Effingham County is located in south-central Illinois, positioned between the state capital region and the lower Ohio River valley. Established in 1831 and named for Lord Effingham, an English nobleman associated with early American Revolutionary-era politics, the county developed as an agricultural area shaped by settlement along prairie and timbered waterways. Today it is mid-sized in population by Illinois county standards, with a regional service role centered on the city of Effingham. The county seat is Effingham.

The county’s landscape is largely flat to gently rolling, dominated by cropland, small towns, and scattered woodlands. Its economy reflects a mix of agriculture, manufacturing, transportation, and healthcare, supported by major highway and rail corridors that converge near Effingham. Culturally, Effingham County reflects the broader character of downstate Illinois, with strong community institutions and traditions tied to rural life and local commerce.

Effingham County Local Demographic Profile

Effingham County is located in south-central Illinois, centered on the City of Effingham and positioned along major transportation corridors including Interstates 57 and 70. It is part of a predominantly rural region with a small-city service hub role for surrounding communities.

Population Size

According to the U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts for Effingham County, Illinois, the county had an estimated population of 34,145 (2023).

Age & Gender

Age distribution and sex composition are published by the U.S. Census Bureau for Effingham County in QuickFacts and detailed tables. Key age and gender measures are available from Census QuickFacts (Effingham County), which reports:

  • Persons under 18 years: data listed in QuickFacts
  • Persons 65 years and over: data listed in QuickFacts
  • Female persons: data listed in QuickFacts (gender ratio can be derived from female and total population figures in the same source)

Racial & Ethnic Composition

Race and ethnicity are reported by the U.S. Census Bureau at the county level. The most commonly cited categories (e.g., White, Black or African American, Asian, Two or More Races, and Hispanic or Latino of any race) are provided in Census QuickFacts (race and Hispanic origin for Effingham County).

Household & Housing Data

Household and housing indicators for Effingham County are published by the U.S. Census Bureau, including measures such as:

  • Number of households
  • Average household size
  • Owner-occupied housing rate
  • Median value of owner-occupied housing units
  • Median gross rent
  • Housing units and building/vacancy characteristics (selected indicators)

These county-level statistics are compiled in U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts for Effingham County.

Local Government Reference

For local government and planning resources, visit the Effingham County official website.

Email Usage

Effingham County, Illinois is largely rural with a small-city hub (Effingham), so lower population density can make last‑mile broadband buildout more variable and can increase reliance on mobile connectivity for digital communication.

Direct county-level email usage statistics are generally not published; email adoption is commonly proxied using household internet/computer access and age structure. The most consistent local indicators come from the U.S. Census Bureau (data.census.gov) and its American Community Survey, which report county measures such as broadband subscription and computer ownership. Higher broadband subscription and in-home computer access typically correlate with more frequent email use, especially for work, education, and government services.

Age distribution influences likely email adoption because older cohorts tend to have lower overall digital engagement than prime working-age adults, while many younger residents rely more on smartphones and messaging alongside email. Sex (gender) composition is available in ACS, but it is usually a weaker predictor of email use than age and connectivity.

Infrastructure constraints are reflected in rural coverage gaps and provider availability reported through the FCC National Broadband Map, which helps contextualize where fixed broadband access may limit routine email use.

Mobile Phone Usage

Effingham County is located in south-central Illinois, with the City of Effingham functioning as the primary population and service center. Outside the city, the county is predominantly rural with small towns, farmland, and relatively low population density compared with metropolitan counties in Illinois. This rural settlement pattern and the presence of long road corridors (including I‑57 and I‑70) shape mobile connectivity outcomes: coverage is generally strongest around Effingham and along major highways, while signal quality and in-building performance can be more variable in sparsely populated areas.

Data availability and key distinctions (availability vs. adoption)

  • Network availability refers to where mobile carriers report service (coverage and technology generation such as LTE or 5G).
  • Household adoption refers to whether residents subscribe to mobile service and use mobile broadband as their internet connection.

County-level measures for mobile network availability are more commonly available than county-specific measures of device ownership and mobile-only internet reliance. Where county-specific adoption data is limited, the most reliable public sources are generally survey-based estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau that are typically reported at geographies that may include the county (county, place, tract) depending on the table and margin of error.

