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City of Champaign
City
none A view of Champaign from above (see wider view)
A view of Champaign from above (see wider view)
Country United States
State Illinois
County Champaign
Area 17. List of cities in Illinois, arranged in alphabetical order but does not include towns villages or unincorporated communities Wikipedia talkFeatured lists for an explanation of this and other inclusion tags below -->This list of countries, arranged alphabetically The United States of America —commonly referred to as the The political units and divisions of the United States include The 50 states (four of these being officially styled as Commonwealths) which are typically The State of Illinois ( roughly ill-i-NOY is a state of the United States of America, the 21st to be admitted to the Union. The links in the column FIPS County Code are to the Census Bureau Info page for that county Champaign County is a County located in the US state of Illinois. 0 sq mi (44 km²)
 - land 17. The square mile is an imperial and US unit of Area equal the area of a square of one statute mile. Square Kilometre ( US spelling square kilometer) symbol km2, is a decimal multiple of the SI unit of 0 sq mi (44 km²)
 - water 0. The square mile is an imperial and US unit of Area equal the area of a square of one statute mile. Square Kilometre ( US spelling square kilometer) symbol km2, is a decimal multiple of the SI unit of 04 sq mi (0. The square mile is an imperial and US unit of Area equal the area of a square of one statute mile. 1 km²), 0. Square Kilometre ( US spelling square kilometer) symbol km2, is a decimal multiple of the SI unit of 24%
Center
 - coordinates 40°06′47″N 88°15′40″W / 40.112981, -88.261227Coordinates: 40°06′47″N 88°15′40″W / 40.112981, -88.261227
 - elevation 738 ft (224. A geographic coordinate system enables every location on the Earth to be specified in three coordinates using mainly a spherical coordinate system. A foot (plural feet or foot; symbol or abbreviation ft or sometimes &prime – the prime symbol) is a non-SI unit 9 m)
Population 75,254 (2007)
Density 3,974. The metre or meter is a unit of Length. It is the basic unit of Length in the Metric system and in the International 6 /sq mi (1,535 /km²)
Founded 1855
 - Incorporated Town  ?
 - City Charter 1866
Mayor Gerald Schweighart
Time zone CST (UTC-6)
 - summer (DST) CDT (UTC-5)
Postal code 61820, 61821, 61822
Area code 217
Location of Champaign within Illinois
Location of Champaign within Illinois
Location of Illinois in the United States
Location of Illinois in the United States
Website : http://www.ci.champaign.il.us
"Champaign" redirects here. The square mile is an imperial and US unit of Area equal the area of a square of one statute mile. Square Kilometre ( US spelling square kilometer) symbol km2, is a decimal multiple of the SI unit of A municipal corporation is the legal term for a local governing body, including (but not necessarily limited to cities, counties, Towns A city charter or town charter (generically municipal charter) is a legal Document establishing a Municipality such as a City or The Central Time Zone observes Standard time by subtracting six hours from UTC during standard time ( UTC−6) and five hours during Daylight saving Areas using UTC−6 Single zone countries Belize Costa Rica El Salvador Guatemala The Central Time Zone observes Standard time by subtracting six hours from UTC during standard time ( UTC−6) and five hours during Daylight saving UTC−5 is the Time offset used in the North American Eastern Time Zone during Standard time and in the North American Central Time Zone during For topics with similar names, see Champagne.

Champaign is a city in Champaign County, Illinois, in the United States. Champaign County is a County located in the US state of Illinois. The State of Illinois ( roughly ill-i-NOY is a state of the United States of America, the 21st to be admitted to the Union. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the The city is located 135 miles south of Chicago and 124 miles west of Indianapolis, Indiana. Chicago (ʃɪˈkɑːgoʊ is the largest City by population in the state of Illinois and the American Midwest of the United States. The State of Indiana ( was the 19th US state admitted into the union Though in many respects Champaign is still a farm community, it is notable for sharing the campus of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign with its sibling city of Urbana. This article is about the flagship campus For other uses and locations of University of Illinois, see University of Illinois (disambiguation The University of Urbana (ɝˈbænə is the County seat of Champaign County, Illinois, United States. Thanks to the university and a number of well known technology startups (see below), Champaign is often referred to as the hub of, or at least a significant landmark of, the Silicon Prairie. The Silicon Prairie can refer to one of several places in the United States an area in Illinois, and more commonly one in Texas.

As reported in the 2000 U.S. Census, the city was home to 67,518 people. The city held a special census in 2007 that showed that its population had grown to 75,254. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. [1] The mayor is Gerald Schweighart, whose term will expire in 2011.

