Bonpas Township, Richland County, Illinois

Bonpas Township is located in Richland County, Illinois. As of the 2010 census, its population was 390 and it contained 160 housing units.[2]

Bonpas Township
Location of Illinois in the United States
Location of Illinois in the United States
Coordinates: 38°36′30″N 87°58′00″W / 38.60833°N 87.96667°W / 38.60833; -87.96667
CountryUnited States
StateIllinois
CountyRichland
SettledNovember 4, 1879
Area
 • Total
37.53 sq mi (97.2 km2)
 • Land37.53 sq mi (97.2 km2)
 • Water0.01 sq mi (0.03 km2)
Elevation
420 ft (130 m)
Population
 (2010)
 • Estimate 
(2016)[1]
385
 • Density10.4/sq mi (4.0/km2)
Time zoneUTC-6 (CST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC-5 (CDT)
FIPS code17-159-07289

History

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Bonpas Township was formed after an 1858 election, in which county voters chose to adopt a township-based model of county government, in place of the old precinct-based system.[3]: 622  Named for Bonpas Creek, which flows through its boundaries, the township was originally heavily wooded. Early settlers favored this part of Richland County above others, but as experience taught the value of flat prairie ahead of hilly woodlands, the township languished. Before the coming of the Ohio and Mississippi Railway, when good transportation was unavailable, most coal and stone used in Richland County came from Bonpas Township.[3]: 626 

Geography

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According to the 2010 census, the township has a total area of 37.53 square miles (97.2 km2), of which 37.53 square miles (97.2 km2) (or 100%) is land and 0.01 square miles (0.026 km2) (or 0.03%) is water.[2]

Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note
2016 (est.)385[1]
U.S. Decennial Census[4]

References

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  1. ^ a b "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved June 9, 2017.
  2. ^ a b "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County -- County Subdivision and Place -- 2010 Census Summary File 1". United States Census. Archived from the original on February 12, 2020. Retrieved May 28, 2013.
  3. ^ a b Counties of Cumberland, Jasper, and Richland, Illinois : historical and biographical. Chicago: F.A. Battey, 1884.
  4. ^ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2016.
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