Danville, Illinois

Danville is a city in and the county seat[5] of Vermilion County, Illinois, United States. As of the 2010 census, its population was 33,027.[3] As of 2019, the population was an estimated 30,479.[6]

Danville, Illinois
City
Vermilion County Courthouse, downtown
Seal
Location of Danville in Vermilion County, Illinois.
Danville, Illinois
Danville's location in Vermilion County
Coordinates: 40°07′28″N 87°37′48″W
Country United States
State Illinois
CountyVermilion
TownshipBlount, Danville, Newell
FoundedApril 10, 1827[1]
Government
 • MayorRickey Williams Jr.
 • Vice MayorMike Puhr
Area
 • City18.11 sq mi (46.91 km2)
 • Land17.98 sq mi (46.57 km2)
 • Water0.13 sq mi (0.34 km2)
Elevation
597 ft (182 m)
Population
 • City33,027
 • Estimate 
(2019)[4]
30,479
 • Density1,757.34/sq mi (678.50/km2)
 • Metro
81,625
ZIP code
61832 and 61834
Area code(s)217
FIPS code17-18563
WebsiteCityOfDanville.org

History
East Main Street circa 1910
Elks' Club, YMCA, Carnegie Library (now museum) circa 1920

Danville was founded in 1827 on 60 acres (240,000 m2) of land donated by Guy W. Smith and 20 acres (81,000 m2) donated by Dan W. Beckwith.[7] The sale of lots was set for April 10, 1827 and advertised in newspapers in Indianapolis, Indiana and the state capital of Vandalia.[1] The first post office was established in May of the same year in the house of Amos Williams, organizer of Vermilion and Edgar Counties and a prominent Danville citizen. Williams and Beckwith drew up the first plat map; the city was named after Dan Beckwith at Williams' suggestion, although Beckwith suggested the names "Williamsburg" and "Williamstown". Beckwith was born in Pennsylvania in 1795 and moved to Indiana as a young man; in 1819 he accompanied the first white explorers to the area where Danville later existed because of his interest in the salt springs of the Vermilion River. He died in 1835 of pneumonia contracted on a horseback ride back from Washington; he was 40 years old.[8] Danville became a major industrial city in the late 19th and early twentieth centuries. From the 1850s to the 1940s, Danville was an important coal mining area; some of the first open pit mining techniques were practiced here.[9] The coal formation underlying eastern Illinois and western Indiana is named the "Danville Member," after the area where it was first discovered.[10] With the closure of the mines and many factories, Danville's economic base suffered in the latter half of the 20th century. The former mines were converted into lakes, creating fishing and recreation opportunities at parks such as Kickapoo State Recreation Area and Kennekuk Cove County Park.

In early 2020, Danville became involved in the use of a new synthetic opioid that struck the Midwest. The new opioid "is made with 'Isotonitazene,' a benzimidazole derived opioid analgesic drug". It is so strong that it is stronger than Narcan, a common nasal spray that is used to block the effects of opioids in emergency situations.[11]

Geography

Danville is located approximately 120 miles (190 km) south of Chicago, 35 miles (56 km) east of Champaign-Urbana, and 90 miles (140 km) west of Indianapolis, Indiana. Illinois Route 1, U.S. Route 136, and U.S. Route 150 intersect in Danville; Interstate 74 passes through the south end of town. Lake Vermilion is located on the northwest side of town.

