Saline County, Illinois

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.

Quick Facts about Saline County

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.

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

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

• Saline County , Arkansas county in Arkansas, United States with a population of 123,968 people.
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• Saline County , Nebraska county in Nebraska, United States with a population of 13,987 people.