The village of Germantown was established in 1833. Formerly known as "Hanover" for the city in Germany that was the hometown of the first settlers, Germantown is said to be one of the first true German settlements in Illinois.
Geography
Germantown is located in western Clinton County at . Illinois Route 161 runs along the southern border of the village, leading east to Centralia and west to New Baden. St. Louis is to the west via Interstate 64. According to the 2010 census, Germantown has a total area of, all land.
Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,118 people, 444 households, and 322 families residing in the village. The population density was 1,408.8 people per square mile. There were 459 housing units at an average density of 578.4 per square mile. The racial makeup of the village was 99.19% White, 0.18% Asian, 0.27% from other races, and 0.36% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.54% of the population. There are approximately 5 non-white people here according to this equation. There were 444 households out of which 32.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.9% were married couplesliving together, 10.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.3% were non-families. 24.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.50 and the average family size was 2.98. In the village, the population was spread out with 22.5% under the age of 18, 9.6% from 18 to 24, 29.3% from 25 to 44, 21.3% from 45 to 64, and 17.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.8 males. The median income for a household in the village was $47,614, and the median income for a family was $56,563. Males had a median income of $39,028 versus $27,917 for females. The per capita income for the village was $21,851. About 3.5% of families and 6.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.1% of those under age 18 and 8.9% of those age 65 or over.
Germantown Elementary provides classes for students in Pre-K up to eighth grade. The school has received several awards in past years for academic excellence. In addition, the school offers many extra-curricular activities, including: student council, scholar bowl, math team, science fair, team quest, concert band, jazz band, group and solo vocal performing, girls and boystrack and field, girls and boys basketball, cheerleading, and girls volleyball. There is no high school in Germantown, but there are two high schools in the neighboring town, Breese. Germantown is in the service area of Central Community High School, formed as a consolidation of the Breese and Aviston high schools in 1971. A private school in Breese in Mater Dei Catholic High School.
Annual events
Germantown PTA Trivia Night - Parent-Teacher Association fund raiser for the school
Earth Day - The junior high students from Germantown Elementary use the day to make the town a better place.
Bulldog Dash - 5K & 2K runs that provide funding for the students of Germantown Elementary.
