El Paso (Spanish for 'The Step') is a city in Woodford and McLean counties in the U.S. state of Illinois. The population was 2,756 at the 2020 census. The Woodford County portion of El Paso is part of the Peoria metropolitan area.
El Paso is a city in central Illinois. After the construction of Interstate 39, which replaced the former alignment of U.S. Highway 51 through the area, the city’s development patterns shifted toward highway-oriented transportation infrastructure. Interstate 39 in Illinois was completed on October 31, 1992, with the final segment between Kappa and Illinois Route 116 near El Paso. The city's strategic location at the intersection of the Illinois Central Railroad and the Toledo, Peoria, and Western Railroad played a pivotal role in its development as a vital commercial hub in the 19th century.
In February 2022, a multi-vehicle collision on Interstate 39 near El Paso resulted in an extended highway closure reported in national media.
El Paso is also home to the El Paso District Library, a Carnegie library built in 1907, and the Legacy Building, originally constructed in 1874 as the Eagle Block Building, which now houses several local businesses and the Project XV Museum.
Historical transportation links and local developments have shaped El Paso’s growth and community institutions over time.
History
El Paso was founded by George Gibson and James Wathen. Having traveled to California through Texas previously, Gibson gave it the Spanish name El Paso, either after El Paso County, Texas, the El Paso Mountains in California, or because of a nearby railroad junction.
The city developed at the intersection of the Illinois Central Railroad and the Toledo, Peoria, and Western Railroad. This junction contributed to the expansion of local commerce through the late 19th century. In 1857, the Peoria & Oquawka Railroad was built, linking Gilman on the Chicago branch to El Paso on the main line, thereby establishing a connection between these two significant divisions, and, on December 3, 1871, the Oilman, Clinton & Springfield Railroad, which connected the branch to the state capital, officially began operations. The Illinois Central Railroad, in particular, attracted numerous businesses and settlers, spurring economic growth and connecting the town to larger cities. This connection laid the foundation for El Paso's continued expansion into the late 1800s, fueling its business and social activity.
In 1867, El Paso tried unsuccessfully to become the county seat of Woodford County by offering $30,000 to Metamora to relinquish the title. A closely contested vote initially favored El Paso, but a recount reversed the decision by a margin of ten votes. Several towns, including Eureka, El Paso, and Roanoke vied for the county seat over the years. Not until 1894 did Eureka successfully become the county seat. During this period, El Paso's growing commercial center was supported by businesses along its newly paved Front Street, which became a key part of its identity.
The first post office in El Paso Township was established by Caleb Horn at his house, about two to three miles from Kappa, with mail carried by horseback twice a week. The first store in the township opened in Kappa around the time the Illinois Central Railroad passed through the area, and the first mill in El Paso was built by Ives. The Horn post office, called Roxan, moved to Kappa in 1853, and William M. Jenkins became the first postmaster of El Paso in 1857. Over the years, the post office moved several times, with key changes including the relocation to Elm Street in 1861, the transfer to the Shur, Tompkins & Co. Bank building in the 1860s, and finally, the move to its current location in 1901. By the mid-1900s, multiple rural mail routes had been established, and in 1964, a new post office building was opened, marking a significant development in the town's postal services.
The Campbell House in El Paso, Illinois, was built in 1854 by William Campbell, an early settler and prominent local figure, and it served as an important stagecoach stop along the Peoria and Bloomington Road. The building was razed in 1938. The house, later preserved as a historic landmark, reflects the pioneer spirit of the region and the city's early development. A memorial on the property honors the Campbell family's contributions to El Paso's history, celebrating their role in shaping the community.
In 1869, El Paso was depicted in a map entitled "Map of El Paso, Woodford County, Illinois" by Albert Ruger, which provided a detailed panoramic view of the town, showcasing its early infrastructure, including streets, buildings, and notable landmarks such as religious institutions. This map offers a snapshot of El Paso as a growing community with a bustling railroad intersection at its core. By the late 19th century, Front Street had become the central hub of El Paso's business district, reflecting the town's growth alongside the railroad. A major reconstruction effort in 1894 transformed the street with the addition of brick-paved roads and new commercial buildings, solidifying its status as a bustling center of commerce. In addition to commercial activities, the Eagle Block Building, constructed in 1874, became a key social center, housing various businesses, a library, and even the city's opera house. Today, Front Street continues to preserve its historic charm while serving as a vital part of the community, with revitalization of the sidewalks occurring in 2022.
