Champaign is a city in Champaign County, Illinois, in the United States. As reported in the 2000 U.S. Census, the city was home to 67,518 people. The city held a 2007 special census the city's population is 75,254, gaining 7,702 people from the 2000 census. The mayor is Gerald Schweighart, whose term will expire in 2011. The city is notable for sharing the campus of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign with its twin city of Urbana.

History

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Champaign was founded in 1855, when the Illinois Central Railroad laid its track two miles west of downtown Urbana. Originally called "West Urbana," it was renamed Champaign when it acquired a city charter in 1860. Both the city and county name were derived from Champaign County, Ohio.

On September 22, 1985, Champaign hosted the first Farm Aid concert at the University of Illinois' Memorial Stadium. The concert drew a crowd of 80,000 people and raised over $7 million for American family farmers.

In 2005, Champaign was the location of the National Science Olympiad Tournament, attracting young scientists from all 50 states.

Geography

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Champaign is located at (40.112981, -88.261227).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 44.1 km² (17.0 mi²). 44.0 km² (17.0 mi²) of it is land and 0.1 km² (0.04 mi²) 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. Champaign, Urbana, and the bordering village of Savoy form the Champaign-Urbana Metropolitan Area also known as Urbana-Champaign or Champaign-Urbana. It may also be colloquially known as the "Twin Cities" or Chambana.

Demographics

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As of the census of 2000, there were 67,518 people, 27,071 households, and 12,452 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,534.4/km² (3,974.6/mi²). There were 28,556 housing units at an average density of 648.9/km² (1,681.0/mi²). 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, 9.0% 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...