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Elwin, Illinois

Coordinates: 39°51′6″N 88°56′39″W / 39.85167°N 88.94417°W / 39.85167; -88.94417
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Elwin, Illinois
Elwin is located in Illinois
Elwin
Elwin
Elwin is located in the United States
Elwin
Elwin
Coordinates: 39°51′6″N 88°56′39″W / 39.85167°N 88.94417°W / 39.85167; -88.94417
CountryUnited States
StateIllinois
CountyMacon
TownshipSouth Wheatland
Area
 • Total0.83 sq mi (2.16 km2)
 • Land0.83 sq mi (2.16 km2)
 • Water0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation
712 ft (217 m)
Population
 • Total119
 • Density142.86/sq mi (55.18/km2)
Time zoneUTC-6 (Central (CST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP Code
62532
FIPS code17-23919
GNIS feature ID407975[3]

Elwin is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) in South Wheatland Township, Macon County, Illinois, United States. It was first listed as a CDP in 2020, with a population of 119.[2]

History

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Elwin was formed in 1859 on land owned by William Martin and Daniel H. Elwood. It was laid out after completion of the railroad.[4] The name "Elwin" is an amalgamation of the surnames of founders Elwood and Martin.[5][6]

Geography

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Elwin is located in central Macon County at 39°51′6″N 88°56′39″W / 39.85167°N 88.94417°W / 39.85167; -88.94417 (39.851636, -88.944228).[3] Centrally located within South Wheatland Township, it was once known as South Wheatland. It is 5 miles (8 km) south of the center of Decatur, the Macon county seat. U.S. Route 51 bypasses Elwin on its east side, with its old alignment passing through the center of the community as U.S. Route 51 Business. The two routes join south of Elwin and lead south 30 miles (48 km) to Pana.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the Elwin CDP has an area of 0.83 square miles (2.15 km2), all land.[1] The community is in the Spring Creek watershed, which flows north to the Sangamon River in Decatur.

Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note
2020119
U.S. Decennial Census[7]

References

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  1. ^ a b "2022 U.S. Gazetteer Files: Illinois". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 7, 2023.
  2. ^ a b "P1. Race – Elwin CDP, Illinois: 2020 DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171)". U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved February 7, 2023.
  3. ^ a b U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Elwin, Illinois
  4. ^ "Elwin Was Second Choice". The Decatur Review. No. Page Five. February 28, 1949.
  5. ^ Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. Govt. Print. Off. pp. 118.
  6. ^ Illinois Central Magazine. Illinois Central Railroad Company. 1922. p. 44.
  7. ^ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2016.