Effingham, Illinois

{{For|other places named Effingham|Effingham (disambiguation)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2012}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name               = Effingham, Illinois
| settlement_type    = [[List of cities in Illinois|City]]
| image_skyline      = Effingham County Courthouse, Effingham, IL.jpg
| image_caption      = The [[Effingham County Courthouse (Illinois)|Old Effingham County Courthouse]] in the mid-2000s.
| motto              = "Crossroads of Opportunity"
| image_map          = File:Effingham County Illinois Incorporated and Unincorporated areas Effingham Highlighted.svg
| map_caption        = Location of Effingham in Effingham County, Illinois
| pushpin_map = Illinois#USA
| pushpin_label = Effingham
| pushpin_relief  = yes
| coordinates        = {{coord|39|7|15|N|88|32|45|W|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type   = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
| subdivision_name   = United States
| subdivision_type1  = [[U.S. state|State]]
| subdivision_name1  = [[Illinois]]
| subdivision_type2  = [[County (United States)|County]]
| subdivision_name2  = [[Effingham County, Illinois|Effingham]]
| established_title  = Founded
| leader_title       = Mayor
| leader_name        = Mike Schutzbach
| unit_pref          = Imperial
| area_footnotes     = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2020">{{cite web|title=2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2020_Gazetteer/2020_gaz_place_17.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=March 15, 2022}}</ref>
| area_total_km2     = 27.34
| area_total_sq_mi   = 10.55
| area_land_km2      = 27.16
| area_land_sq_mi    = 10.48
| area_water_km2     = 0.18
| area_water_sq_mi   = 0.07
| elevation_ft       = 594
| elevation_footnotes = <ref name=gnis/>
| population_as_of   = [[2020 United States Census|2020]]
| population_total   = 12252
| pop_est_as_of      = 
| pop_est_footnotes  = 
| population_est     = 
| population_density_km2 = 451.16
| population_density_sq_mi = 1168.53
| timezone1          = [[North American Central Time Zone|CST]]
| utc_offset1        = -6
| timezone1_DST      = [[North American Central Time Zone|CDT]]
| utc_offset1_DST    = -5
| postal_code_type   = [[ZIP code|ZIP Code(s)]]
| postal_code        = 62401
| area_code          = [[Area codes 217 and 447|217, 447]]
| area_code_type     = [[North American Numbering Plan|Area codes]]
| blank_name_sec2    = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS]] code
| blank_info_sec2    = {{FIPS|17|22736}}
| blank1_name_sec2   = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] ID
| blank1_info_sec2   = 2394628<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|2394628}}</ref>
| blank2_name_sec2   = Wikimedia Commons
| blank2_info_sec2   = Effingham, Illinois
| website            = {{URL|http://www.effinghamil.com/}}
| footnotes          = 
| population_footnotes = 
}}

'''Effingham''' is a city in and the [[county seat]] of [[Effingham County, Illinois]], United States. It is in [[South Central Illinois]]. Its population was 12,252 at the 2020 census. The city is part of the [[Effingham, IL Micropolitan Statistical Area]].

The city bills itself as "The Crossroads of Opportunity" because of its location at the intersection of two major Interstate highways: [[Interstate 57|I-57]] running from Chicago to [[Sikeston, Missouri]], and [[Interstate 70 in Illinois|I-70]] running from [[Utah]] to [[Maryland]]. It is also served by [[U.S. Route 45 in Illinois|U.S. Route 45]], which runs from [[Ontonagon, Michigan]] to [[Mobile, Alabama]], [[U.S. Route 40 in Illinois|U.S. Route 40]], the historic [[National Road]], which stretches from [[Atlantic City, New Jersey]] to [[Silver Summit, Utah]], and [[Illinois Route 32|Illinois routes 32]] and [[Illinois Route 33|33]] also run through the city. It is also a major railroad junction, the crossing of the [[Illinois Central]] main line from Chicago to [[Memphis, Tennessee|Memphis]] with the [[Pennsylvania Railroad]] line from [[Indianapolis]] to [[St. Louis]]. For this reason, Effingham has a much broader range of restaurants and lodging facilities than  typical towns of its size.

