Hardin County, Illinois
Hardin County is the second-smallest county in Illinois, tucked away in the southeastern corner of the state. Elizabethtown, the county seat, is a tiny river town on the Ohio River. The whole county has fewer than 4,000 people.
It’s mostly hills and forests, with a large portion of the Shawnee National Forest located here. Cave-in-Rock State Park is the big draw, with its unusual riverside cave. Farming is tougher in the hills, so many folks commute to bigger towns for work.
The ferry across the Ohio River to Kentucky feels like stepping back in time. Summer brings a trickle of tourists floating down the river. There’s more deer than people in some parts.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| County Name | Hardin County |
| County Seat | Elizabethtown |
| Etymology | Named after John Hardin, a soldier and pioneer |
| Cities, Towns, and Communities | Elizabethtown, Rosiclare, Cave-In-Rock, Karbers Ridge, Rock Creek, and various other unincorporated communities. |
| Interstates and Highways | Illinois Route 1, Illinois Route 34 |
| FIPS Code | 17-069 |
| Total Area (Land and Water) | 182 square miles (land: 178 sq mi, water: 4 sq mi) |
| Adjacent Counties (and Direction) | Gallatin County (North), Union County, Kentucky (East), Crittenden County, Kentucky (South), Livingston County, Kentucky (Southwest), Pope County (West), Saline County (Northwest) |
| Time Zone | Central Time Zone (CT) |
| Population | Approximately 3,500 |
| State | Illinois |
| Coordinates | 37.5176° N, 88.2911° W |
| Major Landmarks | Garden of the Gods (Shawnee National Forest), Cave-In-Rock State Park, Illinois Iron Furnace Historical Site, Tower Rock Recreation Area |
