Johnson County, Illinois
Johnson County is tucked away in the southern tip of Illinois. It’s mostly rolling hills and forests, with the Shawnee National Forest covering a good chunk of the county in the north.
Vienna is the county seat, a town of barely 1,500 folks. Ferne Clyffe State Park draws hikers with its cool waterfall. You won’t find many crops here because the terrain is too hilly for serious farming.
The population is small and shrinking, but the people who stay are here for the long haul. Hunting is popular, as deer season is practically a holiday. The Cache River State Natural Area has swamps that look like they belong in Louisiana.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| County Name | Johnson County |
| County Seat | Vienna |
| Etymology | Named after Richard Mentor Johnson, the ninth Vice President of the United States |
| Cities, Towns, and Communities | Vienna, Goreville, Buncombe, New Burnside, Cypress, Belknap, Simpson, and various other unincorporated communities. |
| Interstates and Highways | Interstate 24, Interstate 57, U.S. Highway 45, Illinois Route 37, Illinois Route 146 |
| FIPS Code | 17-087 |
| Total Area (Land and Water) | 349 square miles (land: 344 sq mi, water: 5 sq mi) |
| Adjacent Counties (and Direction) | Williamson County (North), Saline County (Northeast), Pope County (East), Massac County (Southeast), Pulaski County (Southwest), Union County (West) |
| Time Zone | Central Time Zone (CT) |
| Population | Approximately 13,000 |
| State | Illinois |
| Coordinates | 37.4603° N, 88.9195° W |
| Major Landmarks | Shawnee National Forest, Tunnel Hill State Trail, Cache River State Natural Area, Ferne Clyffe State Park, Heron Pond-Little Black Slough Nature Preserve |
