Saline County, Illinois

Saline County: County in Illinois, United States

About

Saline County is a county located in the U.S. state of Illinois. As of the 2010 census, the population was 24,913 and a population density of 25 people per km². After 10 years in 2020 county had an estimated population of 23,182 inhabitants. Its county seat is Harrisburg. The county was created 177 years ago in 1846.

Saline County is a county in Southern Illinois. At the 2020 census, it had a population of 23,768. The largest city and county seat is Harrisburg. This area of Southern Illinois is known locally as "Little Egypt". 

Saline County was founded in 1847 from parts of Gallatin and Johnson counties. It was named for the Saline River, which forms its southern boundary. The county seat is located at Harrisburg, which was established as the county seat in 1847.

The area supported a large number of coal mines during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The area was also home to several large-scale textile mills, including the Eldorado Manufacturing Company in Eldorado (1901–1958), and the Raleigh Manufacturing Company (1909–1961) in Raleigh.

In recent decades, tourism has become an increasingly important part of the economy, with attractions such as Southeastern Illinois College (founded 1966), the Harrisburg School Museum (founded 1976), and the Old WPA Bridge spanning the Saline River (built 1936).

Saline County is home to Southeastern Illinois College, which provides higher education in the area.

Saline County locator map
Location of Saline County on Illinois map.

Quick Facts about Saline County

Population : 23,182 (2020)
Country : United States of America
State : Illinois (United States)
Different from : Saline County, Saline County, Saline County, Saline County
Area : 1002 km2
Water as percent of area : 1.8%
Land as percent of area : 98.2%
Named for : Saline River
Capital : Harrisburg
Establishment : January 01, 1847
Time Zone : America/Chicago
Local time : 02:53:08 (25th November 2024)
Density : 23 Pop. per km² as of 2020
Population growth : -7.47% (2010-2020)
Harrisburg IL 1917 Saline County Courthouse image
Harrisburg IL 1917 Saline County Courthouse
Harrisburg IL 1917 Saline County Courthouse image
Harrisburg IL 1917 Saline County Courthouse image

Geography

Saline County is located at 37°45'11"N 88°32'27"W (37.7531800, -88.5408000). It has 8 neighbors: Franklin County, Gallatin County, Hamilton County, Hardin County, Johnson County, Pope County, White County and Williamson County.

Saline County map

Click "full screen" full screen map icon to open full mode. View satellite images

The largest city of Saline County is Saline with a population of 23,182. Other cities include, Harrisburg population 8,404, Somerset population 3,955, Eldorado population 3,837 and Eagle population 1,576. See all Saline County cities & populated places.

Saline County Populated Places

Cities, towns, neighborhoods & other populated places in Saline County.

City Name Population Title
Saline 23,182
Harrisburg 8,404 County seat of Saline County, Illinois, United States
Somerset 3,955 Unincorporated community in Illinois
Eldorado 3,837 City in Saline County, Illinois, United States
Buena Vista 1,684 Township in Schuyler County, Illinois
Eagle 1,576 Unincorporated community in Illinois
Carrier Mills 1,527 City in Illinois, United States of America
Galatia 868 Town in Saline County, Illinois
Raleigh 328 Village in Illinois, United States
Stonefort 260 Township in Saline County, Illinois
Long Branch 235 Township in Saline County, Illinois
Muddy 62 Human settlement in Illinois, United States of America

Saline County has 8 neighbours.

Demographics

According to census records, the population of Saline County decreased by 7.47% in 10 years.

Year Population % Change Method
2010 24,913 - census
2011 24,907 -0.02% estimation process
2012 24,914 0.03% estimation process
2013 24,803 -0.45% estimation process
2014 24,496 -1.25% estimation process
2015 24,495 -0% estimation process
2016 24,230 -1.09% estimation process
2017 23,963 -1.11% estimation process
2018 23,789 -0.73% estimation process
2019 23,491 -1.27% estimation process
2020 23,182 -1.33% estimation process

Comitatul Saline, Comte de Saline, Comté de Saline, Condado de Saline, Condado han Saline, Contea di Saline, Hrabstwo Saline, Okrug Salin, Quan Saline, Quận Saline, Salin, Salin srjan, Saline, Saline Comitatus, Saline Kun, Saline Kūn, Saline konderria, Saline megye, mqatʿt salyn, sa lin xian, sala'ina ka'unti, seirin jun, shhrstan salyn aylynwy, Округ Салин, Салин, Салін, Սալին շրջան, سالئین کاؤنٹی، الینوائے, سیلین کاؤنٹی, شهرستان سالین، ایلینوی, مقاطعة سالين, সালাইন কাউন্টি, セイリーン郡, 薩林縣

People born in Saline County (1)

United States Army general and author (1880-1941) George A. White was born in Saline County

Other places with the same name (5)

Illinois Other Counties (more counties)

County Name Population Title
Cook County 5,108,284 County in Illinois, United States
Chicago 2,677,643 The third most populous city in the United States and the center of the Chicago metropolitan area.
DuPage County 917,481 County in Illinois, United States
Lake County 693,593 County in Oregon, United States
Will County 688,726 County in Illinois, United States
Kane County 531,010 County in southern Utah, United States
McHenry County 305,888 County in Illinois, United States
Winnebago County 281,295 County in Illinois, United States
Madison County 262,635 County in Montana, United States
Saint Clair County 258,046 The County of St.
Champaign County 209,192 County in Illinois, United States
Aurora 196,383 The second most populous city in Illinois.
Sangamon County 193,882 County in Illinois, United States
Peoria County 177,652 County in Illinois, United States of America
McLean County 171,256 County in North Dakota, United States
Naperville 147,986 The second most populous city in Illinois.