Saline County, Illinois

Saline County
County
Former Saline County Courthouse in Harrisburg
Seal
Location within the U.S. state of Illinois
Illinois's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 37°45′N88°32′W / 37.75°N 88.54°W / 37.75; -88.54
Country	United States
State	Illinois
Founded	1847
Named after	Saline River
Seat	Harrisburg
Largest city	Harrisburg
Area
• Total	387 sq mi (1,000 km2)
• Land	380 sq mi (1,000 km2)
• Water	7.0 sq mi (18 km2)  1.8%
Population  (2020)
• Total	23,768
• Estimate  (2024)	22,826 [1]
• Density	61/sq mi (24/km2)
Time zone	UTC−6 (Central)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district	12th
Website	www.salinecounty.illinois.gov

Saline County is a county in Southern Illinois. At the 2020 census, it had a population of 23,768. ^[2] The largest city and county seat is Harrisburg. ^[3] This area of Southern Illinois is known locally as "Little Egypt".

Three major towns in Saline County are connected by U.S. Route 45, and formerly by the now-abandoned Cairo and Vincennes/Big Four/New York Central Line, from north to south: Eldorado, Harrisburg, and Carrier Mills.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 387 square miles (1,000 km²), of which 380 square miles (980 km²) is land and 7.0 square miles (18 km²) (1.8%) is water. ^[4]

The Saline County area is mostly rolling hills throughout gradually rising to the Hills of the Shawnee National Forest. The Saline River flows through the central point of the county in three forks: North, Middle, and South. To the north of Eldorado there are flat lowlands. ^[5]

Climate and weather

Harrisburg, Illinois
Climate chart (explanation)
J F M A M J J A S O N D     3.2     40 22     3.1     46 25     4.4     57 35     4.6     68 45     5     77 54     4.5     85 63     3.9     89 68     3.2     88 65     3     81 57     3     70 44     4.2     56 36     3.9     45 26 █ Average max. and min. temperatures in °F █ Precipitation totals in inches Source: The Weather Channel [6]
Metric conversion J F M A M J J A S O N D     81     4 −6     78     8 −4     113     14 2     118     20 7     126     25 12     114     29 17     100     32 20     82     31 18     77     27 14     77     21 7     107     13 2     99     7 −3 █ Average max. and min. temperatures in °C █ Precipitation totals in mm

In recent years, average temperatures in the county seat of Harrisburg have ranged from a low of 22 °F (−6 °C) in January to a high of 89 °F (32 °C) in July, although a record low of −23 °F (−31 °C) was recorded in February 1951 and a record high of 113 °F (45 °C) was recorded in July 1936. Average monthly precipitation ranged from 3.04 inches (77 mm) in September to 4.98 inches (126 mm) in May. ^[6]

Adjacent counties

• Hamilton County (north)
• White County (northeast)
• Gallatin County (east)
• Hardin County (southeast)
• Pope County (south)
• Johnson County (southwest)
• Williamson County (west)
• Franklin County (northwest)

National protected area

• Shawnee National Forest (part)

State protected areas

• Sahara Woods State Fish and Wildlife Area
• Saline County State Fish and Wildlife Area

Transportation

Transit

• Rides Mass Transit District

Major highways

• U.S. Highway 45
• Illinois Route 13
• Illinois Route 34
• Illinois Route 142
• Illinois Route 145

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1850	5,588		—
1860	9,331		67.0%
1870	12,714		36.3%
1880	15,940		25.4%
1890	19,342		21.3%
1900	21,685		12.1%
1910	30,204		39.3%
1920	38,353		27.0%
1930	37,100		−3.3%
1940	38,066		2.6%
1950	33,420		−12.2%
1960	26,227		−21.5%
1970	25,721		−1.9%
1980	28,448		10.6%
1990	26,551		−6.7%
2000	26,733		0.7%
2010	24,913		−6.8%
2020	23,768		−4.6%
2023 (est.)	22,873	[7]	−3.8%
U.S. Decennial Census [8] 1790-1960 [9] 1900-1990 [10] 1990-2000 [11] 2010-2013 [2]

2020 census

Saline County, Illinois – Racial and ethnic composition
Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.

Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic)	Pop 1980 [12]	Pop 1990 [13]	Pop 2000 [14]	Pop 2010 [15]	Pop 2020 [16]	% 1980	% 1990	% 2000	% 2010	% 2020
White alone (NH)	27,355	25,355	25,035	23,011	21,309	96.16%	95.50%	93.65%	92.37%	89.65%
Black or African American alone (NH)	860	925	1,079	974	692	3.02%	3.48%	4.04%	3.91%	2.91%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH)	28	66	71	84	69	0.10%	0.25%	0.27%	0.34%	0.29%
Asian alone (NH)	32	39	52	100	122	0.11%	0.15%	0.19%	0.40%	0.51%
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander alone (NH)	x [17]	x [18]	3	9	0	x	x	0.01%	0.04%	0.00%
Other race alone (NH)	27	31	12	10	94	0.09%	0.12%	0.04%	0.04%	0.40%
Mixed race or Multiracial (NH)	x [19]	x [20]	223	385	1,009	x	x	0.83%	1.55%	4.25%
Hispanic or Latino (any race)	146	135	258	340	473	0.51%	0.51%	0.97%	1.36%	1.99%
Total	28,448	26,551	26,733	24,913	23,768	100.00%	100.00%	100.00%	100.00%	100.00%

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States census, there were 24,913 people, 10,379 households, and 6,631 families residing in the county. ^[21] The population density was 65.6 inhabitants per square mile (25.3/km²). There were 11,697 housing units at an average density of 30.8 per square mile (11.9/km²). ^[4] The racial makeup of the county was 93.0% white, 4.0% black or African American, 0.4% Asian, 0.4% American Indian, 0.1% Pacific islander, 0.4% from other races, and 1.8% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 1.4% of the population. ^[21] In terms of ancestry, 17.8% were Irish, 16.6% were German, 12.9% were American, and 11.1% were English. ^[22]

Of the 10,379 households, 29.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.4% were married couples living together, 11.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 36.1% were non-families, and 31.9% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.32 and the average family size was 2.89. The median age was 41.7 years. ^[21]

The median income for a household in the county was $35,644 and the median income for a family was $46,314. Males had a median income of $41,108 versus $28,464 for females. The per capita income for the county was $20,903. About 13.4% of families and 18.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 26.5% of those under age 18 and 10.4% of those age 65 or over. ^[23]

Communities

Cities

• Eldorado
• Harrisburg

Villages

• Carrier Mills (Morrilsville)
• Galatia
• Muddy
• Raleigh
• Stonefort (partly in Williamson County)

Unincorporated communities

• Buena Vista
• Cottage Grove
• Delta
• Derby
• Eagle
• Harco
• Lakeview (Pond Settlement)
• Ledford
• Liberty
• Mitchellsville
• New Hope
• Pankeyville
• Rudement
• Somerset
• Texas City
• Wasson
• West End

Townships

Saline County is divided into thirteen townships:

• Brushy
• Carrier Mills
• Cottage
• East Eldorado
• Galatia
• Harrisburg
• Independence
• Long Branch
• Mountain
• Raleigh
• Rector
• Stone Fort
• Tate

Politics

United States presidential election results for Saline County, Illinois ^[24]

