Christian County, Illinois
Christian County is located in central Illinois, with Taylorville serving as the county seat. The landscape is mostly made up of flat farmland, where fields of corn and soybeans stretch toward the horizon.
The county is named after a Kentucky county, rather than being connected to the Christian religion. Small towns are scattered throughout the landscape, with each community offering its own distinct character and personality.
Lake Taylorville is a popular destination for fishing, while the annual county fair attracts visitors and residents each summer. People throughout Christian County value hard work and community, reflecting its strong rural traditions. Although coal mining was once an important industry, agriculture is now at the heart of the local economy.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| County Name | Christian County |
| County Seat | Taylorville |
| Etymology | Named after Christian County, Kentucky |
| Cities, Towns, and Communities | Taylorville, Pana, Assumption, Kincaid, Stonington, Morrisonville, Edinburg, Jeisyville, Mount Auburn, Owaneco, Tovey, and various other unincorporated communities. |
| Interstates and Highways | U.S. Highway 51, Illinois Route 29, Illinois Route 48, Illinois Route 104 |
| FIPS Code | 17-021 |
| Total Area (Land and Water) | 716 square miles (land: 709 sq mi, water: 7 sq mi) |
| Adjacent Counties (and Direction) | Macon County (Northeast), Shelby County (Southeast), Montgomery County (Southwest), Sangamon County (Northwest) |
| Time Zone | Central Time Zone (CT) |
| State | Illinois |
| Coordinates | 39.5832° N, 89.2767° W |
| Major Landmarks | Lake Taylorville, Manners Park, Christian County Courthouse, Anderson Prairie |
| Population | Approximately 33,000 |
