Online Encyclopedia
Nauvoo, Illinois
Nauvoo (נאוו "to be beautiful", Sephardi Hebrew Nåvu, Tiberian Hebrew Nâwû) is a city located in Hancock County, Illinois. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 1,063. The city was founded by Joseph Smith, Jr., also the founder of the Latter-day Saint movement, and named by him from the Sephardi Hebrew language with an anglicized spelling. During this epoch, Nauvoo's population numbered in the tens of thousands rivaling Chicago's own population.
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Geography
Nauvoo is located at 40°32'40" North, 91°22'49" West (40.544567, -91.380317)1.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 12.5 km² (4.8 mi²). 8.8 km² (3.4 mi²) of it is land and 3.7 km² (1.4 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 29.88% water.
Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there are 1,063 people, 403 households, and 276 families residing in the city. The population density is 121.4/km² (314.4/mi²). There are 458 housing units at an average density of 52.3/km² (135.4/mi²). The racial makeup of the city is 97.08% White, 0.28% African American, 0.47% Native American, 0.19% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 0.94% from other races, and 1.03% from two or more races. 1.60% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 403 households out of which 28.0% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.3% are married couples living together, 6.9% have a female householder with no husband present, and 31.3% are non-families. 28.5% of all households are made up of individuals and 16.4% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.46 and the average family size is 3.04.
In the city the population is spread out with 24.6% under the age of 18, 6.5% from 18 to 24, 21.9% from 25 to 44, 24.0% from 45 to 64, and 23.0% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 43 years. For every 100 females there are 88.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 79.8 males.
The median income for a household in the city is $39,519, and the median income for a family is $49,167. Males have a median income of $37,895 versus $24,250 for females. The per capita income for the city is $18,150. 12.8% of the population and 5.6% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 16.2% are under the age of 18 and 18.2% are 65 or older.
History
Nauvoo was established in 1839 by Latter-day Saint settlers fleeing from Missouri. On February 10, 1846 many Mormons led by Brigham Young fled the city and eventually migrated to the Great Salt Lake.
In 1849, Icarians moved in from Icaria, Texas. These were people attempting to implement a French Communist commune.
In June 2002 the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints finished construction and dedication of the Nauvoo Illinois Temple, a church temple on the original site where a temple was built for the Church in the 1840s.