Jersey County, Illinois
Jersey County is a part of Illinois that feels caught between the Midwest and the South. It’s perched right where the Illinois River meets the Mississippi River. Jerseyville is the county seat.
The bluffs along the rivers offer some killer views. You’d never guess Illinois could look like this. There’s a mix of farmland and forests, with more hills than you’d expect. Pere Marquette State Park is a big draw, especially when the fall colors hit.
Grafton’s the place to be if you like watching barges and eagles. The Great River Road snakes through here, popular with bikers and Sunday drivers. Farming is still big, but a lot of folks commute to St. Louis for work. You’ll hear more country music than Chicago blues in the local bars.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| County Name | Jersey County |
| County Seat | Jerseyville |
| Etymology | Named after the state of New Jersey, where many of the county’s early settlers originated |
| Cities, Towns, and Communities | Jerseyville, Grafton, Brighton (part), Fieldon, Fidelity, Otterville, Elsah, Delhi, Dow, and various other unincorporated communities. |
| Interstates and Highways | U.S. Highway 67, Illinois Route 3, Illinois Route 16, Illinois Route 100, Illinois Route 109 |
| FIPS Code | 17-083 |
| Total Area (Land and Water) | 377 square miles (land: 369 sq mi, water: 8 sq mi) |
| Adjacent Counties (and Direction) | Greene County (North), Macoupin County (East), Madison County (Southeast), St. Charles County, Missouri (South), Calhoun County (West) |
| Time Zone | Central Time Zone (CT) |
| Population | Approximately 21,000 |
| State | Illinois |
| Coordinates | 39.0900° N, 90.3744° W |
| Major Landmarks | Pere Marquette State Park, Principia College, Grafton Winery, Jersey County Courthouse, Mississippi River Scenic Byway |
