The City of Hoopeston is currently looking for candidates to fill a vacancy for the position of Chief of Police. This small town of 4,915 people is located at the intersection of Illinois highways 1 and 9 and is about 100 miles south of Chicago. Currently, the police department has eight full-time officers and plans to add one or two more.
The population of Hoopeston is made up of a mix of native and foreign-born residents. In 2020, the median age was 42.4. The average age of native-born residents was 42. Residents who are foreign-born were 57. Those who grew up in Hoopeston were most likely to be between 18 and 44. Those between the ages of 25 and 64 were most likely to be white-collar.
The town's early history shows that life was centered around the downtown area. An early newspaper article mentions that the town had built a gateway in 1924 to direct drivers into the downtown. Later, the Hoopeston Chamber of Commerce added lighting to the gateway. Residents of Hoopeston can enjoy many cultural and recreational activities in their hometown. The Hoopeston Area School District and Hoopeston Carle Regional Health Center are the two largest employers.
Hoopeston is located in east-central Illinois, near the northern border of Vermilion County. It is approximately 40 miles from Champaign. Other nearby communities include Wellington, Rossville, Ambia, Alvin, and Potomac. The town was named after Thomas Hoopes. It was platted in 1871 and later became home to Greer College. Its annual harvest festival takes place on Labor Day Weekend. The town also hosts a Sweetheart Pageant that has been held for over 66 years.