== Geography ==
Effingham is located at {{Coord|39|7|15|N|88|32|45|W|type:city}} (39.120903, −88.545909).<ref name="GR1">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/geographies/reference-files/time-series/geo/gazetteer-files.html|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=2011-04-23|date=2011-02-12|title=US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990}}</ref>

According to the 2021 census gazetteer files, Effingham has a total area of {{convert|10.56|sqmi|km2|2}}, of which {{convert|10.49|sqmi|km2|2}} (or 99.34%) is land and {{convert|0.07|sqmi|km2|2}} (or 0.66%) is water.<ref name="gaz2021">{{Cite web   |title=Gazetteer Files |url=https://www.census.gov/geographies/reference-files/time-series/geo/gazetteer-files.html |access-date=2022-06-29 |website=Census.gov}}</ref>

Effingham is served by a total of 5 highways, only 2 of them being interstates. [[Interstate 57]] comes into Effingham County with [[Edgewood, Illinois]]. It officially comes into Effingham was a cross [[Directional T interchange]] with [[Interstate 70]] west towards [[St. Louis]]. It runs concurrently with Interstate 57 as it goes through the city's southside exits. It makes its first with W Fayette Avenue and then takes a short curve east and makes a half diamond and half [[partial cloverleaf interchange]] with N Keller Drive and [[Illinois Route 33]]. After the interchange, it makes an interchange with [[U.S. Route 45]] and the concurrency ends with a last [[Directional T interchange]] with Interstate 70. This time, Interstate 70 runs off east towards [[Indianapolis]] making Interstate 57 continue its route towards [[Mattoon, Illinois]], [[Champaign, Illinois]], and finally [[Chicago]].

== Demographics ==
{{US Census population
|1870= 2383
|1880= 3065
|1890= 3260
|1900= 3774
|1910= 3898
|1920= 4024
|1930= 4978
|1940= 6180
|1950= 6892
|1960= 8172
|1970= 9458
|1980= 11270
|1990= 11851
|2000= 12384
|2010= 12328
|2020= 12252
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|access-date=June 4, 2015|df=mdy}}</ref><ref name="2020 Census">{{cite web|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=Effingham%20city,%20Illinois|title=Effingham city, Illinois|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=February 14, 2022|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220214063043/https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=Effingham%20city,%20Illinois|archive-date=February 14, 2022 }}</ref>
}}As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Explore Census Data |url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/profile?g=1600000US1722736 |access-date=2022-06-28 |website=data.census.gov}}</ref> there were 12,252 people, 5,205 households, and 3,029 families residing in the city. The population density was {{Convert|1,160.78|PD/sqmi|PD/km2}}. There were 5,862 housing units at an average density of {{Convert|555.38|/sqmi|/km2}}. The racial makeup of the city was 91.00% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 0.85% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.25% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 1.31% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.02% [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 1.80% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 4.77% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 4.60% of the population.

There were 5,205 households, out of which 27.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.77% were married couples living together, 11.82% had a female householder with no husband present, and 41.81% were non-families. 33.26% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.64% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.91 and the average family size was 2.29.

The city's age distribution consisted of 22.9% under the age of 18, 8.0% from 18 to 24, 26.4% from 25 to 44, 23.6% from 45 to 64, and 19.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37.1 years. For every 100 females, there were 87.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.3 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $52,551, and the median income for a family was $69,405. Males had a median income of $37,288 versus $26,182 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the city was $31,029. About 10.8% of families and 16.9% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 29.8% of those under age 18 and 9.0% of those age 65 or over.

== History ==
Effingham was first settled in 1814, and was known from then until 1859 as Broughton.<ref>[http://www.effinghamil.com/History/81/a/36 History of Effingham] {{webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20120728100602/http://www.effinghamil.com/History/81/a/36 |date=July 28, 2012 }}</ref> In 1859, it became the county seat with buildings relocated from nearby (now deserted) Ewington.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.effinghamdailynews.com/news/bicentennial/edn-bicentennial-series-ewington-was-first-effingham-county-seat/article_1064b898-046a-544f-a19c-2366fa06e618.html|title= EDN Bicentennial Series: Ewington was first Effingham County seat}}</ref> The community was named after General E. Effingham, a local surveyor.<ref>{{cite book|title=Illinois Central Magazine|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3WI3AQAAMAAJ&pg=PT46|year=1922|publisher=Illinois Central Railroad Company|page=46}}</ref>

In the late 1880s, local citizens founded Austin College, which lasted for several decades, and ultimately was purchased to become the Illinois College of Photography, also known as Bissel College.  That school closed due to the [[Great Depression]] in the 1930s.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.frontiernet.net/~kevinperkins/austin_college.htm |title=Austin College |last=Perkins |first=Kevin |website=www.frontiernet.net |access-date=2018-08-28}}</ref>

On April 4, 1949, [[St. Anthony's Hospital Fire|St. Anthony's Hospital]] caught fire and burned to the ground, killing 74 people.<ref name=life/>  As a result, [[fire code]]s nationwide were improved.  Due to extensive media coverage, including a [[Life (magazine)|''Life'']] magazine cover story,<ref name=life>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ME4EAAAAMBAJ|title=LIFE|date=1949-04-18|publisher=Time Inc|language=en}}</ref> donations for rebuilding the hospital came from all 48 states and several foreign countries.

