Toluca, city (1990 pop. 327,865), capital of Mexico state, central Mexico. Located on the central plateau, Toluca (alt. c.8,760 ft/2,670 m) has a year-round cool climate. It was established as a settlement in 1530 by Hernán Cortés, who had received the Valle de Toluca as a grant from Emperor Charles V. The surrounding plain is fertile, producing grain, fruits, and vegetables. Cattle raising is important. The city has become increasingly industrialized, and has food processing, beverage, and automobile assembly plants, as well as flour, cotton, and woolen mills; it has also experienced growth as an outlying suburb of Mexico City. Despite industrialization the city is still known for its traditional handicrafts. Two small rivers run through the town, and nearby is an inactive volcano, the Nevado de Toluca, called also Xinantecatl and Cinantécatl.

in full Toluca de Lerdo

City (pop., 2000: 435,125), capital of México state, central Mexico. At an elevation of about 8,800 ft (2,680 m), it is one of the highest cities in North America. The site of the modern city, founded in 1530, was inhabited by the Otomi Indians by the 13th century. It is a commercial and communications centre in an agriculture and livestock region. Its oldest church was founded soon after the Spanish conquest and rebuilt in 1585. There are many archaeological sites in the area, including some Aztec and Toltec ruins.

Learn more about Toluca with a free trial on Britannica.com.

Toluca is a city in Marshall County, Illinois, United States. The population was 1,339 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Peoria, Illinois Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Geography

Toluca is located at (41.003368, -89.133244).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.1 square miles (2.7 km²), all of it land.

History

Toluca was established in 1887 as a stop on the Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe Railway, on land owned by Marshall County native William Twist. In that year, local farmers led by Twist requested that the railroad make Toluca a regular stop. Their request was granted. With the backing of a Chicago firm, a grain elevator was built and maintained by Thomas Colehower of Long Point, Illinois. Colehower built the first house in the area of Toluca now called Old Town. In 1892, the Devlin Coal Company began mining coal at Toluca.

The population of Toluca had increased to 3,500 by 1894 and it was incorporated as a city. Its growth continued, fueled by immigrants from Poland, Italy, and Lithuania who came to work in the coal mines. In 1907, it had approximately 6,000 inhabitants. But by 1924, the coal mines were unprofitable and they closed down. The population shrank drastically as a result.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 1,339 people, 581 households, and 343 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,260.9 people per square mile (487.7/km²). There were 633 housing units at an average density of 596.1/sq mi (230.6/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 98.13% White, 0.07% African American, 0.07% Native American, 0.37% Asian, 0.60% from other races, and 0.75% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.42% of the population.

There were 581 households out of which 25.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.7% were married couples living together, 7.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 40.8% were non-families. 35.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 19.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.16 and the average family size was 2.81.

In the city the population was spread out with 20.9% under the age of 18, 5.8% from 18 to 24, 25.5% from 25 to 44, 20.9% from 45 to 64, and 26.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females there were 81.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 78.6 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $37,072, and the median income for a family was $45,956. Males had a median income of $31,964 versus $23,558 for females. The per capita income for the city was $20,243. About 4.8% of families and 6.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.2% of those under age 18 and 5.6% of those age 65 or over.

References

External links

• http://www.piperspages.com/TolucaNow.html