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Quincy, known as the Gem City, is a city located in Adams County, Illinois . As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 40,366. It is the County Seat of Adams County . GEOGRAPHY Quincy is located at 39°55'56" North, 91°23'19" West (39.932335, -91.388737). According to the United States Census Bureau , the city has a total area of 37.9 Km&2 (14.6 Mi&2 ). 37.9 km&2 (14.6 mi&2) of it is land and 0.1 km&2 (0.04 mi&2) of it is water. The total area is 0.20% water. HISTORY Quincy sits on the banks of the Mississippi River . The site was home to Sauk , Fox and Kickapoo Native American Tribe s. Quincy’s founder, John Wood , came west from Moravia, New York in 1818 and settled in the Illinois Military Tract . Wood purchased 160 acres from a Veteran for $60 and the next year became the first settler in what was originally called "Bluffs," and by 1825 would be known as Quincy. Wood was later elected Lieutenant Governor Of Illinois in 1856 and became Governor in 1860 upon the death of elected Governor William Henry Bissell . In 1825 Quincy became the Adams County seat, both named in honor of the newly-elected U.S. President , John Quincy Adams . Five thousand members of The Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter Day Saints , the Mormons , were driven from their homes in Missouri and arrived in Quincy during the winter of 1838-1839. Though vastly outnumbered by the new arrivals, the residents of Quincy provided food and shelter for the Mormons until Joseph Smith led his followers 40 Mile s up river to the settlement of Nauvoo. Quincy’s earliest settlers, primarily from New England in origin, were joined by a wave of German Immigrant s in the 1840s. The new residents brought with them much needed skills for the expanding Community . The matter of Slavery was a major religious and social issue in Quincy’s early years. The Illinois city’s location, separated only by the Mississippi River from the slave state of Missouri, made Quincy a hotbed of political controversy. Dr. Eells House, at 415 Jersey, was considered station number one on the Underground Railroad from Quincy to Chicago . Father Augustine Tolton became the nation's first black Priest when he was ordained on April 24 , 1886 . He celebrated Mass for the first time in Quincy on July 18 , 1886 . Quincy grew rapidly in the 1850s. In the 1850s Steamboat arrivals and departures made Quincy’s riverfront a beehive of activity. Quincy was a site for the sixth Senatorial Debate by U.S. Senator Stephen A. Douglas and his challenger, Abraham Lincoln . Quincy was the largest city in which Lincoln and Douglas appeared. The Civil War brought increasing prosperity to Quincy. By 1870, Quincy passed Peoria to become the second largest city in Illinois. A massive Railroad Bridge across the Mississippi River had been completed, and Quincy was linked by rail to Omaha, Nebraska , Kansas City and points west. Twice recognized as an All-American City , Quincy has a vast collection of some of the most impressive Architecture of any community in Illinois, including several Gothic style churches. The Villa Kathrine, a Moroccan Castle situated on the river bluffs, is a unique example of Mediterranean Architecture in the Midwest . The city is home to Quincy University , a Catholic Franciscan College founded in 1860, John Wood Community College , as well as a Technical College and the Blessing-Riemann College of Nursing. The city is also home to several Museum s, an extensive Park system, several manufacturing companies, high tech & telecommunications companies and a large health care system. Quincy is home to several performing arts organizations including the Quincy Symphony Orchestra , Quincy Community Theater and the Muddy River Opera Company . Quincy is the birthplace and childhood home of silent & sound film actress Mary Astor . During the Mississippi River Flood Of 1993 , riverside businesses and industries suffered extensive damage when the river crested a record 32 feet (9.8 meters) above flood stage. For a time, the Bayview and Memorial Bridges were the only bridges across the Mississippi River open between Alton, Illinois and Burlington, Iowa . On July 16, the bridges closed for 40 days when the river submerged the western approaches. DEMOGRAPHICS As of the Census of 2000, there were 40,366 people, 16,546 households, and 10,109 families residing in the city. The Population Density was 1,066.0/km&2 (2,761.2/mi&2). There were 18,043 housing units at an average density of 476.5/km&2 (1,234.2/mi&2). The racial makeup of the city was 93.02% White , 4.65% African American , 0.19% Native American , 0.54% Asian , 0.01% Pacific Islander , 0.36% from Other Races , and 1.22% from two or more races. 