Mobile penetration / access indicators (household adoption)

Primary public indicator source: the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey (ACS) internet subscription measures.

  • The ACS reports whether households have an internet subscription and the type of subscription, including cellular data plan. This is the standard federal measure used to estimate the share of households relying on mobile broadband plans for home internet access.
  • County-level ACS estimates for internet subscription types can be accessed through the Census Bureau’s data tools and tables related to “Computer and Internet Use.”

Relevant source for household adoption metrics:

Limitations for Effingham County specifically:
Publicly accessible device-type penetration (smartphone ownership rates) is not typically published at the county level in a standardized federal series. The ACS focuses on household internet subscriptions and device availability (computer types in some tables), but smartphone ownership is more commonly reported at state or national levels in non-federal surveys. County-level “mobile penetration” is therefore best approximated using the ACS share of households reporting a cellular data plan subscription and/or the share with internet access overall, rather than direct smartphone ownership rates.

Mobile internet usage patterns and network availability (4G/LTE and 5G)

Reported coverage and technology availability

The most authoritative nationwide public dataset for reported mobile broadband coverage is the FCC Broadband Data Collection (BDC).

  • The FCC BDC provides provider-reported coverage polygons for mobile broadband and can be used to evaluate where LTE and 5G are reported as available in and around Effingham County.
  • The FCC also provides tools and downloadable datasets that can be used to distinguish between coverage presence (availability) and subscription measures (adoption is not directly measured by FCC coverage maps).

Key FCC sources:

General availability patterns typical for rural south-central Illinois (non-adoption):

  • 4G/LTE is commonly reported as broadly available across much of rural Illinois, often with stronger consistency near towns and main corridors.
  • 5G availability is generally more spatially uneven than LTE in rural counties, with higher reported availability around the county seat and along major transportation routes; in less dense areas, 5G can be limited to certain bands or carrier footprints.

County-specific verification method (availability):

  • Use the FCC National Broadband Map to view Effingham County and filter by mobile broadband and technology generation (LTE vs 5G) to see provider-reported availability.

Service quality vs. reported availability

Reported availability does not fully capture:

  • In-building performance (signal attenuation in homes, schools, and workplaces)
  • Terrain/vegetation effects (even modest changes in topography, tree cover, and building density can affect usable signal)
  • Network loading (congestion during peak hours or special events)

Publicly comparable county-level datasets on real-world mobile speed and reliability exist from third parties, but they are not standardized federal statistics. For a government source that is explicitly coverage-focused, the FCC remains the primary reference for availability.

Common device types (smartphones vs. other devices)

What is measurable at county level

  • Household internet subscription type (ACS): households reporting a cellular data plan as their internet subscription serve as the most consistent county-level indicator of reliance on mobile broadband for internet access.
  • Computing device indicators (ACS, where available): the ACS includes measures for presence of computing devices (desktop/laptop/tablet in certain tables), but it does not consistently provide county-level smartphone ownership as a direct indicator in the same way many commercial surveys do.

Relevant federal source:

Practical interpretation for Effingham County (without overstating)

  • Smartphones are the dominant endpoint for mobile connectivity in most U.S. counties, but county-specific smartphone share is not typically published in official datasets.
  • Mobile hotspots and fixed wireless gateways may be present in rural areas as substitutes for wired service, but household-level prevalence is best assessed via ACS cellular-plan subscription and complementary broadband availability data; device-type breakdown (phone vs hotspot vs router) is generally not published at the county level in official sources.

Demographic and geographic factors influencing mobile usage and connectivity

Rural geography and settlement pattern

  • Effingham County’s rural land use and dispersed housing can reduce the economic density that supports dense cell-site deployment, affecting availability and performance away from town centers.
  • The City of Effingham and other population clusters typically support stronger and more redundant coverage due to higher demand concentration.
  • Major interstates (I‑57 and I‑70) tend to be associated with stronger coverage continuity because they are priority corridors for carriers.

County context and geography references:

Population density and income/age structure (adoption drivers)

  • Household adoption of mobile service and mobile-only internet use is influenced by income, age distribution, and housing stability. These factors are measurable through ACS demographic tables, while the internet subscription type tables provide the closest county-level indicator of mobile-broadband reliance.
  • Older age profiles can correlate with different usage patterns (voice/text vs. data-intensive applications), though this is better documented at state/national levels than with definitive county-specific behavioral datasets.