Effingham was a [[sundown town]];<ref name="Loewen2006a">{{cite web |url=http://historynewsnetwork.org/article/27821|title=Honda's All-American Sundown Town|last=Loewen|first=James W.|date=2006-07-09|website=History News Network|publisher=The George Washington University |access-date=2017-08-20}}</ref> daytime segregation was enforced until at least the mid-1960s.<ref name="Loewen2006b">{{cite book |last=Loewen |first=James W. |date=2005-09-29 |title=Sundown Towns: A Hidden Dimension Of American Racism |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FPxJ_aG_B-8C |publisher=The New Press |page=231 |isbn=1595586741}}</ref>

== Rail transportation ==
{{See also|Effingham (Amtrak station)}}

Effingham is historically important as a rail junction.  The old [[Pennsylvania Railroad]] and the former [[Illinois Central Railroad]] crossed in downtown Effingham.<ref>{{cite thesis |last=Worman |first=Roger |title=A Geographic Analysis of the Impact of Interstate Highways 57 and 70 on Certain Aspects of the Economy of the City of Effingham, Illinois |degree=Masters |date=1973 |url=https://thekeep.eiu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=4778&context=theses}}</ref>

The former Illinois Central line was taken over by [[Canadian National]] in 1999,<ref>{{cite book |last1=Downey |first1=Clifford J. |title=Chicago and the Illinois Central Railroad |date=2007 |publisher=Arcadia Publishing |isbn=978-0-7385-5074-9 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=O14eRQM9xrYC |access-date=11 July 2023 |language=en}}</ref>{{rp|10}} and the former Pennsylvania Railroad was taken over by [[Conrail]], in turn this line is now operated by [[CSX]].

[[Amtrak]], the national passenger rail system, provides service to Effingham under the daily ''City of New Orleans'' route to New Orleans and Chicago, and the ''[[Saluki (Amtrak)|Saluki]]'' and ''[[Illini (Amtrak)|Illini]]'' to Chicago and [[Carbondale, Illinois|Carbondale]]. Until October 1, 1979, the station also served Amtrak's former ''[[National Limited]]'' line between [[Kansas City, Missouri|Kansas City]] and New York City.

== Education ==
Effingham has several schools, both public and private. The private schools are both religiously affiliated and include Saint Anthony and Sacred Heart. Saint Anthony Grade School (SAGS) serves grades preschool (age 3+) to eighth grade. SAGS has the Bullpup as its mascot. Sacred Heart Grade School (SHS) serves preschool (age 3+) to eighth grade. SHS's mascot is the Shamrock. The public schools include the Early Learning Center, South Side Elementary, Central Grade School, Effingham Junior High School (EJHS), and Effingham High School. The Early Learning Center serves preschool and kindergarten age children. South Side Elementary serves first and second graders. Aspire is a school for students who are likely to drop out or those who get expelled. Central Grade School serves third through fifth grade students. Central Grade school's mascot is the Mustang. EJHS serves junior high students in grades six to eight. EJHS's mascot is the Mustang.

Effingham High School (EHS) is the public high school.<ref>{{cite web|title=EFFINGHAM HIGH SCHOOL|url=http://www.illinoisreportcard.com/School.aspx?schoolId=030250400260001|publisher=Effingham Community Schools|access-date=December 29, 2012}}</ref> The new EHS opened in the fall of 1998, and has a current enrollment of 849.<ref>{{cite web|title=EFFINGHAM HIGH SCHOOL|url=http://www.illinoisreportcard.com/School.aspx?schoolId=030250400260001|website=Illinois Report Card|publisher=Illinois State Board of Education|access-date=5 April 2015}}</ref> The former EHS building, built in 1939 as a WPA project and expanded in 1965, is currently the junior high, serving grades 6–8. The old junior high, Central School, is now a grade school serving grades 3–5.  EHS athletics were originally known as the Warriors but the name was changed after [[Ada Kepley]], a city resident, referred to Effingham as the "Heart of America" in a campaign to attract visitors to the city. The name stuck, with references in the city government and the downtown movie theater named the Heart Theater. EHS athletics are now known as the Flaming Hearts.

