Introduction
Stephenson County, with the county seat of Freeport, has a population of 47,711 according to the most recent U.S. Census. The county is named for Colonel Benjamin Stephenson, an official of the Illinois Territory.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Stephenson County has a total area of 565 square miles, of which 565 square miles is land and 0.5 square miles is water.
Major Highways
Stephenson County has a largely agricultural community, as well as many residents working in manufacturing, health care, transportation, and retail, keeping its roadways busy. Unfortunately, this also means that motor vehicle accidents are common including agricultural truck accidents, work zone accidents, car and truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, and accidents involving animals.
According to the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), in 2017, Stephenson County had 864 motor vehicle accidents. Of these accidents, five (5) were fatal, 174 resulted in injuries, and 44 of these accidents resulted in A-injuries, or injuries that are classified by IDOT as any injury, other than a fatality, that prevents the injured person from walking, driving, or continuing with the activities they were capable of prior to the accident. This can include severe lacerations, skull and chest injuries, broken limbs, and abdominal injuries.
The major highways that run through Stephenson County include: U.S. Highway 20, Illinois Route 26, Illinois Route 73, and Illinois Route 75.
Climate and Weather
Stephenson County weather is typical for Illinois, with highs averaging 82 °F during the summer months and lows averaging 9 °F during winter. On average, Stephenson County gets 34.8 inches of measurable precipitation in the form of rain, snow, or hail, which not only contributes to motor vehicle accidents, but also slip and falls, pedestrian accidents, and bicycle accidents.
Demographics
Stephenson County has approximately 19,845 households with 50.3% of these households consisting of married couples and 28.6% with children under the age of 18. The median household income of Stephenson County is $43,304 and the median income for families is $54,224, making Stephenson County a middle-class, family-oriented community.
Stephenson County takes seriously the health and safety of its children, families, and senior residents offering various programs geared towards promoting healthy lifestyles, providing accessible and affordable medical care to lower-income residents, and ensuring that children, adults, and seniors are provided access to any additional help they may require during difficult times.
Stephenson County lawyers at America’s Consumer Lawyer can also assist during these difficult times including incidents of nursing home abuse and neglect, motor vehicle accidents, premises accidents, and child accidents, abuse, or neglect.
Communities
City: Freeport
Town: Dakota
Villages: Cedarville, Davis, German Valley, Lena, Orangeville, Pearl City, Ridott, Rock City, Winslow
Census-Designated Place: Lake Summerset
Unincorporated Communities: Afolkey, Bolton, Buckhorn Corners, Buena Vista, Damascus, Eleroy, Evarts, Florence, Kent, Loran, McConnell, Oneco, Red Oak, Rock Grove, Scioto Mills, Waddams Grove, West Junction, Winneshiek
Townships: Buckeye, Dakota, Erin, Florence, Freeport, Harlem, Jefferson, Kent, Lancaster, Loran, Oneco, Ridott, Rock Grove, Rock Run, Silver Creek, Waddams, West Point, Winslow
Education
Public Schools
- Dakota Community Unit School District 201
- Freeport School District 145
- Lena-Winslow Community Unit School District 202
- Orangeville Community Unit School District 203
- Pearl City Community Unit School District 200
Colleges and Universities
- Highland Community College
When sending your child off to school you assume they will remain safe, however, this isn’t always the case. School bus accidents, gym and physical education accidents, lack of supervision, playground injuries, and school district negligence are just a few examples of the types of school injury cases America’s Consumer Lawyer has experience with.
Attractions
Stephenson County has many activities and attractions to offer its residents and visitors, including:
- Krape Park
- Lake Le-Aqua-Na
- Jane Addams Trail
- Famous Fossil Winery
- Silver Creek and Stephenson Railroad and Museum
While most of the time spent at these attractions will be enjoyable and uneventful, accidents can occur, including slip and falls, dog bites, bicycle accidents, swimming, boating, and drowning accidents, camping injuries, and motor vehicle accidents.
Agruss Personal Injury: People, First
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