According to the 2010 census, Danville has a total area of 17.967 square miles (46.53 km2), of which 17.89 square miles (46.33 km2) (or 99.57%) is land and 0.077 square miles (0.20 km2) (or 0.43%) is water.[12]

Climate
Danville, Illinois
Climate chart (explanation)
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
 
 
2.1
 
 
34
17
 
 
2
 
 
40
22
 
 
3.2
 
 
52
32
 
 
3.9
 
 
65
41
 
 
4.5
 
 
75
51
 
 
4.7
 
 
84
60
 
 
4.4
 
 
86
64
 
 
3.9
 
 
84
63
 
 
3
 
 
78
55
 
 
3
 
 
67
43
 
 
3.5
 
 
52
34
 
 
2.8
 
 
39
23
Average max. and min. temperatures in °F
Precipitation totals in inches
Source: The Weather Channel[13]

In recent years, average temperatures in Danville have ranged from a low of 17 °F (−8 °C) in January to a high of 86 °F (30 °C) in July, although a record low of −26 °F (−32 °C) was recorded in January 1994 and a record high of 112 °F (44 °C) was recorded in July 1936. Average monthly precipitation ranged from 1.99 inches (51 mm) inches in February to 4.70 inches (119 mm) inches in June.[13]

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
1840503—
185073646.3%
18601,632121.7%
18704,751191.1%
18807,73362.8%
189011,49148.6%
190016,35442.3%
191027,87170.4%
192033,77621.2%
193036,7658.8%
194036,9190.4%
195037,8642.6%
196041,85610.5%
197042,5701.7%
198038,985−8.4%
199033,828−13.2%
200033,9040.2%
201033,027−2.6%
Est. 201930,479[4]−7.7%
U.S. Decennial Census

Danville is the principal city of the Danville Metropolitan Statistical Area, which encompasses all of Danville and Vermilion County.

As of the census[14] of 2000, there were 33,904 people, 13,327 households, and 8,156 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,994.0 people per square mile (770.0/km²). There were 14,886 housing units at an average density of 875.5 per square mile (338.1/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 70.19% White, 24.37% African American, 0.21% Native American, 1.20% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 2.09% from other races, and 1.92% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.57% of the population.

There were 13,327 households out of which 28% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.0% were married couples living together, 15.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.8% were non-families. 33.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.35 and the average family size was 3.01.

In the city, the population was spread out with 24.9% under the age of 18, 9.5% from 18 to 24, 27.7% from 25 to 44, 21.3% from 45 to 64, and 16.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 99.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.7 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $30,431, and the median income for a family was $39,308. Males had a median income of $31,027 versus $22,303 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,476. 18.1% of the population and 13.4% of families were below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 26.8% were under the age of 18 and 10.5% were 65 or older.

According to the United States Bureau of Economic Analysis, Danville is the cheapest place to live in the United States.[15]

Parks and recreation

The city of Danville maintains 20+ parks and recreation facilities, from small pocket parks to large regionally significant parklands.[16] Danville's parks contribute to a county-wide collection that includes four county parks and three state parks.[17] When combined with the city parkland, these total more than 15,000 acres, providing more acres of public park per capita than in any other county in Illinois.[17]

Danville sits along the shore of Lake Vermilion, which is a 1,000-acre reservoir.[18] The lake allows for fishing, bird watching, and unlimited-horsepower marine boating, jet-skiing, and waterskiing.[19] Danville also sits along the Vermilion River, which provides recreational opportunities and supports abundant wildlife.[20]

There are several notable parks within the city, including Lincoln Park, home of mature trees, tennis courts, and the Abraham Lincoln–associated Lamon House (a Greek Revival cottage built in 1850 by Joseph and Melissa Beckwith Lamon).[21] On the west side of the city, the North Fork of the Vermilion River winds through Harrison Park Golf Course, providing a backdrop for the 235-acre golf course and hiking destination.[22] On the north side, the Heron County Park Wetlands Boardwalk extends into Lake Vermilion and includes a 950-foot handicapped-accessible floating boardwalk that weaves through the marshland. The park also contains a 30-foot observation tower, which often provides views of bald eagles and American egrets.[23]

The downtown district contains five pocket parks, including Lindley Sign Forest and Temple Plaza. Temple Plaza hosts a number of community events throughout the year; including a summer concert series and a brick relief sculpture created by Texas-based artist Donna Dobberfuhl.[24]

