Scott County is a county located in the U.S. state of Illinois. According to the 2020 census, it had a population of 4,949,[1] making it the fourth-least populous county in Illinois. Its county seat is Winchester.[2]
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 253 square miles (660 km2), of which 251 square miles (650 km2) is land and 1.9 square miles (4.9 km2) (0.7%) is water.[3] The county's western boundary is formed by the Illinois River.
In recent years, average temperatures in the county seat of Winchester have ranged from a low of 16 °F (−9 °C) in January to a high of 87 °F (31 °C) in July, although a record low of −26 °F (−32 °C) was recorded in January 1912 and a record high of 113 °F (45 °C) was recorded in July 1934. Average monthly precipitation ranged from 1.60 inches (41 mm) in January to 4.34 inches (110 mm) in May.[4]
U.S. Decennial Census[6] 1790-1960[7] 1900-1990[8] 1990-2000[9] 2010[10]
As of the 2010 census, there were 5,355 people, 2,214 households, and 1,516 families living in the county.[11] The population density was 21.3 inhabitants per square mile (8.2/km2). There were 2,459 housing units at an average density of 9.8 per square mile (3.8/km2).[3] The racial makeup of the county was 98.6% white, 0.2% Asian, 0.2% American Indian, 0.2% black or African American, 0.1% from other races, and 0.7% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 0.8% of the population.[11] In terms of ancestry, 26.3% were German, 24.3% were American, 18.0% were English, and 16.2% were Irish.[12]
Of the 2,214 households, 32.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.7% were married couples living together, 9.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 31.5% were non-families, and 27.3% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.40 and the average family size was 2.89. The median age was 42.7 years.[11]
The median income for a household in the county was $49,462 and the median income for a family was $64,412. Males had a median income of $40,781 versus $32,011 for females. The per capita income for the county was $27,530. About 6.5% of families and 9.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.5% of those under age 18 and 10.2% of those age 65 or over.[13]
