Wabash County, Illinois
Wabash County is a small patch of Illinois, hugging the Wabash River along the state’s southeastern border. Mount Carmel serves as the county seat, and it’s a river town with a bit of Southern flavor.
The landscape is flat, and you can see for miles across the farmland. Corn and soybeans stretch toward the horizon. It’s just a hop, skip, and a jump across the state line into Indiana.
The Wabash River dominates life in the county. It’s both a blessing and a curse. While it’s great for recreation, it can also be a menace when it floods.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| County Name | Wabash County |
| County Seat | Mount Carmel |
| Etymology | Named after the Wabash River which runs along the county’s eastern border |
| Cities, Towns, and Communities | Mount Carmel, Allendale, Keensburg, and several smaller communities |
| Interstates and Highways | U.S. Route 50, U.S. Route 15 |
| FIPS Code | 17-185 |
| Total Area (Land and Water) | 311 square miles (land: 308 sq mi, water: 3 sq mi) |
| Adjacent Counties (and Direction) | Lawrence County (North), Knox County, Indiana (Northeast), Gibson County, Indiana (Southeast), Edwards County (West), Richland County (Northwest) |
| Time Zone | Central Time Zone (CT) |
| Population | Approximately 11,000 |
| State | Illinois |
| Coordinates | 38.7444° N, 87.7378° W |
| Major Landmarks | Wabash County Courthouse, Mount Carmel City Park, and the Wabash River |
