Livingston County, Illinois
Livingston County is a big patch of central Illinois that most folks just drive through. Pontiac is the county seat, and no, it’s not named after the car. It’s named after the famous Ottawa chief.
It’s farm country, with corn and soybeans as the main crops. The county also has plenty of prison jobs because of the large facilities nearby. There’s not much nightlife unless you count Friday night high school football.
The Vermilion River snakes through the county, offering some decent fishing spots if you know where to look. The Threshermen’s Reunion is also a throwback to the county’s farming roots.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| County Name | Livingston County |
| County Seat | Pontiac |
| Etymology | Named after Edward Livingston, a U.S. Secretary of State and diplomat |
| Cities, Towns, and Communities | Pontiac, Fairbury, Chenoa, Dwight, and several unincorporated communities |
| Interstates and Highways | Interstate 55, U.S. Highway 24, U.S. Highway 66, Illinois Route 23 |
| FIPS Code | 17-105 |
| Total Area (Land and Water) | 1,156 square miles (land: 1,144 sq mi, water: 12 sq mi) |
| Adjacent Counties (and Direction) | LaSalle County (Northwest), Grundy County (North), Kankakee County (Northeast), Ford County (Southeast), McLean County (Southwest), Woodford County (West) |
| Time Zone | Central Time Zone (CT) |
| Population | Approximately 29,000 |
| State | Illinois |
| Coordinates | 40.8414° N, 88.6268° W |
| Major Landmarks | Pontiac-Oakland Automobile Museum, Livingston County War Museum, and the Pontiac Courthouse |
