Richland County, Illinois

Founding: 1841
Parent counties: Clay and Lawrence

Namesake: A descriptive name
Seat: Olney (1841–)

Land area: 356 square miles

Population (2020): 15,813

Population (historic): 4,012 (1850); 12,803 (1870); 15,019 (1890); 15,970 (1910); 14,053 (1930)

Periods of population growth: pre-1850–1880; 1890s; 1920–1940; 1960–1980; 2000s

Subdivisions: One city; four villages; nine townships

Pre-1940 residences (estimated): 1,236 (16.4%)
Pre-1940 housing survival rate: 34.7%
Pre-1860 housing survival rate (1940): 7.4%

Farm housing in disrepair (1950): 9.6%

Nonfarm housing in disrepair (1950): 10%

Average farmhouse value (1930): $905
Average outbuilding value (1930): $730

Average farmhouse size (1940): 5.3 rooms
Number of farms (1920): 1,930
Average farm size (1920): 96.5 acres
Sources of settlement: Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, and Germany
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Olney

Namesake: Unknown

Founding: 1841 (platting); 1841 (post office); 1848 (incorporation)

Population (2020): 8,701

Population (historic): 1,435 (1860); 3,512 (1880); 4,260 (1900); 6,140 (1930)

Periods of population growth: pre-1860–1910; 1920–1980; 2000s
Pre-1940 residences (estimated): 802 (18%)
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Outstanding Buildings

1. John Fritschle House (1862). 5686 Gadde Bridge Lane. Olney.
2. Larchmound / Beard McCauley House (1866). 1030 South Morgan Street. Olney. Gothic Revival/Greek Revival.

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