Lawrence is an unincorporated community and census-designated place in Chemung Township, McHenry County, Illinois, United States. Lawrence is 2 miles (3.2 km) northwest of Harvard. It was named a CDP before the 2020 census, at which time it had a population of 220.[3]
Lawrence, Illinois | |
|---|---|
  Lawrence  Lawrence | |
| Coordinates: 42°26′28″N 88°38′28″W / 42.44111°N 88.64111°W | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  Illinois |
| County | McHenry |
| Township | Chemung |
| Area | |
| • Total | 0.37 sq mi (0.95 km2) |
| • Land | 0.37 sq mi (0.95 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 906 ft (276 m) |
| Population (2020) | |
| • Total | 220 |
| • Density | 597.83/sq mi (231.07/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| Area code(s) | 815 & 779 |
| GNIS feature ID | 411867[2] |
History
editA post office called Lawrence was established in 1856, and remained in operation until it was discontinued in 1903.[4] The community was named for Lawrence Bigsby, the owner of the original town site.[5]
Demographics
edit| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 220 | — | |
| U.S. Decennial Census[6] 2020[7] | |||
Lawrence first appeared as a census designated place in the 2020 U.S. Census.[7]
2020 census
edit| Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic) | Pop 2020[7] | % 2020 |
|---|---|---|
| White alone (NH) | 159 | 72.27% |
| Black or African American alone (NH) | 6 | 2.73% |
| Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) | 0 | 0.00% |
| Asian alone (NH) | 2 | 0.91% |
| Pacific Islander alone (NH) | 0 | 0.00% |
| Other race alone (NH) | 0 | 0.00% |
| Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) | 11 | 5.00% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 42 | 19.09% |
| Total | 220 | 100.00% |
January 2008 Tornado
editIn early January 2008, an ef3 tornado went through Lawrence. This caused major damage to several houses in the community.[8] Although no deaths were reported, several injuries occurred. Although the initial tornado did little damage, a train that was operated by Wisconsin rail had been derailed and a tanker car containing radioactive elements smashed into the back of the locomotive before flipping over and leaking radioactive elements over the rails. This caused concerns to the community of Lawrence and later evacuated people in Lawrence and northern areas of the nearby town of Harvard. A fire was reported after the derailing of the train. The damage in the train crash is not known. Although the tornado alone caused about 8.3 million dollars in damages most likely from the train crash as the tornado did minor damage outside of Lawrence.[9]
References
edit- ^ "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 15, 2022.
- ^ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Lawrence, Illinois
- ^ "Lawrence CDP, Illinois". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 12, 2021.
- ^ "McHenry County". Jim Forte Postal History. Retrieved March 22, 2015.
- ^ Chicago and North Western Railway Company (1908). A History of the Origin of the Place Names Connected with the Chicago & North Western and Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis & Omaha Railways. p. 93.
- ^ "Decennial Census of Population and Housing by Decades". US Census Bureau.
- ^ a b c "P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Lawrence CDP, Illinois". United States Census Bureau.
- ^ Today, U. S. A. "EF1 tornado on Jan. 07, 2008 17:22 PM CST". USA Today. Retrieved February 18, 2024.
- ^ US Department of Commerce, NOAA. "January 7, 2008, Tornado". www.weather.gov. Retrieved February 18, 2024.
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