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Illinois Counties
There are one hundred and two counties in Illinois. St. Clair County was the first county established in what is today Illinois. Most counties in Illinois were named after early American leaders, especially of the American Revolutionary War, as well as soldiers from the Battle of Tippecanoe and the War of 1812.Saline County, Illinois
Saline County Education, Geography, and History
Saline County is a county located
in the state of Illinois. According to the 2010 census, it had a
population of 24,913. Saline County was created
on February 25, 1847. The county seat
is Harrisburg. The county is named for the Salt springs
within the county.
Saline County is home to the largest KFC in the United States. There are three major towns in Saline County connected by US Route 45, and
formerly by the now abandoned Cairo and Vincennes/Big Four/New York Central Line, from north to south, Eldorado, Harrisburg, and Carrier
Mills.
Etymology - Origin of Saline County Name
The county is named for the Salt springs within the county.
Demographics:
County QuickFacts: CensusBureau Quick Facts
Saline County History
Saline County was created on February 25, 1847 (Private Laws, 1847, p. 34) and was formed from Gallatin County.
Present area, or parts of it, formerly included in: Gallatin County (1812-1847), Johnson County (1812-1816), Randolph
County (1801-1812) and Knox, Northwest Territory (1790-1801).
The County was named for Saline creek, so called on account of numerous salt springs in that locality. The County Seat
is Harrisburg . Prior County Seats was Raleigh (1847-1859) and Harrisburg (1859-Present).
The county seat, Harrisburg is located in the southern portion
of Illinois known locally as "Little Egypt".
Geography: Land and Water
As reported by the Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 387 square miles (1,002 km2), of which, 383
square miles (993 km2) of it is land and 4 square miles (10 km2) of it (0.95%) is water.
Saline county is located in south Illinois.The county area is mostly rolling hills throughout gradually rising to the Hills of the Shawnee National
Forest and to the north of Eldorado there are flat lowlands. Saline County
State Fish and Wildlife Area and part of Tunnel Hill State Trail is
located in this county.
Neighboring Counties
Bordering counties are as follows:
- North: Hamilton County
- Northeast: White County
- East: Gallatin County
- Southeast: Hardin County
- South: Pope County
- Southwest: Johnson County
- West: Williamson County
- Northwest: Franklin County
Education
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