Sumner is a city in Lawrence County, Illinois, United States. As of the 2020 census, Sumner had a population of 2,631. Approximately 2,000 of that population were inmates at the Lawrence Correctional Center.

History

Sumner was established as a stop along the Ohio and Mississippi Railway in the early 1850s. Initially known as "Black Jack" when a post office was opened in 1852, the city was renamed for Benjamin Sumner, an early settler, in 1855. Sumner incorporated in 1887.

Geography

Sumner lies along Illinois State Route 250, just south of its junction with U.S. Route 50 to the north. Red Hills State Park is located just to the northeast.

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

Demographics

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, Sumner had a population of 2,631. There were 280 households and 218 families residing in the city. The population density was . There were 331 housing units at an average density of .

The median age was 36.4 years. 6.2% of residents were under the age of 18 and 7.3% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 643.2 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 831.3 males age 18 and over.

Of the 280 households, 30.7% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 39.3% were married-couple households, 21.1% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 28.2% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 30.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. when the figures include the Lawrence Correctional Center.

thumb|Hugh David Rigall and Pernie Wagner's wedding, Sumner, Illinois, 1918

In the arts

In 2011–2013, the "found footage" horror film Unlisted Owner was filmed in and around Sumner by Jed Brian's production company Lawford County Productions. The film received a distribution agreement from Tom Cat Films in October 2016.

Notable people

  • Lee Martin, author of several books, most notably The Bright Forever.
  • Lester and Walter Melrose, music producers, born in Sumner

References

  • Official website