Additional recreational opportunities exist throughout the community, including Fetch Dog Park, the Danville Dans collegiate summer league baseball team, the Danville Dashers of the Federal Prospects Hockey League, and many community sports leagues.[17]  

Neighborhoods
A home in the West Downtown Neighborhood

Danville is made up of many neighborhoods, of which 14 have or have had official neighborhood associations and 9 have official borders.[25] The West Downtown neighborhood is one of the city's oldest, dating back to the later part of the 19th century.[26] The neighborhood was home of the Renaissance Initiative Program created in 2000, which worked for the restoration and preservation of the neighborhood's historic assets.[26][27][28] While the program officially disbanded in 2008, the West Downtown Neighborhood association continues these efforts. The Lincoln Park neighborhood is a locally designated historic district.[29][30] Within the Lincoln Park neighborhood sits the 22-acre Lincoln Park, home of the also locally designed historic landmark the Lamon House.[29] The Danville Neighborhood Leadership Council works to promote neighborhood associations, improve quality of life, and coordinate with City of Danville departments.[25][31]

Danville is broadly divided into three districts. including the downtown district, the retail district, and the campus district.[32][33][34] The downtown district consists of the historic core of the city, the retail district includes the northside retail corridor, and the campus district includes the Danville Area Community College (DACC) and VA campuses on the city's east side.

Economics

Danville's main shopping center is the Village Mall, opened in 1975. Additional retail has spread north on Route 1/Vermilion Street since the early 90s, ranging from traditional big-box stores to retail infill and redevelopment of abandoned shopping centers. Retail in the community has increased after a large influx of redevelopment and green development, beginning in 2013 with the addition of Meijer and the Kohl's Plaza.

Portions of Danville are covered under the Illinois Enterprise Zone Program tax incentive program.[35] Additionally, the City of Danville has created five Tax Increment Financing districts, including downtown, campus corridor, midtown, east Voorhees, and western gateway.[36] Other available programs include a small business revolving loan fund and a downtown special service area (SSA).[36][37][38] Economic development initiatives in the county, including in Danville, are covered by the organization Vermilion Advantage as well as Downtown Danville Inc, the City of Danville, and other partners.[39][40]

The largest employment sectors in the Danville MSA are government (22.5%), manufacturing (17.8%), and retail (13.1%).[41]

Culture

Tourism

Tourism provides a significant economic impact to the Danville area.[42] Danville is rich in Lincoln history, with over 12 sites commemorating his 18 years practicing law there while riding the 8th Judicial Circuit.[43] Danville is a designated Looking for Lincoln gateway community and is home of three Looking for Lincoln wayside exhibits.[43][44]

Other tourist attractions include the historic downtown district, home of the Fischer Theatre, which includes a museum dedicated to the many famous performers who have lived in Danville, including Dick Van Dyke, Jerry Van Dyke, Donald O'Connor, Bobby Short, and Helen Morgan.[45][46][47] The downtown area also includes the performance space Temple Plaza, Palmer Arena and ice rink, and 18 murals painted in 4 days by 160 Walldog artists from all over the world.[47][48]

Danville is home to a number of noteworthy buildings and structures, including 10 places on the National Register of Historic Places and 21 places on the local registry.[29] These notable places include a Carnegie library, now operating as the Vermilion County War Museum; the Fithian Home, where Abraham Lincoln gave a speech in 1858; and the Danville Branch, National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers Historic District, currently located on the campus of DACC; the VA; and the Danville National Cemetery.[49][50][51][52]

Events and festivals

In July the city attracts hot air balloon enthusiasts from around the region for Balloons Over Vermilion, which takes place at the Vermilion Regional Airport, and a Splash-n-Dash flight over Lake Vermilion.[53][54][55] In June regional artists descend on Danville for the annual Arts in the Park event in the historic Lincoln Park.[56][57] Throughout the summer downtown's Temple Plaza hosts the Summer Sounds Concert Series.[58][59][60] The area is home to many other events throughout the year, including parades, farmers' markets, sporting events, and festivals.

