Illinois, state, United States: Facts and Figures

Area, 56,400 sq mi (146,076 sq km). Pop. (2020) 12,671,821, a 1.2% decrease since the 2010 census. As of the 2020 census, the state's population was: White alone, 76.8%; Black alone, 14.6%; Hispanic or Latino, 17.5%; American Indian and Alaska native alone, 0.6%; Asian alone, 5.9%; Two or More Races, 2.1%. Capital, Springfield. Largest city, Chicago. Statehood, Dec. 3, 1818 (21st state). Highest pt., Charles Mound, 1,235 ft (377 m); lowest pt., Mississippi River, 279 ft (85 m). Nicknames, Inland Empire; Prairie State. Motto, State Sovereignty—National Union. State bird, cardinal. State flower, native violet. State tree, white oak. Abbr., Ill.; IL

Sections in this article:

• Introduction
• Diversification and Change
• Discontent and the Rise of the Labor Movement
• Industrialization and Abraham Lincoln
• Statehood and Settlement
• Early Inhabitants and European Exploration
• Government, Politics, and Higher Education
• Economy
• Geography
• Facts and Figures

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