Demographic reference source:

Summary: availability vs. adoption in Effingham County

  • Network availability (4G/5G): best documented using the FCC National Broadband Map, which provides provider-reported LTE and 5G coverage footprints within Effingham County.
  • Household adoption and mobile-reliant access: best documented using ACS internet subscription tables on Census.gov, particularly the share of households reporting a cellular data plan as an internet subscription type.
  • Device type prevalence (smartphone vs. other): not consistently available as a county-level official statistic; ACS provides household device/subscription context but not a definitive county smartphone-ownership rate.

Social Media Trends

Effingham County is in south‑central Illinois along the I‑70/I‑57 corridor, with Effingham as the county seat and a regional service economy shaped by transportation, retail, health care, and nearby manufacturing and agriculture. These characteristics typically align with social media use patterns seen in non‑metro Midwestern counties: heavy mobile access, strong participation in community-oriented networks, and high use of video and messaging for local information and entertainment.

User statistics (penetration and active use)

  • Local (county-level) social media penetration: No regularly published, methodologically consistent dataset provides verified Effingham County–specific social media penetration or “active user” rates across major platforms.
  • Best available benchmark (national, commonly applied to counties without direct measurement):
    • About 69% of U.S. adults report using at least one social media site (2023). Source: Pew Research Center social media fact sheet.
    • In Illinois and similar Midwestern states, county patterns generally track national adoption but vary by age mix, broadband/mobile access, and urbanization; Effingham County’s profile is closer to the U.S. “non‑metro” baseline than large‑metro Illinois counties.

Age group trends (highest-use groups)

Based on U.S. adult patterns (most applicable where local survey data is unavailable), social media usage is highest among younger adults:

Implication for Effingham County: usage is expected to be strongest among working-age adults and young adults, with a larger drop-off among seniors, consistent with rural/non‑metro adoption patterns.

Gender breakdown

Across “any social media” use, U.S. adults show little difference by gender:

Platform-level gender differences are more pronounced than overall adoption (notably for Pinterest and LinkedIn), and those national gaps typically appear in local areas as well.

Most-used platforms (with percentages)

National adult usage rates (useful as a proxy for Effingham County absent county-level measurement) include:

Local context for Effingham County: Facebook and YouTube generally over-index in non‑metro areas for community updates and video entertainment; Instagram and TikTok tend to skew younger; LinkedIn is more tied to professional/white-collar job concentration.

Behavioral trends (engagement patterns and preferences)

  • Community and local-information use: Non‑metro counties commonly rely on Facebook for local news sharing, school/community announcements, and event promotion; this aligns with broader findings about the role of social platforms in local information flows. Reference context: Pew Research Center Journalism & Media research.
  • Video-centric consumption: YouTube’s very high reach reflects broad use across age groups, with “how‑to,” entertainment, and local-interest content; short-form video growth is reflected by TikTok adoption, concentrated among younger adults. Source: Pew Research Center social media fact sheet.
  • Messaging and lightweight interaction: Routine engagement often occurs through private or semi-private channels (comments, groups, and direct messages) rather than public posting, consistent with U.S. trends toward more private sharing on major platforms. Source context: Pew Research Center internet and technology research.
  • Age-based platform preference: Younger adults disproportionately use Instagram, Snapchat, and TikTok, while Facebook remains comparatively stronger among adults 30+; seniors participate at lower rates overall but concentrate more on Facebook and YouTube than newer networks. Source: Pew Research Center (platform-by-age tables).

Family & Associates Records

Effingham County family-related public records are primarily managed through county and state offices. Vital records (birth and death certificates) are recorded locally by the county clerk and filed with the Illinois Department of Public Health. The Effingham County Clerk’s Office provides local access points and guidance for requests (Effingham County Clerk/Recorder). Marriage records are issued and recorded by the county clerk (licenses, certificates, and related indexes maintained by the office). Adoption records are handled through the circuit court system and are generally not treated as open public records; related filings are maintained within court records administration (Illinois Circuit Court Clerks directory).