Cultural institutions

Danville is home to several significant cultural institutions and museums. Artistic institutions include the Danville Art League, headquartered in the west downtown neighborhood; the Danville Symphony Orchestra; the Danville Light Opera; the Dark Horse Theater Company; the Red Mask Players; and the DACC Players (from the Danville Area Community College.[61][62][63] Performance venues include the historic Fischer Theatre, the Kathryn Randolph Theater, and the performance venues on DACC's campus. Museums in the city include the Vermilion County Museum, the Vermilion County War Museum, and the Fischer Arts & Entertainment Museum.[64][65][66]

Sports

Outside of high school and Danville Area Community College sports, Danville is home to two sports teams. The Danville Dans are a summer collegiate wooden-bat baseball team that play in Danville Stadium. They were founded in 1989 as a member of the Central Illinois Collegiate League, which later merged with the Prospect League. The team has won nine championships, all of them coming in the CICL. The Danville Dashers are now the oldest team in the Federal Prospects Hockey League, being founded in 2011. They play in the David S. Palmer Arena. The Arena opened in 1980, and the original tenants were also called the Danville Dashers. The new Dashers have won one title, in 2017.

TeamSportLeagueVenue
Danville DansBaseballProspect LeagueDanville Stadium
Danville DashersIce HockeyFederal Prospects Hockey LeagueDavid S. Palmer Arena

Government

Recent mayors
  • 1967–1971: Al Gardner[67]
  • 1971–1975: Rolland E. Craig
  • 1975–1985: David S. Palmer, namesake of David S. Palmer Arena
  • 1985: Wilbur Scharlau, appointed acting mayor by city council following Palmer's death
  • 1985–1986: Hardin W. Hawes, appointed acting mayor following Scharlau's resignation[68]
  • 1986–1987: Wilbur Scharlau, appointed mayor following resignation of Hawes
  • 1987–2003: Robert E. Jones, namesake of Danville Municipal building
  • 2003–2018: Scott Eisenhauer, namesake of Danville Public Works Building
  • 2018–present: Rickey Williams Jr., appointed Acting Mayor by the city council, following Eisenhauer's resignation. Elected to full term on April 2, 2019. Defeated Former Vermilion County Board Chairman James McMahon, Alderman Steve Nichols, and Donald Crews.

The City of Danville website maintains the complete list of mayors from 1867 to present.[69]

Education

College

Primary and secondary education
High schools
Middle schools
Elementary schools
  • Cannon
  • Schlarman Academy
  • Danville Lutheran School
  • First Baptist Christian School
  • Edison
  • Garfield
  • Liberty
  • Mark Denman (formerly known as East Park)
  • Meade Park
  • Northeast
  • South View Upper Elementary (5th and 6th Grade, formerly known as South View Middle School)
  • Southwest

Transportation

The general aviation community is served by the Vermilion Regional Airport.

Danville is known as a major railroad intersection with at least four different tracks entering town from different directions, resulting in many crossings throughout the town. CSX Transportation, Norfolk Southern Railway, and Kankakee, Beaverville and Southern Railroad all operate rail lines that pass through Danville.[70]

Danville Mass Transit (DMT) operates 14 fixed route buses in Danville and surrounding areas.[71]

