Zip Code 61032

Statistics & Facts

The population of Freeport is approximately 26,500 (2002).
The approximate number of families is 12,471 (2000).

The amount of land area in Freeport is 26.693 sq. kilometers.
The amount of land area in Freeport is 12.5 sq. miles.
The amount of surface water is 0.027 sq kilometers.
The distance from Freeport to Washington DC is 730 miles. The distance to the Illinois state capital is 172 miles. (as the crow flies)
Freeport is positioned 42.29 degrees north of the equator and 89.63 degrees west of the prime meridian.

Freeport elevation is 749 feet above sea level.
Freeport per capita income is $12,631 (1990).
Freeport median income is $31,938.

Location

Freeport location: in the far northern portion of Illinois. 105 miles northwest of Chicago, 30 miles west of Rockford, IL, 50 miles east of Galena, IL and 60 miles south of Madison, WI.

Climate & Weather

The climate for Freeport is seasonal.
The weather in Freeport is typical for the midwest. There are about 144 days each year when the temperature drops below freezing.

Freeport average annual rainfall is 33 inches per year
Freeport average annual snowfall is 36 inches per year.
The average winter temperature is 19.5 degrees F.
The average summer temperature is 74 degrees F.

History & History Related Items

Freeport history:
First coming to the area in 1827, Germans from Pennsylvania settled in the area known as Winneshiek. One of them, William "Tutty" Baker, built a trading post on the banks of the Pecatonica River. He operated a free ferry across the river and generously invited travelers into his own home for a night’s lodging. It was his giving quality that caused the town to be renamed Freeport in his honor. A festival is held in Freeport each August in his honor.

Freeport is where the pivotal Lincoln-Douglas debate was held. Douglas’ slavery platform did not set well with the south and split the Democratic Party which helped Lincoln to be elected as President in 1860.

Origin of the Freeport Doctrine, one of the causes of the American Civil War (During 1858 Debate, Abrahama Lincoln asked Stephen Douglas if the citizens of a Territory allowing slavery could vote to ban slavery upon entry into the Union as a aState. Douglas replied that the citizens could make that choice, a position which caused a split in Douglas' Party in the 1860 Presidential Election when a Third Party Southern candidate opposed Presidential Nominee Douglas, and helping to ensure Lincoln's election as President, a triggering event for the southern states to attempt to secede from the Union).

Attractions

Freeport attractions:
Freeport is the County Seat of Stephenson County
Freeport is known as "Pretzel City, USA." Find out why?

Stephenson County Fair
Held in August each year at the Stephenson County Fair Grounds
2250 S. Walnut
Phone: 815-235-2918
Livestock shows, carnival, truck and tractor pulls, commercial exhibits, country music and more.

Silver Creek & Stephenson Railroad
For information call (815)232-2306
During operation call (815)235-2198
The museum is located in Freeport Illinois, which is on US highway 20 about 20 miles west of Rockford.
25 rooms of memorabilia from late 1800’s through the 1900’s

Tutty Baker Days
Held each year in August. The family festival attracts thousands of visitors each year and features live entertainment, an arts and crafts show, food, a beer garden, historic tours, special children’s rides and activities, a 5K run, a one-mile fun walk, and a sport card show.

Site of the Abraham Lincoln-Stephen Douglas Debate (1858)

Winneshiek Community Theatre (oldest community theatre company in Illinois)

Oakdale nature Preserve, Krape Park, Read Park, Taylor Park (Containing most famous statute of Abraham Lincoln in Illinois and site of 1877-1878 Illinois State Fair), and Park Hills Public Golf Course (36 Holes)

Economy & Industry

Freeport economy: Major insurance center and home to Newell Corporation Several Honeywell Palnts, and Kelly-Springfield Tire Company,