Payson is a village in Adams County, Illinois, United States. The population was 1,025 at the 2020 census. It is part of the Quincy, IL–MO Micropolitan Statistical Area.

Payson, Illinois
Main Street
Main Street
Location of Payson in Adams County, Illinois.
Location of Payson in Adams County, Illinois.
Location of Illinois in the United States
Location of Illinois in the United States
Coordinates: 39°49′1″N 91°14′33″W / 39.81694°N 91.24250°W / 39.81694; -91.24250
CountryUnited States
StateIllinois
CountyAdams
TownshipPayson
Area
 • Total1.17 sq mi (3.03 km2)
 • Land1.17 sq mi (3.03 km2)
 • Water0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)  0%
Elevation745 ft (227 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total1,025
 • Density876.07/sq mi (338.23/km2)
Time zoneUTC-6 (CST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP Code(s)
62360
Area code217
FIPS code17-58265
GNIS feature ID2399639[2]
Wikimedia CommonsPayson, Illinois
Websitehttps://paysonil.com/

History edit

Payson was laid out in the Spring of 1835.[3]

During the 1860 presidential campaign, the residents of Payson erected a pole on which they hung banners supporting the Democratic candidate, Stephen Douglas, and an effigy of Abraham Lincoln riding a rail. This resulted in two confrontations with the Quincy Wide Awakes, the Republican paramilitary organization, on August 25–26, 1860. During the second confrontation, shots were fired at the Wide Awakes, resulting in injuries. This action was related to the "Stone's Prairie Riot" at nearby Plainville.[4]

Geography edit

According to the 2021 census gazetteer files, Payson has a total area of 1.17 square miles (3.03 km2), all land.[5]

Demographics edit

Historical population
CensusPop.Note
1900465
19104670.4%
1920453−3.0%
1930414−8.6%
194045610.1%
19504907.5%
19605022.4%
197058917.3%
19801,06580.8%
19901,1144.6%
20001,066−4.3%
20101,026−3.8%
20201,025−0.1%
U.S. Decennial Census[6]

As of the 2020 census[7] there were 1,025 people, 444 households, and 360 families residing in the village. The population density was 876.07 inhabitants per square mile (338.25/km2). There were 407 housing units at an average density of 347.86 per square mile (134.31/km2). The racial makeup of the village was 93.66% White, 0.49% African American, 0.20% Native American, 0.10% Asian, 0.10% from other races, and 5.46% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.56% of the population.

There were 444 households, out of which 45.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.39% were married couples living together, 9.68% had a female householder with no husband present, and 18.92% were non-families. 15.77% of all households were made up of individuals, and 1.58% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.44, and the average family size was 3.15.

The village's age distribution consisted of 34.9% under the age of 18, 7.4% from 18 to 24, 29.1% from 25 to 44, 22% from 45 to 64, and 6.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 27.8 years. For every 100 females, there were 104.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 104.0 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $62,813, and the median income for a family was $66,389. Males had a median income of $37,125 versus $25,278 for females. The per capita income for the village was $24,765. About 5.8% of families and 10.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.7% of those under age 18 and 2.2% of those age 65 or over.

Public education is provided at Payson-Seymour Elementary School and Payson-Seymour High School.

Notable people edit

Footnotes edit

  1. ^ "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 15, 2022.
  2. ^ a b U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Payson, Illinois
  3. ^ History of Payson, Illinois
  4. ^ Iris A. Nelson and Walter S. Waggoner, "The Stone's Prairie Riot of 1860", Journal of Illinois History, Vol. 5, p. 19 (Spring 2002)
  5. ^ Bureau, US Census. "Gazetteer Files". Census.gov. Retrieved June 29, 2022.
  6. ^ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  7. ^ "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved June 28, 2022.