Jo Daviess County, Illinois
Jo Daviess County is tucked away in the northwest corner of Illinois, and it looks nothing like the prairie state you might expect. Galena is the star of the show, an old lead mining town turned tourist magnet.
Rolling hills, limestone bluffs, and winding roads make you feel like you’ve stumbled into Wisconsin by mistake. It’s dairy country up here, with more cows than people in some parts.
The Mississippi River forms the western border, offering some postcard-worthy views. Fall is the big season, when the trees explode with color and tourists flood in. You’ll also find some die-hard Packers fans here, much to Chicago’s dismay.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| County Name | Jo Daviess County |
| County Seat | Galena |
| Etymology | Named after Joseph Hamilton Daviess, a commander in the Battle of Tippecanoe |
| Cities, Towns, and Communities | Galena, East Dubuque, Stockton, Elizabeth, Warren, Hanover, Apple River, Scales Mound, Menominee, Nora, and various other unincorporated communities. |
| Interstates and Highways | U.S. Highway 20, Illinois Route 78, Illinois Route 84 |
| FIPS Code | 17-085 |
| Total Area (Land and Water) | 619 square miles (land: 601 sq mi, water: 18 sq mi) |
| Adjacent Counties (and Direction) | Lafayette County, Wisconsin (North), Stephenson County (East), Carroll County (South), Jackson County, Iowa (Southwest), Dubuque County, Iowa (West), Grant County, Wisconsin (Northwest) |
| Time Zone | Central Time Zone (CT) |
| Population | Approximately 22,000 |
| State | Illinois |
| Coordinates | 42.3656° N, 90.2006° W |
| Major Landmarks | Galena Historic District, Ulysses S. Grant Home, Apple River Canyon State Park, Chestnut Mountain Resort, Mississippi Palisades State Park |