Public database availability is limited for vital records due to statutory access controls; the county website provides office contact information and service descriptions rather than open, name-searchable birth/death certificate databases. Court record lookup options depend on the circuit clerk’s systems and record type; county-level online portals are typically focused on administrative information rather than comprehensive public indexes (Effingham County, Illinois (official site)).

Access occurs in person at the relevant office during business hours and by mail using request forms and identity/eligibility documentation where required. Privacy restrictions commonly limit certified birth and death records to eligible persons, while adoption files and many juvenile/family-case documents are restricted or sealed by law or court order.

Marriage & Divorce Records

Types of records available

Marriage records

  • Marriage license applications and marriage licenses: Issued by the Effingham County Clerk prior to the ceremony.
  • Marriage certificates / marriage returns: The officiant completes and returns proof that the marriage was solemnized; the County Clerk records the completed license and can issue certified copies.

Divorce records

  • Divorce case files and divorce decrees (judgments for dissolution of marriage): Maintained as court records in the circuit court case file. The final decree is the judgment entered by the court.

Annulment records

  • Judgments of invalidity (annulments): Illinois uses “declaration of invalidity of marriage” terminology. These are maintained as circuit court records in the case file, similar to divorces.

Where records are filed and how they can be accessed

Effingham County marriage records (local level)

  • Filed/recorded by: Effingham County Clerk (vital records function for marriages).
  • Access: Certified copies are generally obtained from the County Clerk’s office by requesting a marriage record. Requests typically require identifying details (names and date/year of marriage) and payment of statutory/local fees.

Effingham County divorce and annulment records (local level)

  • Filed/maintained by: Effingham County Circuit Clerk (case docket and file), under the Illinois Courts (4th Judicial Circuit includes Effingham County).
  • Access:
    • Case information (docket entries) and copies are requested through the Circuit Clerk, subject to court rules and any sealing/redaction requirements.
    • Certified copies of the final judgment/decree are issued by the Circuit Clerk when available for public release.

State-level access (marriage and divorce verification)

Typical information included in these records

Marriage license / marriage record

Common elements recorded in Illinois county marriage records include:

  • Full names of the parties (and often prior names)
  • Date and place of marriage (city/township/county)
  • Date the license was issued
  • Officiant’s name/title and certification that the marriage was solemnized
  • Basic biographical details captured on the application (commonly age/date of birth, residence address, and parents’ names depending on the form used at the time)

Divorce decree (judgment of dissolution)

Typical components include:

  • Case caption (names of parties), case number, and court venue
  • Date of filing and date of judgment
  • Legal findings and orders dissolving the marriage
  • Disposition terms that may be included in the judgment or incorporated by reference (property division, maintenance, allocation of parental responsibilities/parenting time, child support)
  • Signatures of the judge and clerk’s certification for certified copies

Annulment judgment (declaration of invalidity)

Typically includes:

  • Case caption and case number
  • Findings supporting invalidity under Illinois law
  • Court orders declaring the marriage invalid and related relief (property/parenting/support orders where applicable)

Privacy and legal restrictions

  • Marriage records: Marriage records recorded by a county clerk are generally treated as public records in Illinois, with certified copies issued by the County Clerk. Access may require proper identification and compliance with office procedures.
  • Divorce and annulment records: Court records are generally public, but specific documents or information can be restricted by law or court order. Common restrictions include:
    • Sealed cases or sealed filings by judicial order
    • Protected personal information subject to redaction under Illinois Supreme Court rules (for example, Social Security numbers and certain financial account identifiers)
    • Confidential information involving minors and sensitive family-law materials that may be restricted or filed as impounded/confidential exhibits depending on the case
  • Certified vs. informational copies: The Circuit Clerk and County Clerk can issue certified copies of records they maintain when the record is eligible for release; IDPH commonly provides verifications rather than complete divorce decrees.

Education, Employment and Housing

Effingham County is in south‑central Illinois along the Interstate 70/57 corridor, anchored by the city of Effingham and surrounded by largely rural townships and small towns (e.g., Teutopolis, Altamont, Dieterich, Beecher City). The county functions as a regional service, healthcare, logistics, and retail hub for nearby rural areas, with a population in the mid‑30,000s based on recent U.S. Census Bureau estimates (countywide demographics and population trends are published through the U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts profile).

