Linn Creek was settled in 1841. It was named from the creek on which it is situated, and which was named for the many linn trees lining its banks. A skirmish took place on October 14, 1861 between Union soldiers of the 13th Illinois, Fremont Battalion Cavalry and Confederates of Captain William Roberts.
As of the census of 2010, there were 244 people, 102 households, and 59 families living in the city. The population density was. There were 116 housing units at an average density of. The racial makeup of the city was 98.8% White, 0.8% Pacific Islander, and 0.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.6% of the population. There were 102 households of which 30.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.2% were married couplesliving together, 14.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 2.0% had a male householder with no wife present, and 42.2% were non-families. 32.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.26 and the average family size was 2.90. The median age in the city was 40 years. 20.9% of residents were under the age of 18; 10.3% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 29% were from 25 to 44; 30.8% were from 45 to 64; and 9% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 52.9% male and 47.1% female.
2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 280 people, 94 households, and 59 families living in the city. The population density was 252.9 people per square mile. There were 104 housing units at an average density of 93.9 per square mile. The racial makeup of the city was 96.79% White, 0.36% African American, 0.71% from other races, and 2.14% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.21% of the population. There were 94 households out of which 38.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.5% were married couples living together, 13.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.2% were non-families. 28.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.73 and the average family size was 3.30. In the city, the population was spread out with 30.0% under the age of 18, 10.4% from 18 to 24, 30.4% from 25 to 44, 16.8% from 45 to 64, and 12.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females, there were 129.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 122.7 males. The median income for a household in the city was $22,125, and the median income for a family was $27,321. Males had a median income of $25,833 versus $16,625 for females. The per capita income for the city was $11,009. About 17.5% of families and 19.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.9% of those under the age of eighteen and 12.5% of those sixty five or over.