Contents

History of Champaign

The First Presbyterian Church of Champaign [1] founded 1850 in the city's historic 'Sesquicentennial Neighborhood', is the oldest church in town.
The First Presbyterian Church of Champaign [1] founded 1850 in the city's historic 'Sesquicentennial Neighborhood', is the oldest church in town. For the game see 1850 (board game. 1850 ( MDCCCL) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link

Champaign was founded in 1855, when the Illinois Central Railroad laid its rail track two miles west of downtown Urbana. Year 1855 ( MDCCCLV) was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian Calendar (or a Common year The Illinois Central, sometimes called the Main Line of Mid-America, was a railroad carrier in the central United States, with its primary routes Originally called "West Urbana," it was renamed Champaign when it acquired a city charter in 1860. Year 1860 ( MDCCLX) was a Leap year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian Calendar (or a Leap year starting Both the city and county name were derived from Champaign County, Ohio. Champaign County is a County located in the state of Ohio, United States.

On September 22, 1985, Champaign hosted the first Farm Aid concert at the University of Illinois' Memorial Stadium. Events 66 - Emperor Nero creates the Legion I Italica. 1236 - The Lithuanians Year 1985 ( MCMLXXXV) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link displays 1985 Gregorian calendar) Farm Aid started as a Benefit concert on September 22, 1985, in Champaign Illinois, held to raise money for Family farmers in the Memorial Stadium is a football Stadium located in Champaign Illinois, on the campus of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. The concert drew a crowd of 80,000 people and raised over $7 million for American family farmers.

In 2005, Champaign-Urbana (specifically the University of Illinois) was the location of the National Science Olympiad Tournament, attracting young scientists from all 50 states. Science Olympiad is a primarily American elementary, Middle school, or High school team competition that requires knowledge of various The city also hosts the state Science Olympiad competition every year. The University of Illinois is next expected to host the National competition in 2010.

Geography

Champaign is located at 40°6′47″N, 88°15′40″W (40. 112981, -88. 261227)[2].

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 17. The United States Census Bureau (officially Bureau of the Census as defined in Title) is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census 0 square miles (44. The square mile is an imperial and US unit of Area equal the area of a square of one statute mile. 1 km²), of which, 17. Square Kilometre ( US spelling square kilometer) symbol km2, is a decimal multiple of the SI unit of 0 square miles (44. 0 km²) of it is land and 0. 04 square miles (0. 1 km²) of it (0. 12%) is water.

Champaign shares a border with the neighboring city of Urbana; together they are home to the University of Illinois. Urbana (ɝˈbænə is the County seat of Champaign County, Illinois, United States. This article is about the flagship campus For other uses and locations of University of Illinois, see University of Illinois (disambiguation The University of Champaign, Urbana, and the bordering village of Savoy form the Champaign-Urbana Metropolitan Area also known as Urbana-Champaign or Champaign-Urbana. Savoy is a village in Champaign County, Illinois, United States. The Champaign-Urbana Metropolitan Statistical Area, also known as Champaign-Urbana and colloquially known as Chambana, is a metropolitan area in east It may also be colloquially known as the "Twin Cities" or Chambana. [3]

Demographics

As of the census[4] of 2000, there were 67,518 people, 27,071 households, and 12,452 families residing in the city. A census is the procedure of acquiring information about every member of a given population The population density was 3,974. Population density (in agriculture standing stock and Standing crop) is a measurement of Population per unit area or unit volume 6 people per square mile (1,534. 4/km²). There were 28,556 housing units at an average density of 1,681. 0/sq mi (648. 9/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 73. 16% White, 15. 62% African American, 0. 24% Native American, 6. 83% Asian, 0. 03% Pacific Islander, 1. 94% from other races, and 2. 19% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4. 03% of the population.

There were 27,071 households out of which 22. 0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 34. 4% were married couples living together, 9. NOTICE TO WOULD-BE ROMEOS ************** 0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 54. 0% were non-families. 36. 6% of all households were made up of individuals and 6. 9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2. 23 and the average family size was 2. 95.

In the city the population was spread out with 17. 8% under the age of 18, 31. 7% from 18 to 24, 26. 7% from 25 to 44, 15. 4% from 45 to 64, and 8. 4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 25 years. For every 100 females there were 102. 7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 101. 9 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $32,795, and the median income for a family was $52,628. Males had a median income of $36,574 versus $27,186 for females. The per capita income for the city was $18,664. Per capita income means how much each individual receives in monetary terms of the yearly income generated in the country About 8. 1% of families and 22. 1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13. The poverty threshold, or poverty line, is the minimum level of Income deemed necessary to achieve an adequate Standard of living in a given country 0% of those under age 18 and 5. 6% of those age 65 or over.

