Elwin, Illinois Explained

Official Name:Elwin, Illinois
Settlement Type:Census-designated place
Pushpin Map:Illinois#USA
Pushpin Label:Elwin
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Name:United States
Subdivision Type1:State
Subdivision Name1:Illinois
Subdivision Type2:County
Subdivision Name2:Macon
Subdivision Type3:Township
Subdivision Name3:South Wheatland
Unit Pref:Imperial
Area Footnotes:[1]
Area Total Km2:2.16
Area Land Km2:2.16
Area Water Km2:0.00
Area Total Sq Mi:0.83
Area Land Sq Mi:0.83
Area Water Sq Mi:0.00
Population As Of:2020
Population Footnotes:[2]
Population Total:119
Population Density Km2:55.18
Population Density Sq Mi:142.86
Timezone:Central (CST)
Utc Offset:-6
Timezone Dst:CDT
Utc Offset Dst:-5
Elevation M:217
Coordinates:39.8517°N -88.9442°W
Postal Code Type:ZIP Code
Postal Code:62532
Blank Name:FIPS code
Blank Info:17-23919
Blank1 Name:GNIS feature ID
Blank1 Info:407975

Elwin is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) in South Wheatland Township, Macon County, Illinois, United States. It was first listed as a CDP in 2020, with a population of 119.[2]

History

Elwin was formed in 1859 on land owned by William Martin and Daniel H. Elwood. It was laid out after completion of the railroad.[3] The name "Elwin" is an amalgamation of the surnames of founders Elwood and Martin.[4] [5]

Geography

Elwin is located in central Macon County at 39.8517°N -88.9442°W (39.851636, -88.944228). Centrally located within South Wheatland Township, it was once known as South Wheatland. It is 5miles south of the center of Decatur, the Macon county seat. U.S. Route 51 bypasses Elwin on its east side, with its old alignment passing through the center of the community as U.S. Route 51 Business. The two routes join south of Elwin and lead south to Pana.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the Elwin CDP has an area of 0.83sqmi, all land.[1] The community is in the Spring Creek watershed, which flows north to the Sangamon River in Decatur.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2022 U.S. Gazetteer Files: Illinois . United States Census Bureau . February 7, 2023.
  2. Web site: P1. Race – Elwin CDP, Illinois: 2020 DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171). U.S. Census Bureau. February 7, 2023.
  3. News: Elwin Was Second Choice . The Decatur Review . Page Five . 28 February 1949.
  4. Book: The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States . Govt. Print. Off. . Gannett, Henry . 1905 . 118.
  5. Book: Illinois Central Magazine. 1922. Illinois Central Railroad Company. 44.