Harrisburg is a city located in Saline County, Illinois. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 9,860. It is the county seat of Saline County.
Harrisburg is located at 37°44'2" North, 88°32'45" West (37.733765, -88.545873).
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 16.5 km2 (6.4 mi2). 16.2 km2 (6.2 mi2) of it is land and 0.4 km2 (0.1 mi2) of it is water. The total area is 2.19% water.
The square in the center of town stands on top of a hill that used to be an island in the middle of natural lowlands that flooded every spring.The locals called the island called "Crusoe's Island". When the area was drained, and homes were built, it became prone to flooding for years to come.
As of the census of 2000, there are 9,860 people, 4,093 households, and 2,496 families residing in the city. The population density is 610.1/km2 (1,580.3/mi2). There are 4,570 housing units at an average density of 282.8/km2 (732.4/mi2). The racial makeup of the city is 90.65% White, 6.93% African American, 0.27% Native American, 0.35% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 0.55% from other races, and 1.25% from two or more races. 1.46% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 4,093 households out of which 27.1% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.0% are married couples living together, 13.2% have a female householder with no husband present, and 39.0% are non-families. 35.7% of all households are made up of individuals and 17.7% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.22 and the average family size is 2.85.
In the city the population is spread out with 25.0% under the age of 18, 9.4% from 18 to 24, 24.6% from 25 to 44, 22.3% from 45 to 64, and 18.7% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 38 years. For every 100 females there are 93.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 82.9 males.
The median income for a household in the city is $26,507, and the median income for a family is $35,667. Males have a median income of $29,086 versus $19,013 for females. The per capita income for the city is $15,005. 13.2% of the population and 10.1% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 16.5% of those under the age of 18 and 7.6% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
Harrisburg was platted as a village on 20 acres in 1853. It became the county seat six years later. In 1861, as it approached a population of 500, it became a town. In 1889, with a population of 1,500, Harrisburg became a city, with an aldermanic form of government. It adopted the commission form in 1915.
Coal mining was one of the city's biggest industries. The first slope coal mine began operations in 1854 southeast of the community. The first shaft mine was sunk in 1873 or 1874. There are many surface mines around the Harrisburg area as well.
Flooding along the Ohio River has plagued Harrisburg over the years. The city was flooded in 1883-1884 and again in 1913. Its most severe flood came in 1937 when much of the city, except "Crusoes's Island", was underwater. After that, a dike was erected east of the city to protect it from future floods.
Harrisburg was home to prohibition-era bootlegger Charles Birger, and for a time the gangster's prized tommy gun was displayed in a glass case in the City Hall. In 1915 the Ringling brothers made an Appearance in Harrisburg.
Pioneer history is showcased at the Saline County Area Historical Museum on the city's southern edge. The three-acre site includes the three-story high Old Pauper Home, which was once part of the county's 170-acre poor farm. The site also features a variety of cabins, a one-room school house, a small church and other historic buildings that have been acquired, moved to the site and restored.
The Saline county courthouse and square has gone through many transformations within the past 100 years. In the 1800's the town saw dirt streets with a large grand Greek style court house, which was then replaced at the turn of the 20th century with a larger grander courthouse with brick streets. The square itself held several business, grocery stores, and bars. During the closing of the coal mining era most of the businesses left the square and moved to the main drag of Rt. 45. The court house was replaced with a modern more effeciant building in the 1970's after the older cuourt house was deemed condemed. The brilliantly built architecture that graced Harrisburg square has been replaced with newer buildings and rotting older structures.
Source:
HarrisburgIllinois.com
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