Freeport, Illinois
Freeport, Illinois | |
|---|---|
Aerial view of Freeport, IL | |
| Nickname(s): Pretzel City, USA | |
Location of Freeport in Stephenson County, Illinois. | |
| Coordinates: 42°17′15″N 89°37′40″W / 42.28750°N 89.62778°W | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Illinois |
| County | Stephenson |
| Township | Freeport |
| Founded | 1827 |
| Incorporated | 1838 |
| Area | |
• Total | 11.89 sq mi (30.79 km2) |
| • Land | 11.88 sq mi (30.77 km2) |
| • Water | 0.01 sq mi (0.02 km2) |
| Elevation | 791 ft (241 m) |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 23,973 |
| • Density | 2,017.76/sq mi (779.04/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (CST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP Codes | 61032, 61033, 61034 |
| Area code | 815/779 |
| FIPS code | 17-27884 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2394821 |
| Website | www |
Freeport is the largest city in Stephenson County, Illinois, United States, and its county seat. The population was 23,973 at the 2020 census, and the mayor of Freeport is Jodi Miller, elected in 2017. Freeport is known for hosting the second Lincoln–Douglas debate of 1858, and as "Pretzel City, USA", due to a popular local German bakery that became well known for its prolific pretzel production after it opened in 1869. Freeport High School's mascot is the Pretzel to honor its heritage.