Monroe County, Illinois
Monroe County hugs the Mississippi River in southwestern Illinois, just south of St. Louis. It’s a place where river bluffs meet bottomlands, and the views from atop the hills are something else.
Waterloo is the county seat and is known for its strong German heritage. The county has a mix of farmland and forest, and driving the backroads, you’ll see cornfields one minute and dense woods the next.
There’s history here too. Fort de Chartres is a must-see for history buffs, showcasing Illinois’ French colonial past. The Mississippi River Trail runs through the county, making it great for biking or simply taking in the river views. It’s a place that feels a world away from the big city, even though St. Louis is just up the road.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| County Name | Monroe County |
| County Seat | Waterloo |
| Etymology | Named in honor of James Monroe, the 5th President of the United States |
| Cities, Towns, and Communities | Waterloo, Columbia, Red Bud, and several unincorporated communities |
| Interstates and Highways | Interstate 255, U.S. Highway 50, Illinois Route 3 |
| FIPS Code | 17-133 |
| Total Area (Land and Water) | 394 square miles (land: 384 sq mi, water: 10 sq mi) |
| Adjacent Counties (and Direction) | St. Clair County (Northeast), Randolph County (Southeast), Ste. Genevieve County, Missouri (South), Jefferson County, Missouri (West), St. Louis County, Missouri (Northwest) |
| Time Zone | Central Time Zone (CT) |
| Population | Approximately 35,000 |
| State | Illinois |
| Coordinates | 38.2981° N, 90.1520° W |
| Major Landmarks | Waterloo Historic District, Monroe County Courthouse, Fort de Chartres State Historic Site |
