| Official Name: | Young America Township |
| Settlement Type: | Township |
| Image Map1: | Map of Illinois highlighting Edgar County.svg |
| Mapsize1: | 150px |
| Map Caption1: | Edgar County's location in Illinois |
| Subdivision Type: | Country |
| Subdivision Name: | United States |
| Subdivision Type1: | State |
| Subdivision Name1: | Illinois |
| Subdivision Type2: | County |
| Subdivision Name2: | Edgar |
| Established Title: | Established |
| Established Date: | November 4, 1856 |
| Area Total Sq Mi: | 55.21 |
| Area Land Sq Mi: | 55.21 |
| Area Water Sq Mi: | 0 |
| Area Water Percent: | 0 |
| Population As Of: | 2020 |
| Population Total: | 605 |
| Population Density Sq Mi: | auto |
| Elevation M: | 202 |
| Elevation Ft: | 663 |
| Coordinates: | 39.8392°N -87.8453°W |
| Timezone: | CST |
| Utc Offset: | -6 |
| Timezone Dst: | CDT |
| Utc Offset Dst: | -5 |
| Postal Code Type: | ZIP codes |
| Postal Code: | 61810, 61876, 61917, 61924, 61932, 61940, 61942 |
| Blank Name: | FIPS code |
| Blank Info: | 17-045-84064 |
| Unit Pref: | Imperial |
Young America Township is one of fifteen townships in Edgar County, Illinois, USA. As of the 2020 census, its population was 605 and it contained 318 housing units.[1]
In the early 19th century, the current Young America township and the current Shiloh Township comprised a single township, known as Bull Head Township.[2]
According to the 2021 census gazetteer files, Young America Township has a total area of 55.21sqmi, all land.[3]
The township contains Young America Cemetery. The Young America Cemetery Association was organized in 1896, with forty shares of stock sold to purchase the grounds. The first interment in the cemetery was Byron Stark, 5 years of age, who died 26 June 1896. In 1898, the Association's stockholders asked the village of Hume to take over the cemetery and its debts, but the village refused. In April 1960, the voters of Young America Township voted to support the cemetery. The current tool house and flagpole were erected in 1960.[4]
As of the 2020 census there were 605 people, 371 households, and 275 families residing in the township. The population density was 10.96PD/sqmi. There were 318 housing units at an average density of 5.76/sqmi. The racial makeup of the township was 94.21% White, 0.66% African American, 0.17% Native American, 0.17% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 0.17% from other races, and 4.63% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.65% of the population.
There were 371 households, out of which 28.80% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 63.61% were married couples living together, 7.82% had a female householder with no spouse present, and 25.88% were non-families. 21.60% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.20% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.28 and the average family size was 2.65.
The township's age distribution consisted of 21.5% under the age of 18, 8.5% from 18 to 24, 18.7% from 25 to 44, 29.8% from 45 to 64, and 21.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 46.5 years. For every 100 females, there were 116.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 122.8 males.
The median income for a household in the township was $50,913, and the median income for a family was $56,696. Males had a median income of $42,708 versus $25,433 for females. The per capita income for the township was $25,654. About 9.1% of families and 14.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.8% of those under age 18 and 1.1% of those age 65 or over.