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List of counties in Illinois facts for kids

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Quick facts for kids
Counties of Illinois
Location State of Illinois
Number 102
Populations 3,569 (Hardin) – 5,087,072 (Cook)
Areas 172 square miles (450 km2) (Putnam) – 1,186 square miles (3,070 km2) (McLean)
Government County government
Subdivisions 261 Precincts
1,433 Townships

There are 102 counties in Illinois. The most populous of these is Cook County, the second-most populous county in the United States and the home of Chicago, while the least populous is Hardin County. The largest by land area is McLean County, while the smallest is Putnam County. Illinois's FIPS state code is 17 and its postal abbreviation is IL.

What is now Illinois was claimed as part of Illinois County, Virginia, between 1778 and 1782. Modern-day county formation dates to 1790 when the area was part of the Northwest Territory; two counties—St. Clair and Knox—were created at that time. Knox would later become a county in Indiana and is unrelated to the current Knox County in Illinois, while St. Clair would become the oldest county in Illinois. 15 counties had been created by the time Illinois achieved statehood in 1818. The last county, Ford County, was created in 1859. Cook County, established in 1831 and named for the early Illinois Attorney General Daniel Pope Cooke, contained the absolute majority of the state's population in the first half of the 20th century and retains more than 40% of it as of the 2020 Census.

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. Some are named after natural features or counties in other states. Some are named for early Illinois leaders. Two counties are named for Native American tribes, and one bears the name of a plant used as a food source by Native Americans. While it does have a Lincoln city, Illinois does not have a county named after its favorite son, Abraham Lincoln; it does, however, have a Douglas County (founded 1859) named after his political rival Stephen A. Douglas. It also has Calhoun County (founded 1825), named after John C. Calhoun, outspoken for his pro-slavery and pro-southern views in the years preceding the American Civil War. Several of the counties are named after Southerners, reflecting the fact that Illinois was for a short time part of Virginia, and settled in its early years by many Southerners. No counties are named after heroes of the Civil War, mainly because the counties were all named before that war. The state does have a Lee County (founded 1839) named after Henry Lee III, the father of Robert E. Lee, who at one time served in Illinois. Illinois also has two counties named after the same person, New York governor DeWitt Clinton (DeWitt County, and Clinton County).

Information on the FIPS county code, county seat, year of establishment, origin, etymology, population, area and map of each county is included in the table below.

Counties

Note: the links in the FIPS County Code column are to the United States Census Bureau page for that county.

County
FIPS code County seat Est. Origin Etymology Population Area Map
Adams County 001 Quincy 1825 Pike County John Quincy Adams (1767–1848), sixth President of the United States &&&&&&&&&&064441.&&&&&064,441 &&&&&&&&&&&&0855.&&&&&0855 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&02214.&&&&&02,214 km2)
State map highlighting Adams County
Alexander County 003 Cairo 1819 Union County William M. Alexander, settler and state representative in the Illinois General Assembly &&&&&&&&&&&04695.&&&&&04,695 &&&&&&&&&&&&0236.&&&&&0236 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&&0611.&&&&&0611 km2)
State map highlighting Alexander County
Bond County 005 Greenville 1817 Crawford County, Edwards County, and Madison County Shadrach Bond (1773–1832), first Governor of Illinois &&&&&&&&&&016450.&&&&&016,450 &&&&&&&&&&&&0380.&&&&&0380 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&&0984.&&&&&0984 km2)
State map highlighting Bond County
Boone County 007 Belvidere 1837 Winnebago County Daniel Boone (1734–1820), trailblazer of the Wilderness Road in Kentucky &&&&&&&&&&053202.&&&&&053,202 &&&&&&&&&&&&0280.&&&&&0280 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&&0725.&&&&&0725 km2)
State map highlighting Boone County
