Montgomery County, Illinois
Montgomery County sits in south-central Illinois, about an hour’s drive from Springfield. Hillsboro, the county seat, is your typical Midwest small town.
This is coal country, or at least it used to be. Most of the mines have closed, but you can still see their impact. Agriculture drives the economy now. The county is also crisscrossed by railways, which were a big deal back in the day.
Lake Lou Yeager is popular for fishing and boating. Old Route 66 cuts through the county, and you’ll find some quirky roadside attractions if you look around. Tornado sirens are also a fact of life in this part of Illinois.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| County Name | Montgomery County |
| County Seat | Hillsboro |
| Etymology | Named after Richard Montgomery, a general in the American Revolutionary War |
| Cities, Towns, and Communities | Hillsboro, Litchfield, Nokomis, and several unincorporated communities |
| Interstates and Highways | Interstate 55, U.S. Highway 50, Illinois Route 16, Illinois Route 127 |
| FIPS Code | 17-135 |
| Total Area (Land and Water) | 710 square miles (land: 705 sq mi, water: 5 sq mi) |
| Adjacent Counties (and Direction) | Sangamon County (North), Christian County (Northeast), Shelby County (East), Fayette County (Southeast), Bond County (South), Madison County (Southwest), Macoupin County (West) |
| Time Zone | Central Time Zone (CT) |
| Population | Approximately 27,000 |
| State | Illinois |
| Coordinates | 39.1530° N, 89.4531° W |
| Major Landmarks | Litchfield Museum and Route 66 Welcome Center, Montgomery County Courthouse, Hillsboro Public Library |
