Cuba is a city in Fulton County, Illinois, United States. The population was 1,184 at the 2020 census.

History

left|thumb|upright=1.2|Historical photo of the United Electric Coal Co's. Cuba Mine near Cuba, Fulton Co., Illinois. Shown is the largest dirt moving machine in USA at the time (1946), used for strip mine operations during the mid 20th century. It could move 1000 cubic yards of overburden in an hour. The overburden in Cuba is about 100 feet thick. The rotary shovel could take six cubic yards per minute.

Cuba was founded in 1837 when the two rival towns of Centerville and Middleton merged. The new town was named after the island of Cuba. The name could be in reference to the town of Havana, roughly fifteen miles to the southeast. A post office has been in operation at Cuba since 1837.

Geography

Cuba is located near the geographic center of Fulton County. Illinois Route 97 passes through the city, leading north to Galesburg and south to Havana on the Illinois River.

According to the 2021 census gazetteer files, Cuba has a total area of , all land.

Demographics

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, Cuba had a population of 1,184 and 487 households, including 227 families.

Of the 487 households, 29.6% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 42.9% were married-couple households, 16.6% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 28.7% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 28.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

  • Loren E. Murphy, chief justice of the Illinois Supreme Court
  • William Harrison Nebergall, chemist who synthesized the fluoride compatible polishing agent calcium pyrophosphate.
  • Harry K. Newburn, university president

References

  • Community Unit School District #3, Fulton County, Illinois