Brown County 009 Mount Sterling 1839 Schuyler County Jacob Brown (1775–1828), successful War of 1812 army officer responsible for Great Lakes defenses &&&&&&&&&&&06294.&&&&&06,294 &&&&&&&&&&&&0305.&&&&&0305 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&&0790.&&&&&0790 km2)
State map highlighting Brown County
Bureau County 011 Princeton 1837 Putnam County Pierre de Bureo, Frenchman, North American fur trader &&&&&&&&&&032729.&&&&&032,729 &&&&&&&&&&&&0869.&&&&&0869 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&02251.&&&&&02,251 km2)
State map highlighting Bureau County
Calhoun County 013 Hardin 1825 Pike County John C. Calhoun (1782–1850), South Carolina senator and seventh Vice President of the United States &&&&&&&&&&&04317.&&&&&04,317 &&&&&&&&&&&&0253.&&&&&0253 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&&0655.&&&&&0655 km2)
State map highlighting Calhoun County
Carroll County 015 Mount Carroll 1839 Jo Daviess Charles Carroll of Carrollton (1737–1832), signed the Declaration of Independence on behalf of Maryland &&&&&&&&&&015526.&&&&&015,526 &&&&&&&&&&&&0445.&&&&&0445 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&01153.&&&&&01,153 km2)
State map highlighting Carroll County
Cass County 017 Virginia 1837 Morgan County Lewis Cass (1782–1866), second governor of Michigan Territory, fourteenth United States Secretary of War &&&&&&&&&&012596.&&&&&012,596 &&&&&&&&&&&&0375.&&&&&0375 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&&0971.&&&&&0971 km2)
State map highlighting Cass County
Champaign County 019 Urbana 1833 Vermilion County Champaign County, Ohio, which took its name from the French for "open level country" &&&&&&&&&0205644.&&&&&0205,644 &&&&&&&&&&&&0996.&&&&&0996 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&02580.&&&&&02,580 km2)
State map highlighting Champaign County
Christian County 021 Taylorville 1839 Sangamon County Christian County, Kentucky, which was named after William Christian &&&&&&&&&&033228.&&&&&033,228 &&&&&&&&&&&&0709.&&&&&0709 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&01836.&&&&&01,836 km2)
State map highlighting Christian County
Clark County 023 Marshall 1819 Crawford County George Rogers Clark (1752–1818), highest-ranking officer in the Northwest Territory during the American Revolution &&&&&&&&&&015088.&&&&&015,088 &&&&&&&&&&&&0501.&&&&&0501 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&01298.&&&&&01,298 km2)
State map highlighting Clark County
Clay County 025 Louisville 1824 Wayne, Lawrence, Fayette, and Crawford County Henry Clay (1777–1852), Kentucky legislator who negotiated the Missouri Compromise &&&&&&&&&&012999.&&&&&012,999 &&&&&&&&&&&&0468.&&&&&0468 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&01212.&&&&&01,212 km2)
State map highlighting Clay County
Clinton County 027 Carlyle 1824 Washington, Bond, and Fayette County DeWitt Clinton (1769–1828), Governor of New York, responsible for the construction of the Erie Canal &&&&&&&&&&036785.&&&&&036,785 &&&&&&&&&&&&0474.&&&&&0474 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&01228.&&&&&01,228 km2)
State map highlighting Clinton County
Coles County 029 Charleston 1830 Clark and Edgar County Edward Coles (1786–1868), second Governor of Illinois, responsible for the abolition of slavery in Illinois &&&&&&&&&&046060.&&&&&046,060 &&&&&&&&&&&&0508.&&&&&0508 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&01316.&&&&&01,316 km2)
State map highlighting Coles County
Cook County 031 Chicago 1831 Putnam County Daniel Pope Cook (1794–1827), politician and first Attorney General of Illinois &&&&&&&&05087072.&&&&&05,087,072 &&&&&&&&&&&&0944.&&&&&0944 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&02445.&&&&&02,445 km2)
State map highlighting Cook County
Crawford County 033 Robinson 1816 Edwards County William H. Crawford (1772–1834), ninth United States Secretary of War, seventh Secretary of the Treasury &&&&&&&&&&018300.&&&&&018,300 &&&&&&&&&&&&0443.&&&&&0443 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&01147.&&&&&01,147 km2)
State map highlighting Crawford County
Cumberland County 035 Toledo 1843 Coles County Disputed: Cumberland Road, which entered the county; Cumberland, Maryland; or Cumberland River in Kentucky &&&&&&&&&&010261.&&&&&010,261 &&&&&&&&&&&&0345.&&&&&0345 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&&0894.&&&&&0894 km2)
State map highlighting Cumberland County
DeKalb County 037 Sycamore 1837 Kane County Johann de Kalb (1721–1780), German officer in the Continental Army who fought alongside Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette &&&&&&&&&0100288.&&&&&0100,288 &&&&&&&&&&&&0631.&&&&&0631 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&01634.&&&&&01,634 km2)