Education played a crucial role in El Paso's development. By 1878, Panola Township had ten school districts—Panola, Hilsabeck, Shaw, Pauley, De Vries, McOmber, Hodgson, Bassett, Roth, and Punke—with a total of 480 students, demonstrating the community's early commitment to education. In late 1856, Handley King built a home at First and Pine streets, where his aunt taught the first school with 20 pupils, and later, Jennie Fishburn and Harry H. Hewitt became key figures in the community's growing educational efforts, which led to the addition of classrooms due to overcrowding. El Paso's school district initially encompassed the entire village and most of the northern half of El Paso Township, but a rivalry between east and west side businessmen led to the division of the district in 1869, with two separate schools established. The East Side school, built in 1869, and the West Side school, initially a wooden structure replaced by a brick building in 1897, operated independently until 1944, when a popular vote consolidated the districts into one unified grade school district. Despite this rivalry, educational advancements were made, including the introduction of a four-year high school program in 1892 and the creation of El Paso Township High School District #375 in 1916, culminating in the construction of a new high school building in 1921. In addition to these educational institutions, El Paso's commitment to learning is also reflected in the establishment of the Carnegie library in 1907, a cornerstone for public education and community enrichment. The library continues to serve as a resource for residents of all ages, offering a place to read, learn, and grow.
These historical landmarks and developments highlight El Paso's evolution from a railroad junction to a community with a focus on culture, education, and commerce. The preservation of buildings such as the Campbell House and the Eagle Block Building, along with the continued importance of Front Street and the El Paso Public Library, reflects the history of the town.
Geography El Paso is located in southeastern Woodford County. A small portion of the city limits extends east along U.S. Route 24 into northern McLean County. US 24 leads east to Interstate 55 in Chenoa and west to Peoria. Interstate 39 crosses the west side of El Paso, with access from Exit 14 (US 24); the Interstate highway leads south to Interstate 55 in Normal and north to La Salle. Illinois Route 251 follows the former alignment of U.S. Route 51 through the center of El Paso, leading north to Minonk and south to Kappa.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, El Paso has a total area of , all land. The city sits on high ground that drains north to the East Branch of Panther Creek and south to the headwaters of Wolf Creek. Both creek systems are south-flowing tributaries of the Mackinaw River and part of the Illinois River watershed.
El Paso experiences a humid continental climate, characterized by warm, humid summers and cold, snowy winters. Average high temperatures in July reach around 85.6 °F, while January sees average lows near 15 °F. The city receives approximately 35 inches of rainfall annually, with the majority occurring between April and October, and about 13 inches of snowfall each year. The city's elevation is approximately 499 feet above sea level.
El Paso's geographic location places it within the Peoria Metropolitan Statistical Area, contributing to its connectivity and regional significance.
Demographics
2020 census As of the 2020 census, El Paso had a population of 2,756. The median age was 39.1 years. 25.2% of residents were under the age of 18 and 16.9% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 91.1 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 90.5 males age 18 and over.
0.0% of residents lived in urban areas, while 100.0% lived in rural areas.
There were 1,068 households in El Paso, of which 32.4% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 48.3% were married-couple households, 17.1% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 27.2% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 30.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.
There were 1,160 housing units, of which 7.9% were vacant. The homeowner vacancy rate was 2.6% and the rental vacancy rate was 11.0%.
+ Racial composition as of the 2020 census Race Number Percent White 2,551 92.6% Black or African American 46 1.7% American Indian and Alaska Native 2 0.1% Asian 10 0.4% Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander 0 0.0% Some other race 21 0.8% Two or more races 126 4.6% Hispanic or Latino (of any race) 57 2.1%
Income and poverty Income data revealed that the median household income in El Paso was $70,063, while the average household income was $78,267. Approximately 4.7% of families were living below the poverty line.
Demographic estimates El Paso encompasses a total land area of 2.1 square miles, resulting in a population density of approximately 1,272.10 residents per square mile. The population is distributed across various age groups, with 9% under 10 years, 16% aged 10–17, 13% aged 18–24, 11% aged 25–34, 14% aged 35–44, 9% aged 45–54, 13% aged 55–64, and 15% aged 65 and older. The majority of residents are U.S.-born citizens, accounting for 96.88% of the population.
Education
El Paso's school district, CUSD #11, is the product of a consolidation with the school district of Gridley, IL. CUSD #11's schools are split between El Paso and Gridley: El Paso Gridley High School - Housing all of the high school students for the district El Paso Gridley Junior High School - Housing all of the upper and lower levels of junior high (grades 5, 6, 7, and 8) students for the district Centennial School - Housing all the grade 3 and 4 elementary students of the district Jefferson Park - Housing all the preschool, kindergarten, and grade 1 and 2 elementary students of the district
The educational landscape of El Paso, Illinois, has evolved significantly since the mid-19th century. In 1850, Reverend Abner Peeler taught the first school in Kansas Township near Zachariah Brown's cabin. By 1857, the town of El Paso had constructed its first schoolhouse, where Henry Hewitt served as the inaugural teacher.