Perry County is in Illinois. According to the 2010 census, it had a population of 22,350. Its county seat is Pinckneyville. It is located in the southern portion of Illinois known as “Little Egypt”.
| Name: | Perry County |
|---|---|
| FIPS code: | 17-145 |
| State: | Illinois |
| Founded: | 29 January 1827 |
| Named for: | Oliver Hazard Perry |
| Seat: | Pinckneyville |
| Largest city: | Du Quoin |
| Total Area: | 447 sq mi (1,160 km²) |
| Land Area: | 442 sq mi (1,140 km²) |
| Total Population: | 22,350 |
| Population Density: | 50/sq mi (19/km²) |
| Time zone: | UTC−6 (Central) |
| Summer Time Zone (DST): | UTC−5 (CDT) |
| Website: | perryil.com |
Perry County location map. Where is Perry County?
History
Perry County was formed in 1827 out of Jackson and Randolph counties. It was named in honor of Oliver Hazard Perry who defeated the British fleet at the decisive Battle of Lake Erie in the War of 1812.
Perry County at the time of its creation in 1827
In its early history, Perry County was mainly an inland pioneer outpost. Early settlers, including some Revolutionary War veterans bearing land grants, moved here from the Eastern United States. These were primarily Protestant settlers. Growth boomed in the 1850s for two reasons: construction of the Illinois Central Railroad through the eastern portion of the county, and the discovery of large coal reserves. Immigrants from Ireland, Poland, Germany, Italy and elsewhere steadily increased the County’s population from 1850 through the 1920s. African Americans also were established in the County during northward migration following the Civil War.
Mining continued to be the dominant employment sector through the 1990s.
Perry County Road Map
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 447 square miles (1,160 km), of which 442 square miles (1,140 km) is land and 5.2 square miles (13 km) (1.2%) is water.
Perry County is located in Southern Illinois. Pinckneyville, at the center of the county, is approximately 70 miles (110 km) southeast of St. Louis, Missouri and 300 miles (480 km) southwest of Chicago. The Mississippi River lies about 10 miles (16 km) west and southwest of the County at its closest point.
The County’s topography is mainly flat with some rolling hills. The part of the County’s eastern border, the part shared with Franklin County, is formed by the Little Muddy River. Beaucoup Creek runs north to south through the County and lies just east of Pinckneyville.
The county’s topography also features many “strip cut” lakes, lakes left behind following above-ground coal mining. Lakes at two of the county’s chief recreation areas, the Du Quoin State Fairgrounds and Pyramid State Recreation Area, were formed this way.
Climate and weather
In recent years, average temperatures in the county seat of Pinckneyville have ranged from a low of 22 °F (−6 °C) in January to a high of 90 °F (32 °C) in July, although a record low of −22 °F (−30 °C) was recorded in January 1912 and a record high of 113 °F (45 °C) was recorded in July 1934. Average monthly precipitation ranged from 2.61 inches (66 mm) in February to 4.81 inches (122 mm) in May.
Major highways
- U.S. Route 51
- Illinois Route 4
- Illinois Route 13
- Illinois Route 14
- Illinois Route 127
- Illinois Route 150
- Illinois Route 152
- Illinois Route 154
Adjacent counties
- Washington County – north
- Jefferson County – northeast
- Franklin County – east
- Jackson County – south
- Randolph County – west
Perry County Topographic Map
Perry County Satellite Map
Perry County Outline Map