State map highlighting DeKalb County
DeWitt County 039 Clinton 1839 Macon and McLean County DeWitt Clinton (1769–1828), Governor of New York, responsible for the construction of the Erie Canal &&&&&&&&&&015365.&&&&&015,365 &&&&&&&&&&&&0397.&&&&&0397 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&01028.&&&&&01,028 km2)
State map highlighting DeWitt County
Douglas County 041 Tuscola 1859 Coles County Stephen A. Douglas (1813–1861), prominent Illinois Democrat who engaged in debates with Abraham Lincoln &&&&&&&&&&019629.&&&&&019,629 &&&&&&&&&&&&0416.&&&&&0416 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&01077.&&&&&01,077 km2)
State map highlighting Douglas County
DuPage County 043 Wheaton 1839 Cook County DuPage River &&&&&&&&&0921213.&&&&&0921,213 &&&&&&&&&&&&0327.&&&&&0327 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&&0847.&&&&&0847 km2)
State map highlighting DuPage County
Edgar County 045 Paris 1823 Clark County John Edgar (c. 1750–1832), Illinois delegate to the Northwest Territory legislature; at the time, wealthiest man in Illinois &&&&&&&&&&016334.&&&&&016,334 &&&&&&&&&&&&0623.&&&&&0623 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&01614.&&&&&01,614 km2)
State map highlighting Edgar County
Edwards County 047 Albion 1814 Gallatin County and Madison County Ninian Edwards (1775–1833), third Governor of the State of Illinois and only governor of the Illinois Territory &&&&&&&&&&&05968.&&&&&05,968 &&&&&&&&&&&&0222.&&&&&0222 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&&0575.&&&&&0575 km2)
State map highlighting Edwards County
Effingham County 049 Effingham 1831 Fayette and Crawford County Thomas Howard, 3rd Earl of Effingham, military officer who resigned from the British Army to avoid fighting the American colonies &&&&&&&&&&034331.&&&&&034,331 &&&&&&&&&&&&0478.&&&&&0478 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&01238.&&&&&01,238 km2)
State map highlighting Effingham County
Fayette County 051 Vandalia 1821 Bond, Wayne, Clark, Jefferson, and Crawford County Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette (1757–1834), French military officer who was a key factor in the American and French Revolutions. &&&&&&&&&&021164.&&&&&021,164 &&&&&&&&&&&&0716.&&&&&0716 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&01854.&&&&&01,854 km2)
State map highlighting Fayette County
Ford County 053 Paxton 1859 Vermilion County Thomas Ford (1800–1850), eighth Governor of Illinois; served during the Illinois Mormon War &&&&&&&&&&013250.&&&&&013,250 &&&&&&&&&&&&0485.&&&&&0485 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&01256.&&&&&01,256 km2)
State map highlighting Ford County
Franklin County 055 Benton 1818 White County and Gallatin County Benjamin Franklin (1706–1790), prolific writer, inventor, and politician; key factor in the American Revolution &&&&&&&&&&037138.&&&&&037,138 &&&&&&&&&&&&0408.&&&&&0408 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&01057.&&&&&01,057 km2)
State map highlighting Franklin County
Fulton County 057 Lewistown 1823 Pike County Robert Fulton (1765–1815), inventor of the steamboat &&&&&&&&&&032541.&&&&&032,541 &&&&&&&&&&&&0865.&&&&&0865 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&02240.&&&&&02,240 km2)
State map highlighting Fulton County
Gallatin County 059 Shawneetown 1812 Randolph County Albert Gallatin (1761–1849), fourth and longest-serving United States Secretary of the Treasury &&&&&&&&&&&04670.&&&&&04,670 &&&&&&&&&&&&0322.&&&&&0322 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&&0834.&&&&&0834 km2)
State map highlighting Gallatin County
Greene County 061 Carrollton 1821 Madison County Nathanael Greene (1742–1786), major general in the Continental Army &&&&&&&&&&011543.&&&&&011,543 &&&&&&&&&&&&0543.&&&&&0543 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&01406.&&&&&01,406 km2)
State map highlighting Greene County
Grundy County 063 Morris 1841 LaSalle County Felix Grundy (1777–1840), Tennessean senator who served as the thirteenth United States Attorney General &&&&&&&&&&053578.&&&&&053,578 &&&&&&&&&&&&0418.&&&&&0418 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&01083.&&&&&01,083 km2)
State map highlighting Grundy County
