Pope County, Illinois
Pope County sits at the southern tip of Illinois, bordered by the Ohio River and Kentucky. It’s about as rural as it gets in the Prairie State. Golconda, the county seat, is barely more than a village, and the population is small and spread out.
This area is covered in forests. In fact, the Shawnee National Forest covers more than 90% of the county. Hills and hollows shape the landscape, making it a far cry from the flat cornfields most people associate with Illinois.
The Garden of the Gods wilderness area is located in the northeast. The area is perfect for floating along the Ohio River, though cell service can be spotty. But for folks who love nature and solitude, Pope County is hard to beat. See a million stars at night—I dare you to.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| County Name | Pope County |
| County Seat | Golconda |
| Etymology | Named after Nathaniel Pope |
| Cities, Towns, and Communities | Golconda, Elizabethtown, and several unincorporated communities including New Liberty and Mermet |
| Interstates and Highways | U.S. Highway 45, Illinois Route 146 |
| FIPS Code | 17-151 |
| Total Area (Land and Water) | 370 square miles (land: 367 sq mi, water: 3 sq mi) |
| Adjacent Counties (and Direction) | Saline County (North), Hardin County (East), Livingston County, Kentucky (Southeast), Massac County (Southwest), Johnson County (West), Williamson County (Northwest) |
| Time Zone | Central Time Zone (CT) |
| Population | Approximately 4,000 |
| State | Illinois |
| Coordinates | 37.4151° N, 88.2120° W |
| Major Landmarks | Garden of the Gods Recreation Area, the Pope County Courthouse, and the Ohio River Scenic Byway |