The 2005 median home value was $131,000, a 6. 8% increase from 2004, according to Money Magazine.

Economy

In addition to the University of Illinois, Champaign is also home to Parkland College. Parkland College is a community college located in Champaign, Illinois. A Kraft Foods plant (and adjacent AC Humko plant), the world's largest steam factory, a Fed-Ex Ground hub, and Herff-Jones (formerly the Collegiate Cap and Gown) form part of the city's industrial base. Kraft Foods Inc ( is the second-largest Food and Beverage company headquartered in North America (behind PepsiCo) and the third Herff Jones has offices throughout The United States and Canada

The city also features a large technology and software industry mostly focusing around research and development of new technologies. The Research Park, located in southern Champaign and backed by the University of Illinois, is home to many companies including iCyt (a biotechnology company), the Illinois Natural History Survey, the Illinois State Geological Survey, the Illinois State Water Survey, Yahoo!, the National Center for Supercomputing Applications, Science Applications International Corporation, State Farm Research Center, and Tekion (a fuel cell company). This article is about the flagship campus For other uses and locations of University of Illinois, see University of Illinois (disambiguation The University of The National Center for Supercomputing Applications ( NCSA) is one of five original centers in the National Science Foundation 's Supercomputer Centers Program and a Science Applications International Corporation ( SAIC) is a FORTUNE 500 scientific engineering and technology applications company in the United States with Numerous other software and technology companies also have offices in Champaign including Wolfram Research, AMD, Intel, IBM, Amdocs, Instarecon, Phonak, Power World, Caterpillar Simulation Center, and Volition, Inc.. International Business Machines Corporation abbreviated IBM and nicknamed "Big Blue", is a multinational Computer Technology Amdocs is a provider of software and services for Billing, Customer relationship management (CRM Operations support systems (OSS and Web Portal Phonak is a Swiss company that specializes in hearing and wireless systems Volition Inc is a Video game developer for consoles and Windows -based PCs Volition is located in Champaign Illinois. The United States Army Corps of Engineers maintains the Construction Engineering Research Laboratory (CERL) in Champaign. The United States Army Corps of Engineers ( USACE) is a federal agency and a major Army command made up of some 34600 Civilian and 650 Military personnel

Partial list of mayors

Landmarks and districts

Champaign City Building

The Champaign City Building.
The Champaign City Building. Year 1913 ( MCMXIII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common Year 1914 ( MCMXIV) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year

The Champaign City Building serves as the City Hall and is a recognizable landmark. As one of the most visible buildings in the downtown district, it serves as a city symbol, with its likeness featured on the city seal. The ornate decoration, art deco architecture, and copper roof distinguish the building. Art Deco was a popular international design movement from 1925 until 1939 affecting the decorative arts such as Architecture, Interior design, and Industrial The building was originally used by the city as the headquarters for the fire department. It later became the headquarters for the police department, complete with indoor shooting range, before becoming the current city offices.

The Tower at 3rd

The newly-renamed Tower at 3rd (formerly Champaign Hilton, Century 21, Quality Inn, University Inn, Presidential Tower) is located in the Campustown district and is over twenty stories high. A hotel until 2001, it currently houses student apartments and several University of Illinois offices, including the Office of Continuing Education. Year 2001 ( MMI) was a Common year starting on Monday according to the Gregorian calendar. This article is about the flagship campus For other uses and locations of University of Illinois, see University of Illinois (disambiguation The University of The Tower and a massive art-deco apartment complex a few blocks away form a scenic duo in the center of Campustown, giving it a city feel.

Downtown

In the 1980s part of the downtown Champaign area (Neil St. ) was closed to vehicular traffic to create a pedestrian mall, but this short-lived experiment was scrapped when business declined. Initiated by Jon "Cody" Sokolski of One Main Development, the downtown area of Champaign was recently the target of a largely successful revitalization effort designed to bring more businesses into the area and return the downtown district to the center of city life. In addition to efforts which restored the facades on many of the historic buildings, additional construction projects including restaurants, bars, shops, office space, and condominiums, have recently increased the size of the downtown area, while still maintaining the distinct turn-of-the-century architecture associated with the city.

Downtown Champaign.
Downtown Champaign.

