Forreston, Illinois

Forreston
Village

Sign leading into Forreston
Forreston
Forreston

Location within Ogle County

Coordinates: 42°07′33″N 89°34′48″W / 42.12583°N 89.58000°W / 42.12583; -89.58000Coordinates: 42°07′33″N 89°34′48″W / 42.12583°N 89.58000°W / 42.12583; -89.58000
Country United States
State Illinois
County Ogle
Township Forreston
Area
 • Total 0.90 sq mi (2.3 km2)
 • Land 0.90 sq mi (2.3 km2)
 • Water 0.00 sq mi (0.0 km2)
Elevation 938 ft (286 m)
Population (2010)
 • Total 1,446
 • Density 1,600/sq mi (620/km2)
Postal code 61030
Area code(s) 815

Forreston is a village in Ogle County, Illinois, United States. The population was 1,446 at the 2010 census, down from 1,469 in 2000.

Geography

Forreston is located at 42°7′33″N 89°34′48″W / 42.12583°N 89.58000°W / 42.12583; -89.58000 (42.125700, -89.579955).[1]

According to the 2010 census, Forreston has a total area of 0.9 square miles (2.33 km2), all land.[2] It is 100 miles west of Chicago.

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop. %±
18801,108—
18901,1180.9%
19001,047−6.4%
1910870−16.9%
19208841.6%
19309082.7%
19409929.3%
19501,0485.6%
19601,15310.0%
19701,2276.4%
19801,38412.8%
19901,361−1.7%
20001,4697.9%
20101,446−1.6%
Est. 20151,377[3]−4.8%
U.S. Decennial Census[4]

As of the census[5] of 2000, there were 1,469 people, 594 households, and 414 families residing in the village. The population density was 1,767.4 people per square mile (683.4/km²). There were 632 housing units at an average density of 760.4 per square mile (294.0/km²). The racial makeup of the village was 99.25% White, 0.14% Native American, 0.20% Asian, 0.07% from other races, and 0.34% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.23% of the population.

There were 594 households out of which 35.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.2% were married couples living together, 8.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.3% were non-families. 26.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.47 and the average family size was 3.01.

In the village the population was spread out with 28.3% under the age of 18, 6.5% from 18 to 24, 28.5% from 25 to 44, 19.4% from 45 to 64, and 17.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 90.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.7 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $36,554, and the median income for a family was $44,853. Males had a median income of $35,463 versus $21,086 for females. The per capita income for the village was $16,958. About 7.4% of families and 9.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.8% of those under age 18 and 9.2% of those age 65 or over.

Education

Forreston has its own school district, Forrestville Valley School District 221.

History

A number of Ostrfrisians (Northwest Germans) immigrants were the first to settle in the area, as the future town of Forreston was flanked by major routes of pioneer travel (the Kellogg's and Boles Trails).

George W. Hewitt entered the original town plot of Forreston on November 5, 1854. David A. Neal, Vice President of the Illinois Central Railroad, followed closely on November 17, 1854 with his plat that paralleled the tracks, which reached the village that winter. This explains the "V" shaped business district and the "flat iron" shaped village hall built in 1902.

Education was of importance to the early settlers, with a one story frame structure built in 1856. It was followed by a 3-story brick structure built in 1867, which was replaced by a 2-story brick building in 1916. The south portion of the current grade school was built in 2001. The high school located east on Rt.72 was built in 1956, with an addition in 1996. The Forrestville Valley School District is fortunate to have a number of community minded members that take part in Sports Boosters, FFA, Music Patrons, Mentoring, PTO, etc.

Forreston also boasts a new library renovated from an early structure. Also, a new Fire Department and Ambulance building was recently built, which is manned by volunteers. There are also two fine parks and ball diamonds.

Organizations include the Lions, American Legion, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Ogle County Prairie Preservation, and 4-H groups.

Forreston received national news coverage for its "Sauerkraut Day" celebration beginning in 1913 and ending in 1960. Over 20,000 visitors crowded the streets for the "World's Largest Free Meal".

More recently, Forreston celebrated its Sesquicentennial on September 10, 11, 12 of 2004. It now has an Illinois State Historical Marker and a Veteran's Memorial.

Climate

Forreston's average temp in the Spring tends to be 50–65 °F (10–18 °C) with considerable rain. Summer tends to be 75–100 °F (24–38 °C) with moderate humidity. Fall tends to be 35–65 °F (2–18 °C) with leaves falling in Mid-October. Winter tends to be −20–35 °F (−29–2 °C) with considerable snow.

Population

Population percentage by ethnic group:

  • German 52.9%
  • US/American 10.2%
  • Irish 8.7%
  • English 6.7%
  • Other (often includes Hispanic and African American) 3.9%
  • Norwegian 2.7%
  • Italian 2.2%
  • Swedish 1.7%
  • French (except Basque) 1.6%
  • Dutch 1.6%
  • Polish 1.6%
  • French Canadian 1.2%
  • Swiss 0.9%
  • Czech 0.7%
  • Scotch-Irish 0.6%
  • Scottish 0.5%
  • Danish 0.5%
  • Welsh 0.5%
  • Belgian 0.4%
  • Greek 0.2%
  • Canadian 0.2%

Notes

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