Harrisburg, Illinois

Overview

As a critical healthcare facility in Harrisburg, Illinois, Mulberry Center occupies a central position within the regional infrastructure. This hospital connects residents across multiple incorporated places, making it a focal point for the surrounding area. Analyzing the population within a 30-minute drive sheds light on how this location fits into the broader community network.

Population catchment

The catchment area surrounding Mulberry Center includes 19 incorporated communities with a combined population of roughly 37,097. Marion anchors this population base at 16,855 residents, comprising approximately 45% of the total. Harrisburg and Eldorado, with populations of 8,219 and 3,743 respectively, round out the top three communities by population in the 30-minute radius. The distribution of population across these communities paints a picture of the regional demographic landscape.

Regional dependence

The data reveals that 17 communities out of 19 near Mulberry Center have fewer than 5,000 residents. These smaller incorporated places look to Marion and its surrounding infrastructure for commerce, employment, and civic services. This hub-and-spoke dynamic underscores how locations like Mulberry Center function as critical nodes in the regional network of Illinois.

Geographic interpretation

The suburban nature of the area around Mulberry Center is reflected in the population data. The area features a suburban pattern where several communities of moderate size coexist with smaller towns, creating a varied demographic landscape. With Marion as the primary urban anchor and numerous smaller places in the vicinity, the region displays a moderately concentrated demographic pattern. The median community size of 539 residents reveals that the majority of incorporated places in the area are substantially smaller relative to Marion. These geographic factors contribute to the significance of Mulberry Center within the surrounding community network.