Fayette County, Illinois
Fayette County is a peaceful stretch of rural Illinois, located about an hour east of St. Louis. Vandalia, the county seat, once served as the state capital of Illinois during the 1800s. Today, the community has a quiet and relaxed atmosphere.
The Kaskaskia River runs through the county, offering opportunities for fishing and outdoor recreation. Agriculture remains the backbone of the local economy, with fields of corn and soybeans covering much of the landscape. In some rural areas, you may even see more deer than people.
History enthusiasts can visit the Old State Capitol in Vandalia, an important landmark from Illinois’ early political history. While Fayette County has little nightlife, its peaceful countryside offers spectacular night skies and rural scenery. Here, even a traffic jam might simply mean following a tractor along a country road.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| County Name | Fayette County |
| County Seat | Vandalia |
| Etymology | Named after Marquis de Lafayette (Gilbert du Motier), a French aristocrat and military officer who fought in the American Revolutionary War |
| Cities, Towns, and Communities | Vandalia, St. Elmo, Ramsey, Brownstown, Farina (part), St. Peter, Bingham, Shobonier, Loogootee, and various other unincorporated communities. |
| Interstates and Highways | Interstate 70, U.S. Highway 40, U.S. Highway 51, Illinois Route 33, Illinois Route 185, Illinois Route 128 |
| FIPS Code | 17-051 |
| Total Area (Land and Water) | 725 square miles (land: 716 sq mi, water: 9 sq mi) |
| Adjacent Counties (and Direction) | Shelby County (Northeast), Effingham County (East), Clay County (Southeast), Marion County (South), Clinton County (Southwest), Bond County (West), Montgomery County (Northwest) |
| Time Zone | Central Time Zone (CT) |
| State | Illinois |
| Coordinates | 38.9604° N, 89.0950° W |
| Major Landmarks | Vandalia State House State Historic Site, Little Brick House, Kaskaskia River, Vandalia Lake, Ramsey Lake State Recreation Area |
| Population | Approximately 21,000 |
