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Nauvoo , Sephardi Hebrew Nåvu, Tiberian Hebrew Nâwû) is a city in Hancock County, Illinois, United States. Although the current population is just 1,063 (2000 census), and it is difficult to reach over secondary highways in a remote corner of Illinois, Nauvoo attracts large numbers of visitors for its historic importance and its religious significance to members of both the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, other groups stemming from the same Mormon predecessor, the Icarians and Catholics. See History of Nauvoo, Illinois for further details.
The city was founded by Joseph Smith, Jr., the founder of the Latter-day Saints, and named by him from the traditional Sephardi Hebrew language with an anglicized spelling. The word comes from Isaiah 52:7, "How beautiful upon the mountains..."
Nauvoo is located at [show location on an interactive map] 40°32′40″N, 91°22′49″W (40.544567, -91.380317). Situated on a wide bend in the Mississippi River, Nauvoo has most of the historic district in the lower flat lands (called the flats) that are no more than a few feet above the water line. A prominent hill rises as one moves further east, at the apex of which stands the rebuilt Nauvoo Temple. Beginning with the temple, this elevated land (called the hill) continues flat for many miles eastward.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has an area of 4.8 square miles (12.5 km²). 3.4 square miles (8.8 km²) of it is land and 1.4 square miles (3.7 km²) of it (29.88%) is water.
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,063 people, 403 households, and 276 families residing in the city. It should be noted that these numbers do not reflect an accurate population since missionaries, who account for 150 to 600 additional residents, are not counted in census records since their permanent homes are in other cities. The population density was 314.4 people per square mile (121.4/km²). There were 458 housing units at an average density of 135.4/sq mi (52.3/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 97.08% White, 0.28% African American, 0.47% Native American, 0.19% Asian, 0.94% from other races, and 1.03% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.60% of the population.
There were 403 households out of which 28.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.3% were married couples living together, 6.9% have a female householder with no husband present and 31.3% were non-families. 28.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was 3.04.
In the city the population was spread out with 24.6% under the age of 18, 6.5% from 18 to 24, 21.9% from 25 to 44, 24.0% from 45 to 64, and 23.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females there were 88.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 79.8 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $39,519, and the median income for a family was $49,167. Males had a median income of $37,895 versus $24,250 for females. The per capita income for the city was $18,150. About 5.6% of families and 12.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.2% of those under age 18 and 18.2% of those age 65 or over. |
