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History Cairo was founded in 1837 by the Cairo City and Canal Company, after an earlier effort (1818) had failed, and incorporated as a city in 1858. For fifteen years the town grew slowly, but the sale of lots, which commenced in 1853, and the completion of the Illinois Central Railroad attracted settlers, with the result that by 1860 the population exceeded 2,000. It was an important steamboat port in the nineteenth century; Cairo even had its own Customs House, which has since been converted into a museum. This important stucture was designed by Alfred B Mullet, the U.S. Supervising Architect during Reconstruction, and is one of only seven of his structures remaining. During the American Civil War Cairo was of great strategic importance and for several months both Grant and Foote had headquarters there. The town has a number of fine examples of prosperous nineteenth-century and early twentieth-century architecture, included Magnolia Manor and Riverlore Mansion. Much of the city, even in some areas of decay, is listed on the Nation Register of Historic Places. The population of Cairo has been in decline every decade since the 1920s—in 1920: 15,203; in 1940: 14,407; 1950: 12,123. There is a movement to stop this slow abandonment, and restore Cairo's architectural gems, develop tourism focusing on its rich history and bringing new opportunities back to the community. In 1969, Cairo, the most prominent segregated town in the state of Illinois, was the site of an intense civil rights struggle. The threat of violence resulted in the National Guard being called in to restore order. White-owned businesses were boycotted in an effort of protest led by the United Front civil rights organization. Despite these events, Cairo has slowly emerged from this contention within the town. Cairo today faces many significant socio-economic challenges, including poverty, teenage pregnancy, education, and a lack of jobs. There is now a community clinic offering medical and dental care, and also several mental health services. Much of Cairo’s turbulent history was chronicled on a music CD called Greetings From Cairo, Illinois released in 2005. Historical places Geography Cairo is located at (37.013144, -89.180345) (see Geographic references). The elevation above sea level is 315 feet (96 m). According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 23.6 km² (9.1 mi²), including 5.4 km² (2.1 mi²) of water (22.78 % of the total area). Demographics As of the census of 2000, there were 3,632 people, 1,561 households, and 900 families residing in the city. The population density was 198.9/km² (515.1/mi²). There were 1,885 housing units at an average density of 103.2 per km² (267.3 per mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 35.93 % White, 61.70 % Black or African American, 0.08 % Native American, 0.72 % Asian, 0.03 % Pacific Islander, 0.36 % from other races, and 1.18 % from two or more races; 0.74 % of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. There were 1,561 households out of which 30.4 % have children under the age of 18 living with them, 29.3 % were married couples living together, 25.2 % had a female householder with no husband present, and 42.3 % were non-families. Of all households, 39.7 % are made up of individuals and 17.6 % had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.26 and the average family size was 3.08. The age distribution is 30.4 % under the age of 18, 8.1 % from 18 to 24, 22.0 % from 25 to 44, 21.6 % from 45 to 64, and 17.9 % 65 years of age or older. The median age is 36 years. For every 100 females there were 79.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 70.2 males. The median income for a household in the city was $21,607, and the median income for a family was $28,242. Males had a median income of $28,798 versus $18,125 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,220. Of the population as a whole, 33.5 % lives below the poverty line, as compared with 27.1 % of families. Out of the total population, 47.0 % of those under the age of 18 and 20.9 % of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line. Education The city is served by Cairo Unit School District 1. The district has two elementary schools, Bennett Elementary School and Emerson Elementary School. Middle and high school students attend Cairo Junior/Senior High School. See also Trivia | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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