Hamilton County 065 McLeansboro 1821 White County Alexander Hamilton (1755–1804), first United States Secretary of the Treasury &&&&&&&&&&&07911.&&&&&07,911 &&&&&&&&&&&&0434.&&&&&0434 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&01124.&&&&&01,124 km2)
State map highlighting Hamilton County
Hancock County 067 Carthage 1825 Adams County John Hancock (1737–1793), first governor of the Massachusetts colony and president of the Second Continental Congress &&&&&&&&&&017186.&&&&&017,186 &&&&&&&&&&&&0793.&&&&&0793 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&02054.&&&&&02,054 km2)
State map highlighting Hancock County
Hardin County 069 Elizabethtown 1839 Pope County Hardin County, Kentucky, which was named after John Hardin &&&&&&&&&&&03569.&&&&&03,569 &&&&&&&&&&&&0177.&&&&&0177 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&&0458.&&&&&0458 km2)
State map highlighting Hardin County
Henderson County 071 Oquawka 1841 Warren County Henderson County, Kentucky, which was named after Richard Henderson &&&&&&&&&&&06088.&&&&&06,088 &&&&&&&&&&&&0378.&&&&&0378 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&&0979.&&&&&0979 km2)
State map highlighting Henderson County
Henry County 073 Cambridge 1825 Fulton County Patrick Henry (1736–1799), American Revolutionary War figure; first and sixth Governor of Virginia &&&&&&&&&&048448.&&&&&048,448 &&&&&&&&&&&&0822.&&&&&0822 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&02129.&&&&&02,129 km2)
State map highlighting Henry County
Iroquois County 075 Watseka 1833 Vermilion County Iroquois Native Americans &&&&&&&&&&026136.&&&&&026,136 &&&&&&&&&&&01117.&&&&&01,117 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&02893.&&&&&02,893 km2)
State map highlighting Iroquois County
Jackson County 077 Murphysboro 1816 Randolph County and Johnson County Andrew Jackson (1767–1845), seventh President of the United States, United States Senator from Tennessee, and general in the War of 1812 &&&&&&&&&&052141.&&&&&052,141 &&&&&&&&&&&&0584.&&&&&0584 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&01513.&&&&&01,513 km2)
State map highlighting Jackson County
Jasper County 079 Newton 1831 Clay and Crawford County Sgt. William Jasper (c. 1750–1779), American Revolutionary War soldier popularized by Parson Weems &&&&&&&&&&&09144.&&&&&09,144 &&&&&&&&&&&&0494.&&&&&0494 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&01279.&&&&&01,279 km2)
State map highlighting Jasper County
Jefferson County 081 Mount Vernon 1819 Edwards and White County Thomas Jefferson (1743–1826), third President of the United States, second Vice President of the United States, Governor of Virginia, and one of the foremost Founding Fathers of the United States &&&&&&&&&&036320.&&&&&036,320 &&&&&&&&&&&&0571.&&&&&0571 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&01479.&&&&&01,479 km2)
State map highlighting Jefferson County
Jersey County 083 Jerseyville 1839 Greene County State of New Jersey, from which many early settlers hailed &&&&&&&&&&021091.&&&&&021,091 &&&&&&&&&&&&0369.&&&&&0369 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&&0956.&&&&&0956 km2)
State map highlighting Jersey County
Jo Daviess County 085 Galena 1827 Henry, Mercer, and Putnam County Joseph Hamilton Daveiss (1774–1811), commander of the Indiana Dragoons at the Battle of Tippecanoe &&&&&&&&&&021756.&&&&&021,756 &&&&&&&&&&&&0600.&&&&&0600 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&01554.&&&&&01,554 km2)
State map highlighting Jo Daviess County
Johnson County 087 Vienna 1812 Randolph County Richard Mentor Johnson (c. 1780–1850), ninth Vice President of the United States and United States Senator from Kentucky &&&&&&&&&&013326.&&&&&013,326 &&&&&&&&&&&&0343.&&&&&0343 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&&0888.&&&&&0888 km2)
State map highlighting Johnson County
Kane County 089 Geneva 1836 LaSalle County Elias Kane (1794–1835), United States Senator from Illinois &&&&&&&&&0514982.&&&&&0514,982 &&&&&&&&&&&&0519.&&&&&0519 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&01344.&&&&&01,344 km2)
State map highlighting Kane County
Kankakee County 091 Kankakee 1853 Iroquois and Will County Kankakee River &&&&&&&&&0105940.&&&&&0105,940 &&&&&&&&&&&&0676.&&&&&0676 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&01751.&&&&&01,751 km2)
State map highlighting Kankakee County
Kendall County 093 Yorkville 1841 LaSalle and Kane County Amos Kendall (1789–1869), United States Postmaster General under Presidents Andrew Jackson and Martin Van Buren &&&&&&&&&0139976.&&&&&0139,976 &&&&&&&&&&&&0320.&&&&&0320 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&&0829.&&&&&0829 km2)