The new growth in downtown Champaign has coincided with the larger growth of the "north Prospect" shopping district on the city's northern boundary. The growth in the north Prospect area relies, in part, on leapfrogging, moving out to the countryside and developing more remote farm land that eventually connects to the main development. Given the overwhelming success of such suburban shopping areas nationally, new development within any city center represents an alternative to the dominant movement out and away from the cities. In April 2007 One Main Development broke ground on a nine story $30 million dollar mixed use project, the largest ever for downtown Champaign, to be located at the corner of Neil and Church Street. M2 on Neil will feature ground floor retail, office and 50 condominiums. The project is expected to be complete in late 2008. The City of Champaign is also constructing a six story parking structure on Hill Street. Construction on this project is expected to begin in January and be completed by Fall 2008.

Boardman's Art Theatre

Boardman's Art Theatre, which shows critically-acclaimed independent and foreign films, was built in 1913 as the Park Theatre. Year 1913 ( MCMXIII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common It has since undergone several changes in name and repertoire, including a phase from 1969 to 1986, in which it showed adult films. [5] The theatre is the only single-screen movie theater still in existence operating daily as a movie theatre in Champaign-Urbana. Cinemaaustraliajpg|thumb|A movie theater in Australia ]]A movie theater, movie theatre, picture theatre or cinema is a venue

Historic Virginia Theatre

The Historic Virginia Theatre is a recently-restored 1525-seat movie theater, dating back to the 1920s. It has an ornate, Spanish Renaissance-influenced interior, full stage and dressing rooms, and an elaborate Wurlitzer pipe organ. It hosts Roger Ebert's Overlooked Film Festival [2] and has a single 56' x 23' screen. The theater does not have a daily show schedule, but schedules special screenings and live performances several times each month.

Campustown

Green Street.
Green Street.

Located along Green Street, this commercial district serves as the entertainment and retail center for students at the University of Illinois. This area has been undergoing great change since 2002 with the completion of a new $7 million streetscape project. Campustown is now attracting new retail and entertainment stores as well as serving as the center for new construction projects. Several new projects will be opening in 2008 including the 18 story Burnham high-rise and grocery store at 4th and Springfield, and a new 24 story apartment building at 309 East Green Street.

Transportation

Champaign is served by I-57, I-72, I-74, two railroad lines, and the University of Illinois operated Willard Airport (CMI). Interstate 57 (I-57 is an Interstate highway in the midwestern United States. Interstate 72 (abbreviated I-72) is an Interstate highway in the midwestern United States. Interstate 74 (abbreviated I-74) is an Interstate highway in the Midwestern and Southeastern United States. University of Illinois Willard Airport is an Airport owned and operated by the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign located south of Savoy in The local bus system, which is supported by the taxpayers of the Champaign-Urbana Mass Transit District (MTD) and the University of Illinois, serves Champaign, Urbana, Savoy, and surrounding areas. The Champaign-Urbana Mass Transit District is a mass transit system that is part of the Champaign-Urbana Metropolitan Area in which property taxes are levied

The former Illinois Central Railroad line — now part of the Canadian National system — runs north to south through the city. The Illinois Central, sometimes called the Main Line of Mid-America, was a railroad carrier in the central United States, with its primary routes A spur line from the Canadian National line provides service to several large industries, including two large food processing plants, on the west edge of Champaign and two grain elevators in outlying communities to the west. The Norfolk Southern operates an east to west line through Champaign. This article is about the present railroad formed in 1990 For the former regional railroad in Virginia and North Carolina a small part of the new one see Norfolk Southern The NS line connects industries in eastern Urbana to the Norfolk Southern main line at Mansfield, Illinois, west of Champaign. Mansfield is a village in Piatt County, Illinois in the United States. The line now operated by Norfolk Southern is the former Peoria & Eastern Railway, later operated as part of the Big Four (Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago and St. Louis Railway), New York Central, Penn Central, and Conrail systems, being sold by Conrail to Norfolk Southern in 1996. The Cleveland Cincinnati Chicago and St Louis Railway, also known as the Big Four Railroad and commonly abbreviated CCC&StL, was a Railroad company in The New York Central Railroad, known simply as the New York Central in its publicity was a Railroad operating in the Northeastern United States. The Pennsylvania and New York Central Transportation Company, almost always called Penn Central, was an American Railroad company that operated from 1968 Consolidated Rail Corporation, also known as Conrail, began operations on April 1, 1976 as a federally funded takeover of the major railroad Year 1996 ( MCMXCVI) was a Leap year starting on Monday (link will display full 1996 Gregorian calendar) Construction of the line was begun by the Danville, Urbana, Bloomington and Pekin Railroad. This short-lived entity became part of the Indianapolis, Bloomington and Western Railway before the railroad was completed.