Education Indicators

Public schools and district footprint (names and counts)

Public K–12 schooling is provided through multiple local districts. A comprehensive, current directory of district boundaries and school sites is maintained by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) School District Directories and the Illinois Report Card (school-by-school profiles, enrollments, staffing, and outcomes). Major public high schools serving the county include:

  • Effingham High School (Effingham Unit 40)
  • Teutopolis High School (Teutopolis CUSD 50)
  • Dieterich High School (Dieterich CUSD 30)
  • Altamont High School (Altamont CUSD 10)

Public elementary/middle sites are organized under those unit/community districts and associated feeder districts; the Illinois Report Card provides the authoritative list by year (school openings/closures and grade reconfigurations occur periodically).

Student–teacher ratios and graduation rates

  • Student–teacher ratios: Illinois Report Card publishes district and school student-to-teacher (and student-to-staff) ratios annually; ratios in rural Illinois districts commonly fall near the mid‑teens to high‑teens students per teacher, with smaller class sizes in some grade bands and buildings. For Effingham County, the most reliable current figures are those reported for each district/school in the Illinois Report Card.
  • Graduation rates: ISBE reports 4‑year cohort graduation rates by high school/district each year through the Illinois Report Card. Effingham County’s high schools generally report graduation rates that are high relative to state averages in many recent years, but the precise “most recent year” rate varies by school and must be taken from the latest Illinois Report Card release for each high school.

Adult educational attainment

Countywide adult education levels are reported through the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey (ACS), summarized in QuickFacts:

  • High school graduate or higher (age 25+): reported countywide via QuickFacts (Effingham County, Illinois).
  • Bachelor’s degree or higher (age 25+): reported countywide via the same QuickFacts profile.

(ACS figures update annually as multi‑year estimates; QuickFacts displays the most recent ACS release available for the county.)

Notable programs (STEM, vocational training, Advanced Placement)

  • Career and Technical Education (CTE) / vocational pathways: Illinois districts report CTE participation, industry credentials, and related measures through the Illinois Report Card. In Effingham County, vocational offerings are typically aligned to regional labor needs (health sciences, manufacturing/trades, business/IT, transportation/logistics), with district-specific sequences and partnerships.
  • Advanced Placement (AP) / dual credit: AP course availability and participation are school-specific and reported through local course catalogs and, in aggregated measures, through Illinois Report Card indicators. Many Illinois high schools also offer dual credit through regional community colleges; course lists and eligibility are district-dependent.
  • STEM programming: STEM coursework (computer science, engineering/design electives, agricultural sciences, lab sciences) is most consistently documented in district course guides and state reporting categories rather than a single countywide program inventory.

School safety measures and counseling resources

Illinois public schools operate under statewide requirements and guidance for:

  • Emergency operations planning, drills, and safety protocols (state compliance requirements and reporting are reflected in district safety plans and ISBE guidance; high-level references and requirements are summarized through ISBE resources and state law).
  • Student services, including school counseling and social-emotional supports, typically documented in district staffing, student support services descriptions, and Illinois Report Card staffing categories (e.g., counselors, social workers, psychologists). The most current staffing levels are most reliably sourced from the district/school pages on the Illinois Report Card.

Employment and Economic Conditions

Unemployment rate (most recent year available)

The most current official unemployment estimates are produced monthly by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (Local Area Unemployment Statistics) and disseminated for Illinois localities by the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES). Effingham County’s latest annual and monthly rates are available through:

(“Most recent year” changes with the latest IDES annual average release; monthly values provide the newest point-in-time measure.)

Major industries and employment sectors

Effingham County’s economy reflects a mix typical of a regional hub in downstate Illinois:

  • Healthcare and social assistance (regional medical services and senior care)
  • Retail trade and accommodation/food services (I‑70/I‑57 interchange commerce and hospitality)
  • Manufacturing (light manufacturing and regional plants)
  • Transportation and warehousing/logistics (interstate access and distribution activity)
  • Construction (residential, commercial, and infrastructure)
  • Educational services and public administration (schools, local government)

Sector employment shares and counts are documented in ACS “industry by occupation” tables and state labor market summaries; county profiles are accessible via data.census.gov (ACS) and IDES workforce reporting.

