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Wilmington, Illinois

Coordinates: 41°18′27″N 88°08′46″W / 41.307515°N 88.146143°W / 41.307515; -88.146143
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For the village in Greene County, see Wilmington, Greene County, Illinois.
Wilmington, Illinois
Baltimore Street (IL-53)
Baltimore Street (IL-53)
Nickname: 
The Island City
Location of Wilmington in Will County, Illinois.
Location of Wilmington in Will County, Illinois.
CountryUnited States
StateIllinois
CountiesWill
Founded1836
Incorporated1854
Government
 • MayorBen Dietz[1]
Area
[2]
 • Total14.52 sq mi (37.61 km2)
 • Land13.80 sq mi (35.75 km2)
 • Water0.72 sq mi (1.86 km2)
Elevation
[3]
528 ft (161 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total5,664
 • Density410.35/sq mi (158.44/km2)
Time zoneUTC-6 (CST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code
60481
Area code815
FIPS code17-82101 [4]
GNIS feature ID2397328[3]
Websitewww.wilmington-il.com

Wilmington is a city in Will County, Illinois, United States. Located on IL-53 and Historic Route 66 along the east bank of the Kankakee River, it is approximately 60 miles south-west from downtown Chicago (the Chicago Loop). The population was 5,724 at the 2010 census. Wilmington is just south of Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie, which is home to the largest bison herd in the state.[5]

History

[edit]

Thomas Cox purchased land near Alden's Island in 1834 and built a sawmill, corn cracker, gristmill, and a carding machine facility all of which were powered by water wheels situated on a mill right off of the Kankakee River which runs through Wilmington.[6]

The Gemini Giant in Wilmington, Illinois U.S. Route 66.
The Gemini Giant at its former location in Wilmington on U.S. Route 66

The city is home to the historic Eagle Hotel located on the northwest corner of state Rt 53 (Rt 66) and Water street (Rt 102). It later became famous as a stop on U.S. Route 66, which followed the route of modern-day Illinois Route 53. A notable attraction for travelers along this route is the Gemini Giant, a muffler man-type statue. Countless photos of travelers, both domestic and foreign, standing at the base of the Gemini Giant are taken each year.[7]

Wilmington is also home to Cinder Ridge Golf Course, located off of I-55. Wilmington was the scene of the brutal murder of Riley Fox.

A mural depicting historic Downtown Wilmington was installed facing the Eagle Hotel in October 2023, in anticipation of the 100th anniversary of the establishment of Route 66 coming up in 2026.[8]

Geography

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Wilmington is located at 41°18′27″N 88°08′46″W / 41.307515°N 88.146143°W / 41.307515; -88.146143.[9] It is located on the banks of the Kankakee River, approximately 50 miles (80 km) southwest of Chicago and 15 miles (24 km) south of Joliet.

One of Wilmington's most notable geographical features is a large island in the Kankakee River, much of which is occupied by a city park. This island divides the river into a large channel and a smaller one which was used as a natural mill race during the early years of the city. The island is the source of the city's nickname, "The Island City."[6]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 4.5 square miles (12 km2), of which 4.2 square miles (11 km2) is land and 0.3 square miles (0.78 km2) (6.86%) is water.

Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18701,828—
18801,8722.4%
18901,576−15.8%
19001,420−9.9%
19101,4502.1%
19201,384−4.6%
19301,74125.8%
19401,92110.3%
19503,35474.6%
19604,21025.5%
19704,3353.0%
19804,4242.1%
19904,7437.2%
20005,1348.2%
20105,72411.5%
20205,664−1.0%
U.S. Decennial Census[10]

As of the 2020 census,[11] there were 5,664 people and 2,330 households residing in the city. The racial makeup of the city was 90.18% White, 1.4% African American, 0.4% Native American, 0.44% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 1.71% from other races, and 5.79% from two or more races.

The median income for a household in the city was $66,538. Males had a median income of $52,633 versus $32,783 for females. About 10.3% of the population were below the poverty line.

Notable people

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References

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  1. ^ "City Officials". City of Wilmington. Retrieved June 23, 2021.
  2. ^ "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 15, 2022.
  3. ^ a b U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Wilmington, Illinois
  4. ^ "Wilmington, Illinois (Will County)". Roadside Thoughts. Retrieved June 14, 2017.
  5. ^ Wetli, Patty (May 7, 2021). "It's a Bison Baby Boom at Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie". WTTW News.
  6. ^ a b "Wilmington History". Wilmington Public Library. Archived from the original on November 12, 2023.
  7. ^ Searl, Ryan (March 11, 2021). "Legendary Route 66 Sights: The Gemini Giant". The First Hundred Miles. Archived from the original on May 18, 2021.
  8. ^ "Have you seen the new mural?". the DAILY 411. October 12, 2023.
  9. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  10. ^ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  11. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 12, 2024.
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