Knox County is a county in the U.S. state of Illinois. According to the 2020 census, it had a population of 49,967. Its county seat is Galesburg.
Knox County comprises the Galesburg, IL Micropolitan Statistical Area.
| Name: | Knox County |
|---|---|
| FIPS code: | 17-095 |
| State: | Illinois |
| Founded: | 1825 |
| Named for: | Henry Knox |
| Seat: | Galesburg |
| Largest city: | Galesburg |
| Total Area: | 720 sq mi (1,900 km²) |
| Land Area: | 716 sq mi (1,850 km²) |
| Total Population: | 52,919 |
| Population Density: | 73/sq mi (28/km²) |
| Time zone: | UTC−6 (Central) |
| Summer Time Zone (DST): | UTC−5 (CDT) |
| Website: | www.knoxcountyil.com |
Knox County location map. Where is Knox County?
History
Knox County was named in honor of Henry Knox, the first US Secretary of War.
The first “Knox County” in what today is Illinois was unrelated to the modern incarnation. In 1790, the land of the Indiana Territory that was to become Illinois was divided into two counties: St. Clair and Knox. The latter included land in what was to become Indiana. When Knox County, Indiana, was formed from this portion of the county in 1809, the Illinois portions were subdivided into counties that were given other names.
The modern Knox County, Illinois, was organized in 1825, from Fulton County, itself a portion of the original St. Clair County.
Like its neighbor to the south, Fulton County, for its Spoon River Drive, Knox County is also known for a similar scenic drive fall festival the first two weekends in October, the Knox County Drive.
Knox County between its creation in 1825 and 1831
Knox County between 1831 and 1839
Knox County in 1839, when it was reduced slightly to its current size
Knox County Road Map
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 720 square miles (1,900 km), of which 716 square miles (1,850 km) is land and 3.4 square miles (8.8 km) (0.5%) is water.
Climate and weather
In recent years, average temperatures in the county seat of Galesburg have ranged from a low of 13 °F (−11 °C) in January to a high of 85 °F (29 °C) in July, although a record low of −25 °F (−32 °C) was recorded in January 1982 and a record high of 102 °F (39 °C) was recorded in July 1983. Average monthly precipitation ranged from 1.41 inches (36 mm) in January to 4.37 inches (111 mm) in July.
Public Transit
- Galesburg station
- Burlington Trailways
- Galesburg Transit
- List of intercity bus stops in Illinois
Major highways
- Interstate 74
- U.S. Highway 34
- U.S. Highway 150
- Illinois Route 8
- Illinois Route 17
- Illinois Route 41
- Illinois Route 78
- Illinois Route 97
- Illinois Route 164
- Illinois Route 116
- Illinois Route 167
- Illinois Route 180
Adjacent counties
- Mercer County – northwest
- Henry County – north
- Stark County – east
- Peoria County – southeast
- Fulton County – south
- Warren County – west
Knox County Topographic Map
Knox County Satellite Map
Knox County Outline Map