Year	Republican		Democratic		Third party(ies)
	No.	%	No.	%	No.	%
1892	2,171	49.90%	1,828	42.01%	352	8.09%
1896	2,605	52.81%	2,296	46.54%	32	0.65%
1900	2,495	52.46%	2,186	45.96%	75	1.58%
1904	2,735	56.93%	1,758	36.59%	311	6.47%
1908	3,125	52.12%	2,471	41.21%	400	6.67%
1912	1,468	18.10%	3,599	44.37%	3,044	37.53%
1916	7,061	50.49%	5,930	42.41%	993	7.10%
1920	6,722	52.96%	3,500	27.58%	2,470	19.46%
1924	6,084	47.03%	4,037	31.21%	2,816	21.77%
1928	7,525	53.82%	6,337	45.32%	121	0.87%
1932	6,294	38.21%	9,725	59.04%	454	2.76%
1936	9,055	46.16%	10,253	52.27%	308	1.57%
1940	10,567	49.43%	10,692	50.02%	118	0.55%
1944	9,083	54.92%	7,351	44.45%	105	0.63%
1948	7,676	49.57%	7,718	49.84%	91	0.59%
1952	9,206	54.13%	7,771	45.70%	29	0.17%
1956	8,481	53.96%	7,215	45.91%	20	0.13%
1960	8,853	56.36%	6,835	43.52%	19	0.12%
1964	5,691	40.57%	8,337	59.43%	0	0.00%
1968	6,913	49.92%	5,985	43.22%	951	6.87%
1972	7,660	59.30%	5,226	40.46%	32	0.25%
1976	5,970	44.25%	7,472	55.38%	51	0.38%
1980	7,157	53.95%	5,683	42.84%	425	3.20%
1984	7,176	54.15%	6,038	45.57%	37	0.28%
1988	5,798	46.31%	6,676	53.32%	47	0.38%
1992	3,667	27.67%	7,258	54.76%	2,329	17.57%
1996	3,693	31.66%	6,156	52.77%	1,816	15.57%
2000	5,933	50.93%	5,427	46.58%	290	2.49%
2004	7,057	59.73%	4,697	39.76%	60	0.51%
2008	6,099	53.15%	5,083	44.29%	294	2.56%
2012	6,806	63.49%	3,701	34.52%	213	1.99%
2016	8,276	72.70%	2,572	22.59%	536	4.71%
2020	8,103	73.07%	2,789	25.15%	197	1.78%
2024	7,830	73.67%	2,634	24.78%	165	1.55%

See also

• National Register of Historic Places listings in Saline County
• Ku Klux Klan in Southern Illinois

References

1. "County Population Totals and Components of Change: 2020–2024". United States Census Bureau. U.S. Department of Commerce. March 2025. Retrieved August 31, 2025.
2. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 7, 2011. Retrieved July 8, 2014.
3. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
4. "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 12, 2020. Retrieved July 12, 2015.
5. State Geologist, Illinois (1875). "Geological Survey of Illinois". google.com. Retrieved June 14, 2015.
6. "Monthly Averages for Harrisburg, Illinois". The Weather Channel. Retrieved January 27, 2011.
7. "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 2, 2024.
8. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 8, 2014.
9. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved July 8, 2014.
10. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 8, 2014.
11. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 8, 2014.
12. "1980 Census of Population - General Population Characteristics - Illinois- Table 14 - Persons by Race and Table 16 (p. 18-28) - Total Persons and Spanish Origin Persons by Type of Spanish Origin and Race (p. 29-39)" (PDF). United States Census Bureau .
13. "1990 Census of Population - General Population Characteristics - Illinois - Table 6 - Race and Hispanic Orogin" (PDF). United States Census Bureau .
14. "P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Saline County, Illinois". United States Census Bureau .
15. "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Saline County, Illinois". United States Census Bureau .
16. "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Saline County, Illinois". United States Census Bureau .
17. included in the Asian category in the 1980 Census
18. included in the Asian category in the 1990 Census
19. not an option in the 1980 Census
20. not an option in the 1990 Census
21. "DP-1 Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved July 12, 2015.
22. "DP02 SELECTED SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS IN THE UNITED STATES – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved July 12, 2015.
23. "DP03 SELECTED ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved July 12, 2015.
24. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org.

External links

• Saline County Chamber of Commerce
• Saline County Official Website (Under Development)
• "Tails and Trails of Illinois", Stu Fliege, University of Illinois Press,2002.
• "https://web.archive.org/web/20120206132243/http://www.iltrails.org/saline/towns_cities.html, © 2000-2001 by Debbie Woolard, Illinois Trails History and Genealogy.
• Gillum Ferguson. 2007. The Perilous Infancy of Saline County, Journal of Illinois History, Vol. 10, p. 49.

37°45′N88°32′W / 37.75°N 88.54°W / 37.75; -88.54