Illinois

Menard

12,297
2020 population
1840
first census record
19
census records

About Menard

Menard, Illinois, first appears in the United States federal census in 1840, when it recorded a population of 4,431. At the most recent census, in 2020, its population stood at 12,297.

Its recorded population peaked at 14,336 in 1900, and has since declined by roughly 14 percent.

On the ground today, 6 places are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Population by decade

Census YearPopulationChart
202012,297
201012,705
200012,486
199011,164
198011,700
19709,685
19609,248
19509,639
194010,663
193010,575
192011,694
191012,796
190014,336
189013,120
188013,024
187011,735
18609,584
18506,349
18404,431
Source

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

Historic places in Menard

National Register of Historic Places listings in Menard, Illinois.

Robinson-Bonnett Inn
Bobtown
Lincoln's New Salem Village
Petersburg
Petersburg Historic District
Petersburg
Petersburg Historic District (Boundary Increase)
Petersburg
North Sangamon United Presbyterian Church
Athens
Rogers, Col. Matthew, Building
Athens

Other counties in Illinois

Explore census history and historic records for more Illinois counties.

MassacMcDonoughMcHenryMcLeanMercerMonroeMontgomeryMorganMoultrieOglePeoriaPerryPiattPikePopePulaskiPutnamRandolphRichlandRock Island
Unlimited access

Everything a full report reveals about Menard County, Illinois

This page charts the census history of Menard 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.
First month just $5.99, then $11.99 a month. Unlimited locations, cancel anytime.

Every location is different. Not every section appears for every place, only what the historical record actually holds turns up in a report.

Start your Menard County, Illinois report
Or see a real report first

Explore Illinois records

Illinoishistory ›NRHP historic sites ›Notable people from Illinois›

Frequently asked about Menard

When does Menard first appear in the US census?
Menard, Illinois first appears in the federal census in 1840, with a recorded population of 4,431.
What is the population of Menard?
At the most recent federal census (2020), Menard had a recorded population of 12,297.
When did Menard's population peak?
Menard's recorded population peaked at 14,336 in 1900.
How many historic places are in Menard?
6 sites are listed on the National Register of Historic Places in Menard, Illinois.
Aubrey Research

Research the history of any US location

Aubrey searches federal archives, archaeological records, historic registers, and primary sources to build a full historical report for any address or place in the United States.

Research your locationView a free sample report