Notable people
Main article: List of people from Danville, Illinois

See also

References
  1. Stapp, Katherine; W. I. Bowman (1968). History Under Our Feet: The Story of Vermilion County, Illinois. Danville, Illinois: Interstate Printers and Publishers, Inc. pp. 54–55.
  2. "2016 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved Jun 29, 2017.
  3. "2010 City Population and Housing Occupancy Status". U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved May 14, 2012.
  4. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved May 21, 2020.
  5. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on 2011-05-31. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
  6. Bureau, U. S. Census. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2020-03-31.
  7. Jones, Lottie (1911). History of Vermilion County, Illinois. Chicago: Pioneer Publishing Company. p. 89.
  8. Wright, Bob (1987). Danville: A Pictorial History. St. Louis, Missouri: G. Bradley Publishing, Inc. p. 8. ISBN 0-943963-01-X.
  9. "Kickapoo - State Recreation Area". Illinois Department of Natural Resources. Archived from the original on 2010-11-02. Retrieved 2007-10-20.
  10. "Danville coal member". Indiana Geological Survey. Retrieved 2007-10-20.
  11. Kostiuk, Lauren (2020-02-19). "New synthetic opioid stronger than Narcan hits Midwest, family shares message". WRSP. Retrieved 2020-02-20.
  12. "G001 - Geographic Identifiers - 2010 Census Summary File 1". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on 2020-02-13. Retrieved 2015-12-27.
  13. "Monthly Averages for Danville, Illinois". The Weather Channel. Retrieved 2011-01-27.
  14. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  15. "Danville, Ill. the cheapest place to live in the U.S." Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 2014-05-29.
  16. "Parks". City of Danville, Illinois. Retrieved 2019-04-15.
  17. "Parks & Recreation | Vermilion Advantage". www.vermilionadvantage.com. Retrieved 2019-04-15.
  18. "Lake Vermilion County Park – Vermilion County Conservation District". Retrieved 2019-04-15.
  19. IL 61834, 2607 Denmark Road Danville. "Lake Vermillion County Park". Enjoy Illinois. Retrieved 2019-04-15.
  20. "Vermilion River". www.ifishillinois.org. Retrieved 2019-04-15.
  21. IL 61832, 1031 N. Logan Ave Danville. "Lamon House". Enjoy Illinois. Retrieved 2019-04-15.
  22. "Harrison Park Golf Course | Danville, IL". www.harrisonparkgolfcourse.com. Retrieved 2019-04-15.
  23. "Heron County Park Wetlands Boardwalk | Danville Area Convention and Visitors' Bureau". Retrieved 2019-04-15.
  24. "DanvilleUSA©". www.sculpturaldesigns.com. Retrieved 2019-04-15.
  25. "Neighborhood Associations". City of Danville, Illinois. Retrieved 2019-05-20.
  26. "West Downtown Neighborhood Plan" (PDF). City of Danville. July 29, 2011.
  27. BAILEYCommercial-News, JENNIFER. "Residents keep Renaissance spirit alive". Commercial News. Retrieved 2019-05-20.
  28. BAILEYCommercial-News, JENNIFER. "Future plans". Commercial News. Retrieved 2019-05-20.
  29. "City of Danville Historic Landmarks" (PDF). City of Danville.
  30. "Historic Preservation Commission". City of Danville, Illinois. Retrieved 2019-05-20.
  31. "Danville Neighborhood Leadership Council" (PDF). City of Danville. Retrieved 2019-05-20.
  32. "Wayfinding Master Plan" (PDF). Danville Area Transportation Study (DATS). 2016. Retrieved 2019-05-20.
  33. "Projects". Danville Area Transportation Study. Retrieved 2019-05-20.
  34. jbailey@dancomnews.com, JENNIFER BAILEY. "Signs of the times". Commercial News. Retrieved 2019-05-20.
  35. "Enterprise Zone (EZ) Map | Vermilion Advantage". www.vermilionadvantage.com. Retrieved 2019-05-20.
