Knox County, Illinois
Knox County sits in west-central Illinois, where the prairie meets small-town America. Galesburg is the heart of it all, an old railroad town trying to reinvent itself. Knox College is also located here, bringing some life and energy to the community.
These days, the county is mostly farmland, broken up by patches of forest and small towns. Carl Sandburg’s birthplace is here, if you’re into that sort of thing. The Spoon River runs through the county, giving the area some character.
You’ll find some die-hard Cubs fans here, even though the county is closer to St. Louis. The Orpheum Theatre is still putting on shows after all these years. Interstate 74 is the main highway running through the county.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| County Name | Knox County |
| County Seat | Galesburg |
| Etymology | Named after Henry Knox, the first U.S. Secretary of War |
| Cities, Towns, and Communities | Galesburg, Knoxville, Abingdon, East Galesburg, Wataga, Yates City, Oneida, Williamsfield, Altona, Victoria, Maquon, and various other unincorporated communities. |
| Interstates and Highways | Interstate 74, U.S. Highway 34, U.S. Highway 150, Illinois Route 8, Illinois Route 41, Illinois Route 97 |
| FIPS Code | 17-095 |
| Total Area (Land and Water) | 720 square miles (land: 716 sq mi, water: 4 sq mi) |
| Adjacent Counties (and Direction) | Mercer County (Northwest), Henry County (North), Stark County (East), Peoria County (Southeast), Fulton County (South), Warren County (West) |
| Time Zone | Central Time Zone (CT) |
| Population | Approximately 48,000 |
| State | Illinois |
| Coordinates | 40.9312° N, 90.2172° W |
| Major Landmarks | Galesburg Railroad Museum, Carl Sandburg State Historic Site, Knox College, Lake Storey Park, Walnut Grove Farm |
