Champaign, Illinois
Champaign is a city located in Champaign County, Illinois. As of the 2000 census, the
city had a total population of 67,518. The mayor is Gerald Schweighart, whose term will expire in 2007.
Champaign is adjacent to the neighboring city of Urbana,
Illinois. Because the two cities are so closely linked, the pair are often referred to together as Urbana-Champaign or
Champaign-Urbana (or even Chambana). They are the site of the main
campus of the University of Illinois.
Geography
Champaign is located at 40°6'47" North, 88°15'40" West (40.112981, -88.261227)1.
According to the United States Census
Bureau, the city has a total area of 44.1 km² (17.0 mi²). 44.0 km² (17.0 mi²) of it is land and 0.1 km² (0.04 mi²) of it is water. The
total area is 0.12% water.
History
Champaign was founded in 1855, when the Illinois Central Railroad laid its track two miles west of downtown Urbana. Originally
called "West Urbana," it was renamed Champaign when it acquired a city charter in 1860. Both the city and county name were
derived from Champaign County, Ohio.
Partial list of former mayors of Champaign
Economy
In addition to the University of Illinois, Champaign is also home to Parkland Community College. A Kraft plant and the
Collegiate Cap and Gown Company are part of the city's industrial base. Numerous software and technology companies also have
offices in Champaign, including Wolfram Research, Intel, Volition, and Motorola. The US Army Corps of Engineers maintains a
Construction and Engineering Research Laboratory (CERL) in Champaign.
Demographics
As of the census2 of 2000, there are 67,518 people, 27,071 households,
and 12,452 families residing in the city. The population
density is 1,534.4/km² (3,974.6/mi²). There are 28,556 housing units at an average density of 648.9/km² (1,681.0/mi²). The
racial makeup of the city is 73.16% White, 15.62%
African American, 0.24% Native American, 6.83% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 1.94% from other races, and 2.19% from two or more races. 4.03% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 27,071 households out of which 22.0% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 34.4% are married couples living together, 9.0% have a female householder with no husband present,
and 54.0% are non-families. 36.6% of all households are made up of individuals and 6.9% have someone living alone who is 65 years
of age or older. The average household size is 2.23 and the average family size is 2.95.
In the city the population is spread out with 17.8% under the age of 18, 31.7% from 18 to 24, 26.7% from 25 to 44, 15.4% from
45 to 64, and 8.4% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 25 years. For every 100 females there are 102.7 males. For
every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 101.9 males.
The median income for a household in the city is $32,795, and the median income for a family is $52,628. Males have a median
income of $36,574 versus $27,186 for females. The per capita
income for the city is $18,664. 22.1% of the population and 8.1% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 13.0% of those under the age of 18 and 5.6% of those 65 and
older are living below the poverty line.
Transportation
Champaign is served by Interstate Highways 57, 72, and 74, by two railroad lines, and by Willard Airport (CMI), operated by
the University of Illinois and located 5 miles south of town in Tolono Township. The local bus system, which is supported by the
taxpayers of the Mass Transit District (MTD) and the University of Illinois, also serves Urbana, Savoy, and surrounding areas.
The former Illinois Central railroad line--now owned by Canadian National--runs north to south through the city. A spur line from
the Canadian National line provides service to industry and grain elevators to the west of the city. Norfolk Southern railroad
operates an east to west line through the city. The NS line connects to Urbana in the east and Bloomington in the west. The
Norfolk Southern line was previously operated by Conrail and its predecessors: New York Central, Peoria & Eastern, Big Four
(Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago, and St. Louis Railway Company), Danville, Urbana, Bloomington and Pekin Railroad Company.
Amtrak--using the Candadian National line--runs two trains daily northbound to Chicago, and two evening trains southbound, one to
Carbondale, the other via Carbondale to New Orleans. Greyhound and Illini Swallow bus companies also serve Champaign. In 1999, a
newly designed intermodal transportation center, aptly named Illinois Terminal by historic reference, was completed and presently
consolidates all passenger rail and bus service for Champaign, Urbana, and Savoy.
External links
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