The area east of Du Quoin is known as Old Du Quoin.[3] In the early 19th century, Du Quoin was near the Lusk's Ferry Road, an important early road that connected Kaskaskia with Lusk's Ferry on the Ohio River. The road ran easterly out of Steeleville to a point southwest of Du Quoin. There it turned to the southeast to cross the Big Muddy River and head for Lusk's Ferry.
Du Quoin had its start at its present location in 1853 when the railroad was extended to that point.[4] The city was named after Chief Jean Baptiste Ducoigne of the Kaskaskia, an Illiniwek people, who were defeated by the Shawnee near here in 1802.
The first mayor of Du Quoin was George Spencer Smith.[5]
Geography
The city of Du Quoin is located in the southeastern portion of Perry County, Illinois.
According to the 2010 census, Du Quoin has a total area of 7.061 square miles (18.29 km2), of which 6.98 square miles (18.08 km2) (or 98.85%) is land and 0.081 square miles (0.21 km2) (or 1.15%) is water.[6]
Climate
Climate data for Du Quoin, Illinois (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1895–present)
Du Quoin is served by a weekly newspaper, the Weekly-Press. Du Quoin is also served by radio stations WDQN AM 1580/FM 97.1 and WDQN-FM 95.9 FM. A former daily newspaper, the Du Quoin Call, was published from 1895 until 2022.[9]
Amtrak, the national passenger rail system, provides service to Du Quoin. Amtrak Train 391, the southbound Saluki, is scheduled to depart Du Quoin at 1:17 pm daily with service to Carbondale. Amtrak Train 393, the southbound Illini, is scheduled to depart Du Quoin at 9:07 pm daily serving the same point as the southbound Saluki. Amtrak Train 390, the northbound Saluki, is scheduled to depart Du Quoin at 7:51 am daily with service to Centralia, Effingham, Mattoon, Champaign-Urbana, Rantoul, Gilman, Kankakee, Homewood, and Chicago. Amtrak Train 392, the northbound Illini, is scheduled to depart Du Quoin at 4:36 pm daily serving the same points as the northbound Saluki.
As of the census[11] of 2000, there were 6,448 people, 2,716 households, and 1,648 families residing in the city. The population density was 939.3 inhabitants per square mile (362.7/km2). There were 2,988 housing units at an average density of 435.3 per square mile (168.1/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 90.23% White, 7.23% African American, 0.36% Native American, 0.34% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 0.36% from other races, and 1.44% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.32% of the population.
There were 2,716 households, out of which 28.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.0% were married couples living together, 12.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.3% were non-families. 35.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 19.9% 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 2.92.
In the city, the population was spread out, with 23.5% under the age of 18, 10.2% from 18 to 24, 24.9% from 25 to 44, 20.7% from 45 to 64, and 20.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 89.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.8 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $29,124, and the median income for a family was $37,688. Males had a median income of $33,576 versus $18,958 for females. The per capita income for the city was $14,883. About 13.3% of families and 18.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.6% of those under age 18 and 12.1% of those age 65 or over.
Medical care
Du Quoin is home to Marshall Browning Hospital, a 25-bed critical access facility, and two nursing homes. The nearest ICU is 25 miles away, at Memorial Hospital of Carbondale.[12]
Education
Du Quoin belongs in the Community Unit School District (CUSD) #300 and is composed of: Du Quoin Elementary School, Du Quoin Middle School, and Du Quoin High School. The Elementary and Middle School are in adjoining buildings that do share some common areas.(https://www.duquoinschools.org/)
Du Quoin is known for the large amount of Canada Geese that migrate for winter and to nest in Spring. Clutches between 3-8 goslings are common in April and May.
Notable people
Terry Deering, Illinois legislator; born in Du Quoin
Ralph A. Dunn, businessman and Illinois state legislator
^"Station: Du Quoin 4 SE, IL". U.S. Climate Normals 2020: U.S. Monthly Climate Normals (1991–2020). National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved July 26, 2021.