Pike County, Illinois
Pike County hugs the Mississippi River in western Illinois, wedged between the Illinois and Mississippi rivers. Pittsfield, the county seat, is a small town with a big courthouse square.
This is hill country, a major contrast to the flat prairies most folks picture when they think of Illinois. The landscape is essentially a patchwork of forests and farmland.
Hunting is huge here, with deer season bringing visitors from all over the Midwest. The county also has more than its share of history. John Hay, Lincoln’s secretary and later Secretary of State, grew up here.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| County Name | Pike County |
| County Seat | Pittsfield |
| Etymology | Named after General Zebulon Pike, a famous explorer |
| Cities, Towns, and Communities | Pittsfield, Barry, Griggsville, and several unincorporated communities including Atlas and New Canton |
| Interstates and Highways | U.S. Highway 54, Illinois Route 106, Illinois Route 107 |
| FIPS Code | 17-149 |
| Total Area (Land and Water) | 800 square miles (land: 791 sq mi, water: 9 sq mi) |
| Adjacent Counties (and Direction) | Adams County (North), Brown County (Northeast), Scott County (East), Morgan County (East), Greene County (Southeast), Calhoun County (South), Pike County, Missouri (Southwest), Ralls County, Missouri (West), Marion County, Missouri (Northwest) |
| Time Zone | Central Time Zone (CT) |
| Population | Approximately 16,000 |
| State | Illinois |
| Coordinates | 39.6042° N, 90.7800° W |
| Major Landmarks | The Pike County Courthouse, the Griggsville Prairie Nature Preserve, and the Calhoun-Pike County Fairgrounds |