State map highlighting Kendall County
Knox County 095 Galesburg 1825 Fulton County Gen. Henry Knox (1750–1806), American Revolutionary War general and first United States Secretary of War &&&&&&&&&&048411.&&&&&048,411 &&&&&&&&&&&&0716.&&&&&0716 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&01854.&&&&&01,854 km2)
State map highlighting Knox County
Lake County 097 Waukegan 1839 McHenry County Lake Michigan &&&&&&&&&0708760.&&&&&0708,760 &&&&&&&&&&&&0443.&&&&&0443 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&01147.&&&&&01,147 km2)
State map highlighting Lake County
LaSalle County 099 Ottawa 1831 Putnam and Tazewell County Sieur de la Salle (1643–1687), French explorer of the Great Lakes &&&&&&&&&0108309.&&&&&0108,309 &&&&&&&&&&&01135.&&&&&01,135 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&02940.&&&&&02,940 km2)
State map highlighting LaSalle County
Lawrence County 101 Lawrenceville 1821 Crawford and Edwards County Capt. James Lawrence (1781–1813), commander of the USS Chesapeake in the War of 1812. Famous for his command "Don't give up the ship!" &&&&&&&&&&014813.&&&&&014,813 &&&&&&&&&&&&0372.&&&&&0372 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&&0963.&&&&&0963 km2)
State map highlighting Lawrence County
Lee County 103 Dixon 1839 Ogle County "Light Horse" Henry Lee III (1756–1818), American Revolutionary War officer and ninth Governor of Virginia &&&&&&&&&&033654.&&&&&033,654 &&&&&&&&&&&&0724.&&&&&0724 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&01875.&&&&&01,875 km2)
State map highlighting Lee County
Livingston County 105 Pontiac 1837 LaSalle and McLean County Edward Livingston (1764–1836), prominent jurist, Congressman from New York and Louisiana, and U.S. Secretary of State from 1831-33 &&&&&&&&&&035320.&&&&&035,320 &&&&&&&&&&&01043.&&&&&01,043 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&02701.&&&&&02,701 km2)
State map highlighting Livingston County
Logan County 107 Lincoln 1839 Sangamon County John Logan, country doctor and early settler, and the father of John A. Logan &&&&&&&&&&027590.&&&&&027,590 &&&&&&&&&&&&0618.&&&&&0618 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&01601.&&&&&01,601 km2)
State map highlighting Logan County
Macon County 115 Decatur 1829 Shelby County Nathaniel Macon (1758–1837), sixth Speaker of the United States House of Representatives and United States Senator from North Carolina &&&&&&&&&0100591.&&&&&0100,591 &&&&&&&&&&&&0580.&&&&&0580 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&01502.&&&&&01,502 km2)
State map highlighting Macon County
Macoupin County 117 Carlinville 1829 Greene County Native American word macoupin, meaning "American lotus" &&&&&&&&&&044018.&&&&&044,018 &&&&&&&&&&&&0862.&&&&&0862 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&02233.&&&&&02,233 km2)
State map highlighting Macoupin County
Madison County 119 Edwardsville 1812 St. Clair County and Randolph County James Madison (1751–1836), fourth President of the United States and principal author of the Constitution of the United States &&&&&&&&&0262752.&&&&&0262,752 &&&&&&&&&&&&0716.&&&&&0716 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&01854.&&&&&01,854 km2)
State map highlighting Madison County
Marion County 121 Salem 1823 Fayette and Jefferson County Francis Marion (c. 1732–1795), general in the American Revolutionary War known as "The Swamp Fox" &&&&&&&&&&036673.&&&&&036,673 &&&&&&&&&&&&0572.&&&&&0572 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&01481.&&&&&01,481 km2)
State map highlighting Marion County
Marshall County 123 Lacon 1839 Putnam County John Marshall (1755–1835), fourth and longest-serving Chief Justice of the United States, wrote opinion in Marbury v. Madison establishing the principle of judicial review &&&&&&&&&&011683.&&&&&011,683 &&&&&&&&&&&&0386.&&&&&0386 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&01000.&&&&&01,000 km2)
State map highlighting Marshall County
Mason County 125 Havana 1841 Tazewell and Menard County Named after Mason County, Kentucky, itself named after George Mason &&&&&&&&&&012523.&&&&&012,523 &&&&&&&&&&&&0539.&&&&&0539 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&01396.&&&&&01,396 km2)
State map highlighting Mason County
Massac County 127 Metropolis 1843 Pope and Johnson County Fort Massac, a colonial-era fort on the Ohio River &&&&&&&&&&013661.&&&&&013,661 &&&&&&&&&&&&0237.&&&&&0237 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&&0614.&&&&&0614 km2)
