Urbana, Illinois

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A snowy day in Carle Park west of the Urbana High School. On the right is a statue of young Abraham Lincoln.
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A snowy day in Carle Park west of the Urbana High School. On the right is a statue of young Abraham Lincoln.

Urbana (pronounced [ɝbænə]) is a city located in Champaign County, Illinois. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 36,395. It is the county seat of Champaign County6. The city was named after Urbana, Ohio. The current mayor is Laurel Prussing (2005—).

Contents

History

Geography

Urbana is located at 40°6'35" North, 88°12'15" West (40.109665, -88.204247)1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 27.2 km² (10.5 mi²), of which 0.10% is water body.

Urbana shares a border with the neighboring town of Champaign, Illinois; the two together are often referred to as Urbana-Champaign (or Champaign-Urbana, or even Chambana). The joint town is the site of the main campus of the University of Illinois. Urbana, Champaign and the nearby village of Savoy, Illinois form the Champaign-Urbana Metropolitan Area.

Downtown Urbana is located southwest of the intersection of its two busiest streets: U.S. Highway 150 (University Ave.) and U.S. Highway 45 (Vine St./Cunningham Ave.). U.S. Highway 150 leads west to Champaign and Clinton and east to St. Joseph. U.S. Highway 45 leads north to Rantoul and south to Tuscola and Arcola.

Most of Urbana lies south of I-74. There are three exits (from west to east): Lincoln, Cunningham and University. The Lincoln exit is closest to the University of Illinois. The Cunningham exit will bring you to downtown Urbana. The University exit is most useful if you come from the east (Danville, Indianapolis). It will also bring you downtown and can be used to connect to Illinois 130 to Philo.

Demographics

As of the census2 of 2000, there are 36,395 people, 14,327 households, and 6,217 families residing in the city. The population density is 1,339.6/km² (3,468.3/mi²). There are 15,311 housing units at an average density of 563.5/km² (1,459.1/mi²). The racial makeup of the city is 67.01% White, 14.34% African American, 0.18% Native American, 14.24% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 1.76% from other races, and 2.45% from two or more races. 3.54% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 14,327 households out of which 20.1% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 32.2% are married couples living together, 8.7% have a female householder with no husband present, and 56.6% are non-families. 36.6% of all households are made up of individuals and 8.1% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.14 and the average family size is 2.83.

In the city the population is spread out with 14.9% under the age of 18, 36.2% from 18 to 24, 26.4% from 25 to 44, 13.2% from 45 to 64, and 9.3% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 25 years. For every 100 females there are 111.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 111.7 males.

The median income for a household in the city is $27,819, and the median income for a family is $42,655. Males have a median income of $32,827 versus $26,349 for females. The per capita income for the city is $15,969. 27.3% of the population and 13.3% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 24.5% of those under the age of 18 and 7.2% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.

Famous People From Urbana

The Arts

Urbana in Film

The Cinema Cafe in downtown Urbana
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The Cinema Cafe in downtown Urbana

In the 1968 film, 2001: A Space Odyssey, Urbana, Illinois was named as the location where the malfuctioning HAL 9000 computer of the ill fated Discovery Mission to Jupiter was programmed. The 1959 comedy film Some Like it Hot also mentions Urbana. Near the beginning of this film, Jack Lemmon's character, an unemployed bass player, suggests to Tony Curtis, a saxophone player, that the two visit Urbana, IL, to play at the University of Illinois. Instead, the two musicians elect to join a women's band in Florida.


While in Urbana ...

Urbana Free Library

Urbana Free Library
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Urbana Free Library

Housed in a historic building the Urbana Free Library is located in the downtown area. A large addition in the same architectural style has just been completed.

This library is one of the first public libraries in Illinois and was founded in 1874. The historic building which houses the library was built in 1918. A major new addition was opened in 2005.

The library is publicly funded and receives additional support from about 600 people who have joined "The Friends of the Urbana Free Library".

The library houses historical archives of Champaign County which can be used for genealogical research.



Historic Lincoln Hotel

Historic Lincoln Hotel
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Historic Lincoln Hotel

Connected to the indoor walking mall, Lincoln Square Mall, in the center of town is the historic Lincoln Hotel. It was built in 1924 in a mixture of classic European styles. It was completely remodeled in 1977 and a number of new rooms were added to the top floor. If no activities are going on the Great Hall dining room , the Library Hall dining room and the Alumni tap lounge are worth a visit.


Boardman's Art Theatre

Boardman's Art Theatre, which shows critically acclaimed independent and foreign films, was built in 1921 as the Park Theatre, and has since undergone extensive remodeling and been equipped with state-of-the-art technology.

The theatre is the only single-screen movie theatre still in existence and daily operation as a movie theatre in Champaign-Urbana. The Historic Virginia Theatre, which hosts Roger Ebert's Annual Overlooked Film Festival, is also single-screen, but only opens for special showings and events.


Urbana School District

Urbana Middle School

Urbana Middle School
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Urbana Middle School

Urbana Middle School first in use in 1953. Since then, the school has been renovated for space once, in 2003. The school currently serves 1047 students for grades 6-8. The school is famous for its band program, which has gone to the Illinois State Band Competition (Superstate) ten years in a row under Karen Debauche.

Urbana Park District

Meadowbrook

Meadowbrook park is located south-east of the Race St. and Windsor Rd. intersection. It has a sculpture garden with about 20 sculptures from local artists. Around the prairie restauration center of the park loops a wide concrete path suitable for walking, running and bicycling. A few small hills make it unsuitable for inexperienced rollerbladers. The park has two entrances, one on Race St. and one on Windsor Rd. A playground and shelter are located near the Windsor Rd. entrance. A community garden, a herbal garden and a shelter are located near the Race St. entrance.

Crystal Lake

Dog Park (part of Judge Webber)

The Urbana Dog Park is a place to walk one's dog without a leash.

Swimming Pools

The Urbana Park District offers two swimming pools in Urbana: One outside pool and one inside pool (a shared resource with the Urbana School District).

Mini Facts

Urbana --

  • has been a Tree City USA for over 29 years.
  • has hosted a annual sweet corn festival for over 30 years.
  • has a busy farmer's market during the summer months on Saturday mornings.

External links


The Campus of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Assembly HallAtkins Tennis CenterChampaignCollege of EngineeringCollege of Liberal Arts and SciencesKenney GymMemorial StadiumNCSAUrbanaWillard Airport
Stylized Beaumont Tower
Personal tools
In other languages