Kewanee, Illinois


Kewanee is a city in Henry County, Illinois. "Kewanee" is the Winnebago word for greater prairie-chicken, which lived there. The population was 12,509 in the 2020 census, down from 12,916 in 2010.

Geography

According to the 2021 census gazetteer files, Kewanee has a total area of, of which is land and is water.
The Kewanee Group is named after Kewanee.

Climate

Demographics

As of the 2020 census there were 12,509 people, 5,068 households, and 3,233 families residing in the city. The population density was. There were 5,754 housing units at an average density of. The racial makeup of the city was 77.26% White, 6.98% African American, 0.33% Native American, 0.40% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 7.45% from other races, and 7.53% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 14.47% of the population.
There were 5,068 households, out of which 28.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.53% were married couples living together, 12.55% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.21% were non-families. 31.83% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.92% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.02 and the average family size was 2.41.
The city's age distribution consisted of 23.9% under the age of 18, 8.9% from 18 to 24, 22% from 25 to 44, 25.3% from 45 to 64, and 19.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40.3 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.5 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $40,196, and the median income for a family was $46,680. Males had a median income of $37,136 versus $26,297 for females. The per capita income for the city was $21,170. About 15.5% of families and 23.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 40.1% of those under age 18 and 14.3% of those age 65 or over.

Industry

Kewanee was once known for its fire-tube boiler industry. The Kewanee Boiler Corporation manufactured and sold boilers throughout the world for over one hundred years. The company shuttered in 2002, however, boilers manufactured in Kewanee are still in common use. The Kewanee High School athletic teams are nicknamed the "Boilermakers". In 2023, the boiler shop burned down and now has a sign that says "Kewanee Boiler Workers Memorial, dedicated to over 130 years of boiler-making."
Kewanee was home to minor league baseball. The Kewanee Boilermakers minor league baseball team played in the Central Association from 1908 to 1913. In 1948–1949, the Kewanee A's rejoined the Central Association. Kewanee was an affiliate of the Philadelphia Athletics. Kewanee minor league teams played at Terminal Park and Northeast Park.

Parks

Kewanee has many different types of parks in the immediate area, offering a variety of activities such as boating, camping, hunting, fishing, playgrounds, baseball fields, and more. Parks inside the city limits are run by the Kewanee Park District.

Education

The northern part is in the Kewanee Community [Unit School District 229], and the southern part is in the Wethersfield Community Unit School District 230.
Kewanee has historically had two school districts, dating to when the community of Wethersfield was a separate municipality. Though the towns merged long ago, the two school districts both remain in the city of 13,400, divided at Division Street in the middle of Kewanee. While Kewanee School District #229 has around 2,015 students, Wethersfield #230 has about 600 students. The two schools enjoy a usually friendly rivalry, since both district high schools are in different divisions for most sports. However, this rivalry did become very heated in the sports the two high schools once competed in, most notably basketball.
Black Hawk College-East Campus is recognized nationally for its equestrian program, as well as livestock judging teams.

Festivals

The most notable festival held in the community is Hog Days. It is held annually on Labor Day weekend. Events include a carnival, mud volleyball, a parade, and more.

Local media

FM radio

The Kewanee Amtrak station serves trains on the Carl Sandburg and Illinois Zephyr daily. The current station was completed April 13, 2012.