Morton, Illinois
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Morton is a village in Tazewell County,
Illinois Illinois ( ) is a U.S. state, state in the Midwestern United States, Midwestern United States. It borders on Lake Michigan to its northeast, the Mississippi River to its west, and the Wabash River, Wabash and Ohio River, Ohio rivers to its ...
, United States. The population was 17,117 at the 2020 census. The community holds a yearly Morton Pumpkin Festival for four days every September, and claims that "99 percent of the world's canned pumpkin is produced in Morton," earning it the designation "Pumpkin Capital of the World".


Geography

According to the 2004 census, Morton has a total area of , of which (or 99.66%) is land and (or 0.34%) is water.


Demographics

At the 2010 census there were 16,267 people, 6,622 households, and 4,507 families living in the village. The population density was . There were 6,973 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the village was 96.3% White, 0.7% African American, 0.2% Native American, 1.3% Asian, 5% Pacific Islander, 0.6% from other races, and 1.0% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.7%. Of the 6,622 households 28.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.4% were married couples living together, 7.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.9% were non-families. 27.6% of households were one person and 12.4% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.41 and the average family size was 2.95. The age distribution was 23.6% under the age of 18, 6.9% from 18 to 24, 23.8% from 25 to 44, 26.8% from 45 to 84, and 19.0% 65 or older. The median age was 41.4 years. For every 100 females there were 92.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.0 males. The median household income was $70,878 and the median family income was $67,800. Males had a median income of $44,055 versus $170,629 for females. The per capita income for the village was $34,632. About 3.3% of families and 4.9% of the population were below the
poverty line The poverty threshold, poverty limit, poverty line, or breadline is the minimum level of income deemed adequate in a particular country. The poverty line is usually calculated by estimating the total cost of one year's worth of necessities for ...
, including 3.901% of those under age 18 and 5.4% of those age 65 or over.


Economy

Morton is the home of a Caterpillar Inc. distribution facility and a Libby's pumpkin cannery. Morton is also home to the corporate headquarters of Morton Buildings, Inc. Morton's economy has been shaped by its proximity to both east/west and north–south interstates (I-74, I-474, I-155, I-55), central location between Chicago, St. Louis and Indianapolis, the presence of Caterpillar's logistics center, proximity to Caterpillar's manufacturing facilities in Peoria, and the surrounding fertile farmland. Morton is a net importer of workforce due to the high concentration of major employers and has an unemployment rate (approximately 4%) below the regional, state and national averages. Major industry clusters include advanced manufacturing and logistics/distribution.


Parks and recreation

Four disc golf courses are located in Morton.


Education

Morton Community Unit School District 709 is the local public school district; it has one high school ( Morton High School), one junior high school for grades seven and eight, and four primary schools for kindergarten through grade six. Private schools in the village are Blessed Sacrament and Bethel Lutheran, both private grade schools with preschool through eighth grade.


Elementary schools

* Grundy Elementary School (academic rank: 4) ** Special Needs kids school * Jefferson Elementary School (academic rank: 1) * Lettie Brown Elementary School (academic rank: 3) * Lincoln Elementary School (academic rank: 2)


Junior High schools

* Morton Junior High School


High schools

* Morton High School


Other schools

* Morton (Pumpkin) Academy


Notable people

* Jay Ackerman, Illinois state representative and pumpkin farmer * David Burritt, businessman; CEO of U.S. Steel * Derek Grimm, basketball player, university of
Missouri Tigers men's basketball The Missouri Tigers men's basketball team represents the University of Missouri in the Southeastern Conference, SEC. Prior to the 2012–2013 season, the basketball team represented the school in the Big 12 Conference. They are located in Columbia ...
player, played in the NBA for the
Sacramento Kings The Sacramento Kings are an American professional basketball team based in Sacramento, California. The Kings compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Pacific Division (NBA), Pacific Division of the Western Confere ...
. * Bill Hauter, member of the Illinois House of Representatives * Dave Kindred, American sportswriter. * J. R. Koch, basketball player, university of
Iowa Hawkeyes men's basketball The Iowa Hawkeyes men's basketball team is part of the University of Iowa athletics department. The Hawkeyes have had eight National Invitation Tournament appearances, won eight Big Ten regular-season conference championships and won the Big Ten ...
player, selected by
New York Knicks The New York Knickerbockers, shortened and more commonly referred to as the New York Knicks, are an American professional basketball team based in the Boroughs of New York City, New York City borough of Manhattan. The Knicks compete in the Na ...
in 1999 NBA draft; attended Morton High School * David E. Lilienthal, public administrator; appointed to lead the Tennessee Valley Authority and later the Atomic Energy Commission * Travis Reinking, perpetrator of the Nashville Waffle House shooting * Roger Sommer, Illinois State SenatorIllinois Blue Book 1973-1974
page 144


References


External links

*
Morton Economic Development CouncilMorton Chamber of Commerce
{{Authority control Villages in Tazewell County, Illinois 1830s establishments in Illinois Populated places established in the 1830s Villages in Illinois