Illinois

Knox

49,967
2020 population
1830
first census record
20
census records

About Knox

Knox, Illinois, first appears in the United States federal census in 1830, when it recorded a population of 274. At the most recent census, in 2020, its population stood at 49,967.

Its recorded population peaked at 61,607 in 1980, and has since declined by roughly 19 percent.

On the ground today, one documented military engagement has been recorded within the county, among them Norris Farms Cemetery Massacre, and 7 places are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Population by decade

Census YearPopulationChart
202049,967
201052,919
200055,836
199056,393
198061,607
197061,280
196061,280
195054,366
194052,250
193051,336
192046,727
191046,159
190043,612
189038,752
188038,344
187039,522
186028,663
185013,279
18407,060
1830274
Source

Population data from the United States decennial census, U.S. Census Bureau (public domain).

Battles & engagements in Knox

Military engagements that took place in Knox, Illinois.

Norris Farms Cemetery Massacre
1270

Historic places in Knox

National Register of Historic Places listings in Knox, Illinois.

Old Main, Knox College
Galesburg
Conger, J. Newton, House
Oneida
Meetinghouse of the Central Congregational Church
Galesburg
Walnut Grove Farm
Knoxville
Galesburg Historic District
Galesburg
Knox County Courthouse and Hall of Records
Knoxville
Knox County Jail
Knoxville

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Everything a full report reveals about Knox County, Illinois

This page charts the census history of Knox County, Illinois. A full Aubrey report for an address here pulls together everything the historical record holds about the ground, from the earliest settlement to the twentieth century:

Overview
An interactive map of the location with historic sites, battles and Native heritage plotted, and its full story era by era.
The Land
The historic sites and place names around the location, and how this land was settled and used.
Geology
The bedrock beneath the site, its age and rock type, reaching back millions of years.
LiDAR Terrain
Laser-scanned terrain that reveals earthworks and old features hidden in the landscape.
Conflict & War
The battles, raids and skirmishes fought near here, across every era of American conflict.
The Civil War
The Civil War on this ground, 1861 to 1865: who held it, and the battles, camps and regiments nearby.
The Soldiers
The men who marched from here in the Civil War, named and traced where the record allows.
Native Heritage
The Native nations who held this land, mapped across time from before European contact to today.
Settlement
Who claimed and held this ground, from Indigenous homelands through the colonial powers to the United States.
The Community
How the town grew, who came, and what kind of place it became, traced through the census record.
Rivers & Rail
The rivers, canals and railroads that connected this place between 1830 and 1911.
Notable People
The people born, buried or genuinely tied to this exact place, with their stories.
Historical Maps
Historic maps of the location layered over how it looks today.
Finds & Access
Museum objects tied to the area, and the laws on searching, collecting and access here.
Literature
The old books, county histories and archives that mention this place, quoted with their sources.
Spotlight
A deep dive into the most remarkable, lesser-known history of the place, traced back to the record.
Points of Interest
The most significant historic sites and landmarks near the location, and why they matter.
Timeline
The whole story of the location told era by era, from first peoples to the present day.
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Illinoishistory ›NRHP historic sites ›Notable people from Illinois›

Frequently asked about Knox

When does Knox first appear in the US census?
Knox, Illinois first appears in the federal census in 1830, with a recorded population of 274.
What is the population of Knox?
At the most recent federal census (2020), Knox had a recorded population of 49,967.
When did Knox's population peak?
Knox's recorded population peaked at 61,607 in 1980.
Were any battles fought in Knox?
1 documented military engagement took place in Knox, including Norris Farms Cemetery Massacre.
How many historic places are in Knox?
7 sites are listed on the National Register of Historic Places in Knox, Illinois.
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