Payson is a village in Adams County, Illinois, United States. The population was 1,026 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Quincy, IL - MO Micropolitan Statistical Area.HistoryPayson was laid out in the Spring of 1835.During the 1860 presidential campaign, the residents of Payson erected a pole on which they hung banners supporting the Democratic candidate, Stephen Douglas, and an effigy of Abraham Lincoln riding a rail. This resulted in two confrontations with the Quincy Wide Awakes, the Republican para-military organization, on August 25–26, 1860. During the second confrontation, shots were fired at the Wide Awakes, resulting in injuries. This action was related to the "Stone's Prairie Riot" at nearby Plainville.GeographyAccording to the 2010 census, Payson has a total area of 1.12sqmi, all land.DemographicsAs of the census of 2000, there were 1,066 people, 389 households, and 289 families residing in the village. The population density was 929.4 people per square mile (357.9/km2). There were 409 housing units at an average density of 356.6 per square mile (137.3/km2). The racial makeup of the village was 98.78% White, 0.09% African American, 0.09% Pacific Islander, and 1.03% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.56% of the population.