Amtrak, the national passenger rail system, provides service to Champaign-Urbana. The National Railroad Passenger Corporation, Doing business as Amtrak, is a Government-owned corporation that was organized on May 1, 1971 Amtrak Train 59, the southbound City of New Orleans, is scheduled to depart Champaign at 10:34 p. For the city itself see New Orleans Louisiana. The City of New Orleans is a nightly Passenger train operated by Amtrak m. daily with service to Mattoon, Effingham, Centralia, Carbondale, Fulton, Newbern-Dyersburg, Memphis, Greenwood, Yazoo City, Jackson, Hazlehurst, Brookhaven, McComb, Hammond, and New Orleans. Carbondale is a city in southern Illinois in the midwest United States, miles southeast of Saint Louis Missouri Memphis is a City in the southwest corner of Tennessee, and the County seat of Shelby County. New Orleans (nʲuːˈɔrliənz nʲuːˈɔrlənz French: La Nouvelle-Orléans) is a major United States port city and the largest city in Louisiana Amtrak Train 58, the northbound City of New Orleans, is scheduled to depart Champaign at 6:10am daily with service to Kankakee, Homewood, and Chicago. Union Station is a Chicago Train station that opened in 1925 replacing an earlier 1881 station and is now the only Intercity rail terminal in Chicago Champaign-Urbana is also served by Amtrak Train 390/391, the Saluki, daily in the morning, and Amtrak Train 392/393, the Illini, daily in the afternoon/evening. Station stops The Saluki, trains 391 southbound and 390 northbound stop at 11 stations in Illinois including the originating and terminating stations Union Both the Saluki and the Illini operate between Chicago and Carbondale.

Greyhound Lines, Illini Shuttle [3], Lex Express, and Suburban Express [4] bus companies also serve Champaign. Greyhound Lines is an intercity Common carrier of passengers by Bus serving over 3700 destinations in the United States. [6] In 1999, a newly designed intermodal transportation center, aptly named Illinois Terminal by historic reference to the defunct electric interurban rail line that once ran through Champaign, was completed and serves as a central facility for intercity passenger rail and bus services as well as the MTD's local bus network. Intermodal passenger transport involves more than one Mode of transport of passengers Opened in January 1999 the Illinois Terminal is an intermodal transportation center providing city bus intercity bus and rail connections to from and within Champaign In Australia "interurban" is a general term for Intercity rail. The terminal has within the last year experienced a 51% increase in passenger traffic.

Media

FM Radio

AM Radio

Analog Television

Digital Television (DTV)

Print

Famous people from Champaign

Points of interest

Notes

  1. ^ City of Champaign News >> Final Special Census Results Accessed 14 January 2008
  2. ^ US Gazetteer files: 2000 and 1990. This article is about the flagship campus For other uses and locations of University of Illinois, see University of Illinois (disambiguation The University of The University of Illinois Arboretum (160 acres is a new Arboretum, with gardens currently under construction on the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign campus Parkland College is a community college located in Champaign, Illinois. Events 1129 - Formal approval of the Order of the Templar at the Council of Troyes. 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common United States Census Bureau (2005-05-03). The United States Census Bureau (officially Bureau of the Census as defined in Title) is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Events 1491 - Kongo monarch Nkuwu Nzinga is baptised by Portuguese missionaries adopting the baptismal name of João Retrieved on 2008-01-31. 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Events 1504 - France cedes Naples to Aragon. 1606 - Gunpowder Plot: Guy Fawkes
  3. ^ The Daily Illini: Chambana Offers Internships Accessed June 15, 2007
  4. ^ American FactFinder. Events 763 BC - Assyrians record a Solar eclipse that will be used to fix the Chronology of Mesopotamian history Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. United States Census Bureau. The United States Census Bureau (officially Bureau of the Census as defined in Title) is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census Retrieved on 2008-01-31. 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Events 1504 - France cedes Naples to Aragon. 1606 - Gunpowder Plot: Guy Fawkes
  5. ^ Cinema Treasures: Boardman's Art Theatre Accessed October 18, 2007
  6. ^ The City of Champaign Illinois: Public Transportation Accessed October 18, 2007

External links

Events 1009 - The Church of the Holy Sepulchre, a Christian church in Jerusalem, is completely destroyed by the Fatimid Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 1009 - The Church of the Holy Sepulchre, a Christian church in Jerusalem, is completely destroyed by the Fatimid Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century.
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