Common occupations and workforce breakdown

Occupational composition commonly includes:

  • Office/administrative support
  • Sales and related
  • Production and manufacturing
  • Transportation/material moving
  • Healthcare practitioners/support
  • Construction and extraction
  • Management and business operations These categories and their relative shares are reported through ACS occupation tables (county level) available on data.census.gov.

Commuting patterns and mean commute time

  • Mean travel time to work: Reported by the ACS for Effingham County (county profile tables on data.census.gov, also summarized in some county profiles).
  • Mode of commute: Rural Illinois counties typically show high shares commuting by driving alone, limited fixed-route transit, and modest carpooling; ACS provides county mode splits.
  • Local vs out‑of‑county work: Effingham’s role as a regional employment center increases in‑commuting from surrounding counties for healthcare, retail, logistics, and manufacturing, while some residents commute outward for specialized jobs in nearby micropolitan/metro labor markets. The clearest county-level quantification is available through U.S. Census commuting flow products (e.g., LEHD OnTheMap) showing inflow/outflow and primary job locations.

Housing and Real Estate

Homeownership and rental share

  • Homeownership rate and renter share: The ACS reports tenure (owner-occupied vs renter-occupied) for Effingham County; the most recent countywide values are available via QuickFacts and detailed ACS tables on data.census.gov.
  • The county’s housing stock is commonly characterized by a high owner-occupied share relative to large metros, consistent with small-city/rural Illinois patterns.

Median property values and recent trends

  • Median value of owner‑occupied housing units: Reported through QuickFacts/ACS for Effingham County (most recent ACS release visible on QuickFacts).
  • Recent trend context (proxy): Across much of downstate Illinois, nominal home values increased notably during 2020–2023, followed by slower growth as mortgage rates rose; county-specific appreciation rates vary by submarket. For a standardized, countywide trend series, ACS median value over time (multi‑year estimates) on data.census.gov is the most consistent public source.

Typical rent prices

  • Median gross rent: Reported via ACS/QuickFacts for Effingham County (most recent value on QuickFacts and detailed tables on data.census.gov).
  • Market rents vary by proximity to the city of Effingham, major highways, and newer multifamily developments; the ACS median gross rent provides the countywide benchmark rather than listing-market asking rents.

Housing types and built environment

  • Predominant forms: Single‑family detached homes dominate, with smaller shares of duplexes and multifamily apartments concentrated in and near Effingham and other incorporated towns. Rural areas include farmsteads, acreage properties, and scattered subdivisions.
  • Age of housing stock: Many downstate Illinois counties have substantial shares of housing built before 1980 alongside newer infill and subdivision growth near employment corridors; the county’s structure-by-year-built distributions are reported in ACS housing tables on data.census.gov.

Neighborhood characteristics (schools, amenities)

  • Effingham (city) and near-interchange areas: Higher concentrations of apartments, newer subdivisions, retail/services, and healthcare facilities; shorter trips to schools and daily amenities.
  • Smaller towns (e.g., Teutopolis, Dieterich, Altamont): Compact neighborhoods near local schools and community facilities, with a mix of older housing and newer edge development.
  • Rural townships: Larger lots and agricultural land uses; longer travel distances to schools, medical care, and retail, with car-dependent access.

Property taxes (rate and typical homeowner cost)

  • Illinois relies heavily on local property taxes; effective rates vary by taxing district and assessment outcomes.
  • County-level property tax indicators: The ACS reports median real estate taxes paid for owner‑occupied housing units, available for Effingham County via data.census.gov (table series for selected monthly owner costs and taxes).
  • Effective tax rate (proxy): Illinois’ effective property tax rates are among the higher in the U.S., but county-specific effective rates require combining equalized assessed value, levy totals, and parcel-level characteristics; the most authoritative local figures are published through county assessment and tax billing records and Illinois Department of Revenue equalization/assessment reporting. A countywide “average rate” is best treated as an approximation rather than a single uniform value because rates vary materially by municipality, school district, and parcel classification.

Data note: School counts, staffing ratios, graduation rates, and student support staffing are most reliably taken from the latest release of the Illinois Report Card. Countywide education attainment, commute time, home values, rents, and tenure are most consistently sourced from the latest ACS through QuickFacts and data.census.gov. Unemployment rates are most current through IDES labor market information.

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