State map highlighting Massac County
McDonough County 109 Macomb 1826 Schuyler County Commodore Thomas Macdonough (1783–1825), commander of American naval forces at the Battle of Plattsburgh &&&&&&&&&&026839.&&&&&026,839 &&&&&&&&&&&&0589.&&&&&0589 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&01526.&&&&&01,526 km2)
State map highlighting McDonough County
McHenry County 111 Woodstock 1836 Cook and LaSalle County Major William McHenry (c. 1771–1835), officer during several campaigns against Native Americans and was a member of the Illinois legislature &&&&&&&&&0312800.&&&&&0312,800 &&&&&&&&&&&&0603.&&&&&0603 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&01562.&&&&&01,562 km2)
State map highlighting McHenry County
McLean County 113 Bloomington 1830 Tazewell County John McLean (1791–1830), United States Representative and United States Senator from Illinois (the latter from 1824–25 and 1829–30) &&&&&&&&&0170441.&&&&&0170,441 &&&&&&&&&&&01183.&&&&&01,183 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&03064.&&&&&03,064 km2)
State map highlighting McLean County
Menard County 129 Petersburg 1839 Sangamon County Pierre Menard (1766–1844), prominent early settler and first Lieutenant Governor of Illinois &&&&&&&&&&011954.&&&&&011,954 &&&&&&&&&&&&0314.&&&&&0314 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&&0813.&&&&&0813 km2)
State map highlighting Menard County
Mercer County 131 Aledo 1825 Schuyler County Hugh Mercer (1726–1777), British officer in the Seven Years' War and general in the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War &&&&&&&&&&015487.&&&&&015,487 &&&&&&&&&&&&0561.&&&&&0561 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&01453.&&&&&01,453 km2)
State map highlighting Mercer County
Monroe County 133 Waterloo 1816 Randolph County and St. Clair County James Monroe (1758–1831), seventh United States Secretary of State, eighth United States Secretary of War, Governor of Virginia, and fifth President of the United States &&&&&&&&&&034957.&&&&&034,957 &&&&&&&&&&&&0385.&&&&&0385 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&&0997.&&&&&0997 km2)
State map highlighting Monroe County
Montgomery County 135 Hillsboro 1821 Bond and Madison County Gen. Richard Montgomery (1738–1775), brigadier-general in the Continental Army who led the unsuccessful invasion of Canada &&&&&&&&&&027663.&&&&&027,663 &&&&&&&&&&&&0703.&&&&&0703 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&01821.&&&&&01,821 km2)
State map highlighting Montgomery County
Morgan County 137 Jacksonville 1823 Sangamon County Gen. Daniel Morgan (1736–1802), successful tactician in the American Revolutionary War and later United States Representative from Virginia &&&&&&&&&&032140.&&&&&032,140 &&&&&&&&&&&&0568.&&&&&0568 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&01471.&&&&&01,471 km2)
State map highlighting Morgan County
Moultrie County 139 Sullivan 1843 Shelby and Macon County Gen. William Moultrie (1730–1805), American Revolutionary War general and Governor of South Carolina &&&&&&&&&&014342.&&&&&014,342 &&&&&&&&&&&&0335.&&&&&0335 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&&0868.&&&&&0868 km2)
State map highlighting Moultrie County
Ogle County 141 Oregon 1836 Jo Daviess Joseph Ogle (1737–1821), early settler in southwest Illinois, who helped found the first Methodist church in Illinois &&&&&&&&&&051265.&&&&&051,265 &&&&&&&&&&&&0758.&&&&&0758 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&01963.&&&&&01,963 km2)
State map highlighting Ogle County
Peoria County 143 Peoria 1825 Fulton County The Peoria Native American tribe &&&&&&&&&0177513.&&&&&0177,513 &&&&&&&&&&&&0618.&&&&&0618 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&01601.&&&&&01,601 km2)
State map highlighting Peoria County
Perry County 145 Pinckneyville 1827 Randolph and Jackson County Cmdre. Oliver Hazard Perry (1785–1819), American naval officer who led the victorious American forces at the Battle of Lake Erie &&&&&&&&&&020503.&&&&&020,503 &&&&&&&&&&&&0441.&&&&&0441 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&01142.&&&&&01,142 km2)
State map highlighting Perry County
Piatt County 147 Monticello 1841 DeWitt and Macon County James A. Piatt, the patriarch of a prominent settler family in the early history of the county &&&&&&&&&&016714.&&&&&016,714 &&&&&&&&&&&&0439.&&&&&0439 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&01137.&&&&&01,137 km2)
