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Illinois Counties
There are one hundred and two counties in Illinois. St. Clair County was the first county established in what is today Illinois. Most counties in Illinois were named after early American leaders, especially of the American Revolutionary War, as well as soldiers from the Battle of Tippecanoe and the War of 1812.Randolph County, Illinois
Randolph County Education, Geography, and History
Randolph County is a county located in the state of Illinois. According to the 2010 census, it had a population of 33,476. Randolph County was created on October 5, 1795. The county seat is Chester. The county is named for Edmund Randolph (1753-1813), first Attorney General of the United States, and briefly United States Secretary of State.
Etymology - Origin of Randolph County Name
The county is named for Edmund Randolph, revolutionary soldier, Secretary of State and US Attorney General under President George Washington.
Demographics:
County QuickFacts: CensusBureau Quick Facts
Randolph County History
Randolph County was created on October 5, 1795 (By proclamation of Arthur St. Clair, St. Clair Papers, Vol. 2, p.
345.) and was formed from St. Clair County and Northwest Territory. Present area, or parts of it, formerly included in:
St. Clair County - Northern section of Randolph County (1790-1803) and St. Clair County (1790-1795).
The County was named for Edmund Randolph, a soldier of the Revolution, a lawyer and statesman, member of the Continental
Congress, Attorney General and Governor of Virginia, Secretary of State of the United States and Attorney General under
Washington. The County Seat is Chester . Prior County Seats was Kaskaskia (1795-1847) and Chester (1847-Present).
Owing to its role in the state's history, the county motto is "Where Illinois Began." It contains the historically important village of
Kaskaskia, Illinois's first capital.
Geography: Land and Water
As reported by the Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 597 square miles (1,547 km2), of which, 578
square miles (1,498 km2) of it is land and 19 square miles (49 km2) of it (3.15%) is water.
Randolph county is located in south Illinois. The county includes fertile river
flats, part of the American Bottom; it is near the Greater St. Louis area.
The Kaskaskia River flows into the Mississippi River in Randolph County. At this point the Mississippi, which
usually defines the border between Illinois and Missouri, is entirely in Illinois. The Mississippi changed its
course in the late-nineteenth century, leaving Kaskaskia, the former state capitol, on the west side of the River.
The boundary of the State, however, follows the old course of the River, leaving Illinois with an enclave on the
western shore of the Mississippi River.
Baldwin Lake State Fish & Wildlife Area, Peabody River State
Fish and Wildlife Area, Randolph County State Recreation Area, part of
Piney Creek Ravine State Natural Area and part of Kaskaskia River State
Fish & Wildlife Area are located in this county.
Neighboring Counties
Bordering counties are as follows:
- North: St. Clair County
- Northeast: Washington County
- East: Perry County
- Southeast: Jackson County
- South: Perry County, Mo.
- Southwest: Ste. Genevieve County, Mo.
- Northwest: Monroe County
Education
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