0.94% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. There were 16,546 households out of which 28.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.3% were Married Couples living together, 11.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.9% were non-families. 33.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.30 and the average family size was 2.94. In the city the population was spread out with 23.4% under the age of 18, 10.0% from 18 to 24, 25.8% from 25 to 44, 20.9% from 45 to 64, and 19.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 88.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.3 males. The median income for a household in the city was $30,956, and the median income for a family was $40,718. Males had a median income of $30,734 versus $20,748 for females. The Per Capita Income for the city was $17,479. 12.2% of the population and 9.2% of families were below the Poverty Line . 15.2% of those under the age of 18 and 8.3% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line. POPULATION CENTERS Quincy is considered a , Ewbanks , Hickory Grove , West Quincy, Mo , and North Quincy . With the city of Quincy and the surrounding area the population is about 46,966 people. A recent survey shown that within 10 miles of Quincy, the population exceeds 55,000 people. The survey was extended to 25 miles and showed that there are 112,000 people in the area. The Sansone Group conducted the survey when constructing the Prairie Crossings Shopping Complex on the east side of Quincy. Quincy also lies between Hannibal, Missouri and Keokuk, Iowa . Many people from those communities commute to Quincy throughout the week, increasing the city's population further. Suburbs
Other feeder cities
MEDIA See Also: List of media outlets in Quincy, Illinois With regards to television service, the Quincy area is served by affiliates of CBS , FOX , NBC and the WB Television Network . It is also served by three different newspapers, the largest of which is the Quincy Herald-Whig . As of February 2006, Quincy has 17 FM stations, 5 AM stations, and one NOAA Wideband Weather Radio station. ATTRACTIONS See Also: List of attractions in Quincy, Illinois As the largest city between the Quad Cities and the St. Louis metropolitan area, the Quincy area contains numerous architectural and historical destinations. Some of the more featured attractions in the city include the Quincy Museum, the Garden Musem of Architecture and Design, and the Villa Katherine Castle. During the year, the city holds numerous events. Some of these events are located on the riverfront, such as the annual Fourth of July fireworks show, the U.S. Catfish Anglers Tournament, and "Movies on the Muddy" — an event that offers showings of recently released movies along the banks of the Mississippi River. Other events take place in some of the city's neighborhoods, such as Washington Square. TRANSPORTATION Interstate 72 passes just south of Quincy. Its spur route, Interstate 172 , passes just east of town. In recent years, the Prairie Crossings Shopping Complex has been a focal point for development in this area. Illinois Route 104 (Broadway) is a main east-west artery from the Mississippi River bridges to Interstate 172. Illinois Route 96 enters the city from the southeast and travels north (through the east side of Quincy) to U.S. Route 24 . Illinois Route 57 branches south from U.S. 24 downtown and passes Quincy's Civic Center on its way to Interstate 172 southeast of the city. Illinois 96 also serves as the Great River Road , which follows the path of the Mississippi River. Eastbound U.S. 24 crosses the Mississippi River from Missouri on the Quincy Memorial Bridge , while westbound traffic uses the newer Bayview Bridge . On the Missouri side, U.S. Route 61 carries the Avenue Of The Saints , a four-lane highway connecting Saint Louis and the Twin Cities . The Avenue of the Saints gets its name from Saint Louis and Saint Paul, Minnesota . The Quincy Regional Airport is to Quincy's east, about 5 miles (8 km) past the city limits. Quincy is also an Amtrak community with a rail station on the north side of town. Quincy and nearby Hannibal, Missouri share a public bus line and taxi company. Quincy can also be reached by rail, by the once daily Amtrak Illinois Zephyr . Ongoing projects will improve transportation links with nearby major cities. U.S. Route 36 , south of Quincy and multiplexed with Interstate 72, is currently (as of early 2006) being upgraded to a 4-lane highway, which will connect Quincy with Saint Joseph, Missouri and Kansas City, Missouri . With the continuing improvements to Illinois Route 336 north of the city, Quincy should also have a direct connection to Peoria in 2009. SEE ALSO
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