State map highlighting Piatt County
Pike County 149 Pittsfield 1821 Madison, Bond, and Clark County Zebulon Pike (1779–1813), early explorer of the American Southwest, namesake of Pikes Peak &&&&&&&&&&014342.&&&&&014,342 &&&&&&&&&&&&0831.&&&&&0831 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&02152.&&&&&02,152 km2)
State map highlighting Pike County
Pope County 151 Golconda 1816 Gallatin and Johnson County Nathaniel Pope (1784–1850), early Delegate from Illinois Territory to Congress and judge on the United States District Court for the District of Illinois &&&&&&&&&&&03707.&&&&&03,707 &&&&&&&&&&&&0368.&&&&&0368 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&&0953.&&&&&0953 km2)
State map highlighting Pope County
Pulaski County 153 Mound City 1843 Alexander and Johnson County Gen. Casimir Pulaski (1745–1779), Polish American general of cavalry in the American Revolutionary War &&&&&&&&&&&04911.&&&&&04,911 &&&&&&&&&&&&0199.&&&&&0199 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&&0515.&&&&&0515 km2)
State map highlighting Pulaski County
Putnam County 155 Hennepin 1825 Fulton County Gen. Israel Putnam (1718–1790), commander of American forces at the Battle of Bunker Hill &&&&&&&&&&&05561.&&&&&05,561 &&&&&&&&&&&&0160.&&&&&0160 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&&0414.&&&&&0414 km2)
State map highlighting Putnam County
Randolph County 157 Chester 1795 St. Clair County Edmund Randolph (1753–1813), first Attorney General of the United States, and briefly United States Secretary of State &&&&&&&&&&029815.&&&&&029,815 &&&&&&&&&&&&0575.&&&&&0575 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&01489.&&&&&01,489 km2)
State map highlighting Randolph County
Richland County 159 Olney 1841 Clay and Lawrence County Richland County, Ohio, itself named for its rich soil &&&&&&&&&&015488.&&&&&015,488 &&&&&&&&&&&&0360.&&&&&0360 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&&0932.&&&&&0932 km2)
State map highlighting Richland County
Rock Island County 161 Rock Island 1831 Jo Daviess County Rock Island &&&&&&&&&0141236.&&&&&0141,236 &&&&&&&&&&&&0427.&&&&&0427 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&01106.&&&&&01,106 km2)
State map highlighting Rock Island County
Saline County 165 Harrisburg 1847 Gallatin County The Saline River and salt springs in the county &&&&&&&&&&022873.&&&&&022,873 &&&&&&&&&&&&0379.&&&&&0379 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&&0982.&&&&&0982 km2)
State map highlighting Saline County
Sangamon County 167 Springfield 1821 Madison and Bond County Sangamon River &&&&&&&&&0193491.&&&&&0193,491 &&&&&&&&&&&&0868.&&&&&0868 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&02248.&&&&&02,248 km2)
State map highlighting Sangamon County
Schuyler County 169 Rushville 1825 Pike and Fulton County Gen. Philip Schuyler (1733–1804), American Revolutionary War general and United States Senator from New York &&&&&&&&&&&06733.&&&&&06,733 &&&&&&&&&&&&0437.&&&&&0437 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&01132.&&&&&01,132 km2)
State map highlighting Schuyler County
Scott County 171 Winchester 1839 Morgan County Scott County, Kentucky, itself named after Charles Scott &&&&&&&&&&&04710.&&&&&04,710 &&&&&&&&&&&&0250.&&&&&0250 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&&0647.&&&&&0647 km2)
State map highlighting Scott County
Shelby County 173 Shelbyville 1827 Fayette County Isaac Shelby (1750–1826), soldier in the American Revolutionary War and War of 1812; first and fifth Governor of Kentucky &&&&&&&&&&020568.&&&&&020,568 &&&&&&&&&&&&0758.&&&&&0758 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&01963.&&&&&01,963 km2)
State map highlighting Shelby County
St. Clair County 163 Belleville 1790 original two counties Arthur St. Clair (1737–1818), major general in the American Revolutionary War and first Governor of the Northwest Territory &&&&&&&&&0251018.&&&&&0251,018 &&&&&&&&&&&&0657.&&&&&0657 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&01702.&&&&&01,702 km2)
State map highlighting St. Clair County
Stark County 175 Toulon 1839 Knox and Putnam County Gen. John Stark (1728–1822), general in the American Revolutionary War, called the "Hero of Bennington" &&&&&&&&&&&05218.&&&&&05,218 &&&&&&&&&&&&0288.&&&&&0288 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&&0746.&&&&&0746 km2)
State map highlighting Stark County
