Interstates 55 and 70 pass through the west side of Troy, with access from exits 17 and 18. The highways together lead southwest 20 miles (32 km) to St. Louis, while diverging just north of Troy: I-55 leads north 75 miles (121 km) to Springfield, the state capital, while I-70 leads east 50 miles (80 km) to Vandalia. U.S. Route 40 passes through the south side of Troy, joining I-55 and I-70 at the western edge of the city and leading east 11 miles (18 km) to Highland. Illinois Route 162 passes through the center of Troy as Center Street, Market Street, and Edwardsville Road, leading east 2.5 miles (4.0 km) to US 40 and west 4 miles (6 km) to the north part of Maryville.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Troy has a total area of 5.67 square miles (14.69 km2), of which 5.62 square miles (14.56 km2) are land and 0.05 square miles (0.13 km2), or 0.92%, are water.[1] Most of the city drains eastward into tributaries of Silver Creek, a south-flowing tributary of the Kaskaskia River. The westernmost part of the city drains to Canteen Creek, which flows southwest to the Mississippi River valley at East St. Louis.
At the 2000 census there were 8,524 people in 3,100 households, including 2,356 families, in the city. The population density was 2,037.6 inhabitants per square mile (786.7/km2). There were 3,201 housing units at an average density of 765.2 per square mile (295.4/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 95.48% White, 1.48% African American, 0.32% Native American, 0.70% Asian, 0.38% from other races, and 1.64% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.49%.[8]
Of the 3,100 households 45.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.1% were married couples living together, 12.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.0% were non-families. 19.5% of households were one person and 6.8% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.75 and the average family size was 3.16.
The age distribution was 30.2% under the age of 18, 8.6% from 18 to 24, 34.3% from 25 to 44, 19.2% from 45 to 64, and 7.7% 65 or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.5 males.
The median household income was $53,720 and the median family income was $59,643. Males had a median income of $41,705 versus $27,542 for females. The per capita income for the city was $21,174. About 2.1% of families and 3.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.4% of those under age 18 and 4.5% of those age 65 or over.
Notable people
Paul Simon, US senator; lived in Troy and was the youngest editor of the town's newspaper (Troy Tribune)
Jesse L. Simpson, Chief Justice of the Illinois Supreme Court; born in Troy
