator map projection. The county seat,, is in the center of the county, and the courthouse is almost precisely in the center of the county.

Adjacent Counties

 * - north
 * - east
 * - south
 * - west
 * - northwest

History
McDonough County is named in honor of who defeated a British squadron in the decisive naval  in the. McDonough County was part of the set aside by Congress for veterans of the War of 1812.

Demographics
As of the of 2000, there were 32,913 people, 12,360 households, and 7,094 families residing in the county. The was 22/km² (56/sq mi). There were 13,289 housing units at an average density of 9/km² (23/sq mi). The racial makeup of the county was 92.88%, 3.46% or , 0.14% , 2.02% , 0.04% , 0.47% from , and 1.00% from two or more races. 1.48% of the population were or  of any race.

There were 12,360 households out of which 24.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.10% were living together, 7.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 42.60% were non-families. 31.80% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.28 and the average family size was 2.87.

In the county the population was spread out with 17.70% under the age of 18, 27.60% from 18 to 24, 21.50% from 25 to 44, 19.10% from 45 to 64, and 14.10% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 29 years. For every 100 females there were 95.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.80 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $32,141, and the median income for a family was $43,385. Males had a median income of $29,326 versus $20,798 for females. The for the county was $15,890. About 9.60% of families and 19.80% of the population were below the, including 19.60% of those under age 18 and 7.20% of those age 65 or over.