Stephenson County 177 Freeport 1837 Jo Daviess and Winnebago County Benjamin Stephenson (1769–1822), representative of Illinois Territory in the United States Congress from 1814 to 1816 &&&&&&&&&&043105.&&&&&043,105 &&&&&&&&&&&&0564.&&&&&0564 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&01461.&&&&&01,461 km2)
State map highlighting Stephenson County
Tazewell County 179 Pekin 1827 Sangamon County Littleton Waller Tazewell (1774–1860), United States Senator from (and later governor of) Virginia &&&&&&&&&0129541.&&&&&0129,541 &&&&&&&&&&&&0646.&&&&&0646 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&01673.&&&&&01,673 km2)
State map highlighting Tazewell County
Union County 181 Jonesboro 1818 Johnson County The union of the United States &&&&&&&&&&016667.&&&&&016,667 &&&&&&&&&&&&0413.&&&&&0413 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&01070.&&&&&01,070 km2)
State map highlighting Union County
Vermilion County 183 Danville 1826 Edgar County The Vermilion River &&&&&&&&&&071652.&&&&&071,652 &&&&&&&&&&&&0898.&&&&&0898 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&02326.&&&&&02,326 km2)
State map highlighting Vermilion County
Wabash County 185 Mount Carmel 1824 Edwards County The Wabash River &&&&&&&&&&010942.&&&&&010,942 &&&&&&&&&&&&0223.&&&&&0223 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&&0578.&&&&&0578 km2)
State map highlighting Wabash County
Warren County 187 Monmouth 1825 Schuyler County Joseph Warren (1741–1775), played a role in American Patriot movements, a prominent early fatality in the American Revolutionary War &&&&&&&&&&016185.&&&&&016,185 &&&&&&&&&&&&0542.&&&&&0542 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&01404.&&&&&01,404 km2)
State map highlighting Warren County
Washington County 189 Nashville 1818 St. Clair County George Washington (1732–1799), commander-in-chief of American forces in the American Revolutionary War and first President of the United States &&&&&&&&&&013536.&&&&&013,536 &&&&&&&&&&&&0562.&&&&&0562 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&01456.&&&&&01,456 km2)
State map highlighting Washington County
Wayne County 191 Fairfield 1819 Edwards County Gen. "Mad" Anthony Wayne (1745–1796), major general in the United States Army in the American Revolutionary War and the Northwest Indian War &&&&&&&&&&015761.&&&&&015,761 &&&&&&&&&&&&0713.&&&&&0713 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&01847.&&&&&01,847 km2)
State map highlighting Wayne County
White County 193 Carmi 1815 Gallatin County Isaac White (1776–1811), resident of Illinois who enlisted in the Indiana militia and was killed at the Battle of Tippecanoe &&&&&&&&&&013401.&&&&&013,401 &&&&&&&&&&&&0494.&&&&&0494 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&01279.&&&&&01,279 km2)
State map highlighting White County
Whiteside County 195 Morrison 1836 Jo Daviess and Henry County Samuel Whiteside (1783–1868), state legislator and militia leader &&&&&&&&&&054498.&&&&&054,498 &&&&&&&&&&&&0684.&&&&&0684 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&01772.&&&&&01,772 km2)
State map highlighting Whiteside County
Will County 197 Joliet 1836 Cook and Iroquois County Conrad Will (1779–1835), physician, local businessman and longtime member of the state legislature &&&&&&&&&0700728.&&&&&0700,728 &&&&&&&&&&&&0835.&&&&&0835 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&02163.&&&&&02,163 km2)
State map highlighting Will County
Williamson County 199 Marion 1839 Franklin County Williamson County, Tennessee, which was named for Hugh Williamson &&&&&&&&&&066706.&&&&&066,706 &&&&&&&&&&&&0420.&&&&&0420 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&01088.&&&&&01,088 km2)
State map highlighting Williamson County
Winnebago County 201 Rockford 1836 Jo Daviess County Winnebago Native Americans &&&&&&&&&0280922.&&&&&0280,922 &&&&&&&&&&&&0513.&&&&&0513 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&01329.&&&&&01,329 km2)
State map highlighting Winnebago County
Woodford County 203 Eureka 1841 Tazewell and McLean County Woodford County, Kentucky, which was named for William Woodford &&&&&&&&&&038285.&&&&&038,285 &&&&&&&&&&&&0527.&&&&&0527 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&01365.&&&&&01,365 km2)
State map highlighting Woodford County

Defunct counties

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Anexo:Condados de Illinois para niños

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List of counties in Illinois Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.