Franklin County, Illinois
Franklin County sits in southern Illinois, a place that can feel more like Kentucky than Chicago. Benton is the county seat, a historic coal town still working to find its footing.
Rend Lake is the big draw, offering excellent opportunities for fishing and camping. You’ll see plenty of pickup trucks and not many BMWs, while the local accent carries a bit of a southern twang.
There’s a historic jail museum that looks straight out of a horror movie. Coal mining has mostly disappeared, but its impact is still visible throughout the county. The Franklin County Fair is a major event, with demolition derby night always drawing a packed crowd.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| County Name | Franklin County |
| County Seat | Benton |
| Cities, Towns, and Communities | Benton, West Frankfort, Christopher, Sesser, Zeigler, Orient, Buckner, Ewing, Royalton, Thompsonville, Valier, and various other unincorporated communities. |
| Interstates and Highways | Interstate 57, Illinois Route 14, Illinois Route 34, Illinois Route 37, Illinois Route 148 |
| FIPS Code | 17-055 |
| Total Area (Land and Water) | 431 square miles (land: 409 sq mi, water: 22 sq mi) |
| Adjacent Counties (and Direction) | Jefferson County (North), Hamilton County (East), Saline County (Southeast), Williamson County (South), Jackson County (Southwest), Perry County (West) |
| Time Zone | Central Time Zone (CT) |
| State | Illinois |
| Coordinates | 37.9961° N, 88.9206° W |
| Etymology | Named after Benjamin Franklin, one of the Founding Fathers of the United States |
| Major Landmarks | Rend Lake, Benton Public Square Historic District, Franklin County Historic Jail Museum, West Frankfort City Hall |
| Population | Approximately 37,000 |