Effingham is also home to [[St. Anthony High School (Effingham, Illinois)|St. Anthony High School]], a private Roman Catholic High School. SAHS athletics are known as the Bulldogs.

== Monument ==
[[File:Effingham cross.jpg|thumb|right|150px|Cross at Interstate 57 and 70]]

[[The Cross at the Crossroads]], a {{convert|198|ft|m|adj=on}} steel cross erected by the Cross Foundation is located in Effingham and was inaugurated in 2001. The cross is made out of over 180 tons of steel and cost over $1 million.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.worldslargestthings.com/easterntour/crossfaq.htm |title=World's Largest Cross FAQ |work=worldslargestthings.com |access-date=May 6, 2012}}</ref> The Cross Foundation claims that the cross is the largest in the United States, standing at {{convert|198|ft|m|adj=on}} with a span of {{convert|113|ft|m|adj=on}}.<ref name="Gregory, 2002">{{cite news|last1=Gregory|first1=Ted|title=Landmark speaks volumes|url=http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2002-05-21/news/0205210019_1_cross-foundation-christian-john-schultz|newspaper=Chicago Tribune|access-date=6 March 2015}}</ref>

== Notable people ==
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* [[George J. Bauer]], Illinois state representative
* [[Jack Berch]], singer and radio personality; raised in Effingham
* [[Uwe Blab]], center for the [[Dallas Mavericks]], [[Golden State Warriors]], and [[San Antonio Spurs]]; attended high school in Effingham
* [[Charles H. Constable]], judge and Illinois state senator; died in Effingham
* [[Nick Gardewine]], pitcher for the Texas Rangers; graduate of Effingham High School<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/g/gardeni01.shtml|title=Nick Gardewine Stats}}</ref>
* [[Chad Green (pitcher)|Chad Green]], pitcher for the New York Yankees; graduate of Effingham High School<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.cgi?id=green-006cha|title = Chad Green Amateur, College & Minor Leagues Statistics & History}}</ref>
* [[Ada Kepley]], first American woman to graduate from law school
* [[Jimmy Kite]], driver with [[IndyCar Series|IndyCar]] and [[NASCAR]]
* [[Miles E. Mills]], Illinois politician
* [[Mary Ann Brown Newcomb]], Civil War nurse
* [[Brian Shouse]], left-handed pitcher for the [[Tampa Bay Rays]] and [[Milwaukee Brewers]] in [[Major League Baseball]]
* [[Daniel Winkler (baseball)|Daniel Winkler]], pitcher for the [[Chicago Cubs]]; born and raised in Effingham, attended St. Anthony High School<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.cgi?id=winkle001dan|title=Daniel Winkler Register Statistics & History {{!}} Baseball-Reference.com|website=Baseball-Reference.com|access-date=2016-07-05}}</ref>
* [[Benson Wood]], U.S. Congressman, 1895–1897

== In popular culture ==

Comedians and authors have poked fun at the "Effing" portion of the name Effingham and its use in North American and UK slang as a [[minced oath]] for the [[Fuck|"F" word]].<ref>{{cite web |url= http://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/british/eff |title= Eff |website= dictionary.cambridge.org |access-date= April 15, 2015 }}</ref> For example, radio comedians [[Bob and Tom]] produced a segment on their national radio show referencing Effingham.<ref>{{Citation|title=The Effing House Family Restaurant|url=https://soundcloud.com/bobandtom/the-effing-house-family|language=en|access-date=2017-09-19}}</ref> [[Ben Folds]]'s album ''[[Way to Normal]]'' uses a similar play on words in a track that was inspired by driving past Effingham, although the song refers to the city as "Effington".<ref>{{cite news | author=Charlie Amter | title = Small town Mayor to Ben Folds: We will bury you | url = http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/music_blog/2008/10/small-town-ma-1.html | access-date=September 15, 2009 | work=The Los Angeles Times | date=October 21, 2008}}</ref>

== References ==
{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}

== External links ==
* {{Official website|http://www.effinghamil.com/|Effingham's official website}}
* [http://www.visiteffinghamil.com/ Effingham convention and visitor's bureau]

{{Effingham County, Illinois}}
{{Illinois county seats}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Populated places established in 1814]]
[[Category:Cities in Illinois]]
[[Category:Cities in Effingham County, Illinois]]
[[Category:Micropolitan areas of Illinois]]
[[Category:National Road]]
[[Category:County seats in Illinois]]
[[Category:Sundown towns in Illinois]]