  36. "Economic Incentives". City of Danville, Illinois. Retrieved 2019-05-20.
  37. "Special Service Area Implementation Steps & Requirements" (PDF). City of Danville. Retrieved 2019-05-20.
  38. "Small Business Revolving Loan" (PDF). City of Danville. 2018-04-03.
  39. "Vermilion Advantage | Let the pride flow through you". www.vermilionadvantage.com. Retrieved 2019-05-20.
  40. "Economic Development". City of Danville, Illinois. Retrieved 2019-05-20.
  41. "Major Employers | Vermilion Advantage". www.vermilionadvantage.com. Retrieved 2019-05-20.
  42. Crook, Jordan. "Danville area tourism records banner year". Newsbug.info. Retrieved 2019-08-18.
  43. "Gateway to Lincoln | Danville Area Convention and Visitors' Bureau". Retrieved 2019-05-20.
  44. "Vermilion County Museum, Danville visitors bureau dedicate exhibits". www.news-gazette.com. Retrieved 2019-05-20.
  45. "Danville Area Convention and Visitor's Bureau Visitor's Guide 2018-19" (PDF). Danville Area Convention and Visitor's Bureau.
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  47. "Destination Danville, a city reclaiming its treasures". illinoistimes.com. Retrieved 2019-05-20.
  48. "Murals | Danville Area Convention and Visitors' Bureau". Retrieved 2019-05-20.
  49. "Vermilion County War Museum". www.vcwm.org. Retrieved 2019-05-20.
  50. "Vermilion County Museum - History". www.vermilioncountymuseum.org. Retrieved 2019-05-20.
  51. "National Registry of Historic Places Registration Form" (PDF). National Park Service.
  52. Administration, National Cemetery. "Danville National Cemetery, IL - National Cemetery Administration". www.cem.va.gov. Retrieved 2019-05-20.
  53. "Balloons Over Vermilion | Danville, Illinois | Hot Air Balloon Event". Balloons Over Vermilion. Retrieved 2019-05-20.
  54. "Balloons Over Vermilion Awaits 2019". WDAN-AM. 2018-07-26. Retrieved 2019-05-20.
  55. "Events List 2019". Danville Boat Club: A Social Club for boaters & non-boaters alike. Retrieved 2019-05-20.
  56. "ARTS IN THE PARK". Arts in the Park. Retrieved 2019-05-20.
  57. Kirkham, Brianna. "Arts in the Park". Commercial News. Retrieved 2019-05-20.
  58. "Summer Sounds 2019 Concert Series | Downtown Danville, Inc". Retrieved 2019-05-21.
  59. "Events | Downtown Danville, Inc". Retrieved 2019-05-21.
  60. jbailey@dancomnews.com, JENNIFER BAILEY. "Downtown Summer Sounds ready to start 20th year". Commercial News. Retrieved 2019-05-21.
  61. "Visitors Guide | Danville Area Convention and Visitors' Bureau". Retrieved 2019-08-18.
  62. "Facilities Rental Guidelines | Danville Area Community College". www.dacc.edu. Retrieved 2019-08-18.
  63. croehm@dancomnews.com, CAROL ROEHM. "'Time warp again'". Commercial News. Retrieved 2019-08-18.
  64. "Museum | The Fischer Theatre". fischertheatre.com. Retrieved 2019-08-18.
  65. "Vermilion County Museum". vermilioncountymuseum.org. Retrieved 2019-08-18.
  66. "Vermilion County War Museum". www.vcwm.org. Retrieved 2019-08-18.
  67. Brian Huchel (2004-08-22). "Former Danville mayor dies". Commercial-News. Archived from the original on 2007-09-28. Retrieved 2009-10-28.
  68. Jennifer Weakley (2002-05-14). "Mayor's secretary retires". Commercial-News. Archived from the original on 2007-09-28. Retrieved 2009-10-28.
  69. "Mayoral History". City of Danville, Illinois. Archived from the original on 2011-07-22. Retrieved 2009-10-28.
  70. "Illinois Railroad Map" (PDF). Illinois Department of Transportation. January 2006. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2007-08-22. Retrieved 2007-09-23.
  71. "About DMT". Danville Mass Transit. June 2015. Retrieved 2015-06-03.
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